Our historic Headstone Manor Park was crowned principal award winner at the 2023 British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) National Landscape Awards for nature conservation and biodiversity enhancement.
The Awards recognise excellence in landscape design, construction, and maintenance. Thanks to joint work between the London Borough of Harrow, along with its delivery partner Ground Control, landscape architect Land Use Consultants, Thames Water and Crane Valley Partnership, Friends of Headstone Manor Park and volunteers – it’s another accolade for one of our popular and loved green flag parks.
The 23-hectare park has had major works undertaken in recent years as part of the Thames Water Smarter Water Catchment Projects. It includes a Flood Alleviation Scheme, the creation of ponds and wetlands, meadows and a heritage fruit tree orchard to enhance biodiversity, and the restoration of Yeading Brook. The project has seen significant refurbishment works to make the park more accessible and support the local community including schools.
Cllr Anjana Patel, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and community safety said:
“This is fantastic news and I’d like to thank the work put in by our teams, partners and volunteers which has earnt them this accolade. So much work has taken place over the years to restore the park and make significant improvements which have allowed wildlife to flourish and reduce the impact of flooding in the local area. We won’t stop there - we recently approved our climate and nature strategy and there are plans in there on making further improvements in our natural environments and biodiversity.”
The award cited an “extensive and precise” ecology report with works that will go from “strength to strength”, and “how the culverts had been removed and opened up for the stream and how they encouraged wildlife and kids to play in too”.
This year’s National Landscape Awards were judged over the summer with 69 National Landscape Awards bestowed on 50 members of the Association in September and 24 Principal, four Special and the coveted Grand Award announced live on stage at the prestigious Grosvenor House ceremony.