A major part of Whitewebbs Park (Enfield, London) was a public (rather than a private) golf course. That golf course ceased operation in 2021. Its area consequently reverted to nature. The park became home to 80 bird species; circa 9 bat species; 29 butterfly species; badgers and even the endangered Great-crested newt (an amphibian). This public park was a 'Mecca' for natural history enthusiasts. This was essentially a North London success story for an otherwise biodiversity-blighted country. Despite public protests, the council have now sold, for £2m, a 25 year lease to Tottenham Hotspur football (soccer) club to build a women's football academy. The academy will have all-weather pitches (monocultures, plastics plus herbicides- bye-bye birds and insects), floodlights (bye-bye also bats) and a 'turf academy'. Predictably, the council bleat about the 'created' job and recreational opportunities (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/12/dark-day-for-parks-plans-to-build-spurs-academy-on-london-green-space-approved). It was ever thus! Maintaining viable natural ecologies comes very low down the list, when money is waved around. Councillors never seem to realise that the bioservices offered by nature are also important to human health. These 'free' services clean our waters, provide our pollinators etc. etc. Spending time in 'rewilded' locations, even improves human mental health.
No comments:
Post a Comment