Fitzrovia is a wonderful bohemian and characterful part of the West End with a village-type inclusive feel. Located at the foot of BT Tower with its the majestic presence and spectacular architecture, the area is a creative hub with many independent shops and eateries and residential homes. Creativity plays a part in many surrounding streets with creative planting against the backdrop of spectacular but sometimes harsh architecture. Cleveland Street is one street that has little planting to soften the landscape, and it has high footfall. Simple planting can immediately transform a street’s look and feel with small green pocket spaces and greening on building forecourts, as well as achieving cleaner air, moving to a zero-carbon approach. The project will develop a consistent planter design and with colour co-ordinated species specification to benefit the setting and character of the local conservation areas. The project will draw reference from local architecture, colours and materials.

What we'll deliver:

• Planters capable of capturing and storing rainwater
• Small Trees
• Plants and Shrubs
• Bee friendly and wildlife welcoming species that are climate resiliant
• Native and non native plant species to create an interesting visual appearance
• Mix of age friendly seats and benches
• Trail of information plaques including artwork
• Stewardship Maintenance Plan
• Cleveland Street Green Infrastructure Audit and Monitor

Why it's a great idea:

The project will deliver impact quickly, with installation planned for the summer / autumn season 2022, following site inspections and surveys. It is part of the project to revitalise the local high streets in Camden and to respond to community priorities for healthier and welcoming streets, the project has been developed to enhance the public realm and the visual appearance of these residential streets. A ribbon of trees and planters will be created leading down the street to create the feeling of a walkway. These will benefit the setting of residential and business premises and strengthen local green infrastructure increasing canopy habitats. Native and non-native species will have a focus on pollinating plants to support London Bee Corridor and the Wild West End. New forna and flora will contribute to the West End eco system, enhancing local air quality, health and wellbeing and contribute a key aim of the Wild West End Project for environmental and climate resilience.

Steps to get it done:

• Raise funds for the campaign to green the local streets of the Fitzrovia Village
• Public exhibition to show case the plans and tell people and local business what's planned
• Create a publicity campaign to promote the project and the wider plan to green the local Fitzrovia neighbourhood
• Work with local business and residents to get the community involved
• Design a planting species plan that encourages wildlife, pollinators andcreates seasonal colour
• Create an information trail to explain more about the plants and environmental benefit
• Encourages pride in Cleveland Street and brings together the business and resident community
• Provides opportunities for local volunteering to learn new skills and reduce urban lonliness

The short burst project will deliver lots of benefits for the vision ‘Our Fitzrovia – Green and Clean Air Strategy , including a visually transformed sustainable visible experience and healthier streets to live and work in, enjoy and walk along. It will establish a new habitat for urban wildlife and provide information about community gardening and urban micro food production. It will link to the established Wild West End Project, which is supported by partners the London Wildlife Trust and the Mayor of London. It will compliment other recently completed pocket landscape projects such as Whitfield Street Gardens and Alfred Place Gardens which support the revitalisation of Tottenham Court Road - the West End Project but extending the green network and connecting to Fitzroy Square and Regents Park beyond. It will establish a strong local wildlife corridor with a variety of food and water sources encouraging a flourish habitat in the heart of the city.