DESIGN FOR BIODIVERSITY
A guidance document for development in London
London Development Agency
Devon House
58-60 St. Katharine’s Way
London E1W 1JX
T: 020 7680 2000
www.lda.gov.uk
All front and back cover images:
Mathew Frith/English Nature
This guidance document has been written by
White Young Green Environmental Limited
Email: enviro.london@wyg.com
Designed by Wagstaffsdesign T:01234 211330 ref:2753.03
1. Introduction
Many developers are beginning to recognise
the importance of the environmental agenda
to their work, integrating environmentally
sensitive approaches into their development
and regeneration activities.
London is a dynamic city. In order to keep
up with its world competitors, London must
continue to provide ever better facilities
for people to live and work in. Consequently,
development should be sustainable, focused
on previously developed land, while
protecting and enhancing open space
and environmental assets.
This brochure provides general guidance
for developers on biodiversity. It outlines
the critical drivers and principle processes
which promote industry best practice. It also
provides three case studies that demonstrate
how nature conservation priorities have been
achieved in development.
London is a city rich in wildlife, where
nature provides an environmental service
and direct contribution to quality of life.
The Mayor of London acknowledges that
conserving London’s biodiversity is an
integral part of achieving sustainable
economic growth and promoting social
inclusion in the capital.
Contents
1. Introduction Page 1
2. What is biodiversity and why conserve it? Page 2
3. Biodiversity and development Page 3
4. Incorporating biodiversity into sustainable development:
The five key steps Page 8
5. Creating areas of value for biodiversity and people:
Issues and opportunities Page 14
6. Overcoming the loss of wildlife habitat:
Issues and opportunities Page 16
7. Water:
Issues and opportunities Page 18
“My vision is to develop
London as an exemplary
sustainable world city”
Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London
1
Photo credits left to right:
1,3,5,7 Mathew Frith/English Nature, 2,4,6,8 Mike Waite
2. What is biodiversity and why conserve it?
The word 'biodiversity' simply refers to all living things.
All plants and animals contribute to our planet's biodiversity
and each individual species plays its own unique part in this.
It is well documented that throughout the twentieth
century, the increased modernisation of our lives
has harmed biodiversity. The pressures of urban
expansion place an ever-increasing demand on
natural resources in London. In order to prevent
further detrimental effects, it is imperative that
we share responsibility to conserve and
enhance biodiversity.
3. Biodiversity and development
Development and biodiversity conservation can work together
through adherence to relevant legislation, national and regional
planning policies and biodiversity strategies and action plans.
Developers who take a proactive approach can use these key
drivers to design and build quality developments that meet
biodiversity objectives.
Legislation
European legislation, notably the Habitats Directive,
1992, has greatly strengthened the protection
afforded to wild species and habitats. The Wildlife
and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended) is the key
piece of legislation that underpins the conservation
of the UK's species and habitats.
Sites and species are afforded both statutory and
non-statutory protection. Table 1 illustrates some
of the key elements of these frameworks.
www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ewd
Planning policy guidance
Planning Policy Guidance 9, ‘Nature Conservation’
(1994) states that ‘the Government's objectives for
nature conservation are to ensure that its policies
contribute to the conservation of the abundance
and diversity of British wildlife and its habitats, or
minimise the adverse effects on wildlife where
conflict is unavoidable'. It seeks to integrate
conservation into development objectives.
www.planning.odpm.gov.uk/ppg
Working with the Grain of Nature:
the Biodiversity Strategy for England
The England Biodiversity Strategy, published in
2002 provides the vision for the conservation of
our biodiversity resources over the next five years
and beyond. Amongst other things, it promotes
development that makes minimal adverse impacts
on wildlife habitats and the enhancement, wherever
possible, of biodiversity resources. It outlines
the integral role of biodiversity conservation in
ensuring sustainable urban communities in the
built environment.
www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ewd
‘Biodiversity - the variety of life on
earth - is at the heart of our aim for a
more sustainable future. We have a duty
to ensure a diverse and thriving natural
environment for it is essential to the economic,
social and spiritual health and well being
of this and future generations.’
