Are you starting a campaign to prevent inappropriate development of your local park or green space? This guide will help you mount a strong case to oppose the plans.
Campaigning & Protecting
Restoring and managing a historic ‘People’s Park’ – Warley Woods Community Trust, Sandwell, West Midlands
Warley Woods is a 100-acre community park which is a mix of woodland, open meadow and a golf course. It has registered, grade 2 status with English Heritage. It was saved from being developed for housing by public subscription and was opened as public park in 1906 and became known as “The People’s Park”.
Protecting a historic reservoir – Friends of Edgbaston Reservoir, Birmingham
Edgbaston Reservoir is a 70-acre site, situated in Ladywood, less than two miles from the City centre. It is a designated Local Nature Reserve and a site of historic importance. The group are keen to guard against any developments which could be detrimental to the whole ethos of a very special place.
Dukes Meadows: Local people organise together to save their park
Dukes Meadows is a 170-acre site which was pretty derelict 20 years ago. The community and volunteers helped regenerate the site into a lovely thriving park.
Saving Turn Moss from non-community use development
In 2018 planning permission was sought to develop the Green Belt site as a training centre for Salford City Football Club. The Campaign to Save Turn Moss was successful and the campaigners formed Friends of Turn Moss to ensure the site was improved for the benefit of all the users.
Defeating a “land Grab” and making a green space an “Asset of Community Value” – Friends of Wandsworth Park
Friends of Wandsworth Park successfully defeat a land-grab. Neighbours adjacent to the park submit a planning application to ‘change of use’ to allow the space to be incorporated into their private gardens.
How to do a radio interview
Local radio is an important way of spreading news about your group.
How to run a BioBlitz
A ‘BioBlitz’, is a collaborative race against the clock to discover as many species of plants, animals and fungi as possible, within a set location, over a defined time period..
Setting up a Friends of Parks group
Why not get together with other users to form a local Friends group!
How to Set Up and Maintain a Community Group for your local Park or Green Space
Green spaces need local people to use them, wisely and often. By forming a group, you can help sort out what needs to be done, identify needs and priorities for local people of all ages and backgrounds, understand the challenges and the opportunities, and form a practical partnership with your local authority.
