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News14 November 2024

Clarion showcases rewilding projects in Tower Hamlets with Greater London Authority (GLA) and local councillors

The initiative focuses on rewilding Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), spanning over 35 hectares of green spaces.

Clarion Housing Group hosted an event to showcase its WildE3 Rewilding Projects, an initiative aimed at revitalising urban green spaces in some of its estates in Tower Hamlets.

The event brought together the Deputy Mayor Mete Coban MBE at the Greater London Authority (GLA), Tower Hamlets Councillor Nathalie Bienfait, Scrutiny Lead for the Environment & Climate Emergency, local residents' groups, and Clarion Housing Group’s Chief Executive, Clare Miller, to showcase the achievements of the project.

Held across several Clarion managed estates, the event highlighted the progress of the WildE3, a project co-funded by the Mayor of London’s Rewild London Fund. The initiative focuses on rewilding Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), spanning over 35 hectares of green spaces, while fostering greater biodiversity and engaging local communities in the process.

Attendees took an active part in the day’s activities, including tree planting and a demonstration of bulb planting that will form part of the long-term landscaping efforts. They were also introduced to the wider WildE3 strategy, with Clarion’s team presenting how the project aims to reconnect urban areas with nature and improve the resilience of local green spaces. During the event, attendees had the opportunity to meet with residents who shared how the project has already made a meaningful impact on their everyday lives, fostering a stronger sense of community and wellbeing.

Clare Miller, Chief Executive of Clarion Housing Group, commented:

"The WildE3 project is a testament to Clarion’s 2050 commitment to building sustainable communities. Rewilding urban spaces and engaging with the local community allows us to enhance biodiversity while improving the quality of life for our residents. It’s truly remarkable to see how this project is already transforming local environments."

Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Greater London Authority, added:

"This project is a brilliant example of the power of rewilding in urban settings. Nature should be for everyone, so it’s been great to see how residents have been involved in improving biodiversity and making their local area more resilient to the impacts of climate change. The Mayor is proud to support this work through his Rewild London Fund, because projects like these bring us one step closer to building a fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners.”

The WildE3 project is a key contributor to the London Environment Strategy, addressing issues such as air pollution, flood risk, and the urban heat island effect. With the potential for national replication, the project sets a precedent for rewilding urban spaces across Clarion’s broader housing portfolio of over 125,000 homes.