Pollinators in London are under real pressure. As their numbers decline, it is becoming more important to create spaces that support bees, insects, and other wildlife. One of the best ways to do this is by making our streets greener and more welcoming to nature.
St. John Street, Clerkenwell
Right in the middle of Clerkenwell, St. John Street has long been a busy, built-up area that anchors the historical Smithfield Market. Hard surfaces dominated the space, and there was very little planting. This meant there was not much to support pollinators or other wildlife and the street felt lacking in colour and life.
Islington Council listened to feedback from local residents and the wider community. People wanted better access for walking, wheeling, and cycling, more greenery, and places where they could stop and spend time.
In response, the council developed a new street design that:
- Brings in more planting and supports pollinators
- Slows traffic and reduces the number of vehicles
- Creates spaces for people to stop, rest, and connect
- Reflects the area’s cultural heritage
St John Street's projection - Islington Council
After the plans were shared, 69% of residents said they were hopeful the changes would improve biodiversity!
What we did:
Working with Islington Council, we helped design, build and install a range of green features to bring nature back into the street. These include:
- 4 large planting beds
- 2 roadside rain gardens
- 3 bee posts for nesting
- 12 ivy posts for year-round greenery and shelter
- 1 bug hotel designed by the Clerkenwell Pollinator Path community group
- Over 1,500 pollinator-friendly plants including shrubs, grasses and perennials
- A nature workshop with children from a local primary school
- A community planting day with residents and local stakeholders
Bug hotel and bee posts
Ivy posts
Together, these features create a more natural, layered environment that's designed to support wildlife throughout the year.
They also play an important role in shaping the street itself by helping to define safer routes, supporting the new one-way road system and making the space more accessible for everyone using it.
A greener street
The St. John Street project shows that even busy urban areas can support biodiversity. With the right design, streets can do more for people than just provide spaces to walk. We can help bring nature back to urban spaces and create environments where people feel more connected to their surroundings.
