Our Projects

Siebert Road, London SE3

Two pockets of green space sit to the north and south of the footpath that leads to the underpass connecting Charlton to Westcombe Park, underneath the A102. They bordered on their eastern side by a timber panel fence that purports to reduce the noise from the road (but is pretty ineffective in that role!)

Our Plans
During the summer of 2026, we will be getting the site ready for planting. This will mean regular litter picking, biodiversity surveys and checking the soil condition and composition

Then, in the autumn/winter we will plant mixed native hedging parallel to the wall, leaving a gap for maintenance access. This will include species such as hawthorn, blackthorn, dog rose, crab apple and hazel and will provide valuable shelter and food for a variety of insects, birds and small mammals. We also intend to plant the areas under and around the existing mature trees with a mixture of bulbs such as crocus, snowdrops, grape hyacinths and anemones. These will provide an early source of nectar for pollinators.

Over time, we will also add features such as brush piles and insect hotels to improve the habitat available for insects and mammals. We will also organise regular working parties with our fabulous volunteer members to water, prune and maintain the plants on site.

Westcombe Hill, London SE3

At the foot of Westcombe Hill, just before the railway bridge and adjacent to the A102 dual carriageway, is a wedge-shape parcel of land that is currently mostly grass with a number of mature trees. As with the site at Siebert Road, it is bounded on its eastern edge by the timber panel fence bordering the road.

Our Plans
Our plans for this site are broadly the same as for the land at Siebert Road. That is, we will spend the summer of 2026 getting the ground ready for planting, litter picking and surveying the existing biodiversity, before planting native hedging parallel to the fence and bulbs in and among the trees in the autumn/ winter months.

One difference is that we may, subject to further research and advice, create a small area of Miyawaki forest at the northern end of the site in 2027 or 2028.

Westcombe Hill Species List (April 2026)

Plants
Giant plantain; Daisy; Lamion purpurea; Lesser celandine; Veronica; Erodium; Berberis; Ornitholagum; Spanish bluebell; Native bluebell; Dandelion; Green alkanet; Chickweed; Groundsel; Cow parsley

Trees
Sycamore; Ash; Ornamental cherry; Horse chestnut; Hackberry

Siebert Road, April 2026

Westcombe Hill, April 2026

Siebert Road Species List (April 2026)

Plants
Common thistle; Erodium; Galium; Stinging nettle; Dead nettle; Dandelion; Shepherd's purse; Urban geum; Fat hen; Dock; Hedge bindweed; Green alkanet; Herb robert; Bramble

Trees
Sycamore; Hackberry

Insects
Dark-edge bee fly; Hoverflies