“If every developer worked for nature’s recovery as much as this, the environment would be in a much better state.” - David Mooney, chief executive officer at the London Wildlife Trust.
To mark World Wildlife Day (Monday 3 March), we take a look at some of the work that’s been going on to promote biodiversity in Canada Water.
London is known around the world for the quality of its green spaces, which cover almost 18% of the capital – more space than is covered by roads and railways combined**. British Land are proud to be extending that tradition as we build the capital’s first new town centre in a generation. The 12 acres of new open spaces we’re creating within the masterplan, which make up 35% of the overall development area, will not only provide people in the area with room to relax, play and connect with the natural world, but also host habitats in which wildlife can thrive.
With the world facing a biodiversity crisis that many view as a just as big a threat to nature and human health as climate change, this work is a vital part of building a sustainable neighbourhood.
Canada Dock
Over several years we partnered with Townshend Landscape Architects alongside the London Wildlife Trust to develop the vision for Canada Dock. During this time, we also engaged with Southwark Council and key stakeholders including local schools, accessibility groups, the Surrey Docks Angling Club and ecology groups, plus the people who live and work in Canada Water.
Seven new wetland islands and three habitats for wildlife, including reed beds, wet woodlands and wet meadow have been installed. Native flowering plants and trees have been carefully selected and planted to attract species including dragonflies, kingfishers and frogs, while the 1km of new shoreline created provides ideal nesting locations for ducks, swans and other birds. Today the reed beds and grasses blow in the wind and waterfowl and the dock’s resident swan pair are beginning to select their nesting spots; come spring the place will come alive with lush green flora and fauna.
A tufted duck enjoys the new environment in the dock
While excavating the dock, some of the reed planting was retained and planted in floating habitats to provide temporary nesting and foraging areas during the construction works. These have now been moved to nearby Greenland Dock to create more space for local wildlife, and continue the project of improving the historic docks as havens for biodiversity and places where local people can get close to nature.
A cormorant and black-headed gulls sun themselves on a temporary nesting area
Traversing the dock, a 170-metre boardwalk known as Rafter Walk, designed by the world-renowned architect Asif Khan, is a new cultural landmark. It enables people to get close to the wildlife without disturbing it, fostering a connection between the area’s human and non-human residents. At night, lighting is designed to illuminate the walkway without causing light pollution for the life beneath. A dipping pond opening in early summer will allow people to explore the dock’s aquatic life, providing a space for educational purposes, meaning children are able to learn about the natural environment and experience it firsthand.
In summer 2023, the Canada Dock team won the award for Planning for the Natural Environment in the Planning Awards.
Dock Office Gardens
Planting at Dock Office Gardens
In September Dock Office Gardens was completed, located between the Grade II-listed Dock Office, Canada Water Leisure Centre, Three Deal Porters and Dock Shed. We’ve planted more than 90 species of plants, including exotic ferns, in a space inspired by the botanic gardens planted by Victorian naturalists.
Future spaces
Across the development, we’ve already planted more than 270 trees of a variety of species, with a commitment to plant hundreds more as part of the project.
And there’s still plenty to come over the next decade, including a new park located adjacent to the Printworks building. This 3.5-acre park will incorporate woodland, meadow, dry garden, open lawn and shaded areas, providing a range of habitats to encourage a diverse local ecology.
Green walking and cycling routes will connect these open spaces to the abundant blue and green spaces surrounding Canada Water, such as Southwark Park and Russia Dock Woodland. These routes will also function as biodiversity corridors, enabling a rich ecosystem to permeate through the development.
Meanwhile, at Paper Garden, our community partners Global Generation work to connect people with the natural world, gardening organically, creating healthy soil ecologies and planting for wildlife. Through their Generator programme, Global Generation is teaching the next generation how to protect and preserve their natural habitat, and the importance of these spaces in cities such as London.
Community planting at Paper Garden
Work undertaken with ecology experts Greengage to monitor the impact of our plans for nature found the development was on track to create 28% biodiversity net gain for hedgerows and habitats. This is way ahead of the 10% planning requirement and could rise to 60% for habitats as we implement our nature plans over future phases.
