How You Can Get Involved
During the Formal Consultation (during October 2025)
You can :
Visit the consultation page The Commonplace consultation page.
.- Review the draft strategy and habitat maps
- Submit your comments through the GLA Engagement Portal
- Attend consultation events – the GLA typically holds public meetings to discuss major consultations
- Email your views to biodiversity@london.gov.uk
Stay Informed
Sign up for updates about the consultation at the GLA’s LNRS webpage.
Share Local Knowledge
The LNRS is being developed with input from Londoners who know their areas best. Consider sharing:
– Wildlife you’ve spotted in local green spaces
– Areas that could benefit from habitat creation or restoration
– Ideas for better connecting our existing nature sites
– Success stories from Woodberry Wetlands that could inspire other areas
A bit of Woodberry Wetlands History
As residents of Woodberry Down, we’re fortunate to live alongside one of London’s most remarkable urban nature reserves. Woodberry Wetlands, opened by Sir David Attenborough in 2016, has transformed our neighbourhood, showing what’s possible when nature is given space to thrive in our city. Now, we have a chance to help shape London’s nature recovery for decades to come.
What’s Happening?
The Greater London Authority is preparing London’s first Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) – a new legal requirement under the Environment Act 2021. This important document will identify where and how nature recovery should be prioritised across our city, creating a connected network of wildlife habitats that benefit both people and nature.
The draft strategy is expected to be published for public consultation in late 2025 or early 2026, with the final version published in early 2026. This is our opportunity to have a say in how London protects and enhances its green and blue spaces for future generations.
Why Does This Matter to Woodberry Down?
Our neighbourhood is already a shining example of successful nature recovery. Woodberry Wetlands is designated as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation – one of over 1,600 such sites across London that form the backbone of the city’s ecological network.
The LNRS will:
Protect what we have: Our local treasures like Woodberry Wetlands, Woodberry Down Park (a Green Flag award winner since 2016), and the New River Path will be recognised in London’s strategic nature recovery network.
Create better connections: The strategy aims to make London’s ecological network “bigger, better, and more joined up.” This could mean improved green corridors linking Woodberry Wetlands to other nature sites, building on the successful “Wetlands to Wetlands” route that already connects us to Walthamstow Wetlands.
Influence future development: The LNRS will become a “material consideration” in planning decisions. This means it will help shape how the ongoing Woodberry Down regeneration and other local developments protect and enhance nature.
Direct funding: The strategy will help guide where resources are invested in nature recovery, potentially bringing more support for local wildlife projects.
Support Biodiversity Net Gain: New developments will be required to achieve biodiversity gains, with bonus points for creating habitats in areas identified as strategically important by the LNRS.
What Makes Our Area Special?
Woodberry Wetlands is home to an incredible array of wildlife:
– Over 171 bird species have been recorded here, including five species of warbler
– Eight bat species, including the UK’s largest – the Noctule bat
– Thriving populations of smooth newts, common frogs and toads
– Numerous butterfly and moth species dancing among the wildflowers
– Extensive reedbeds that provide crucial habitat for wetland wildlife
The wetlands demonstrate how historic reservoirs can be transformed into accessible nature reserves that serve both wildlife and communities. The site’s success has inspired similar projects, including the proposed improvements to West Reservoir.
Beyond the Wetlands, our area benefits from:
– The New River Path providing a green walking and cycling route
– Metropolitan Open Land protecting key green spaces
– Connections to the wider Lee Valley ecosystem
– New green spaces created through the regeneration, including Spring Park
What Should Woodberry Down Residents Highlight?
When the consultation opens, here are some points worth emphasising:
The Value of Accessible Nature Reserves: Woodberry Wetlands proves that operational infrastructure (like reservoirs) can serve dual purposes, providing both utility and invaluable nature experiences. This model should be replicated across London.
Green Corridors Matter: The success of the Wetlands to Wetlands route shows the importance of safe, green connections between nature sites. More routes like this would benefit both wildlife movement and community wellbeing.
Community Engagement Works: The partnership between Thames Water, London Wildlife Trust, Berkeley Homes, and Hackney Council demonstrates how collaboration can deliver outstanding results. The LNRS should encourage similar partnerships.
Metropolitan Open Land Protection: The green spaces around our reservoirs are protected as Metropolitan Open Land. As London considers green belt reviews for housing, the LNRS must ensure these vital urban nature sites remain protected.
Regeneration and Nature Can Go Together: Woodberry Down’s regeneration has enhanced, not diminished, access to nature. This should be the model for all major developments across London.
Climate Resilience: Our wetlands and reed beds provide natural flood management and help moderate temperatures during heatwaves. The LNRS should prioritise habitats that deliver these climate resilience benefits.
The Bigger Picture
London is one of 48 areas across England creating Local Nature Recovery Strategies. Together, these will form a national Nature Recovery Network, working to reverse decades of biodiversity decline.
The London LNRS will:
– Cover all 33 London boroughs
– Work with neighbouring counties (Hertfordshire, Kent, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, and Berkshire)
– Inform the next London Plan and London Environment Strategy
– Link with the new London Green Infrastructure Framework
Why Your Voice Matters
The success of Woodberry Wetlands didn’t happen by accident – it required vision, investment, and community support. The LNRS consultation is your chance to ensure that London’s nature recovery strategy reflects what you value about your local environment.
Local knowledge is invaluable. You might know about a neglected corner that could be transformed, a wildlife corridor that needs protecting, or community groups ready to get involved in nature recovery. Your input helps ensure the strategy is grounded in reality, not just in data.
Looking Ahead
The draft LNRS consultation represents a pivotal moment for London’s environment. After the consultation closes, the GLA will review responses and publish the final strategy in early 2026. This document will then guide nature recovery efforts across our city for years to come.
As Woodberry Down residents, we’ve already seen the transformation that’s possible when nature is given space to flourish. The LNRS consultation is our opportunity to help extend this success across London, ensuring that all Londoners can enjoy the benefits of thriving urban nature.
Watch this space for updates on when the consultation opens, and make sure you have your say in shaping London’s natural future.
Key Contacts and Resources
GLA Biodiversity Team
Email: biodiversity@london.gov.uk
London Wildlife Trust
Managing Woodberry Wetlands and working on the LNRS
Website: wildlondon.org.uk
Hackney Council – Parks and Green Spaces
Website: hackney.gov.uk/parks
Stay Updated
Sign up for LNRS updates: GLA LNRS webpage
This blog post was prepared in October 2025 to help Woodberry Down residents understand and engage with the upcoming GLA consultation on London’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
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