Community fun at Lancaster Estate

In early July we marked the transformation of Lancaster Estate Gardens with a Community Fun Day featuring circus skills, face painting and, of course, gardening. Around 200 local people, joined by local authority officers and Councillors, enjoyed an afternoon of fun in a brand new garden!

Last year, we were delighted to receive Section 106 money from Southwark Council to renovate Lancaster Estate’s outside space. This money forms part of a planning agreement with a developer to mitigate the impact a development will have on the local area. In the case of Lancaster Estate, the developer was Barratt East London.

With the Section 106 funds, Bankside Open Spaces Trust has been able to turn a neglected space suffering with antisocial behaviour into an open and inviting garden. Lancaster residents gave us their suggestions and from this we have introduced new planting beds, seating areas, a sustainable rain garden and, most importantly, play equipment for children.

One resident reflected on the changes saying, “You see so many more people who live here enjoying it now, as well as people who work nearby and like to take their lunch here.  It didn’t used to be that way.”

Stephen Thompson, Managing Director, Barratt East London, added, “We were so pleased to be able to help with the creation of the new landscaped play area at Lancaster Estate. Supporting communities in the areas we are building is a huge priority for us and it’s great to see such a fantastic space already being put to good use. I hope it will be enjoyed by the community for many years to come.”

With an estimated 350-400 people living on Lancaster Estate and many more working nearby, our hope is that this garden will encourage more people to get outside. Our new weekly Lancaster Gardening Club offers locals even more encouragement – to find out more about this club please email molly@bost.org.uk. We hope to see you in Lancaster Estate Garden soon!

We could not have completed the work at Lancaster Estate alone. Everyone at Bankside Open Spaces Trust is extremely grateful to Counsellors Maria Linforth-Hall and Graham Neale from St Georges Ward, Barratt Homes, landscape architects Petrow-Harley and Warwick Landscaping.