Greenspace Information for Greater London

29/09/2026

The Mayor of London has set out a new London Plan that will shape the city's future, but are planning decisions being informed by the best available ecological evidence?

Our new factsheet sets out GiGL's response to the consultation, highlighting how it can better support nature recovery and evidence-based planning.

We're encouraging our networks to reflect these points in their own consultation responses where possible. Strong, consistent messages from across London's environmental sector will help ensure that good evidence remains central to decision-making.

It also contains useful figures to support consultation responses, including:

📊 Since 2021, ~48,000 planning applications may have progressed without the ecological evidence that should have been considered.

🔎 Less than 0.02% of species records have been shared from the planning process!

🪲 115 species on London's Species of Conservation Concern list are not highlighted in the LNRS, which the new Plan heavily leans upon.

Please read the factsheet, explore the data, and consider how these issues could be reflected in your own responses 🔗 https://www.gigl.org.uk/2026/09/29/helping-shape-a-better-london-plan-for-nature/

Learn more and have your say here: https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/planning/london-plan/next-london-plan/draft-london-plan-consultation/draft-london-plan-consultation-resources?check_logged_in=1

The new London Plan will shape the city’s future, but are planning decisions being informed by the best available ecological evidence? Our new factsheet sets out GiGL’s response to the Draft London Plan, highlighting how it can better support nature recovery and evidence-based planning. We’re ...

17/09/2026

The September edition of the GiGLer Newsletter is here! 📖

This month we hear how Afield Environmental are tackling environmental injustice through their new Nature Communities and Artistic Research funds🌿 GiGL have helped them by mapping the areas of London most in need of green spaces 🗺️
https://www.gigl.org.uk/2026/09/17/locating-opportunities-for-new-green-space-with-afield-environmental/

We also hear from Lula Wattam at Capital Growth about a hugely successful summer of bugs, data, engagement and community action through the Big City Bug Hunt. Read about the fantastic efforts of food-growing spaces across London 🪲
https://www.gigl.org.uk/2026/09/17/big-city-bug-hunt-2/

25/08/2026

The August edition of the GiGLer Newsletter is here! 📖

This month, we’re looking back at some of the successful collaborations that have shaped our work over the past year...

🌼 GiGL’s partnership with South Ken ZEN+

Our work mapping the biodiversity baseline for the area around Exhibition Road. The project gathered evidence to inform future action across the district and strengthen funding applications.
https://www.gigl.org.uk/2026/08/20/mapping-a-biodiversity-baseline-for-a-cultural-quarter/

🌊 Helping shape the Clean Rivers and Waterways Plan

Supporting the working group with data expertise and our evidence base to inform its goals and actions.
https://www.gigl.org.uk/2026/08/20/helping-deliver-a-cleaner-healthier-future-for-londons-waterways/

18/08/2026

🌿 Could London planning decisions be missing vital environmental evidence?

Every year, thousands of planning applications are submitted across London. Yet the proportion supported by a GiGL environmental data search remains considerably low - only 1.7%, when it should be more like 18%.

In a recent survey of 35 local environmental records centres, London had the lowest proportion of planning applications supported by data searches.

A GiGL data search gives planners, developers and their ecological consultants access to the most comprehensive environmental records available for their area, helping ensure decisions are based on robust evidence and nature can be accounted for.

Without the right data, important habitats and species could be overlooked and risks may be missed.

Please help in raising awareness of why environmental data matters throughout the planning process. Better evidence = Better decisions = Better outcomes for nature and people✅

📊 Take a look at the latest borough-level figures for London: https://buff.ly/25LdTE1

👉 Read the recommendations and explore the national figures:
https://buff.ly/Mlnlf13

30/07/2026

We've put London's Local Authority planning documents in one place so you don't have to! 📚️

We’ve recently updated GiGL’s Planning Document webpage - making it easier to find documents like...
🗺️ Local Plans and policy maps
📋️ Biodiversity relevant supplementary planning documents or guidance (SPD or SPG)
🌸 Biodiversity Action Plans
🌳 Strategies for open space, green infrastructure and climate.

