Hackbridge- before and afters

Here's a few pictures of the work that the local community have been involved in as part of the Hackbridge plan and the Hackbridge Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Hackbridge and Beddington Corner aspire to be one of the most sustainable suburbs in the UK. It will be recognised as a distinctive community with an appealing identity at the heart of the Wandle Valley Regional Park.

The neighbourhood plan is currently going out to consultation. You can find out more here: 

HACKBRIDGE AND BEDDINGTON CORNER NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The Heart of Hackbridge

Re-development of the district centre

 Before

After

 Including rain gardens with wildlife habitats and signs to Beddington Farmlands and the Wandle Trail 

The 'village' sign- symbolic of the neighbourhood's aspirations to become a major gateway to the Wandle Valley Regional Park and Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve

The entrance to Beddington Farmlands 

 Before

After- simply wow! Thanks to Bioregional, the Pocket Park initiative, the bird group and the neighbourhood development group

Hackbridge Housing Estate Gardens for people and nature

  Before

After

Hackbridge Private Gardens for people and nature

 Before

After (ok no miracle but a practical and affordable solution and relatively low maintenance- which will of course look better when the plants grow) 

Before

 During

After

Other Biodiversity Improvements

 Wildflower meadows

 Bulb planting

 More wildlflowers 

The Church gardens

Even started a bit of food growing on the housing estates 

Meanwhile at Beddington Farmlands 

and this is what's been going on over the other side of the bridge; the development of Beddington Farmlands, a major urban nature reserve which will be open to the public in the future

 Wetland creation

 Meadow planting

 Tree Planting

 Meadow management 

 Reed Planting

More meadows

Great work by a great team! 

 The WWT Visioning Day for the  Beddington Farmlands Visitors Centre Plans

 The Beddington Farm Bird Group at the Carshlaton Environmental Fair

 The Neighbourhood development Group at the Hackbridge Carnival 

Bridge protesters - people power keeping things going 

ALL FOR F#CK ALL

Here is a list of some of the main events documented in this blog with regards to development of the nature reserve at Beddington Farmlands, events which have included the work of  the Beddington Farm Bird Group, the Hackbridge Neighbourhood Development Group, the London Borough of Sutton's biodiversity team, the local community, local businesses, the RSPB, the LWT, LUSH, local environmental chairty Bioregional, the Design Council (CABE), University College London, BBC Natural World, BBC Springwatch, local papers and local media,The Urban Birder, Birdwatch Magazine, BBC news, ITN news, local schools, local church members and many more organisations and individuals.

All that work (as it stands now) has amounted to fuck all due to a dictatorship by waste management company Viridor (part of the Pennon Group PLC)  who have consistently defaulted on all their local environmental obligations in the past and have overseen a complete failure in the conservation management plan and development of the site for a public nature reserve. Viridor/Pennon have consistently shown blatant disregard for democracy and efforts by the social and environmental community and continuously try to manage resistance to their destruction by offering what amounts to confectionery to appease that resistance.

In the absence of a working democracy and in an environment of dictatorship by a public limited company that is answerable only to it's shareholders (so will therefore deliver minimal environmental and social investment) the local environment and the society it serves is basically completely and utterly fucked and here is the proof, a forensic dissection (follow dates and links for complete details) of how managed decline works, the precise named individuals (not named here) behind that and how systemic and fundamental change is the only answer- a change that will need, (in part), to be forced. The alternative is to allow the destruction of our democratic system which will literally lead to the end of civilisation at the hands of corporations.

2017

300617  Birdwatch magazine review of Beddington Farmlands Bird and Wildlife Report 2015
290617  Further campaign funding provided by Mark Constantine/ LUSH for Air Quality Monitoring
090617  Air Quality Monitoring Group Meeting
070617  All local parliamentary candidates issue pre-election pledges/comments regarding the future of Beddington Farmlands
030617  Several local media articles about Beddington Farmlands ahead of the General Election
010617  Beddington farmlands on BBC London news and Beddington Farmlands features as a campaigning issue for the general election
310517  Rejection of community fund applications by Viridor. Applications to develop the Ecology Park and for biodiversity improvements in Hackbridge.
290517  Beddington Farmlands in local media
280517  Viridor written warning about anti-incinerator material
100517  Stop the Incinerator Protest at Development Control Committee Meeting
030517  Viridor sacrificial crop growing well
020517  Review of Beddington Farmlands Bird and Wildlife Report 2015 on Birdguides
210417  Neighbourhood Plan final draft completed
190417  Meeting with Tom Brake and Viridor cancelled by Viridor
300317  Environmental Committee- Vote on support for replacement bridge
290317  BFBG AGM
230317  Neighbourhood Development Group meeting
220317  Meeting with CEO of Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust
210317  Locality Meeting featuring presentation of Hackbridge Plan
030317  Beddington Farmlands features in Mayor's Question Time
020317  Lake works and further volunteer conservation work
250217  Bridges demolished despite years of campaigning to protect them
240217  Conservation Science Group Meeting
190217  Challenge of Viridor public mis-information.
190117  Local conservation works
060117  Meeting with site ecologist
010117  On going bioblitz, recording and bird ringing on most days throughout year (approx 5044 hours of volunteer effort).

2016
251116  Further volunteer local conservation work
221116  New small scale access installations completed (bridge and steps)
181116  Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust event at GLA
021116  Further works to meadow habitat carried out
051016 Neighbourhood Development Group meeting
290916  Meeting with Viridor manager and new BFBG secretary
210916  London National Park City Event
130916  Visioning day for the Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust
110916  Another Viridor open day
230816  First in a series of Viridor organised public events
110816  Paradise Lost article in Linnaean Society publication
060816 Hen Harrier Day at Rainham Marshes (Beddington Farmlands refused permission by RSPB to have a publicity stand)
050816  Ecology Park Group meeting
020816  Beddington Farmlands Bird and Wildlife Report 2015 published
260716  White Stork twitch organised
300616  Stop the Incinerator Protest
260616  Associate Members Walk
230616  Neighbourhood Development Group meeting
070616  Plans for new wet grassland habitat are presented in Conservation Science Group Meeting
050616  Public Walk
040616  Further local biodiversity improvements carried out
030616  Beddington Farmlands in local media again
310516  Guest Blog on Mark Avery Blog
160516  Publicity stunts to highlight Beddington Farmlands issues
111516  Neighbourhood Development Group Public Event- Plan Consultation Engagement
040516  More meadow works are carried out
270416  More local media coverage of Beddington Farmlands issues
250416  Wandle Valley Forum AGM
240416  Associate member and Surrey Bird Club walk
190416 Some new tree planting by Viridor is completed
140416 New Conservation and Access Management Committee site visit
040416  Bird and wildlife walk
230316  Incinerator development is underway. Challenges made to Viridor's local publicity campaign on grounds of mis-information. Meeting with communications rep.
150316  Meeting with Mark Constantine's team for update on Beddington Farmlands
090316  Neighbourhood Plan goes out for consultation
040316  Conservation Science Group meeting
Early March  Conservation works to lakes
240216  Neighbourhood Development Group meeting
190216  Meeting with Viridor director and Communications to discuss progress with nature reserve development
160216  Save Irrigation Bridge Campaign commences
110216  Ecology Park Group meeting
030216  Tree Sparrow crash features in Private Eye
300116  Gull Workshop
280116  Local Committee meeting
270116  Local media articles on collapse of Tree Sparrow population
200116  Beddington Farmlands features in Private Eye
080116  BBC Winterwatch feature on Beddington Farmlands

