L&Q Forest Homes secures £150,000 grant to develop park and city farm in Waltham Forest

L&Q Forest Homes has been awarded £150,000 to transform a run-down park and “city farm” in Waltham Forest.

The cash injection has been awarded by the London Borough of Waltham Forest through the Cleaner Safer Green Communities programme, which aims to create environmentally sustainable projects which will improve the quality of residents’ lives.

The site to be developed is Skelton's Lane Park, which also includes Brooks Farm (the only “city farm” in Waltham Forest). The site is owned by the London Borough of Waltham Forest, which has been happy for L&Q Forest Homes to take a proactive role in developing the park to benefit not only L&Q residents but the entire neighbourhood.
Families from the neighbouring Beaumont Estate are frequent visitors and children have the chance to get up close to pigs, ducks, Shetland ponies, goats and even a baby llama called Merlin!

However, the area has become run-down because of neglect and under-investment and there is no play equipment for children over seven.

Now the new grant has been confirmed, L&Q Forest Homes has commissioned a master plan for the site and a series of community development solutions to ensure the park/farm will be sustainable and generate its own income in the future. This has been done in close consultation with resident to find out what they want.

One of the key parts of the new facility will be a cutting-edge “interpretation centre” – an educational building themed around the environment where children will be able to learn more about the animals at the farm and nature generally.
This centre will also be available for groups to hire, which will generate extra money for the centre. It will also mean the park/farm can attract groups from local schools for the first time.

The master plans and design have been informed by extensive consultation with residents, which has been lead by L&Q Forest Homes.

Jehan Weerasinghe, Neighbourhood Investment Manager for L&Q Forest Homes, who has been leading on the project, said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for our residents on the Beaumont Estate. Once the site is completed it will offer education and leisure facilities for residents of all ages.”

Work is due to take place during the summer of 2007.

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