Southwark’s Labour-run council have announced the first £550,000 of grant funding for community projects to improve biodiversity across the borough.

The fund is the first of two rounds of grant funding this year which will total a £1 million boost for the environment, making our local area more resilient to climate change and protecting residents from ever-increasing flooding and overheating.

Projects in this round of funding include restoring Nunhead Cemetery pond and expanding its wetland, delivering a new wildlife pond in Brunswick Park in St Giles and recovering nature on the Hawkstone Estate in Rotherhithe.

Friends of Nunhead Cemetery Park will receive over £45,000 to restore Nunhead Cemetery pond and expand the wetland for wildlife.

Brunswick Park TRA in St Giles will use over £30,000 of grant funding to create a new clay-lined, rain-fed wildlife pond.

Meanwhile Hawkstone Estate TRA will receive over £117,000 to restore nature on the estate, including over 150m2 of new green space.

Environmental charity Hubbub will also receive £70,000 to advise residents across Southwark on how to turn their homes and streets into mini ‘stepping stone’ habitats – making our borough a welcome home for wildlife.

Cllr Gavin Edwards, Labour councillor for Nunhead & Queen’s Road, said:

“Labour is boosting the environment in Nunhead and it is great to see Friends of Nunhead Cemetery receiving funding to restore and expand the cemetery pond.

As local Labour councillors we are committed to helping local wildlife thrive, making our borough cleaner and greener now and into the future.”