Rewilding London

“This scheme will deliver sustainable benefits that will be felt locally and more widely. The mosaic of woodlands, wetlands and grasslands over hundreds of hectares will improve biodiversity, creating new and expanded habitats for wildlife.”

“Importantly, it will provide enhanced accessibility for many people who, in the past, did not have the benefit of living near open, green spaces,” said Enfield Council’s Executive Director for Environment and Communities, Brett Leahy.

Natural benefits

The biodiversity, climate resilience and community wellbeing benefits delivered by the scheme, which will undoubtedly become an international exemplar for urban rewilding to the UK’s capital and its population, will be manifold.

Increasingly volatile weather patterns, coupled with the destruction of natural flood defence mechanisms, have made cities far more vulnerable to flooding.

In Enfield Chase, for example, the Salmons Brook River has been so modified that it no longer connects to its natural floodplain. Instead of mitigating the effects of heavy rainfall, it sends water rapidly downstream towards flood-prone urban areas in the Lee Valley.

By holding back the equivalent of 36,000 litres of water every hour, the Enfield project will protect over 1,800 properties from the impact of extreme weather events.

Mental and physical health will also receive a boost from nature prescribing and wellness initiatives, whilst new jobs and pathways into the green economy will be created via school engagement, citizen science and green skills training.

Local communities will become more empowered as underrepresented groups, such as young people, disabled people and ethnic minorities gain a far more inclusive access to nature through grassroots partnerships and volunteering initiatives.

Partnership requirements

Defra has funded the development of the project. However, much of the funding for its delivery, which could total up to £68 million over the next 20 years, needs to be secured. The project is keen to offer private organisations, individuals and investors the opportunity to share the benefits of this ground breaking initiative via partnership opportunities.

By co-funding the project, partners will gain a unique opportunity to contribute to a transformative environmental initiative with measurable impact. Benefits include enhanced brand reputation through visible climate and biodiversity action, access to data-driven insights on ecological improvements and alignment with ESG goals.

To help measure the return on investment, the recovery project will be data-led from the outset. Partners amongst other organisations will monitor and evaluate habitat creation, improvements in water quality, carbon sequestration and the boost in biodiversity, which will be hugely beneficial in supporting the investment partners’ sustainability objectives.

Data-led monitoring

Partnerships like those in the Enfield Chase project represent the future of nature recovery because they unite public ambition with private innovation and investment. Collaborative models allow for larger-scale, longer-term environmental impact, leveraging diverse expertise and resources.

They also ensure accountability through data-led monitoring and shared goals, making outcomes more transparent and measurable. As climate and biodiversity challenges intensify, these partnerships foster resilience, inclusivity and community engagement. They empower organisations and individuals to be active agents of change, aligning environmental stewardship with social and economic benefits. This integrated approach is essential for restoring ecosystems and building a sustainable future.

We are excited to be taking part in this pioneering project that will transform a large part of North London and look forward to working with others who share the same ambition for the environment and the local community.

Get involved

If you are an organisation or individual that wants to enjoy the benefits of investing in nature, please contact James or Mark to find out more.