River Crane Sanctuary

Patrons:  Yvonne Minton C.B.E. Hon. R.A.M Opera Singer,  David Lindo, The Urban Birder

Listen to the Dawn Chorus

Kingfishers, a variety of bats and other important species, have found sanctuary for centuries in the wild spaces next to the River Crane.  Although these spaces are designated Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), this does not provide complete certainty against development and/or encroachment and pollution which could threaten this important habitat.  We seek to raise awareness of these wonderful wild spaces and their wildlife, to ensure they are cherished and protected for now and future generations.   

Click here to see  Photos and Videos  NB. Our flickr album shows a visual walk of the Sanctuary River Crane Route on Page One.  There are, to date, 13th December 2024, 165 pages of photos/videos of all the wildlife and nature seen on our regular walks and in our gardens so do scroll through and see what is here now with the latest photos on the last page of the album or first page of the photostream!  Our News Diary here gives  reports and information and visit it to see what we are doing when we are able to meet up or zoom and join in when you can or e mail any comments/questions to us on the contacts page.

 Post your photos of this Sanctuary (and wildlife) on our album -  River Crane Sanctuary Walk and visit our Instagram

 Thanks to John Burton for the endorsement below and for all he has done for conservation over the years:

" I am quite happy to support your campaign in a personal capacity – both as a founding Chairman of the Bat Conservation Trust and because of my experience in land conservation in WLT,  (World Land Trust)  and species conservation as Executive Secretary of what is now FFI . (Fauna and Flora International)  Knowing South London well from my early years (and the days when I was researching one of my first books A Naturalist in London (David and Charles (1978), I am very aware that any remaining  ‘wild’ places are of huge importance simply by virtue of their absolute rarity. I wish you well with your endeavours."    John Burton

Recent planning applications for new builds on this precious stretch of the River Crane have galvanised us to raise awareness of this area to gain support for a River Crane Sanctuary. Explore this website to see how you can help us protect and enjoy and share this space with the original owners: The Flora and Fauna. 

May 2024 and still no building on the below granted appeal site of Churchview Garages. Wonder if a New Planning application will be coming our way soon with more buildings even though the extent of ground water flooding has been a major problem here again with the climate change issues experienced. Watch this space and be prepared to OBJECT!

        Stop Press: APPEAL Has been granted April 2021 for the Churchview Garages Site and development allowed. We are sad for Neighbours, Trafalgar Infant School and Wildlife but local objections have stopped building for many years and thanks to all who helped including our Council who tried their best to Object.

SUCCESS for the Tree Preservation Order for Campbell Close MOL (Metropolitan Open Land) and SMINC (Site of Metropolitan importance for Nature Conservation)  Unanimous Committee Decision, 11th March 2020,  to keep the blanket TPO 1046 order in place to safeguard this narrow piece of land in private ownership.