An exciting new outdoor space on Peabody’s Barnwell House estate in Southwark has been opened for the use of residents.
Farrar Huxley Associates designed the space and improvement works, carried out by the contractor UPM Tilhill, began in April this year. The finished space, which cost under £200,000 to complete, was opened on Sunday 19 October.
Key improvements include:
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Providing children and young people with a safe and enjoyable space to play.
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Enhancing biodiversity by introducing a colourful mixture of plants.
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Creating a space that will encourage community activities.
Sue Forsyth, Peabody Project Manager, said
“We’re delighted to deliver such a beautifully landscaped garden. Children can now run about and play together here and local people can meet and enjoy the space. We’re looking forward to spring, when the garden will be filled with colour, butterflies and honey bees.
“It’s been a real privilege to work on a project that will make such a difference to the local area and people’s lives.”
Barnwell House is one of three Peabody estates whose threadbare outdoor spaces have been rejuvenated through the Green Spaces for People partnership supported by the Big Lottery Fund.
The other two estates are Peabody’s historic North Row Buildings estate in Westminster, where improvements were completed in August 2010, and Cylde Road estate in Haringey, where improvements are due to be completed next month.
Green Spaces for People is an exciting partnership between Places for People, the Riverside Group and Peabody. It has received £15.6 million from the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme and will regenerate over 70 open spaces across England, providing play, sports and youth facilities, community and sensory gardens, community parks and wildlife habitats. Individual projects will range in value from approximately £22,000 to £1 million.
In coming years Peabody plans to improve the open spaces on a number of its estates across London, enhancing biodiversity, security and recreational value.
For more information, contact Peabody Media Relations Officer Neil Young on 0207 021 4210 or neil.young@peabody.org.uk.
