Households in overcrowded urban areas like London’s East End are being urged to help make their neighbourhoods more green by getting involved in drawing up local area plans to include more trees and woods.
Local plans show evidence for the Government to expand open spaces, the Woodland Trust points out.
Trees also help keep London’s air clean and breathable, support wildlife and add value to the urban economy, says the trust, estimating living with a view of green space is worth �300 to each person every year.
The East End has a wealth of green space such as Grove Hall Park (pictured), Victoria Park, Mile End Park and Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park.
But there is growing pressure for urban development, conservationists warn, including plans for giant sewer ventilation shafts in Shadwell’s King Edward Memorial Park on the Thames waterfront.
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