Biodiversity Strategy
for England, 2002
Decline in biodiversity: water vole
Water voles have disappeared from over half of
their mid-1990s range in London. Furthermore
any remaining populations tend to be isolated
from one another. The main factors causing the
decline in water vole numbers include: deterioration,
fragmentation and loss of habitat; predation by mink;
and rat poisoning. By retaining wetland links and
providing suitable habitat, developers can help
maintain and enhance current water vole
populations in London.
www.wildlondon.org.uk/wildinfo/
watervoleproject.htm
Photo credit:
Courtesy of London Wildlife Trust
Terry Whittaker
3 2
Mathew Frith/English Nature c
c
Table 1
Protection through legislation and guidance
Biodiversity Action Plan process
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is the
means by which the Government sets out to fulfil
its international biodiversity obligations. The UK
BAP encompasses almost 400 species and 45
habitats considered to be rare, declining or in need
of some protection to ensure their long-term survival.
Further objectives are found in local BAPs. The
London BAP will have 22 habitat and species action
plans, and a further 310 priority species are listed in
its audit. Development should contribute to their
protection and enhancement.
www.ukbap.org.uk
www.lbp.org.uk
5 4
Sites Species
Statutory protection
It is a requirement to
consult with the relevant
statutory authority before
undertaking any operations
potentially damaging to
a protected site
It is a requirement for
developers to avoid or
mitigate adverse effects
if protected species are
present on the site
Classification examples
Special Protection Areas
Special Areas of Conservation
Ramsar Sites (wetland sites
protected worldwide)
Sites of Special
Scientific Interest
Specially protected species
are listed in the Schedules
appended to the Wildlife
and Countryside Act, in the
Habitats Regulations, or in their
own legislation. The Schedules
are reviewed every 5 years
Key legislation and guidance
Council Directive
(92/42/EEC) on the
conservation of natural
habitats and of wild fauna
and flora (’Habitats
Directive’), 1992
Wildlife and Countryside Act,
1981 (as amended)
Countryside and Rights of
Way Act, 2000
Planning Policy Guidance 9:
Nature Conservation (1994)
Sites Species
Non-statutory protection
Three tiers of Sites of
Importance for nature
conservation in London:
Species and habitats given
priority in a Biodiversity
Action Plan (national,
London or local):
Classification examples
Sites of Metropolitan Importance
Sites of Borough Importance
Sites of Local Importance
UK: 391 priority species and
45 priority habitats
London: 22 habitat and species
action plans and a further 310
priority species. Some extra
species are national or local
priorities
Key guidance
Connecting with London’s
Nature: the Mayor’s
Biodiversity Strategy, 2002
Draft London Plan, 2002
UK Biodiversity Action
Plan, 1994
London Biodiversity Action
Plan, 2001
Working with the Grain of
Nature: a biodiversity strategy
for England, DEFRA, 2002
Mike Waite c
Mike Waite c
Corporate responsibility
There is an increasing recognition that companies
as well as the public sector have a responsibility
to manage their impacts on biodiversity. This
recognition is encompassed by the sustainability
and corporate social responsibility agendas,
which are fast becoming a primary business focus.
Environmental protection and biodiversity objectives
are seen as complementary to other targets such
as employee satisfaction, stakeholder involvement
and supplier relations as well as financial
performance.
www.businessandbiodiversity.org
www.bitc.org.uk
The London Plan and Mayor's
Biodiversity Strategy
Through the draft London Plan published in 2002,
the Mayor expects future development to meet
the 'highest standards of sustainable design
and construction'. The conservation and
enhancement of biodiversity resources in the Capital
is a key theme of the Plan and is underpinned by the
Mayor's Biodiversity Strategy, 2002. Both documents
emphasise that addressing biodiversity conservation
not only has a positive impact on wildlife in the city
but also on the people that live there.
The Mayor's Biodiversity Strategy aims to
'protect and enhance the natural habitats of
London together with their variety of species'.
