Grave concern over Abney Park’s future

L-R: Abney Park Trust trustees Kirsten Foster, Justina Kochansky and Chair Bernard Bourdillon

An independent report into the future of Abney Park has recommended Hackney Council transfer responsibility for the historic woodland site to a third party.

The Town Hall has refused to renew the lease held by the Abney Park Trust, an organisaton formed 21 years ago with the aim of educating the public about the wildlife and heritage of the cherished Stoke Newington green space, which is an important nature reserve.

The report by consultants Jon Sheaff and Associates criticises both the council and the Abney Park Trust for not discharging their duties in relation to the site, which is described as being in ‘decline’.

Transferring responsibility for managing Abney Park to the London Wildlife Trust or Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is one of several potential solutions considered by the report, which can be viewed here.

Related:

Abney Park Trust’s future still in doubt after ‘jargonistic’ meeting