On a crisp morning in early spring, as you arrive at the Kidbrooke Village housing project in Greenwich, the first thing that greets you are the melodies of birds and the fragrant aroma of blooming flowers. In the distance, geese can be heard softly honking.
Previously, this area was home to the Ferrier estate, a postwar complex that was dismantled in 2009 for revitalization purposes.
In its place, the harsh grey concrete now gives way to elegant redbrick buildings, all situated within a “green corridor” that connects the southern Sutcliffe Park to the northern nature reserves at Kidbrooke Green and the London Wildlife Trust’s Birdbrook. Many of the residential units overlook new ponds and the revitalized wetlands of the River Quaggy, which had a history of flooding that jeopardized local businesses and properties. Unlike other projects that have faced setbacks due to insufficient environmental surveys for bats or rare newts, this development has seamlessly integrated nature into its design, featuring bat boxes nestled in trees and wetlands designed specifically for newts adjacent to the residential blocks.
The thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces include vibrant blue and green areas, complete with a children’s playground and benches that overlook the serene wetlands. In summer, the ponds bloom with reeds, attracting wildlife such as reed buntings and kingfishers. During the Guardian’s visit, the area was alive with people basking in the joy of a beautiful spring day.
According to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, the concern for newts and bats can impede new housing projects. However, here, 5,000 homes are being constructed alongside a thriving habitat for these species. Wildlife trusts have collaborated closely with housing developers to create quality residential spaces that coexist with nature.
Other housing initiatives led by wildlife trusts include Trumpington Meadows in Cambridgeshire, formerly a potato field that now boasts diverse wildlife, such as blue butterflies, waxcap fungi, and singing stonechats. In Surrey, Priest Hill has been transformed from neglected playing fields and previous developments into a site for 15 new homes near a nature reserve. Meanwhile, the charmingly named Tadpole Garden Village in Wiltshire will encompass 28 hectares (68 acres) of green space alongside nearly 2,000 residences.
David Mooney, chief executive of the London Wildlife Trust, spoke of Kidbrooke Village, saying, “We were initially involved to devise a nature-based solution for the flooding issues in the River Quaggy. We connected it to a floodplain and established sustainable urban drainage systems, working with Berkeley Homes to design these flats around the new wetland areas.”
A new planning and infrastructure bill currently in parliament aims to ease some ecological considerations for developers, potentially allowing homes to be built without necessary green infrastructure.
Mooney remarked, “The Treasury is creating a false division between housing and nature. Yet, we have been collaborating with housing developers successfully for years. While not all developers prioritize this, many reputable ones value nature in their projects because it enhances residents’ mental well-being, reduces flooding risks, provides cooling shade, and offers numerous other benefits.”
Additionally, maintaining wild areas often reduces costs and upkeep, as they don’t require regular mowing or maintenance. In summer, the picturesque land will flourish into a wildflower meadow standing waist-high.
Pointing toward the open meadows and ponds, he remarked, “This could have been developed. Once concrete, this area was a no-go wasteland. Some unscrupulous developers, and evidently Rachel Reeves, believe this should be built upon. But what would that accomplish? People cherish being in these spaces.”
Evidently, newts appreciate them too, inhabiting ponds of various shapes and sizes. “Who wouldn’t want wildlife visible from their window? Who wouldn’t enjoy seeing a dragonfly fluttering by while washing the dishes? People have a deep connection to nature, especially when they live nearby and actively look after it. We are about to construct a nature pavilion as part of our efforts.”
He noted that the housing estate’s design incorporated bat habitats. “We’ve installed bat boxes and ‘swift bricks’ for nesting birds within the architecture. It can be accomplished easily and affordably.”
Materials from the site have been repurposed into nature mounds rather than sent to a landfill, where wildflower seeds will be scattered. These small hills will offer space for picnics and views overlooking the ponds.
Mooney expressed concern about how the government characterizes wildlife trusts: “We’re not advocating for a complete rewilding of England. We can clearly identify areas where nature can coexist, guiding where housing can be developed, avoiding a chaotic approach. Nature and housing can coexist harmoniously.”
He worries that the proposed regulations could make developments like Kidbrooke the exception rather than the standard, leading to future projects that neglect ecological considerations.
“There are developers, who shall remain unnamed, who are pleased with Rachel Reeves’ statements because they were never committed to the environmental aspects in the first place. They are the most avaricious, seeking to maximize profits with little regard for the landscape or the quality of life for future residents.”