2015
291115  Local campaigners attend the Climate March in London
241115  Local Government Ombudsman Investigation concludes that conditions should be enforced at Beddington Farmlands without further delay
261115  BFBG Executive Committee Meeting
251115  Neighbourhood Development Group Meeting
051115  Attend the Anonymous march in London
041115  Meeting with local councillors about the Ecology Park
031115  Beddington Farmlands Bird and Wildlife Report 2015 published
281015  Neighbourhood Development Group Meeting
011015  Hackbridge Ecology Park Group Meeting
160915  Local authority standards committee looking into corruption involved with incinerator decision
130915  Associate Member Walk
110915  Beddington Farmlands in local media again- article about corruption involved in incinerator decision
100915  Consultation on new school commences
040915  Conservation Science Group Meeting
260815  Ecology Park Group Meeting
220815  Beddington Farmlands features in Private Eye. Meeting with anti-incinerator group.
190815  Visit by local children
100815  Hen Harrier Day 2
190715  Bird and Wildlife Walk
300615  Ecology Park Group Meeting
240615  Local Community Meeting (Meeting cancelled due to anti-incinerator hecklers)
230615  New entrance (Pocket Park project coordinated by Bioregional ) complete
210615  Public walk
070615  Associate Members Walk
260515  Wild flower strips blooming in Hackbridge- part of local biodiversity improvements
170515  London Natural History Society Botanical Group visit
140515  Beddington Farmlands in local media
060515  Neighbourhood Development Group meeting
280415  Oral Hearing for Incinerator Legal Challenge- Challenge declined
260415  Associate Members Day
180415  New Entrance to Farmlands development starts
130415  A great spring birding day
310315  BFBG Executive Committee Meeting
300315  Beddington Farmlands to feature in up coming general election campaign for local candidates
270315  Viridor funded tree planting and meadow creation
130315  Conservation work
070315  WWT Visioning Day for Ecology Park
060315  Conservation Science Group meeting
040315  Ecology Park Group meeting
210115-260115  Works to lakes and conservation work
230115  Wandle Forum Meeting
220115  BFBG AGM
130115  Ecology Park Group Meeting
070115  Neighbourhood Development Group Meeting
010115  The bioblitz, regular recording and ringing continues almost daily throughout year as usual

2014
211214  Further biodiversity improvements in Hackbridge.
141214  Associate Members Day.
091214  Rally for Nature in London.
051214  Conservation Science Group Meeting
041214  Local Committee Meeting.
021214  Beddington Farmlands new FLIKR and TWITTER set up.
281114  Application to Court of Appeal made.
201114  Bioregional 20 year anniversary event
161114  Visit by David Lindo and student group.
121114  Appeal challenge attempted
071114  Meeting with local authority.
061114  Incinerator Gets Green Light
011114  Neighbourhood Development Group Workshop.
091014-101014  BEDDINGTON FARMLANDS INCINERATOR JUDICIAL REVIEW
240914  Lush rep, Paul Morton visits Beddington Farmlands
150914  A serious of articles about up-coming Judicial Review
140914  Associate Member Walk.
050914  Conservation Science Group Meeting
210814  Beddington Farmlands on BBC London News again
210814  New Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve Facebook Page
200814  New Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve Website
180814  Meeting about new entrance on Mile Road Bridge and further enhancements
100814  Hen Harrier Day
080814  Beddington Farmlands Bird and Wildlife Report 2013 released
050814  Meeting at Bioregional about Ecology Park/ Visitor facilities
040814  Rain gardens and signage to Beddington Farmlands completed in Hackbridge centre
030814  Beddington Farmlands on BBC News
270714  Bird and Willdife walk.
220714  Youth Offender Teams tidying up Mile Road Bridge. Team visits bi-weekly from here on for several months before being cut by local authority.
120714  Lush Day Trip. Mark Constantine agrees to partly fund Judicial Review
090714  The Story so Far: HERE
290614  Hackbridge Carnival featuring Beddington Farmlands stand.
250614  Discovery of White-letter Hairstreaks on Irrigation Bridge.
220614  Beddington Farmlands Public Walk.
170614  Judge grants permission for Judicial Review despite Sutton and Viridor's claim that the review is without merit
130614  Conservation Science Group meeting
110614  Written response to local MP statement.
040614  Viridor and Sutton Council announce they will utilise two Queen's Counsels to defend the Incinertor decision.            
010614  Conservation day at Beddington Farmlands.
030514  Beddington Farmlands Bird Race Day.
270414  New Village Sign featuring birds and importance of Beddington Farmlands. Associate member tour.
250414  Witness Statement drawn up for Judicial Review
230414  Defending the Patch article in Birdwatch Magazine
110414  Meeting with Bioregional about new entrance to Beddington Farmlands.
090414  New Wildlife Garden planted up in Hackbridge
040414  More wildlife friendly planting around Hackbridge
030414  Further writing of Neighbourhood Plan.
300314  Meadow strip seeded at the farmlands.
270314  Judicial Review, Letter Before Claim sent to Sutton Council. Articles in Local Media.
090314  Bioblitz continues. Roger Booth from NHM contributes further to Beetle list.
040314  Meeting with Beddington North neighbourhood Forum rep.
280214  London Tree Sparrow Partnership Meeting
260214  Meeting with Bioregional about New Entrance to Farmlands
240214  Judicial Review Fund Raiser by the Green Party
170214  BFBG Executive Committee Meeting
100214  Further judicial review meetings
050214  BBC Natural World documentary featuring Beddington Farmlands on You tube
300114  Stop the Incinerator Judicial Review Campaign material e.g. HERE
230114  BFBG AGM
230114  Column in Birdwatching magazine by David Lindo backing Beddington Farmlands Campaign
190114  Public walk at the farmlands and visit by Judicial Review team
180114  Judicial review meeting
100114  Conservation Science Group Meeting
80114    Met Sutton Biodiversity officer

