Hackney Biodiversity Partnership Objection to Wilmer Place Planning Application 2013/1583

Figure 1: Red Data Book Vulnerable Hoverfly Pocota personata Abney Nature Reserve 16 May 2013 larvae live in veteran poplar pollards last recorded in London 1966

This objection is made on behalf of Hackney Biodiversity Partnership. The following organisations also support this objection:

Abney Park Trust; Abney Park Cemetery Users' Group; Hackney Parks Forum; Hackney and Tower Hamlets Friends of the Earth; Stokey Local; Sustainable Hackney; Tree Musketeers.

It is written by Russell Miller BA(Econ) Hons, AA Tech Cert (dist); arboricultural consultant and ecologist.

-1- The new application for development at Wilmer Place should be rejected on the grounds that: 1. by virtue of its size and proximity to Abney Park Nature Reserve it will do significant, irreparable damage to the ecology of the area; 2. the development will destroy the woodland edge habitat in Wilmer Place by changing the light conditions from completely open to completely shaded; 3. it will also shade and crowd the veteran poplars on the boundary of Abney reserve; 4. the above represents a significant threat to the borough’s most valuable nature reserve and for these reasons the proposed development would breach LDF Core Strategy Policy 27 on biodiversity; 5. the proposed building is incompatible with the Hackney Biodiversity Action Plan for the same reasons; 6. the proposed development would also breach National Planning Policy Framework guidance on veteran trees and LBH tree policy; 7. the proposed development is incompatible with the site allocation by failing to “preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, and respect the heritage and biodiversity value of the Cemetery” (Site Allocation 135 Wilmer Place); 8. the development would result in significant loss of open space and is incompatible with LDF Core Strategy Policy 26; 9. the developer has provided insufficient information for the planning authority to properly assess the proposed building's ecological impact; 10.the developer has not conducted sufficient investigation into the ecology and likely impacts; 11.such investigation as has been done, and such information on ecology as has been provided, is inaccurate, and or misleading, so as to inhibit a proper consideration of the issues; 12.the developer has not conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment as required by law for a development of this size and nature in this sensitive location.

Fig. 2: Girdled Mining bee Andrena Fig. 3: Early Mining bee Andrena labiata. Nationally Notable A. haemorrhoa. Nesting aggregation in Wilmer Place 5/6/13. Wilmer Place 13/5/13

-2- Key issues of fact

Process and Ecological Evidence 13.To properly assess this application the planning authority must know the full extent of the adverse impact the development would have on the ecology of the development site and the adjacent Abney Park Nature Reserve (Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation and designated Local Nature Reserve). Without this basic information it is impossible to take a view on the relative merits of the development as against its harm. Only when the full extent of the potential damage is known can a balanced view be taken and a considered application of policy be made. The starting point must be a proper evidence base. 14. The ecological evidence provided in support of this new application is identical to that provided for the rejected application 2228/2012. That material is both inadequate and inaccurate. 15. This development is over 0.5 Ha in size and in a sensitive location. It qualifies under Para. 10b Sch. 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (see para 53 below), by law an EIA should be done. An EIA would have identified the issues raised in this objection and saved considerable time and money. The failure to do an EIA has allowed the developer to design an inappropriate building for this location, one that is completely inconsistent with national and LBH planning policy.

Wilmer Place Greenspace 16. Wilmer Place contains a vegetative border along all sides. It is at its widest on the north and western boundary with Abney Nature Reserve. That border

-3- comprises a grass verge which is approx 200m long x 0.5-4m. In addition to this, trees and shrubs in Abney overhang the development site. The development site therefore contains over 500m2 of green space. 17.The majority of this 500m2 Wilmer Place green space is contiguous with Abney Nature Reserve and, contrary to the developer’s suggestion, it is indistinguishable from it ecologically. Flora and fauna do not recognise legal boundaries.

Abney’s Woodland Edge 18.The Wilmer Place greenspace is therefore of similar quality and value as Abney Nature Reserve which is designated a statutory Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and a Metropolitan Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (Metropolitan SINC). 19.Abney's designation is the highest of any greenspace in Hackney and the Metropolitan status indicates its importance for London as a nature reserve. 20.The contiguous Wilmer Place greenspace/Abney boundary is a woodland edge. It is therefore most accurately and simply described as Abney's eastern woodland edge. Habitat edges are of particular value to wildlife because they offer a combination of resources associated with multiple habitats. These ecotones are recognised as important, species rich environments. 21.Abney's eastern woodland edge is particularly important because the Wilmer Place car park is open space. This means that light penetrates to the ground all day and some or all of the area is in direct sunlight for a large part of the day. This is not true of Abney's other boundary edges because elsewhere Abney is surrounded by a 2m high brick wall. Such a wall would have been present at the eastern edge (a small part remains) but it has long since been removed. The current boundary between the legal ownerships is marked by permeable metal railings.

