Colindale Gardens and Islington Square among new-build neighbourhoods with green space and garden sanctuaries

There will be an on-site primary school, shops and community facilities, green roofs, podium gardens, new wildlife habitats, allotments and spaces for urban agriculture. Indeed, every £1 invested in green space contributes £30 towards health and wellbeing, and £23 towards community safety, according to an independent survey commissioned by the Land Trust charity. The historic four-and-a-half-acre site with a grand, double-arched entrance in Upper Street has been opened up and a new shopping arcade and civic square created behind the façade. The 8,560sq ft Zen sanctuary was designed by Chelsea Flower Show Gold medallist and bonsai artist Peter Chan, with copious rooftop green space on restored buildings and new-build apartment blocks. Penthouses have big terraces and private rooftop swimming pools, while street-level maisonettes have an internal courtyard — an outdoor lounge — and a garden.