2013
071113  Incinerator Protest at Development Control Committee meeting
301013  Stop the Incinerator campaign fund raising campaign for judicial review costs commences. Various meetings and discussions with BFBG members, STI members and lawyers
261013  Further voluntary conservation work on green corridors
270813  BFBG and nature reserve promotion stand at the Carshalton Environmental Fair
250813  Local community bird and wildlife autumn walk.
210813  GLA approve incinerator proposal. Decision reported on BBC and ITN news. BFBG members interviewed.
110813  National Moth Night at Beddington Farmlands
070813  BBC London news report on incinerator (interview with BFBG members)
060813  Incinerator issue reported in national press
030813  BFBG members assist with London Borough of Sutton Bioblitz
280713  Local community bird and wildlife walk
180713  New Beddington Farmlands Bird and Wildlife Report 2012 published
110713  Further moth trapping, entomological and botanical surveying towards species inventory
210613  BFBG discuss with local and london assembly members of the Green Party concerns regarding the incinerator
210613  Presentation at Wandle Conference to Wandle Valley Regional Park Forum and members of the Trust.  'The Sleeping Giant of London's Natural World'
080613  Neighbourhood development group carry out biodiversity improvements to Mile Road Bridge to improve entrance to nature reserve
170513  BFBG led e-campaign to encourage writing to Mayor's office to oppose incinerator
Stop the Incinerator campaign concurrently set up a petition to hand to the Mayor's office
150513  Incinerator gets permission from the local authority planning committee and is referred to the GLA for approval
060513  Further surveys (on going almost daily) for nature reserve species inventory
040513  Bird Race Day
280413  Bird and wildlife walk for the local ramblers group
270413  BFBG and nature reserve promotion stand at the LBS Biodiversity Gardens showcase event
260413  Further voluntary conservation work on green corridor improvements
240413  Planning Control Committee meeting to decide on incinerator proposal. BFBG had previously submitted three responses to the case planning officers objecting on various grounds. A decision is deferred.
160413- Local community meet with Viridor Reps to discuss s106 conditions
070413  Significant pollution incident in the Northern Lake created by debris from the landfill site polluting the lake following a storm
060413  Further voluntary conservation work including new wildflower strips. Works begin on improving Mile Road Bridge entrance to the nature reserve. Viridor plant an area of the Southern mound with trees.
210213 BBC Natural World re-run 'Un-natural history of London' featuring Beddington Farmlands
190213  Meeting with design council (CABE) to comment on NDG plans including nature reserve proposals
160213  Presentation at Bioregional regarding neighhourhood development group (NDG) proposal to develop nature reserve. 'Hackbridge, Beddington Farmlands and the Wandle Valley Regional Park'.
              Meeting at council offices to discuss Biodiversity improvements between Beddington Farmlands and the Wandle Valley Regional park
              Conservation Science Group meeting- no consensus to approve new version of conservation management plan with incinerator included

2012
081212-  BFBG invited to the House of Lords for 'Environment and Communities Reception'
                Weekly/ bi-weekly meetings in developing local neighbourhood plan and gateway to nature         reserve
071112-  Further volunteer conservation work on nature reserve green corridors
241012-  Volunteer conservation work along nature reserve green corridors (including the planting of 2500 bulbs with the local schools)
250912- A first for Beddington- Long-tailed Skua. The 257th species recorded for Beddington Farmlands.
160912- Local community bird and wildlife walk.
120912- BFBG led e-campaign to encourage local community to oppose incinerator plans
010912- Further volunteer conservation work at reserve
290812- Local authority led phase one habitat surveys along nature reserve green corridors.
Further consultation and meetings regarding incinerator proposal.
280812- The Carshalton Enviornmental Fair- promoting wildlife photography at Beddington farmlands and highlight of concerns regarding Incinerator
200812- Jersey Tiger moth invasion
240712- Further ongoing pan species recording (as part of species inventory for nature reserve)
180712  Hackbridge Church Bioblitz- led by London Borough of Sutton as part of integrating local community with nature reserve and borough wide biodiversity green space management
130712  Further work on the London Tree Sparrow partnership and the colour ringing project
080712  Hackbridge carnival and further nature reserve publicity and promotion as part of developing neighbourhood plan to develop a gateway to the regional park and the nature reserve
040712  Hawk moths make first appearance at 'obs' moth trap
100612  BFBG and nature reserve promotion stand at the London Borough of Sutton Bioblitz event
300512 National Bee-Day with BFBG members and local conservation charity Bioregional
270512  Further voluntary conservation work- wildflower meadows and wildlife gardening
240512  Further public consultation on the Incinerator. BFBG members provide extensive feedback.
150512  Entomological lab for species inventory set up at 'the obs'
100512  Turtle Dove at the obs feeding station on the day RSPB Operation Turtle Dove is launched
050512  The Incinerator issue is a main focus of local paper reporting
280412  BFBG Bird race day
230412  Local community bird and wildlife walk
220412  Further pan species recording- this on going initiative occurring most days
060412  Local demonstration to protect Irrigation Bridge as part of an access network to the nature reserve and wider regional park
010412  The Beddington Farmlands Ringing Station (to monitor bird migration)  is re-established- led by Mike Netherwood.
270312  The local authority assist in developing wildflower meadows in Hackbridge as part of integrating the nature reserve with the surrouding community
160312  I win an EU backed award for 'Environmental Excellence' lol :-)
120312  Latest in a whole series of meetings (one to two a week) working on developing a neighbourhood development plan which incorporates integration of the nature reserve and developing a gateway to the Wandle Valley Regional park. Partners include London Borough of Sutton, University College London, Bioregional and a wide range of local groups including the BFBG.
190212  Beddington Farmland Nature Reserve briefing report published by BFBG
140112  London Tree Sparrow Partnership propose colour ringing population
              Viridor commence public consultation of the incinerator

2011
021111 Diverting of canal at nature reserve
191111 Hackbridge Neighbourhood Development Group, 're-visioning' day (Nature Reserve tour included)
151111 Funeral of Simon Aspinall- Beddington farmlands 'graduate', world class conservationist and founding member of Tree Sparrow conservation at Beddington.
141111 Tree Sparrows attracted to satellite feeding area (although only other side of railway)
131111 Further wildlife gardening in local community to promote integration of the reserve , the local village and the wider Wandle Valley Regional Park
270911 Meeting with Tom Brake (local MP) who agrees to lend further support the nature reserve development
180911 Local community autumn bird walk. A Pectoral Sandpiper is found. Systematic moth recording with actinic light commences from 'the obs'.
050911 Further moth trapping as part of pan species inventory recording
010911 Dewick's Plusia moth discovered. A small resident (breeding) population is the recorded case in the UK.
310811 Birdwatch Magazine review 'The Birds of Beddington Farmlands'- described as an 'Urban Birding Benchmark'
290811 BFBG and nature reserve publicity stand at the Carshalton Environmental Fair. Nature reserve supporters are added to mailing list (300+ members eventually signed up)
260811 Further voluntary (and some poorly paid) conservation work to assist Viridor in habitat management
210811 Local community autumn wildlife walk
080811 Local riots and rampaging
300711 Pan species inventory work continues
280711 Tree Sparrow feeding station is set up in satellite area to assist in wider ranging winter feeding
260711 Richard Black from RSPB speaks to BBC Radio 4 about the London Tree Sparrow Partnership
220711 A population of Common Lizards found on the reserve by ecological consultants (who later denied finding them in incinerator planning application !)
210711 Systematic moth trapping and botany recording continues
170711 London Tree Sparrow Partnership public presentation day
150711 Black Kite recorded- a first for the site
060711 British Birds publishes 1% threshold winter bird population paper. Green Sandpiper, Caspian Gull and Lesser Black Gull are 1% threshold species at Beddington Farmlands.
010711 'The Birds of Beddington Farmlands' available on i-tunes
250611  The London Tree Sparrow Partnership is set up- a partnership between the RSPB, Beddington Farm Bird Group, Viridor and MKA Ecology
160611  Natural re-generation on nature reserve produces a blaze of summer colour
200511 Local environmental charity Bioregional first attempt at taking a leading role in development of nature reserve
010511 BFBG take part in International Dawn Chorus Day and lead public tour
270411 Beddington Farmlands Pan Species Inventory begins
170411 Local community spring bird walk
090411 Local Newspaper article 'Choking on Incinerator Plans'
160311 BBC Natural World documentary making
250211 Re-generation development in Hackbridge commences
240111 Bat boxes put up on reserve
230111 Presentation at local community forum about Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve
190111 BBC Natural World documentary making
160111 Local paper article about publication of 'The Birds of Beddington Farmlands'
100111  Birdwatch Artist of the Year Szabolcs Kokay designs Beddington Farmalnds Nature Reserve logo
070111  BBC Natural World documentary making at Beddington Farmlands