Fig. 4 Maiden's Blush moth Cyclophora punctaria Fig. 5 Sunfly Volucella zonaria Hackney BAP priority species Nationally Notable, London BAP Wilmer Place 22/8/12 seen Wilmer Place August 2012

-4- Rare and Protected Species in Wilmer Place 22.The west and north side of Wilmer Place form a very valuable part of Abney's woodland ecosystem. This is demonstrated by the fact that many protected species occur across the legal boundary, inside Wilmer Place. 23.No proper surveys have ever been conducted in this area but on a few brief visits in June and August 2012 and May-June 2013 over 120 species were recorded (see Appendix 1 for full species list). These include: 1. 60 species of flowering plant (excluding the trees and shrubs overhanging from Abney); 2. 1 pteridophyte (fern) – destroyed in Feb 2013 by developer's prior to planning committee site visit; 3. Over 60 invertebrate species of which 38 have so far been identified, including: • Maiden's Blush moth Cyclophora punctaria – this is a relic species that is otherwise extinct in north east London (Fig. 4). The record in Wilmer Place is only the second insect ever found in NE London and compliments the one found by moth trapping inside Abney in 2008. Because of its local importance this moth is protected under the Hackney BAP as a priority species for Hackney woodlands (Hackney Woodland Habitat Action Plan 2012). • Sunfly Volucella zonaria – a large hoverfly designated as Nationally Notable and a priority species under the London BAP (Fig. 5). • Nationally Notable A spider Nigma walckenaeri also a London BAP priority species (Fig. 8). • 12 different species of bee including Girdled Mining bee Andrena labitata Nationally Notable A, London BAP priority species (Fig. 2). • Around 20-40 Early mining bees Andrena haemorrhoa are nesting in the ground in Wilmer Place (Fig. 6). • The leafhopper Liguropia juniperi. A very recent colonist to the UK, first recorded in 2008. Known from only a few sites in London (Fig. 7). 24.In addition the Bat Activity Survey found three species of bat using Abney's eastern woodland edge. Woodland edges such as the one in Wilmer Place are vital for urban bats' feeding and navigation. All bats are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act, and national and local BAPs.

Fig. 6 Early Mining Bee nest Fig. 7 Liguropia juniperi Fig. 8 Nigma walckenaeri Approximately 20-40 nests recent colonist to UK Nationally Notable A, L. BAP Wilmer Place 13/5/13 Wilmer Place 22/8/12 Wilmer Place 22/8/12

-5- Developer’s Ecological Report Flawed 25.In complete contrast and contradiction to this incontestable observation data the developer's ecological report on the development site concludes:  None of the 4 different habitat types possess any significant ecological value . The terraced buildings show limited evidence of historical bat use.  Although the Abney Park Cemetery is immediately adjacent with potential for ecological connectivity, the habitat within the proposed development site is not favourable as a receptor to species from the park.  No evidence of protected or non-native invasive species was noted, although the latter may be nearby within the Park.  The nature of the habitat (including the dominance of modern buildings and hardstanding) means that (other than for bats), ecological impact from the proposed development is likely to be negligible. 26.The discovery of so many rare and protected species demonstrates that the Wilmer Place/Abney Eastern Woodland edge is extremely valuable habitat, and that the ecological report on the development site submitted by the developer is deeply flawed. 27.This is not a matter of opinion. The developer’s report is directly contradicted by irrefutable evidence of identified species, many of which have been photographed in situ (see Figs. 2-8). 28.The Wilmer Place/Abney Eastern Woodland edge would be destroyed by building to within 2m of the existing legal boundary. This has not been admitted or identified anywhere by the developer. This failure to identify the ecological impact of the development means any decision based upon the developer’s evidence would be unsound. 29.The authority only legal options are to reject the application or require a full ecological survey of the development site. Given the developer’s propensity to present inaccurate ecological evidence any further report should be conducted by a new, independent ecologist. Particular emphasis should be placed on the entomological fauna.