Its policies and proposals for statutory planning
are integrated with those of the draft London
Plan. The Strategy addresses the range of
issues for biodiversity conservation in London,
including the greening of development.
www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/sds/
6
The following proposals from the Biodiversity
Strategy and the draft London Plan are of
particular importance for developers, and
indicate the Mayor’s resolve to work with
partners to protect, manage and enhance
biodiversity.
The Mayor will:
Protect Sites of Importance for Nature
Conservation, with particular emphasis on
Sites of Metropolitan Importance;
Resist development that would have adverse
impacts on the population or conservation status
of protected or priority species;
Take account of wildlife habitats in the
consideration of all planning applications; and
Ensure new development capitalises on
opportunities to create, manage and enhance
wildlife habitats and natural landscapes.
Where, exceptionally, development is permitted
which would have an adverse impact on a Site of
Importance for Nature Conservation or other local
designation, or on the population of protected or
priority species, the Mayor will aim to secure
compensatory measures to mitigate such effects.
The Mayor will take biodiversity issues into account
in the consideration of planning referrals.
www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/biodiversity/
Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy - proposals of particular importance for developers
Decline in biodiversity: black redstart
With less than 100 pairs nesting in the UK
and the single largest population occurring in
London, there is an opportunity for planners
and developers to assist in the conservation
of the black redstart. The environment created
by green roofs, for example, provides foraging
habitat. These roofs not only provide habitat
for this enigmatic bird but also for a myriad
of invertebrates, including regionally and
nationally rare species.
www.blackredstarts.org.uk
Photo credit: Jim Duncan
7
Mike Waite c
c
c
Photo credits left to right:
Mike Waite
4. Incorporating biodiversity into development:
The five key steps
With a few simple key steps, developers can ensure that they
comply with biodiversity legislation and achieve best practice.
An overview of the process by which developers can achieve
these objectives is presented below, with a graphical
representation provided in Figure 2 (page 12).
Impact
Assessment
(e.g. loss of habitat
or species)
Figure 1
Features of impact assessment
What will be the
scale of the
impact?
Is the impact direct
or indirect?
Is the impact
cumulative
or not?
Is the impact
permanent?
If not, how long
will it last for?
Is the impact
positive or
negative?
Survey Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Scoping walkover
Phase 1 habitat
Botanical
Badgers
Wintering birds
Breeding birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Invertebrates
Water voles
Otters
Bats
Table 2
Guidance on appropriate survey seasons
unsuitable time of year for surveying sub-optimal time of year for surveying optimal time of year for surveying (best practice)
Consultation and scoping study
A considerable amount of information already exists
relating to the presence of important sites and species
in London. Consultation with the appropriate statutory
and non-statutory nature conservation organisations
will ensure that historic data for a proposed
development site is obtained. This should include
obtaining those records available from the London
Biological Recording Project (soon to become the
London Biodiversity Records Centre).
Where no historic data exists for a site, or data is
inadequate, it will be necessary for a trained ecologist
to undertake a scoping study to identify ecological
constraints and opportunities.
Detailed surveys and impact assessment
Where, through the scoping study, it has been
recognised that a site does or could support species,
habitat or features of biodiversity value, or has the
potential for ecological enhancement, targeted and
specific surveys should be undertaken to ensure
accuracy and avoid potential dispute over results
later in the development process.
The optimum survey season varies for different
species. Table 2 opposite provides general guidance
on appropriate survey seasons. This should be seen
only as a guide for commissioning surveys and advice
should be sought in order to ensure that surveys take
place in the optimum season. Developers should also
be aware that to gain adequate survey information,
often more than one survey will be required
for a particular species or group and that results can
only be interpreted with reference to the timing of
the work, the method employed, the conditions at
the time of the survey, and the time spent in
any investigation.
The potential impacts associated with a proposed
development can be predicted following the collection
of an appropriate level of baseline data. Figure 1
opposite indicates, in simple terms, some of the issues
that will be considered when assessing potential
impacts on features of biodiversity value.
