Green Blue You
Improving green spaces, creating resilient green spaces and enhancing community well-being in Pinkwell.

What is Green Blue You?
Green Blue You is a project that aims to reduce flood risk and alleviate pollution to water courses, improving and creating green and blue habitats.
The project is being implemented by Groundwork London in partnership with Hillingdon Council.
The Croyde Avenue estate and beyond will benefit from new sustainable drainage, new informal play features and improved green spaces through planting, greening and wildlife enhancements.
More specifically the project will include:
- 53 new standard trees
- 32 new trees in the form of whips
- 15 new specimen shrubs
- 13 proposed Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) basins
- 880m2 of SuDS basins (excluding m2 of soft conveyance channels)
- 2 new rain gardens (outside Dickens House)
- 111m2 of new mixed native hedges
- 75m2 of new flowering hedges/shrub planting
- 275m2 of new mixed perennial planting for pollinators and general amenity
- 440m2 of new bulbs in the lawn
When will the main project work start and finish?
The main project works associated with the Green Blue You project are due to start on-site on Monday 26th February 2024. The contractor that has been appointed to carry out the works is called Ground Control. The works are expected to be completed by the end of May 2024. If there are any changes to this timescale then Groundwork London or Ground Control will put up posters in each of the affected blocks with details.
How will this affect the residents?
Whilst the works are being carried out, there will obviously be people, storage units, portaloos and equipment on-site. There will be some related noise at times, but the contractors are only permitted to work within the following timings:
- Mon to Fri: 8 am-5 pm
- Sat: TBC
There will also be access restrictions to some areas at times, which are likely to change as the project progresses. These areas will be clearly signed when access is not restricted.
In some cases, work will be carried out near people’s units, and in some further cases the downpipes will need to be disconnected to enable rainwater to be diverted to Sustainable Urban Drainage features such as the rain gardens. Hillingdon Council and Groundwork London will be in touch with you if your downpipe needs to be disconnected and in advance.
How will this project benefit the estate?
- Increased greenery, flowers and biodiversity
- Natural play features for children
- Reduced pollution of nearby water courses, such as Frog’s Ditch and the River Crane
- Reduced flood risk
- Vibrant and informative sign-boards that will explain about the project and its various benefits
Why are rain gardens – including the current one behind Gurney House – left to grow long?
Rain gardens are by their very nature designed to absorb rainwater, and as such they tend to be planted with various plants and grasses. These are left to grow to add amenity and also help with biodiversity.
Hillingdon Council has a regime for maintaining such features, which includes mowing them at least once a year.
How has the community been involved in this project?
Groundwork London has been engaging with the community about the project since it began in the second half of 2022.
Residents were asked to share their related views and preferences at a variety of points and in a variety of ways, including:
- Pop-up engagement stalls in October 2022 and September 2023
- On-line survey and interactive map in October 2022
- Doorstep surveys across the Cranford Park Estate (> 600 units) between October and December 2022
- Green Blue You project update newsletters delivered across the estate, approximately quarterly
- Green Blue You website & e-mail address, details of which are on newsletters
The project has worked with residents to create a greener and more biodiverse estate and also provided opportunities for people to volunteer and learn in the green skills space (e.g. activities in Cranford Park, bulb-planting and workshops such as wreath-making).
If you would like to stay in touch drop us an e-mail with your contact details at green.blue.you@groundwork.org.uk.
