What if London became a National Park?

[Tim Lund]

Covering up to 7% of the UK, urban areas are recognised by Natural England as a distinct habitat, and by that definition London is truly remarkable. The population of 8.3m shares the city with 13,000 species of wildlife that inhabit the conurbation's 3,000 parks, 30,000 allotments, two national nature reserves, 36 sites of special scientific interest and 142 local nature reserves.

A massive 47% of London is green space, making it one of the greenest cities in the world for its size. It is home to the world's largest urban forest and its 3.8m gardens cover 24% of the capital.

The statutory purpose of national park status is to "conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area" and "promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the park by the public." What if we took these ideas and applied them to London?

Join us for a day of inspirational presentations, engaging panel discussions and a conversation that could lead to London becoming the world's first National Park City, a new kind of national park.

- See more at: http://www.projectdirt.com/apps/event/3 ... t63Bg.dpuf

The Ecologist Magazine comes to the conclusion that perhaps he is bonkers, but asks if that means he is wrong.

Source here

I ask whether he knows how National Parks work, and whether he thinks we need to house more people in London. Operationally,

National park authorities are strategic and local planning authorities for their areas. They are responsible for maintaining the local development framework — the spatial planning guide for their area. They also grant planning consent for development, within the constraints of the Framework. This gives them very considerable direct control over residential and industrial development, and the design of buildings and other structures; as well as strategic matters such as mineral extraction.

Source here

This may actually be what we need - a London wide body to assume responsibility for planning from its 33 boroughs. It could save money, and lead to faster decision making, as well as preserving our open spaces and wildlife habitats. But, if Darren Johnson's call for more housing is to be met,



it will also mean allowing existing developed land to be redeveloped at higher densities, i.e. allowing higher rise.