LANCASTER ESTATE

The Challenge

The Lancaster Estate is a small open space within a high-density residential area near Waterloo. Previously limited to a modest play area and grass, the site suffered from a lack of amenities and opportunities for social interaction. The Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST), in partnership with the council, sought to enhance the space through a community-led approach, ensuring improvements reflected local needs.

The Design Solution

The project demonstrates how thoughtful landscape design, informed by public consultation, can retrofit green infrastructure in an urban context. The renovated space includes a natural play area, rain garden, accessible paths, seating, and new tree and shrub planting. These interventions improve both ecological value and social cohesion, transforming a degraded site into a welcoming, multifunctional green space for residents.