2010
201210 Just a great days birding at Beddington Farmlands
181110 The Birds of Beddington Farmlands book published
111110 Wandle Valley Regional Park Forum working groups established
180910 BFBG and nature reserve publicity stand at the Hackbridge Carnival
110910 Hackbridge Forum meeting (in the previous week). Local authority led localism meeting about empowering local people into the planning system. Hackbridge chosen as a Localism front runner as part of Coalition Government Big Society initiative. Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve key feature of local planning strategy.
020910 Birdwatch article published 'Building the Reserve of the Future'
110810 Further reed bed planting on Southern Lake
080810 Local community early autumn bird walk
070810 Photograph of  controversial Glaucous-winged Gull  at Beddington Farmlands wins British Birds Karl Zeiss Award
030810 Further voluntary conservation work
220710  Reed Bed Planting on Southern Lake
090710  New Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve newsletter is launched
200610   London Natural History Society Botany group conduct botany survey
180610 BBC Springwatch featuring Beddington birders is televised
060610 Wandle Festival Weekend- Festival to promote the Wandle Valley Regional Park (Beddington Farmlands forms the core of the Regional Park)
150510 Beddington Birders and the Urban Birder take part in Springwatch and the Oystercatcher Bird Race
060510 Local newspaper article on migration studies at Beddington Farmlands/ Greater London
020510 Pacific Golden Plover at Beddington Farmlands- the first in London for over 100 years
280410 Wandle Valley Regional Park Conference- workshop featuring Beddington Farmlands
250410 Local community Spring bird walk
210410 BBC Documentary making about wildlife in London- featuring Beddington Farmlands
180410 Local Paper Article 'BBC Migration Studies at Beddington Farmlands'
070410 BFBG team up with Tower 42 Bird Study Group for media campaign
270310 Local Newspaper article 'Outrage to Build Incinerator on Local Nature Reserve'
260310 BFBG join Tower 42 Bird Study Group (Urban Birding Promotion Campaign by David Lindo)
240310 Conservation volunteer day with BFBG members, MKA Ecology and Viridor
230310 Local Community produce own newsletter- Beddington Farmlands to be a key aspect to future of local area from outset
210310  Bird walk for London Natural History Society members led by Derek Coleman- one of up to six a year of these visits
180310  Local paper article about sustainable village plans (and integration with nature reserve)
160310  Further public wildlife garden planting at 'the obs'
150310  RSPB senior officials visit site to discuss their involvement in Nature Reserve development
150210  New mailing list for supporters of Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve set up
110210  Local meeting to plan local improvements to integrate local neighbourhood to nature reserve
090210  News of Incinerator proposal is leaked
260110  New feeding station for public viewing established at obs
210110  BFBG join local Neighbourhood Development Group to champion nature reserve development
170110  Lapland Bunting twitch- BFBG open site and manage twitch
140110  Local paper article on winter wildlife at Beddington Farmlands

2009
241209  Roger Browne publishes first of many on line Beddington Farmalnds photo gallery
221209  Wildlife documentary filming at Beddington Farmlands
131209  Winter birding public tour
091209  Wildlife garden planting carried out at 'the obs'
261109  Local paper article published
181109  Interview with local paper about Beddington Farmlands and future nature reserve plans
311009  BFBG stall at the Croydon RSPB fair
041009  Local community tour led by 'The Urban Birder', David Lindo
130909  I purchase property ('the obs') overlooking site with aim of being in a prime position to increase monitoring, campaigning activity and also green improvements connecting nature reserve with village and River Wandle
190809  Beddington Farm Bird Group reviews aims and objectives and re-organises
120709  Public tour of Beddington for local people- the first of many tours aimed at educating local people to the importance of the site and future plans to develop a public nature reserve
220609  David Lindo, 'The Urban Birder' visits Beddington as a champion of a major urban nature reserve for South London
020509  Patchwatch- BFBG support and donate to Birdwatch campaign for Azores Bullfinch
010409  G20 Protests in London attended
250309  Blog debate about the plight of Beddington with RSPB staff

2008
151208 BFBG Voluntary work clearing North Lake to assist Viridor in habitat management

A PRODUCTIVE NEW YEAR TO YOU!

I actually fell asleep through the new year yesterday so welcomed this new year in slumber- hopefully that is not an omen of energy levels this year. So new year, new pile of mud to throw and see how much of it sticks. So here's the plan for myself and Little Oak Group in 2019:

THE LOCAL PATCH 

LITTLE OAK ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

What with this being the main cash cow, I'm cautiously predicting a slow year, what with the uncertainty around Brexit- the ripple effects of this even has impacts on small local businesses. So the plan through 2019 is simply to keep going. With costs up and our profit margin down to 16% (should be around 25%) we entered a slow down last year already. With larger council contracts last year our turnover was the highest ever which offsets the reduction in profit margin in terms of actual profits but all that means is that we are working more and more for not as much. Obviously an unsustainable situation, so will be good to get through Brexit and see what we are playing with here. There's certainly a squeeze and important not to abandon principles when the chips are down (although not so easy to convince partners and colleagues of that!). It could just mean less work to do, tightening the belt and more time birding. It may also mean trying to monetise our projects more so that they are not so subsidy dependent- so a win win whatever happens. 

BEDDINGTON FARMLANDS NATURE RESERVE and THE HACKBRIDGE PROJECT

2018 was pretty much a disaster for the farmlands. Delays in the restoration continue with next to nothing of the 2018 Viridor plan of works completed, I got booted off the Conservation Science Group for rocking the boat too much and public access through the year was completely restricted by pipe works that ripped through restoration habitat too. 

As always the resilience of nature is the greatest defence agaisnt eco-vandals like Viridor and despite Viridor's neglect and oppressive behaviour it was still pretty good for birding with the highlights including an autumn Richard's Pipit, a spring Hoopoe and flocks of Spoonbills! The conservation target species however remain in critical condition, the breeding bird population was held up again by an apparent explosion in species like Wren and Reed Warbler and the total annual bird species list of 156 was pretty reasonable- although we generally consider 160 to be healthy. It was a good year for insects during the hot summer particularly for moths. 

The plan for 2018 is basically all defensive legal and campaigning strategy involving applying maximum pressure on Viridor and the council to progress with the restoration. The only hope to reverse the declining situation is the development of the habitats and the establishment of strong local natural history community. Also plan to re-shuffle the Bird and Wildlife Report this year with spreading out the effort more to be able to focus on the Viridor-Council campaign.  

Good news on the Hackbridge Project front- after 7 years the nieghbourhood plan was finally adopted. The plan for 2019 is now to start implementing it.

THE FOREIGN PATCHES 

AZORES NATURE 

A really good year in 2018 with two papers published in Dutch Birding (Here), the publication of the 2015 Rare Bird Report, another successful Pelagic trip and a great Corvo season Here, Also things progressed in the Portuguese Rarities Committee with the establishment of a new Azores sub-committee and progress also made on the Azores List. Also a good year from our friends and partners in other projects in the region.

