We hope to mobilise a local group of enthusiastic community volunteers, to design, plan and create a Garden on land around the Church and Community Centre at St. Andrew's. The Church and proposed garden are located at the heart of the Corbett Estate, Catford, and are in close proximity to the Library, community centre, Shop and School, with many local people walking past the proposed garden space on a daily basis. The current land is under-utilised and unfortunately frequently used for exercising dogs, as well as attracting litter. We see a brilliant opportunity to create a haven for wildlife in an urban area, which is easily accessible to people, and could provide some much needed Green rest space in a built up neighbourhood. The project would establish a community consultation, to develop ideas and designs for the creation of the new garden, perhaps by holding a design competition. We aim to have a management plan, and recruit volunteers for it's creation and maintenance.

What we'll deliver:

• Create a new garden space of approx 150m2 with path and planting
• Provide two benches for sitting
• Plant two new trees as part of the garden

Why it's a great idea:

We hope that the benefits of the project will be: Improve the quality of planting and visual enjoyment of the green spaces around St. Andrew The Apostle Improve the existing war memorial area as a place for contemplation Create a garden that promotes wildlife and biodiversity Create a garden that is enjoyable and attractive to visit for the purposes of work, rest and contemplation and that contributes positively to the environmental quality of the area Engage with the local community and seek their involvement in all stages of the garden’s progress. The garden should provide a place for the local community to meet, enjoy and learn new skills. Seek to use the garden to improve the quality of life, confidence, skills and knowledge of as wide a range of our community as possible including those who are most vulnerable or often excluded for whatever reason. Build-on the existing community hub in this location, improving the quality of streetscape and developing visual amenity.

Steps to get it done:

• Undertake community consultation/design competition - March to April 2021
• Secure approvals of Church (landowner to final design) - May 2021
• Establish core community group of volunteers (March to May 2021)
• Write plan of work and method statements (June 2021)
• Procure materials for path/hard landscaping construction (June 2021)
• Construct hard landscaping (July/August 2021)
• Prepare planting beds (September 2021)
• Take delivery of plants, and plant out (October to November 2021)

We currently have a core team of volunteers who have prepared initial proposals for the development of the Garden. A small initial self funded bulb planting phase (2,000 bulbs) was successfully carried out in Autumn 2020. The Church is managed by the Parochial Church Council, and we were invited to present the project proposal to them in January. We received positive feedback on the proposal and support for the project. We have agreed to form a management team (including a project manager and treasurer), to develop the project further. We are currently in the process of assessing what permissions and approvals we will need from the Church diocese, and any other planning related matters. Though initial feedback is that this will not be prohibitive to the project progressing. We are also looking into budget requirements and funding opportunities. We are planning to start a consultation process in Spring 2021 to develop the design and engage the local community.