The restoration of Tooting Common’s “rare” and “valuable” grassland habitat has begun.
The work, which began on Wednesday, May 4, and is part of the wider Tooting Common Heritage Project, involves shallow scraping and the removal of nutrient rich soil on the Lido Field and on Tooting Graveney next to the running track.
Wandsworth Council was awarded just under £1.4m by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) last year to “restore, conserve and enhance the cultural and natural heritage” of Tooting Common.
Another half a million is being match funded by other partners including Transport for London, The Woodfield Project, Wandsworth Council and Enable Leisure and Culture.
The hope is that the work will help “recreate” the delicate acid grassland landscape “which provides a rich habitat” for invertebrates like butterflies and grasshoppers.
The project will also involve the restoration of the Woodfield Pavilion to include toilets and a meeting space for local community groups, as well as the extensive refurbishment of Tooting Bec Lido. Work will be done to restore the lake and the common’s 1930s drinking fountain.
News trees will be planted to replace those on Chestnut Avenue which have been controversially pollarded.
The HLF scheme is also offering volunteering opportunities for local people that “not only improve the common but give those who take part useful new job and life skills”.
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