-6- Abney's Veteran Poplars 30. The trees on Abney Nature Reserve's eastern boundary include eight mature black poplars Populus x canadensis. These trees are old pollards and they contain various characteristics of value to wildlife. All the details listed in the developer's tree survey as negative features of these trees (e.g. cavities, bracket fungi, deadwood, ivy, etc.) are negative as regards amenity, but they are positive as regards habitat. The developer's arboriculturalist accurately describes veteran trees but fails to identify them as such. 31.These observable physical characteristics alone are sufficient for someone experienced in conservation to realise these trees are valuable habitat. Nowhere in his report does the arboricultural consultant refer to conservation, or the fact that the site is a nature reserve. 32.The value of these trees is however even greater than the simple physical characters suggest. Specific information is known about fungi and fauna species associations with Black Poplars at Abney. 33.Abney's veteran poplars are known to play host to at least: five London BAP species , four Nationally Notable invertebrates and a hoverfly designated as Red Data List Vulnerable. The latter is a very rare hoverfly Pocota personata (Fig. 1) only discovered at Abney in May 2013. The larvae live in the crowns of rotting poplars. The species has not been recorded in London since 1966. It is of very high conservation value. Other rare London BAP invertebrates include wood boring weevils (Cossonus linearis Fig. 12) and brown tree ants (Lasius brunneus). Rare fungi include Silky Rosegill (Volvariella bombycina (Fig. 9), Ossicaulis lignatilis (Fig. 11) as well as the very rare and beautiful Orange Shield cap Pluteus aurantiorugosus (Fig. 10). 34.In addition Tawny owls breed successfully in Abney's Black poplars every year. The trees are also likely to host bats and may host a bark beetle first recorded in London at Abney in 2011 (Pediacus depressus). All these species are protected by BAP or scarcity designations. Some or all are highly likely to occur in the threatened boundary poplars. This is unsurprising since poplars are recognised to be important for deadwood and decay related species. 35.These trees are of very high conservation value and must be fully protected. It is significant that all of these trees were listed for removal in the developer's original pre-application plan. The intention to fell them has changed but the fundamental design of the building has not. 36.Despite the ecological value of these veteran trees, the developer wants to build within the root protection areas (RPAs) and would provide insufficient room for them to grow. Instead of protecting these trees, the development would accelerate their deaths and thereby destroy their precious habitat. The development would therefore be contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, Core Policy 27, the British Standard for Trees on Development Sites (BS5837) and DMLP Proposed Policy DM35 - Landscaping and Tree Management. 37.Breaching basic guidance on protecting veteran trees and ignoring industry best practise is inconsistent with the sensitivity and respect required for a site of this importance.

-7- Fig. 9 Silky Rosegill Fig. 10 Orange Shield cap Fig. 11 Ossicaulis lignatilis Volvariella bombycina Pluteus aurantiorugosus London BAP species London BAP species

Broader Impact on Abney Nature Reserve 38.The developer has admitted that Abney Nature Reserve will be adversely affected by shade from the proposed building. However it is claimed this can be mitigated by felling trees inside Abney. 39.The logic and merit of this 'mitigation' is disputed but what cannot be disputed is that the development, if permitted, will adversely affect a significant part of Hackney's most valuable nature reserve. That is, large scale irreversible habitat damage to a Metropolitan SINC. All light and heat loving species within this shaded area would be adversely affected. This includes other protected species listed in the attached schedule (Appendix 2: Abney Protected Species Threatened by Development). 40.Key species like White-Letter Hairstreak butterflies (Endangered, UK BAP) and Maiden's Blush moth (Local, Hackney BAP) have been observed on, or very close to, Abney's eastern boundary. This is significant because the purpose of a nature reserve is to act as a reserve for expansion and recolonisation, not as a prison or a zoo. It is vital that the boundaries are open and permeable to facilitate movement of wildlife to and from the reserve. Large, imposing buildings that shade and block movement necessarily have an adverse impact over and above impacts relating to direct shade.

Fig. 12 Cossonus linearis. Nationally Notable A. London BAP species.

Right – Fig. 13 White-Letter Hairstreak Endangered UK BAP priority species -8- Key Planning Policy and Law

41. The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 Biodiversity Duty:  (1) Every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity.  (3) Conserving biodiversity includes, in relation to a living organism or type of habitat, restoring or enhancing a population or habitat. 42. This statutory duty translates into local planning policy via the LDF Core Strategy Policy 27 on Biodiversity:  The Council will protect, conserve and enhance nature conservation areas, in particular in and around Dalston and Shoreditch for their biodiversity value, and develop a local habitat network contributing to the wider Green Grid.  Development will be encouraged to include measures that contribute to the borough's natural environment and biodiversity. Where appropriate, a biodiversity survey of the site must be carried out, with actions to enhance the biodiversity value, mitigate or compensate for any harm to habitats and / or species. 43. The Hackney BAP, adopted in 2012, articulates precisely how the Biodiversity Duty and CS 27 will be implemented. It identifies key habitats and species of specific relevance to Hackney. This includes the Maiden's Blush moth, White- Hairstreak butterfly and others (see Appendix 2: Abney Protected Species Threatened by Development). It obviously does not refer to species discovered after it was written. 44. CS 26 Open Spaces Network is also relevant in recognising the need to link open spaces. 45. CS 24 on design says:  proposals should build upon the individual characteristics of the site, and the positive aspect of the surrounding area in terms of streetscape, form, grain, vertical rhythm, building type, material, public art and biodiversity. CS 8.6. 46. National Planning Policy Framework (para 118) states:  When determining planning applications, local planning authorities should aim to conserve and enhance biodiversity by applying the following principles: if significant harm resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused; opportunities to incorporate biodiversity in and around developments should be encouraged; planning permission should be refused for development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats, including ancient woodland and the loss of aged or veteran trees found outside ancient woodland, unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location clearly outweigh the loss; 47. Development Management Local Plan - Proposed Policy DM34 - Sites of

