Canonbury community plan

Playground Improvements at Handa Walk

Approximate cost: £30,000

This scheme would improve the existing playground at Handa Walk, by replacing the play equipment and installing a new wet pour surface. Refurbishment of the playground will improve the public realm, increasing amenity and providing a wider range of outdoor play opportunities for children in the area, especially younger children.

Waste and Recycling Facility Improvements at Bute Walk

Approximate cost: £31,000

This scheme would improve the waste and recycling facilities at Bute Walk. The bins are currently located close to the entrances to residents’ properties and the estate suffers from fly-tipping. This project would install 4 new bin housing units, to improve the appearance of the existing waste and recycling sites, by containing bins within purpose-built units which are clearly signed.

Playground Improvements at Bentham Court

Approximate cost: £15,000

This scheme would repair and improve the existing play equipment at Bentham Court. Refurbishment of the playground will improve the public realm, increasing amenity and providing a wider range of outdoor play opportunities for children in the area.

Canonbury Ward Tree Planting

Approximate cost: £10,000

This scheme would provide increased street tree planting in suitable locations in the ward, in line with the Council’s tree strategy.

St Paul's South Open Space

Approximate cost: £50,000

This scheme would improve the play area by replacing some of the existing play equipment and by adding more natural play opportunities. The current play area is small is not particularly interesting in terms of play value. Upgrading the play equipment will provide a wider variety of exciting apparatus that caters to different age groups.

New River Walk Walking/ Cycling Links

Approximate cost: £500,000

This is a major project to link all of the sections of the New River Walk through increased access and new footpaths, as well as the improvement of assets and the renewal of planting. The New River Walk is currently underused as a strategic pedestrian link through the borough. Many entrances do not have good access and many assets are in disrepair and need replacing. This project would improve access and would make the public realm more enjoyable for users, encouraging more pedestrians and cyclists to make use of the route.

Cycling Improvements at Balls Pond Road and Southgate Road Junction

Approximate cost: £30,000

This scheme will provide an improved, safer cycling environment at the signalised junction of Balls Pond Road, Southgate Road and Mildmay Park. Improvements will include the provision of Advanced Stop Line road markings, which better accommodate cyclists, as well as the re-modelling of the timing of the traffic lights at the junction. 

Cycle Route Improvements - Rotherfield Street to Essex Road

Approximate cost: TBC

This project would provide a cycle crossing at Rotherfield Street to enable a safe crossing point across Essex Road, preferably using adjacent signals. This will improve the cycle facilities, for local residents, workers and visitors. The scheme will likely be delivered with Transport for London (TfL) funding in line with the new Quietway.

Green Wall at Elizabeth Kenny House

Local CIL (£26,042)

This project will involve either the installation of a green screen or increased planting activity to enhance the existing hedge at Elizabeth Kenny House. The purpose of the project is to better screen residents from the traffic on St Paul’s Road, which is a main road that runs alongside the estate.

Environmental Improvements at Sark House

Local CIL (£23,500)

This project aims to build on the existing planting activities undertaken by residents of Sark House. It will provide wooden planters, soil, plants and gardening equipment to enable residents to continue their community gardening project. Other improvements may also include delivering seating and/or picnic benches, repairing washing lines, and repainting of the garage doors.

Community Planting at Bute Walk 

Local CIL (£10,000)
This project aims to build on the existing planting activities undertaken by residents of Bute Walk. It will provide wooden planters, soil, plants and gardening equipment to enable residents to continue with their community gardening activities. 

Planting at Mull Walk

Local CIL (£5,000)

This project would increase biodiversity and amenity through planting a number of low maintenance hedges and trees on an area of green space at Mull Walk.

Canonbury Secure Estate Cycle Parking

Local CIL (£18,000)

This project will deliver new cycle hangers on estates. The new hangars, shelters and covered stands will help residents to store cycles safely, rather than taking up space inside properties or being left in communal areas of buildings, where they can undermine fire safety requirements. The availability of secure cycle storage will also encourage more cycle use, with personal, environmental, health and economic benefits.

Morton Road Park Improvements

Local CIL (£30,000)
S106 (£116,630)

The scheme aims to transform the open space and play areas at Morton Road Park by providing a new ball court, redesign of the play area and new equipment and improvements to the footpaths and grassed areas. Tree planting would also be included in the scheme. The park currently suffers from anti-social behaviour and the play area is in poor condition and lacks engagement value. Improvements would make the park more attractive and usable for local residents.