1
2
9 8
Objective (in order of priority)
1 Retain, enhance or create
features of nature conservation
value and avoid harm
2 Mitigate for impacts
to features of nature
conservation value
3 Compensation for the loss
of features of nature
conservation value
Discussion
The design of all developments should look to incorporate and enhance
the features of existing nature conservation value on, or adjacent to, a
site. This should not only aim to incorporate those features (or species)
which are protected by statute or through land-use planning
mechanisms but also those which contribute generally to the
biodiversity of the area.
Mitigation should be considered where it is impossible to avoid all
impacts to a feature of value, and also where impacts can be lessened
through a change in the design or operation of a development.
Where there is no viable alternative, there should be compensation
for the loss of a feature of nature conservation value. When considering
compensation for habitat loss, the aim should always be to replace
‘like for like’ or better.
Table 3
Hierarchy for biodiversity mitigation
Decline in biodiversity : bats
At least eight of the 16 native bat species are known
to be breeding in London (pipistrelle being the
most common). Bat populations are declining
nationally and in London repeat surveys since the
1980’s have shown a significant decline in bat
numbers. Key issues include the loss of suitable
roosting habitat in trees and buildings, and loss
of feeding areas. Developers can encourage bat
populations by providing roost sites as part of the
building or landscape design and by supplying
feeding areas as part of landscaping. Water bodies
and night-scented plants attract insects for bats to
feed. A good structure of vegetation, with some
trees or shrubs, provides edges for bats to feed along.
www.londonbats.org.uk
Photo credit:
Courtesy o f Bat Conservation Trust
Terry Whittaker
Design of development to
incorporate biodiversity objectives
During the outline design stage, the nature
conservation opportunities and constraints should
be identified and worked into the masterplan for
the development. Even where little biodiversity
interest has been identified on a site, developers
should aim to create features that will provide
wildlife with opportunity to colonise. Biodiversity
objectives should be drawn up, which are relevant
and achievable within the development framework.
These should be included within any outline
planning applications, along with the baseline
ecological information collected for the site, and
the subsequent impact assessment. When the
proposed development reaches the detailed design
stage, there may be planning conditions relating
to biodiversity, which need to be fulfilled. At this
time detailed methodologies can be developed
to fulfil biodiversity objectives. These should be
incorporated into tenders for the construction
contract, as necessary.
Enhancement, mitigation
and compensation
When undertaking design, there is an order
of priority to ensure best practice and the
accommodation of biodiversity objectives
recommended by the Royal Town Planning Institute.
First enhance, second avoid harm, third mitigate, and
last, where there is no alternative, to compensate for
biodiversity losses. This can be achieved through
appropriate landscaping or by design of integral
development features (e.g. flood protection or green
roofs). Where retention and enhancement cannot
be achieved, mitigation or compensation must be
considered. This is illustrated in Table 3.
Management and aftercare
The management and aftercare of areas of nature
conservation value that are to be retained, enhanced
or created, is essential to ensure that they attain
their full potential for both wildlife and people. This
should ideally be achieved through the production
of a Biodiversity Management Plan. Implementation
of the Plan is likely to be a contractor’s responsibility
and should therefore be considered by developers
at the tender evaluation stage.
On smaller sites, this Plan can be incorporated into
the Landscape Plan. A trained ecologist should be
engaged to ensure that the Plan contains adequate
provision for appropriate monitoring, to track
their success.
5
4
3
11 10
Mathew Frith/English Nature c
Mathew Frith/English Nature c
c
1 Consultation and/or scoping study
Engage ecologist
5 key biodiversity steps
2 Detailed surveys and impact assessment
3 Design of development to incorporate biodiversity objectives
4 Enhancement, mitigation and compensation
5 Management and aftercare
Site assembly
Land identification
Design team selection
Initial feasibility studies
Secure land purchase option
Outline design
Identify opportunities and constraints
Produce masterplan
Prepare section 106 agreement
Outline planning application
Complete land purchase
Detailed design
Detailed design/
planning permissions
Tender works
Tender review
Construction
Award contract
Construction works
Divestiture of development
Operation
On going monitoring
and maintenance by
management company
Figure 2
Incorporating biodiversity into development:
The five key steps
Development process
13 12
Main photo: Mathew Frith/English Nature
Small photos left to right: 1 Mike Waite
2-4 Mathew Frith/English Nature c
c
c
5. Creating areas of value for biodiversity and people:
Issues and opportunities
Issues
Satisfying open space
requirements
Creating appropriate
habitat for wildlife
Education and
amenity
Economic benefits
Case Study
Opportunities
There is often a requirement as part of a development to provide
areas of open space, or community recreational facilities, or to provide
enhancements to existing sites or facilities. A landscaping scheme that
is sensitive to both the needs of the local people and of biodiversity
will meet such requirements.
