Enfield Landscape Recovery project
Transforming land in the Enfield Council borough of London into the city’s largest area for nature recovery and access to nature.
Enfield Landscape Recovery project will work with farmers and partners in the Enfield Council borough of North London to transition over 1,000 hectares into a thriving landscape for nature, climate resilience and people. By restoring rivers, wetlands, woodlands and grasslands, the project will create one of the largest nature recovery initiatives in London while improving access to green space for local communities.
The project aims to restore habitats across the former Enfield forest estate. In doing so it will contribute towards Enfield Council’s ambition to be net zero by 2040 and -
- Expand public access through new paths, cycle routes and green spaces alongside an exciting programme of events and activities.
- Create and enhance woodlands, wetlands, grasslands and rivers to improve water quality and biodiversity.
- Reduce flooding downstream in the urban parts of the borough, like Edmonton, using natural flood management measures, such as ponds and woodlands.
The project is a response to present-day challenges – soil erosion, modified rivers that are disconnected from their floodplains which are contributing to community flood risk, degraded habitats and biodiversity loss. It is also a response to future challenges arising from a changing climate - the habitats created will help to cool this part of the city during hot summer months, provide areas of shade and shelter for wildlife during more intense weather and absorb, store and slow the flow of rainwater during and after heavy rainfall, helping to reduce local flood risk.
What will the project do?
The project’s main activities are as follows:
- transitioning farmland to a mosaic habitats of woodlands, wetlands, grasslands and scrub;
- restoring sections of river;
- enhancing existing wildlife habitats to support their natural function and ability to support more species;
- connecting more people with the landscape and with nature on the outskirts of London;
- monitoring the success of habitat restoration over the 20 year project lifetime.
The project has engaged with community groups and members during its development and will continue to do so during its delivery.
Project aims to commence delivery in 2027.
Who's involved?
This is a multi-sector partnership project that brings together Enfield Council, the Environment Agency, Thames21 and The Rivers Trust, The Mayor of London, Forestry Commission, Friends of Enfield Chase, Greener Enfield, Climate Action Enfield, and Enfield’s Farmers.
As a Landscape Recovery project, it falls within the most ambitious tier of the UK Government’s agri-environment funding and will receive public funding alongside funding from private sector sources, to deliver its aims over its 20 years.
Learn more
Head over to the Enfield Council's website to learn more about the project.