Almorah Road Community Centre

• Local CIL (£49,800)

This project redeveloped the garden area outside of the Almorah Road Community Centre. The aim of the project was to make the outside space more functional. It involved creating a new play area, developing a community garden space, and installing new pram storage sheds, as well as a covered decking area. The community garden will meet the demand for a local gardening club, the play area will provide a place for children to engage in outdoor play, and the decking area will allow people to sit and enjoy the garden.

Rose Bowl Youth - Internal Decorations and Building Works

• Local CIL (£50,000)

The scheme delivered significant internal improvements to the Rose Bowl Youth Hub. All spaces were repainted with brighter colours. Two new advice rooms were created, to enable counselling and other services to take place in private and dedicated spaces. The music room was also renovated with a new recording booth, dance studio and art room. The centre can now offer art and drama-based activities, as well as sports, and even circus skills, for children and young people aged 8 and above. Project completed in October 2019.

Ashby Grove - Flood Abatement

• Local CIL (£15,000)

This scheme delivered improvements to housing estate green areas to improve amenity value for residents while reducing flood risk within the local area through sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) techniques.

Improved Play Area on Marquees Estate (Caldy Walk)

This scheme delivered improvements to the play area in Caldy Walk increasing the use of the space, particularly by the wider community. Upgrading the play equipment has provided a wider variety of exciting apparatus that caters to different age groups. Project completed in December 2020. 

New River Walk - Access Improvements

• Local CIL (£14,000)

The scheme improved access at all entrances on the Canonbury Road Section of the park and created a new entrance which allows level access to the St Paul’s Road section near Willow Bridge and avoid the steep gradient from the existing entrance on Willow Bridge.

Environmental Improvements at Haslam and Horsefield House

• Local CIL (£15,000)

This project delivered environmental improvements to the outdoor area at Haslam and Horsefield House. Improvements included the installation of natural play apparatus, and new wooden benches. These works improved the public realm, increasing residents’ amenity and increasing play opportunities for children. 

Environmental Improvements at Rotherfield Court

• Local CIL (£15,000)

This project delivered environmental improvements to the outdoor amenity spaces at Rotherfield Court. The scheme involved adding new flowerbeds, colourful hedging and fruit trees, as well as a picnic bench and a number of planters. Keypads were also added to access gates so all residents are able to access the spaces. The project has made the estate’s outdoor space more attractive and will deliver increased residential amenity.

Bin Storage Improvements at Elizabeth Kenny House

• Local CIL (£15,000)

This project involved improving the recycling facilities at Elizabeth Kenny House by containing bins within purpose-built units which are clearly signed. The bins were previously located close to the entrances to residents’ properties. The new bin housing units are located away from property entrances and have improved the appearance of the estate.

Bin Storage Improvements at Bentham Court

• Local CIL (£12,000)

This project provided match funding to improve the waste storage and recycling facilities at Bentham Court. The scheme installed two sets of bin enclosures on the estate which have improved the public realm and increased amenity for residents.

Nightingale Park - Roundabout Replacement

• Local CIL (£3,935)

This scheme delivered the replacement of roundabout play equipment in Nightingale Park.

Renewal of Rosemary Gardens Water Play Feature

This project replaced the water play features at Rosemary Gardens. The original feature was installed in 2003. It was expected that the facility would have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years, however it was never replaced. It had fallen into a state of disrepair and was in desperate need of replacement. Project completed in April 2021.

Canonbury Road/ Canonbury Grove Junction - Bike Hangars

This scheme provided new bike storage hangers at the Canonbury Road/ Canonbury Grove junction. Bike storage hangers help residents to store cycles safely, rather than taking up space inside properties or being left in communal areas of buildings, where they can undermine fire safety requirements. The availability of secure cycle storage will also encourage more cycle use, with personal, environmental, health and economic benefits.

Improved Lighting at the Rose Bowl Centre

This scheme delivered improved lighting within St Paul's Park around the Rose Bowl. The lighting improvements within the park complements the planned investment in lighting along Ramsey Walk, which runs alongside the park.