The existing vegetation, environment, soil and landscape should be
considered. Wherever possible the starting point should be the
existing vegetation, whether composed of native or non-native species.
Where supplementation is needed, appropriate species of a local
provenance may be used. In the special situation where the new
habitat is to supplement an existing native habitat (such as an ancient
wood) any landscaping should be with London native stock.
In all cases the aim is to provide interest in colour and form, structural
diversity, food (berries and nectar), nest sites, and shelter for wildlife.
In landscaping, the use of horticultural varieties or artificial structures
can still be beneficial in this regard.
Where possible, it is better to leave nature to take its own course.
This allows animals and plants to colonise naturally, ensuring that the
landscaping fits in appropriately with the natural environment and
requires minimal maintenance.
The boundaries and corners of sports fields can provide space
for landscaping with value for biodiversity.
Greenspace in housing developments can be landscaped with a
wildflower meadow crossed by shortly mown paths.
The attractiveness of the landscaped areas in a development can
be improved by planting native trees, using hedgerows for defining
boundaries, and filling flower beds with nectar-rich plants.
Where a development incorporates areas of value for nature
conservation, interpretation facilities, such as information boards,
will encourage learning about the local environment and indicate
that the informality is intentional.
www.landlife.org.uk
Appropriate and attractive landscaping, offering workers and local
residents an outdoor space to enjoy, and in which they can interact
with nature, can be an excellent selling point for a development.
Natural areas can be less expensive to manage than more formal landscaping.
www.seeda.co.uk/seeda_documents/docs/Building-for-Naturewinter-
2002.pdf
Gillespie Park, Islington
Background
The site, a former British Rail goods yard, began
operations in 1850 to bring coal to north London.
This ceased in the 1960s and the site lay derelict until
the 1980s when, following public consultation, the
decision was taken to create a wildlife park. Islington
Council took out a ten year lease and Gillespie Park
was opened in April 1983. The park became well
used by local people, including school children who
were involved in its management. However, in 1996
British Rail announced that they were intending to
sell the site so that it could be developed for
residential use.
Incorporating development and biodiversity
A local campaign group was formed and Islington
Council entered into lengthy negotiations with the
landowner. Eventually an agreement was reached
whereby 1.6 hectares of grassland and 0.4 hectares
of existing allotment were made available for housing
development in return for the lease of the remaining
area of the park plus a further 1.2 hectares and an
excellent educational building. This was ratified by
the granting of a section 106 agreement (Town &
Country Planning Act, 1990). The park now covers
an area of 2.8 hectares supporting a variety of
habitats including neutral grassland, scrub,
hedgerows, woodland and wetland. Some habitats
have evolved naturally whereas others have been
created by careful landscaping.
The benefits
The ecological centre is a heavily-used facility for
both formal and informal education, providing a
resource for a much larger area than that where
the development occurred. The Council employs
three people on site, including a Community and
Educational Officer. Over 500 species of plant,
94 species of bird, 12 species of dragonfly and
damselfly, and 24 species of butterfly have been
recorded and, in 1996, the park was declared a
Local Nature Reserve. It is also a Site of Metropolitan
Importance for Nature Conservation.
15 14
Mathew Frith/
English Nature
c
Mathew Frith/English Nature c
6. Overcoming the loss of wildlife habitat:
Issues and opportunities
Issues
Development causing
the loss of habitat
Development that
fragments habitat
Disturbance during
construction and
operation
Case Study Opportunities
Although the first priority is always to avoid the loss of habitat, where
a loss is unavoidable, developers should ensure provision of a similar
or enhanced wildlife resource.