Plans in 2019 include the publication of at least the 2016 Rare Bird Report (and hopefully also the 2017), the completion of the Azores Bird list (and taxonomy updated to the latest IOC version), the Natural History Trip will run again this year, the 2019 Pelagic is almost full and hopefully it will be another great autumn season. 

THE BALKAN ECOLOGY PROJECT

A good couple of visits to the project this year (run by brother's family) and also an excellent recee in November with Dimiter from Neophron Tours in scouting out an area to set up an autumn observation project involving buying some land to create some habitat and build an observatory/lodge. Planning on spending 6 weeks there in autumn to get things going if we manage to secure a land purchase this winter. 

GHANA

Had a great trip in January with Isaac and Co scouting out a project area in the Ashanti Region. We are returning in early Feb to do some further exploration and set up some preliminary recording systems. 

OUR MINISTRY OF PROPAGANDA 

THEE BRYANS

We had our best year ever with this and managed to put together some campaign songs with the kids to promote the situation at Beddington Farmlands. Who knows in 2019- make this up as we go along. 

TRIPS

This year got trips planned to Fuerteventura (tomorrow), Ghana in February, Belarus in May, Uganda in July, Bulgaria in September and Azores in October. 

GET INVOLVED ! 

Please support us by following the projects on social media etc, joining one of the tours or please contact me if you would like to volunteer or can offer freelance services and can help us in some way.  We particularly need help with more social media, marketing, data inputting and probably most of all - someone to complete funding applications.  Please contact me littleoakgroup@btinternet.com if interested. 

Hackbridge Wildlife Corridors and Gateway to Beddington Farmlands

Wildflower meadows are an option that is being explored for the verges in Hackbridge

Lavender has an historical significance in the area and is also good for insects. The artist impression above is of lavender planting at Hackbridge Railway Station (Lysanne Horrox)

Even simple bulb planting can provide interest and nectar for insects. Artist impression of The Green, Hackbridge (Lysanne Horrox)

Neighbourhood Planning Group including members of London Borough of Sutton, CABE (Design Council), University College London, Bioregional, Beddington Farmlands Bird Group and local garden designers, green businesses, architects, estate directors and residents (Helen Barrowclough)

It has been non-stop meetings recently as things move towards presenting draft copies of the Neighbourhood Plan as part of new Localism developments. Beddington Farmlands is an integral part of the Hackbridge Neighbourhood Plan as one of the main objectives is connecting the Beddington Farmlands nature reserve to the River Wandle via Wildlife Corridors and wildlife networks through Hackbridge village. This will be a great development as it represents an important development in the way that wildlife is planned for- not just in reserves but as an integral part of the whole planning process connecting reserves through corridors via urban areas.

The proposal to develop the Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve gateway and visitors centre in Hackbridge is also a priorty issue in the neighbourhood plan.

THE HACKBRIDGE PROJECT AND BEDDINGTON FARMLANDS

We attended the Hackbridge Plan community meeting yesterday evening- there was a good turn out- over 100 people. Hackbridge is the 'village' in which I live (pic 1), overlooking Beddington Farmlands. As the Farmlands is being developed into a major urban nature reserve something equally exciting is underway for Hackbridge. The Hackbridge Plan is to create the UK's first sustainable suburb.

More here: http://peteralfrey.blogspot.com/2010/01/hackbridge-project-and-beddington.html

All for F#ck All

Here is a list of some of the main events documented in this blog with regards to development of the nature reserve at Beddington Farmlands, events which have included the work of  the Beddington Farm Bird Group, the Hackbridge Neighbourhood Development Group, the London Borough of Sutton's biodiversity team, the local community, local businesses, the RSPB, the LWT, local environmental chairty Bioregional, the Design Council (CABE), University College London, BBC Natural World, BBC Springwatch, local papers,The Urban Birder, Birdwatch Magazine, BBC news, ITN news, local schools, local church members and many more organisations and individuals.

All that work (as it stands now) has amounted to fuck all as failure of the planning system in granting permission for the incinerator without adequate mitigation and an inability by local government to enforce any planning conditions from previous applications has set the future of a dictatorship by waste management company Viridor (part of the Pennon Group PLC)  who have consistently defaulted on all their local environmental obligations in the past and have overseen a complete failure in the conservation management plan and development of the site for a public nature reserve.

In the absence of a working democracy and in an environment of dictatorship by a public limited company that is answerable only to it's shareholders (so will therefore deliver minimal environmental and social investment) the local environment and the society it serves is basically completely and utterly fucked.

The only solution is the possibility of the application being overturned as part of the Judicial Review process and following that it is direct action to disrupt Viridor in their ability to profit from environmental and social destruction and to encourage them to 'improve'.


