MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Westminster’s green makeover: £500,000 funding boost for public spaces | Westminster City Council

Source: City of Westminster

Westminster City Council has selected 16 local projects to receive funding through its Greening Westminster grants programme — a community-led initiative to make the city’s public spaces greener, healthier, and more welcoming. 
 
This year, almost £500,000 has been awarded to a range of local groups and partner organisations to deliver green projects in parks, on highways and housing estates.   

From tree planting and pollinator-friendly flowers to edible gardens and greener play areas, the chosen projects showcase a creative, community-driven approach to bring more nature into Westminster’s built-up urban environment. 

 The Greening Westminster programme is a key part of the Council’s Fairer Westminster strategy, which helps improve the environment and supports communities to make positive changes in their neighbourhoods. The programme also aims to give residents greater access to high-quality green spaces that benefit their health and wellbeing.  

 Projects include:  

• The Onion Garden (Victoria): Adding more plants and wildlife features to a popular community garden.
• Charfield Court in Bloom  (Amberley Estate): Residents are adding greenery to their housing estate.
• Covent Garden Playground: Making the playground greener with plants and showcasing a sustainable approach
• University of Westminster: Improving green spaces on campus and along Marylebone Road.
• North Paddington Food Bank – The Roots Garden Kitchen: Creating a garden to grow food for the community by the community.  
• Parish of St Marylebone: Turning church gardens into greener, more welcoming public spaces.
• Paddington Now BID: Putting up flower baskets with pollinator-friendly plants on Eastbourne Terrace. 

Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, said:  

“We’re proud to support these inspiring community-led projects that will help make Westminster greener, healthier, and more welcoming for everyone.  

“By working together with local groups, we’re transforming public spaces into vibrant places that bring people closer to nature and to each other, which is part of our Fairer Environment commitment.” 

For more information and a full list of funded projects, visit: 
www.westminster.gov.uk/greening-westminster 

ENDS 

• The Council received 20 applications for its Greening Westminster grants programme and approved 16  
• Since 2017, Greening Westminster has supported 51 projects across Westminster  

The 16 recipients who have successfully been awarded funding: