Home / Environment / Judi Dench Fights to Save London's Green Spaces
Judi Dench Fights to Save London's Green Spaces
21 Jan
Summary
- Over 50 London parks face development risks, says CPRE London.
- Dame Judi Dench advocates for preserving green spaces like Whitewebbs Park.
- Government's 'grey belt' policy allows development on protected land.
Dame Judi Dench has issued a passionate plea to safeguard London's parks and green spaces, as research reveals more than 50 are currently at risk of development. The acclaimed actress emphasized the critical need for preservation, citing the felling of a 450-year-old oak tree at Whitewebbs Park as a prime example of escalating threats.
CPRE London's findings indicate that at least nine parks, eight playing fields, and eight nature reserves are endangered. While six green spaces were saved last year through campaigning, seven were lost, including Crossness nature reserve. The organization also condemned the government's "grey belt" policy.
Campaigners are challenging local council decisions, such as Enfield's lease of Whitewebbs Park to Tottenham Hotspur, which involves cutting down 207 trees. Similarly, a long-standing dispute continues over plans to develop part of Wimbledon Park for new tennis facilities.
Alice Roberts of CPRE London expressed concern over a legal judgment affirming councils' broad powers to sell parks and the government's decision to weaken green belt protections, enabling lucrative development on previously protected countryside land.
