Green space that everyone can walk to

A three-year masterplan to make London greener is unveiled today.

Natural England, the Government's conservation agency, is launching Natural London, a £6 million scheme to improve the quality of the capital's existing green spaces, open up new ones, and help preserve them for future generations by funding thousands of individual projects between now and 2011.

It will spend about £2 million every year on the projects, and is already working with hundreds of organisations including the Greater London Authority, borough councils, schools, primary care trusts and voluntary organisations.

A key target is to ensure every London household is within 300 metres of "an accessible natural green space of at least two hectares - the equivalent of two football pitches". And everyone should have an open space of 500 hectares within six miles of their home.

Natural England is supporting schemes to increase open space including Hilly Fields in Lewishamand the opening up of chalk grassland in Sutton.

It is also leading the setting up of a riverside park for the Thames Gateway-that will span riverside marshlands in Havering and Thurrock.

Another priority is to protect and encourage wildlife and plants. In one scheme a herd of cows was released into Richmond Park, helping to manage the parkland through grazing.

Natural England will also work to persuade developers to include more environmentally friendly features, such as green roofs, in future designs. It also hopes to provide more opportunities for people to keep fit and to help prevent flooding.

Natural London regional director Alison Barnes said today: "This is all about easily getting from the couch to the countryside without having to leave London."

Mayor Boris Johnson welcomed the announcement. "The launch provides a valuable contribution on how to improve and promote London's natural green spaces, as well as helping the capital prepare for the future effects of climate change on our parks and wildlife."