2013
161213  Present
071113  Incinerator Protest at Development Control Committee meeting
301013  Stop the Incinerator campaign fund raising campaign for judicial review costs commences. Various meetings and discussions with BFBG members, STI members and lawyers
261013  Further voluntary conservation work on green corridors
270813  BFBG and nature reserve promotion stand at the Carshalton Environmental Fair
250813  Local community bird and wildlife autumn walk.
210813  GLA approve incinerator proposal. Decision reported on BBC and ITN news. BFBG members interviewed.
110813  National Moth Night at Beddington Farmlands
070813  BBC London news report on incinerator (interview with BFBG members)
060813  Incinerator issue reported in national press
030813  BFBG members assist with London Borough of Sutton Bioblitz
280713  Local community bird and wildlife walk
180713  New Beddington Farmlands Bird and Wildlife Report 2012 published
110713  Further moth trapping, entomological and botanical surveying towards species inventory
210613  BFBG discuss with local and london assembly members of the Green Party concerns regarding the incinerator
210613  Presentation at Wandle Conference to Wandle Valley Regional Park Forum and members of the Trust.  'The Sleeping Giant of London's Natural World'
080613  Neighbourhood development group carry out biodiversity improvements to Mile Road Bridge to improve entrance to nature reserve
170513  BFBG led e-campaign to encourage writing to Mayor's office to oppose incinerator
Stop the Incinerator campaign concurrently set up a petition to hand to the Mayor's office
150513  Incinerator gets permission from the local authority planning committee and is referred to the GLA for approval
060513  Further surveys (on going almost daily) for nature reserve species inventory
040513  Bird Race Day
280413  Bird and wildlife walk for the local ramblers group
270413  BFBG and nature reserve promotion stand at the LBS Biodiversity Gardens showcase event
260413  Further voluntary conservation work on green corridor improvements
240413  Planning Control Committee meeting to decide on incinerator proposal. BFBG had previously submitted three responses to the case planning officers objecting on various grounds. A decision is deferred.
070413  Significant pollution incident in the Northern Lake created by debris from the landfill site polluting the lake following a storm
060413  Further voluntary conservation work including new wildflower strips. Works begin on improving Mile Road Bridge entrance to the nature reserve. Viridor plant an area of the Southern mound with trees.
210213 BBC Natural World re-run 'Un-natural history of London' featuring Beddington Farmlands
190213  Meeting with design council (CABE) to comment on NDG plans including nature reserve proposals
160213  Presentation at Bioregional regarding neighhourhood development group (NDG) proposal to develop nature reserve. 'Hackbridge, Beddington Farmlands and the Wandle Valley Regional Park'.
              Meeting at council offices to discuss Biodiversity improvements between Beddington Farmlands and the Wandle Valley Regional park
              Conservation Science Group meeting- no consensus to approve new version of conservation management plan with incinerator included
2012
081212-  BFBG invited to the House of Lords for 'Environment and Communities Reception'
                Weekly/ bi-weekly meetings in developing local neighbourhood plan and gateway to nature         reserve
071112-  Further volunteer conservation work on nature reserve green corridors
241012-  Volunteer conservation work along nature reserve green corridors (including the planting of 2500 bulbs with the local schools)
250912- A first for Beddington- Long-tailed Skua. The 257th species recorded for Beddington Farmlands.
160912- Local community bird and wildlife walk.
120912- BFBG led e-campaign to encourage local community to oppose incinerator plans
010912- Further volunteer conservation work at reserve
290812- Local authority led phase one habitat surveys along nature reserve green corridors.
Further consultation and meetings regarding incinerator proposal.
280812- The Carshalton Enviornmental Fair- promoting wildlife photography at Beddington farmlands and highlight of concerns regarding Incinerator
200812- Jersey Tiger moth invasion
240712- Further ongoing pan species recording (as part of species inventory for nature reserve)
180712  Hackbridge Church Bioblitz- led by London Borough of Sutton as part of integrating local community with nature reserve and borough wide biodiversity green space management
130712  Further work on the London Tree Sparrow partnership and the colour ringing project
080712  Hackbridge carnival and further nature reserve publicity and promotion as part of developing neighbourhood plan to develop a gateway to the regional park and the nature reserve
040712  Hawk moths make first appearance at 'obs' moth trap
100612  BFBG and nature reserve promotion stand at the London Borough of Sutton Bioblitz event
300512 National Bee-Day with BFBG members and local conservation charity Bioregional
270512  Further voluntary conservation work- wildflower meadows and wildlife gardening
240512  Further public consultation on the Incinerator. BFBG members provide extensive feedback.
150512  Entomological lab for species inventory set up at 'the obs'
100512  Turtle Dove at the obs feeding station on the day RSPB Operation Turtle Dove is launched
050512  The Incinerator issue is a main focus of local paper reporting
280412  BFBG Bird race day
230412  Local community bird and wildlife walk
220412  Further pan species recording- this on going initiative occurring most days
060412  Local demonstration to protect Irrigation Bridge as part of an access network to the nature reserve and wider regional park
010412  The Beddington Farmlands Ringing Station (to monitor bird migration)  is re-established- led by Mike Netherwood.
270312  The local authority assist in developing wildflower meadows in Hackbridge as part of integrating the nature reserve with the surrouding community
160312  I win an EU backed award for 'Environmental Excellence' lol :-)
120312  Latest in a whole series of meetings (one to two a week) working on developing a neighbourhood development plan which incorporates integration of the nature reserve and developing a gateway to the Wandle Valley Regional park. Partners include London Borough of Sutton, University College London, Bioregional and a wide range of local groups including the BFBG.
190212  Beddington Farmland Nature Reserve briefing report published by BFBG
140112  London Tree Sparrow Partnership propose colour ringing population
              Viridor commence public consultation of the incinerator
2011
021111 Diverting of canal at nature reserve
191111 Hackbridge Neighbourhood Development Group, 're-visioning' day (Nature Reserve tour included)
151111 Funeral of Simon Aspinall- Beddington farmlands 'graduate', world class conservationist and founding member of Tree Sparrow conservation at Beddington.
141111 Tree Sparrows attracted to satellite feeding area (although only other side of railway)
131111 Further wildlife gardening in local community to promote integration of the reserve , the local village and the wider Wandle Valley Regional Park
270911 Meeting with Tom Brake (local MP) who agrees to lend further support the nature reserve development
180911 Local community autumn bird walk. A Pectoral Sandpiper is found. Systematic moth recording with actinic light commences from 'the obs'.
050911 Further moth trapping as part of pan species inventory recording
010911 Dewick's Plusia moth discovered. A small resident (breeding) population is the recorded case in the UK.
310811 Birdwatch Magazine review 'The Birds of Beddington Farmlands'- described as an 'Urban Birding Benchmark'
290811 BFBG and nature reserve publicity stand at the Carshalton Environmental Fair. Nature reserve supporters are added to mailing list (300+ members eventually signed up)
260811 Further voluntary (and some poorly paid) conservation work to assist Viridor in habitat management
210811 Local community autumn wildlife walk
080811 Local riots and rampaging
300711 Pan species inventory work continues
280711 Tree Sparrow feeding station is set up in satellite area to assist in wider ranging winter feeding
260711 Richard Black from RSPB speaks to BBC Radio 4 about the London Tree Sparrow Partnership
220711 A population of Common Lizards found on the reserve by ecological consultants (who later denied finding them in incinerator planning application !)
210711 Systematic moth trapping and botany recording continues
170711 London Tree Sparrow Partnership public presentation day
150711 Black Kite recorded- a first for the site
060711 British Birds publishes 1% threshold winter bird population paper. Green Sandpiper, Caspian Gull and Lesser Black Gull are 1% threshold species at Beddington Farmlands.
010711 'The Birds of Beddington Farmlands' available on i-tunes
250611  The London Tree Sparrow Partnership is set up- a partnership between the RSPB, Beddington Farm Bird Group, Viridor and MKA Ecology
160611  Natural re-generation on nature reserve produces a blaze of summer colour
200511 Local environmental charity Bioregional first attempt at taking a leading role in development of nature reserve
010511 BFBG take part in International Dawn Chorus Day and lead public tour
270411 Beddington Farmlands Pan Species Inventory begins
170411 Local community spring bird walk
090411 Local Newspaper article 'Choking on Incinerator Plans'
160311 BBC Natural World documentary making
250211 Re-generation development in Hackbridge commences
240111 Bat boxes put up on reserve
230111 Presentation at local community forum about Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve
190111 BBC Natural World documentary making
160111 Local paper article about publication of 'The Birds of Beddington Farmlands'
100111  Birdwatch Artist of the Year Szabolcs Kokay designs Beddington Farmalnds Nature Reserve logo
070111  BBC Natural World documentary making at Beddington Farmlands
2010
201210 Just a great days birding at Beddington Farmlands
181110 The Birds of Beddington Farmlands book published
111110 Wandle Valley Regional Park Forum working groups established
180910 BFBG and nature reserve publicity stand at the Hackbridge Carnival
110910 Hackbridge Forum meeting (in the previous week). Local authority led localism meeting about empowering local people into the planning system. Hackbridge chosen as a Localism front runner as part of Coalition Government Big Society initiative. Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve key feature of local planning strategy.
020910 Birdwatch article published 'Building the Reserve of the Future'
110810 Further reed bed planting on Southern Lake
080810 Local community early autumn bird walk
070810 Photograph of  controversial Glaucous-winged Gull  at Beddington Farmlands wins British Birds Karl Zeiss Award
030810 Further voluntary conservation work
220710  Reed Bed Planting on Southern Lake
090710  New Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve newsletter is launched
200610   London Natural History Society Botany group conduct botany survey
180610 BBC Springwatch featuring Beddington birders is televised
060610 Wandle Festival Weekend- Festival to promote the Wandle Valley Regional Park (Beddington Farmlands forms the core of the Regional Park)
150510 Beddington Birders and the Urban Birder take part in Springwatch and the Oystercatcher Bird Race
060510 Local newspaper article on migration studies at Beddington Farmlands/ Greater London
020510 Pacific Golden Plover at Beddington Farmlands- the first in London for over 100 years
280410 Wandle Valley Regional Park Conference- workshop featuring Beddington Farmlands
250410 Local community Spring bird walk
210410 BBC Documentary making about wildlife in London- featuring Beddington Farmlands
180410 Local Paper Article 'BBC Migration Studies at Beddington Farmlands'
070410 BFBG team up with Tower 42 Bird Study Group for media campaign
270310 Local Newspaper article 'Outrage to Build Incinerator on Local Nature Reserve'
260310 BFBG join Tower 42 Bird Study Group (Urban Birding Promotion Campaign by David Lindo)
240310 Conservation volunteer day with BFBG members, MKA Ecology and Viridor
230310 Local Community produce own newsletter- Beddington Farmlands to be a key aspect to future of local area from outset
210310  Bird walk for London Natural History Society members led by Derek Coleman- one of up to six a year of these visits
180310  Local paper article about sustainable village plans (and integration with nature reserve)
160310  Further public wildlife garden planting at 'the obs'
150310  RSPB senior officials visit site to discuss their involvement in Nature Reserve development
150210  New mailing list for supporters of Beddington Farmlands Nature Reserve set up
110210  Local meeting to plan local improvements to integrate local neighbourhood to nature reserve
090210  News of Incinerator proposal is leaked
260110  New feeding station for public viewing established at obs
210110  BFBG join local Neighbourhood Development Group to champion nature reserve development
170110  Lapland Bunting twitch- BFBG open site and manage twitch
140110  Local paper article on winter wildlife at Beddington Farmlands
2009
241209  Roger Browne publishes first of many on line Beddington Farmalnds photo gallery
221209  Wildlife documentary filming at Beddington Farmlands
131209  Winter birding public tour
091209  Wildlife garden planting carried out at 'the obs'
261109  Local paper article published
181109  Interview with local paper about Beddington Farmlands and future nature reserve plans
311009  BFBG stall at the Croydon RSPB fair
041009  Local community tour led by 'The Urban Birder', David Lindo
130909  I purchase property ('the obs') overlooking site with aim of being in a prime position to increase monitoring, campaigning activity and also green improvements connecting nature reserve with village and River Wandle
190809  Beddington Farm Bird Group reviews aims and objectives and re-organises
120709  Public tour of Beddington for local people- the first of many tours aimed at educating local people to the importance of the site and future plans to develop a public nature reserve
220609  David Lindo, 'The Urban Birder' visits Beddington as a champion of a major urban nature reserve for South London
020509  Patchwatch- BFBG support and donate to Birdwatch campaign for Azores Bullfinch
010409  G20 Protests in London attended
250309  Blog debate about the plight of Beddington with RSPB staff
2008
151208 BFBG Voluntary work clearing North Lake to assist Viridor in habitat management