Mitigation for the loss requires both a large total area and high quality
of wildlife habitat in the replacement. Generally the translocation of
species or habitats is unsuccessful, and this should be attempted
only as a last resort.
The re-use of the existing material on the site (soil or rubble) in a
landscaping scheme should allow similar species to establish. This
may reduce the disposal costs of such material for the developer.
Seeds may be obtained from nearby areas of botanical value with
similar site conditions and used for landscaping.
Where there is no space for more natural settings, the establishment
of green roofs or climbing plants offers developers the opportunity
to incorporate limited wildlife habitats into a high density urban
landscape. [Ref: ‘Building Green’. Johnson, J. and Newton, J.
Available from GLA Publications, Tel: 020 7983 4323]
Development can cause the break up of large areas of habitat into small
unconnected habitat “fragments”. These are often too small to support
viable populations of certain plant and animal species.
To help overcome this, developers should consider the retention of
open space ‘buffer zones’ around the fragments, or ‘stepping stones’,
or wide ‘corridors’ of habitat linking the fragments. The best stepping
stones are large in area and of high quality wildlife habitat, but where
this is not possible even individual trees or groups of trees, patches
of grassland, climbing plants on walls, or a green roof, offer benefits.
http://construction.ntu.ac.uk/staffwebs/greenroofs/aboutGRandESB.htm
Impacts can be reduced by timing construction activities appropriately
to avoid impacts during sensitive times of the year e.g. bird
breeding season.
A briefing to all site personnel given by an ecologist can reduce the
potential for accidental disturbance to features of value.
Deptford Creek
Background
In the mid 1990s, Deptford Creek consisted of
a derelict warehouse, wharves, shipyards and
a gasworks. Rubbish and debris had also been
dumped on the site. Nevertheless, the site had
excellent redevelopment potential, as well as
significant biodiversity value. Surveys showed the
site had developed its own distinct plant community
associated with the dilapidated flood walls and
adjacent to derelict land, which supported a variety
of small animals. It was also prime habitat for a rare
bird, the black redstart.
Incorporating development and biodiversity
In order to accommodate the wildlife interest of
the derelict land any proposed development needed
to be sympathetic. For example, there was an ideal
opportunity to incorporate roof habitats and
eco-friendly flood defences into the design, thus
attempting to replicate the habitats that would be
lost. The design of the ‘green’ roofs on buildings
such as the Laban Centre and the Creekside
Educational Trust, used a substrate of crushed brick
and concrete graded from 50mm to dust, laid on a
flat or shallow surface. The roofs have a varied
topography with shallow slopes and a diverse range
of boulders, larger stones, and timber fenders that
provide places for wind-blown and bird-sown seeds
to germinate, and foraging habitat for black redstarts.
New and refurbished flood walls have incorporated
a variety of ‘nooks and crannies’ to speed up
colonisation by plants and small animals.
The benefits
The habitats created afforded potential for similar
plant and insect species to those found on the
derelict land lost to the development. The developers
have also benefited. The roofs slow the amount of
rain water entering the drainage system, thereby
reducing flash flood potential and, as the aggregate
used in the construction of the roofs came from
the site, disposal costs were saved. Also, from
appropriate vantage points, the roofs and new
flood wall add a splash of colour to the local highlydeveloped
environment.
www.blackredstarts.org.uk/pages/deptcreek.html
17 16
Mathew Frith/English Nature c
James Farrell c
7. Water:
Issues and opportunities
Issues
Providing flood
protection
Pollution
Drainage
Culverting
Opportunities
Developers may look to reinstate former floodplains as part of their
development. Valuable wetland habitats can be maintained in areas
where flooding occurs regularly.
Where the construction of flood defences is unavoidable a sensitive
approach to their design can be employed. For example, terracing
can employ timber cladding and other materials providing places for
wildlife to colonise. River banks can be ‘stepped’ to create a variety
of wetland habitats.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/
There has been an ongoing improvement in the quality of rivers
in the UK, not least in London, where water quality in the Thames
has increased markedly in recent years.