We’ve recently heard from a student how useful it is:
“I wanted to tip my cap to you for putting together such a remarkably thorough resource - it is of huge public benefit, to researchers and advocates alike”

That’s exactly why we maintain it - to make important documents accessible, and save those working regionally the effort of trawling though over 30 complex websites to find them!

🔎 Find the updated resource on the GiGL website: https://buff.ly/4CVMqdO

GiGL uses planning documents for many purposes, such as in designated sites data validation and verification process. Because GiGL data are often used in planning and decision making, we use local planning documents to ensure that our London wide datasets of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservati...

29/07/2026

🌊 London's Clean and Healthy Rivers Plan launched today! It sets out ambitious goals and practical actions to improve the capital's rivers over the next 10 years - benefiting both people and nature.

GiGL were one of over 50 organisations that contributed to developing the plan. We contributed data expertise and helped establish meaningful species and habitat targets to support river restoration across London.

We're proud to have played a part in shaping this important strategy and look forward to continuing to support the Mayor of London and partners as they work to transform London's rivers and waterways over the next decade - improving river health, restoring wildlife, and creating more opportunities for Londoners to connect with nature 💚

Learn more about it here: https://buff.ly/qHxg4FO

23/07/2026

Ever wondered what hidden stories lie beneath your borough's landscape? 🌳📖

The London Ecology Unit handbooks are packed with fascinating history, alongside information on the habitats and wildlife recorded at the time. GiGL holds a complete set of these handbooks and, with permission from the GLA, has digitised them to make them available online!

Originally created as ecological guidance, they now offer a remarkable window into London's past. Discover records of Roman settlements, Celtic tribes and the Domesday Book that have shaped our knowledge of the city, alongside the weird and wonderful tales of the highway women of Hounslow Heath, cases of identity theft in Brent and even a parachuting cat in Vauxhall Gardens! 🪂

They're also a valuable historical resource for anyone interested in how London's habitats, open spaces and species have changed over time 🌼

What surprising piece of London's history will you uncover? 🔍 Explore the digitised handbooks yourself: https://www.gigl.org.uk/about-gigl/publications/london-ecology-unit-handbooks/

Read the stories our former volunteer Stephen found while using them for GiGL's Ancient Woodland Update project: https://www.gigl.org.uk/2024/10/17/stories-from-the-london-ecology-unit-handbooks/

26/06/2026

This Invasive Species Week take some time to explore the wealth of resources available to help protect your local wildlife and green spaces from invasive non-native species.

The GB Non-native Species Secretariat (NNSS) provides expert advice, practical resources, and tools to help you identify, record, prevent, and manage invasive species 💚

Find out how you can get involved and make a difference: https://www.nonnativespecies.org/what-can-i-do/invasive-species-week

22/06/2026

🐞 Insect Week 🤝 Invasive Species Week 🦝

Today marks the start of two important awareness weeks that highlight how every species record helps build a clearer picture of London's environment 🌿

Our Venn diagram may look a little crowded, but it shows how recording observations can support a range of outcomes - from helping native insects thrive, to managing invasive species. Whether it's a colourful butterfly, a busy bee, or an invasive species of concern, every record helps us to understand what's thriving, what's changing, and where action may be needed.

The Asian hornet and oak processionary moth are both invasive insect species that can have significant impacts. Both are present in London and are monitored and managed where possible, but everyone's involvement to record and spread awareness matters 🔎

📍 Please record invasive species to iRecord or the Asian Hornet Watch App. Other non-invasive species can be recorded direct to GiGL, or via iNaturalist or iRecord 📱

🔗 Keep an eye on our socials through the week, and find out more:
Insect Week https://buff.ly/awW1xMc
Invasive Species Week: https://buff.ly/BymVw8H

19/06/2026

The June edition of the GiGLer Newsletter is here! 📖

This month, we look back at our London Day of Nature event in May – a fantastic sunny day of inspiring talks, engaging discussions and valuable feedback on GiGL services. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a success! This article is a prefect recap: https://buff.ly/SorKkA4

🌳 We also explore the story behind London's updated Ancient Woodland Inventory, a major project that GiGL led over four years. Through extensive research, historic map analysis and verification work, the update has resulted in a remarkable 78% increase in Greater London's recorded ancient woodland area: https://buff.ly/IyUKUJd

Discover how these projects are helping to support nature and collaboration across London!