The Week that Was

Been a busy week with work and meetings. Last Friday went to a lecture by Mark Avery about Farmland Birds (might be some relevance to land management at Beddington in the future). Bit more on this here:
http://markavery.info/2013/02/11/weeks-news/

At work we are currently working on a regeneration project on the River Wandle, thinning out scrub to provide more a diverse habitat along a stretch of the Wandle between Carshalton and Hackbridge.
www.littleoakenvironmental.co.uk

On Wednesday had a meeting at the council offices to finalise some of the details of the Hackbridge neighbourhood plan in the context of the Wandle Valley Regional Park. Basically the plan is to link Beddington Farmlands to Hackbridge via green/biodiversity corridors, to manage green spaces in Hackbridge for biodiversity, to promote wildlife gardening and develop a visitors/interpretation/education centre in Hackbridge for the Regional Park and Beddington Farmlands.

Thursday did a presentation at Bioregional about the plans for the Regional Park in Hackbridge which they are supporters and partners in . More on Bioregional here:

http://www.bioregional.com/blog/

And on Friday it was at the Viridor offices for the Conservation Science Group Meeting for the latest development on the ERF- the secondary consultation starts on Wednesday which is basically our last chance to comment on the effect it will have on wildlife, the future of Beddington Farmlands and the future of the Wandle Valley Regional Park.

The Hackbridge Development Plan - for Nature and People

The Hackbridge and Beddington Corner Neighbourhood Development Plan (Final draft) by Peter Alfrey on Scribd

Primary objectives in plan that will develop Hackbridge into a nature and people model district include:

3.1 Develop Hackbridge as a major gateway to the Wandle Valley Regional Park (WVRP) .Policy number:  EP1

3.2 Develop a new visitors centre as part of the gateway to the WVRP. EP1

3.3 Protecting/safeguard/Improve and open up public access to existing green spaces, including MOL for the benefit of the people and wildlife. EP2

3.4 Manage green spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife EP3, EP4 EP5

3.5 Develop and improve green links/corridors EP6

3.6 Minimise climate change through soft landscaping EP7, EP8 EP9

Then plan has been formally submitted and if accepted will become a statutory document that will guide all future development in Hackbridge.

More details here: THE FINAL PLAN

The Beddington Incinerator Decision Due Today

 Lapwing- Declining on site- threatened by the Beddington Incinerator due to loss of wet grassland habitat

 Tree Sparrow- down from 1000 individuals in 2007 to only 60 today. Local extinction event predicted and further threatened by the Beddington Incinerator. 

 Short-eared Owl- a former regular winter visitor. The return of this species will mark the success of the currently failing conservation plan

Bedzed Eco-village - part of the Hackbridge Plan to develop the most sustainable suburb in Greater London and develop a major gateway to the Wandle Valley Regional Park. Threatened by the Beddington Incinerator. 

  

 A nature reserve and heartland to the Wandle Valley Regional Park to connect people and nature in South London. Threatened by the Beddington Incinerator.

 Over 1500 species of bird and other wildlife have been officially recorded at Beddington Farmlands but the true biodiversity on site is far from its full potential

 An urban nature reserve fox

The Beddington Incinerator

All we can hope at this stage is that the Mayor comes to the rescue for the people and nature of this area.

In the Mayor’s own London Plan, Beddington Farmlands is set to become a nature reserve forming the heartland of the Wandle Valley Regional Park.  Importantly that heartland is planned to be in area which is surrounded by diverse multi-cultural communities whose quality of life can be enhanced through a re-connection to nature.  The farmlands is set to be developed into a mosaic of important nature habitats that will provide a vital educational resource for the people in the area. The park will also have space for walking, running, cycling and other outdoor activities for health and wellbeing for local citizens.  It will provide employment opportunities boosting the local economy . A similar intiative- the London Wetland Centre attracts 200,000 visitors a year and generates substantial revenues. Four times the size of the London Wetland Centre Beddington Farmlands will be the people’s nature reserve demonstrating the commitment to not only provide access to nature and green infrastructure investments for the wealthy people of Barnes and Richmond but also for the not so wealthy people of South London.

Local people were promised a nature reserve and  park by 2015. Not only has the park not been delivered but the ecosystems that were supposed to be protected have been degraded by the site operators Viridor and now  Viridor want to add insult to injury by adding the Beddington Incinerator into the mix.  Viridor, have a 15 year track record of breaching social and environmental legal obligations and Viridor have overseen the demise of the important wildlife communities on site as well as denying widespread public access.  Even the most  iconic bird species on the site- the Tree Sparrow appears to be set to follow other rare species into local extinction as numbers have reduced from 1000 in 2007 to only 60 today.  