New developments can contribute positively to the quality of surface runoff
through careful attention to design and through precautions during
construction, for example by ensuring proper separation between foul
sewer and surface water drains and rectifying previous misconnections.
Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) can reduce the volume
and slow the flow of water generated by a new development site.
They provide more natural approaches to run-off management and
help to prevent flooding and water pollution. They can be designed
in a way that provides wildlife habitat. For example:
using permeable instead of hard surfaces;
installing grassed swales to convey surface water run-off; and
installing treatment basins, ponds and reedbeds that receive run-off
from the development prior to discharge to a watercourse.
www.sepa.org.uk/guidance/urban-drainage/
Historically, watercourses have tended to be culverted in concrete
channels or pipes. Policies and guidance for developers now promote
the de-culverting (opening up) of watercourses to produce
environmental benefits.
Rivers can be restored to more naturalised forms by de-culverting and
providing space for tributary watercourses and wetlands within
development designs.
Embankments can be created that are set back from the river to allow
wetlands to develop and also to create buffer strips.
Natural vegetation can be used as a means of bank protection.
www.sepa.org.uk/publications/leaflets/hei/
Case Study
BICC Cables, Belvedere
Background
Since 1882 BICC (Pirelli) Cables Limited had
operated on the same site in Belvedere, east London.
During the 1990's need for further car parking
areas increased and the site of a disused playing
field was identified as a space that could be
developed. Its former use meant the area prior
to development consisted of only 2.3 hectares of
grassland with a low nature conservation value.
In order to prevent flooding and reduce the risk
of pollution from car park surface run-off, the
Environment Agency recommended the
implementation of a sustainable urban
drainage system (SUDS).
Incorporating development and biodiversity
A watercourse and a lagoon were constructed to
retain run-off from the car park. In total, the area of
open water measured 140 metres by 30 metres with
the levels controlled by way of a pumping facility.
Native wetland species including reeds, rushes and
sedges were planted in and around the areas of
water with species-rich wildflower mixes used
in the drier areas. Water passed through this
vegetation and an oil separator before discharging
to the adjacent dyke system. Finally, to ensure
the newly created areas were managed in a way
which would ensure they would reach their full
biodiversity potential, a Biodiversity Management
Plan was produced.
The benefits
The development secured an increasingly rare
marshland habitat. The area was quickly colonised
by amphibians, dragonflies and beetles, and its
construction considerably increased the aesthetic
value of the site. School children were encouraged
to visit and educational facilities were provided.
Employees of the company developed ownership
of the site and willingly took on some of the
management tasks.
www.groundworks.org.uk/
19 18
Mike Waite c
Mike Waite c
Scottish Environment
Protection Agency
c
A summarised version of this document is also
available in large print, braille, on disk, audio
cassette and in the languages listed below.
For a copy, please contact the LDA
Communications Team:
London Development Agency
Devon House
58-60 St Katharine's Way
London E1W 1JX
Tel 020 7954 4500
email communications@lda.gov.uk
English Nature
Devon House
12-15 Dartmouth Street
Queen Anne’s Gate
London SW1H 9BJ
T: 020 7340 4870
E: london@english-nature.org.uk
www.english-nature.org.uk
English Nature is the Government agency that
champions the conservation of wildlife and
nature features throughout England.
Greater London Authority
Biodiversity Team
City Hall
The Queen’s Walk
London SE1 2AA
T: 020 7983 4305
www.london.gov.uk
The Greater London Authority’s Biodiversity
Team provides strategic advice on wildlife sites,
and incorporating biodiversity into developments.
London Development Agency
Devon House
58-60 St. Katharine’s Way
London E1W 1JX
T: 020 7680 2000
www.lda.gov.uk
The London Development Agency is the
Mayor’s agency for business and jobs.
London Biodiversity Partnership
c/o London Wildlife Trust
Harling House
47-51 Great Suffolk Street
London SE1 OBS
T: 020 7921 5479
www.lbp.org.uk
The London Biodiversity Partnership works together
to implement action plans for London’s priority
habitats and species and involves London’s
communities in conservation.
For further information about these issues contact:
21 20
8. Accessible communications statement