Viridor were provided with an opportunity in this application to mitigate for their past failings and the local authority were given a chance to call them to account. Viridor were also given an opportunity to adequately mitigate the negative effects of this proposal. However they submitted an application that was largely devoid of social and environmental responsibility. Our local authority didn’t stand up for local people - non-local free-lance planning officers were commissioned to draw up a biased planning report for the attention of local councillors which ensured approval before being sent to the Mayor for a final decision.

Therefore all we can hope is that the Mayor fulfils his own promises and that he sends out a clear message to local authorities to ensure that other companies cannot come into the less fortunate parts of London, manipulate local councillors, make all sorts of void promises to the people just so they can get planning permission, then later default on those promises and then run off with the profits generated by the degrading of people and nature of that area. If the Mayor does give permission it will prove that the people and nature of this part of London are being abused and manipulated and the Mayor is party to that.

The people that live round here and study wildlife on the site have endured these unfulfilled promises for too long. We were promised an end to it between 2015 and 2023 and we were promised a regional park and a nature reserve. We were not promised the Beddington Incinerator and we do not want it. 

 We want the Mayor to reject this application and protect the people and nature of South London. 

VIRIDOR AND THE DARK ARTS OF THE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY FUNDING SYSTEM

Just in case you didn't click on the Inside Croydon link here is the article about how Viridor continue to manipulate the local community while failing to meet planning conditions to develop Beddington Farmlands into a public nature reserve while using stealth tactics to delay restoration and expand waste management facilities. Its the dark arts of the planning system used against nature and people- exposed. Reproduced with permission by INSIDE CROYDON


A £1million 'hush fund' announced for community groups by incinerator operators is being used to try to subdue local opposition, according to one activist. BELLE MONT reports

 Viridor, which has a £1billion public contract to operate the incinerator at Beddington Lane, is freezing out local environmental groups from a grants scheme which they had promised would help "mitigate" the effects of their industrial-scale waste-burning operation being built on what was supposed to be a wildlife reserve.

 

The Viridor incinerator at Beddington Lane, under construction last month

That's the suggestion of one leading environmentalist who spent a decade trying to get Viridor to honour its legal agreements to improve the local wildlife environment at Beddington Farmlands and around the site of the incinerator. "Mitigation" is the weasel word used by local authorities and multi-national corporations when they know that what they are about to do, often for vast private profit, risks damaging the environment and the health of people for miles around.

"Viridor want the local community to jump through hoops and wants to treat them like dogs," said Peter Alfrey, a professional environmentalist who lives close to Beddington Farmlands. "I suggest that the local community give them the dogs they don't want - ones that bite back."

The South London Waste Partnership, comprising Croydon, Sutton, Kingston and Merton, will be paying Viridor for a quarter of a century to burn the boroughs' rubbish, as well as rubbish trucked in by thousands of HGVs from across south-east England. To mitigate the pollution and damage caused by the operation, Viridor were obliged to promise a series of packages for local interest groups. But with the incinerator due to be fired up and operational from 2018, having got the acquiescence of local groups by dangling the carrot of grants of a few thousand quid, Viridor is now telling some that they won't be getting any grants. Some suspect that the message is that they have not been quiet enough in their grumblings about the incinerator. Alfrey, who worked as a wildlife warden at Beddington Farmlands for more than a decade, has recently been "warned off" by Viridor from leading guided tours of what was supposed to become a public country park, before the incinerator scheme was pushed through. "I have stepped down from my role in the neighbourhood development group so that I can speak freely about the community manipulation and abuse that is occurring by Viridor and the members of the community fund panel," Alfrey told Inside Croydon.

Last November, Viridor launched the grants scheme, inviting "applications to share part of the funding pot worth over £975,000 spread across the 25 years of the partnership between Viridor and the South London Waste Partnership". To save you doing the arithmetic, that means a company receiving £40million a year from four south London councils to run an incinerator will be shelling out all of ... £39,000 per year. Generous, eh?

“Viridor’s community fund is hush money, simple as that,” was the reaction of Nick Mattey, an independent councillor for Beddington North who has campaigned against the imposition of the incinerator on his residents.

The panel's terms of reference can be seen here in a draft document obtained by Inside Croydon. The document shows how the panel which determines who receives funding is quietly dominated by Viridor. The panel's quarterly meetings are at Viridor's offices in Beddington Lane, the panel includes at least one Viridor representative and one Sutton councillor (a LibDem appointee, currently Beddington North councillor Pathumal Ali), plus one member each from Hackbridge and Beddington community groups. "Membership of the BLGFP is by invitation only," the terms of reference state, suggesting strongly that Viridor will ensure that only pliant representatives are given the role of prefect, doling out the crumbs from the Viridor table.

 

The logo of Viridor's hush fund, a 'derisory' measure in return for burning millions of tons of rubbish for decades


The area in which community groups qualify is also quite tightly focused, limited to those bodies within two kilometres - barely 1¼ miles - from the incinerator. According to Alfrey, after months of work by volunteers from environmental and community groups on putting together three bids for funding from the panel, they have been told now that they will get nothing, and that they need to re-apply if they want to receive any of Viridor's "community help". Alfrey says that Viridor's "derisory mitigation package" is only an updated version of previous schemes for earlier planning applications (in 1995 and 2005). Alfrey claims that Viridor has failed to uphold some of those planning conditions, but has rarely been subject to any enforcement action by Sutton Council or the Greater London Authority over broken promises over habitat restoration, funding bonds and public access commitments. "I met personally with Dan Cook, a Viridor director, and Andrew Turner (their communications chief), and following on from their glorious victory in the Judicial Review at the High Court allowing them to build a 300,000-ton-a-year incinerator in a nature reserve, they said that they were keen to try to build relations with the local community," Alfrey said. "I explained to them that there was a very active local community and both the Beddington North and Hackbridge communities were both preparing Local Neighbourhood Plans, plans which when implemented would be statutory documents and would be a strong reflection of local community aspirations.

 

Peter Alfrey: disillusioned over the way Viridor has moved in on Beddington Farmlands

"They agreed that there was no more robust platform to support local community aspirations and confirmed that the various objectives and projects within the plans were exactly what they wanted to support. "Therefore the neighbourhood development group and also the Hackbridge Ecology Park Group submitted three applications to the community fund. "One application was for a wildlife gardening project, another for improving the green spaces and parks in Hackbridge and another was for developing plans for the visitors' centre in Hackbridge for the regional park. "All the projects had a strong public engagement element, to develop stronger local community and develop an improved and vibrant neighbourhood. All applications were policies or projects within the neighbourhood plan. All applications were also about furthering projects that already had a strong grounding with pilots, detailed plans and detailed implementation strategies. The applications tooks several months to prepare and were submitted accordingly with the encouragement of Viridor communications.

"Then last week, we heard from the community fund panel. All three applications had been rejected. The visitors' centre application had been rejected in its entirety and the other two had been requested to be completely re-submitted, both on grounds of minor details. A re-submission would involve going to the back of the queue again and starting the process from the beginning, with no guarantee that the new applications would be accepted.

READ MORE HERE: INSIDE CROYDON