-9- Nature Conservation Value  The Council will not permit development within Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), unless in exceptional circumstances it can be demonstrated that there are particular overriding reasons for development to proceed. High quality re-provision will be required, ensuring a net gain of nature conservation value and biodiversity including on and off-site biodiversity and nature conservation improvements, such as to wildlife habitats set out in Hackney’s Biodiversity Action Plan.  Proposals for development adjacent to the SINCs, and to the Walthamstow Reservoirs Special Protection Area and Walthamstow Marshes Sites of Special Scientific Interest, must not have a significant detrimental impact on the nature conservation value and biodiversity of these sites. Mitigation and/or compensatory measures will be considered in assessing the impact on nature conservation and biodiversity. 48. Development Management Local Plan Policy DM3  In order to promote health and well being, the Council will; (b) Protect, increase and enhance open space provision, allotments and food growing schemes, biodiversity and nature conservation assets, and the provision of improved children’s play facilities; 49. Also from the DMLP:  Development proposals that pay insufficient regard to existing ecological and natural landscape features can lead to an incoherent urban form and the unnecessary destruction of existing nature conservation interest. The layout of development schemes should ensure that they incorporate existing trees where possible should include appropriate planting, particularly of locally native species. DMLP 6.13.12 and:  The BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) should be used as the first reference point regarding ways to incorporate nature conservation and biodiversity into schemes or the fabric of a building. DMLP Para 6.12.2  It is important to ensure that any development proposals in or adjacent to the SINCs do not have a detrimental impact on their nature conservation and biodiversity value. DMLP 6.12.4 50. DMLP Proposed Policy DM35 - Landscaping and Tree Management  The following proposed policy sets out to ensure that trees and landscaping are an integral part of the design process, and that development proposals recognise the contribution that they make to the character and appearance of developments, and their positive environmental and historic benefits. DMLP 6.13.3 51. Proposed Policy DM35 - Landscaping and Tree Management  Proposals for development will seek to retain trees considered to be of amenity value, especially veteran trees, hedgerows and natural features on development sites. Existing landscaping features considered to be of value should also be retained and protected where possible and appropriate, and should be incorporated within detailed landscaping schemes. 52. Veteran Trees are described in the DMLP at a footnote on page 85

-10-  Trees that are or look old relative to others of the same species, usually in the second or mature stage of its life and by virtue of their age are of interest biologically, aesthetically or culturally. Characteristics include very large girth for the species, hollow or hollowing trunk, a large quantity of dead wood in the canopy. 53. Finally the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (SI 293 1999) set out clearly the circumstances in which an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required. All developments meeting the description within Schedule 2 of the Regulations require a EIA to be considered. In this context the relevant provision is Paragraph 10b of Schedule 2:-  Urban development projects, including the construction of shopping centres and car parks, sports stadiums, leisure centres and multiplex cinemas; greater than 0.5 Ha. 54. LBH accepts this development falls within para 10b Sch. 2. (Officer's report on previous application para 6.14.5). However the original screening opinion from LBH planning claimed the site did not fall within paragraph 10b. 55. The criteria for determining whether or not an EIA must be done for a Schedule 2 development are contained in Schedule 3 of the 1999 Regs and Government Circular 2/99. Essentially they concern the nature, size and location of the proposed development. This development site is adjacent to Abney Park Cemetery Nature Reserve, a designated Local Nature Reserve and Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation (i.e. one of the most valuable nature reserves in London). Therefore an EIA is required. 56. LBH Planning incorrectly advised the developers that the site did not meet the criteria in Para. 10 Sch. 2 and, as regards Sch. 3, “the proposed development is not considered likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of its nature, size and location.”

-11- Appendix 1: Wilmer Place Species List Taxon Vernacular Taxon Vernacular Achillea millefolium Yarrow Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Adela rufimitrella micro moth Idaea seriata Small Dusty Wave Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Lamium album White Dead-nettle Andrena haemorrhoa Early Mining Bee Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle Andrena nitida a mining bee Lapsana communis Nipplewort Andrena scotica a mining bee Lasioglossum calceatum Slender Mining Bee Anisantha sterilis Barren Brome Liguropia juniperi Anthrenus verbasci beetle Liocoris tripustulatus Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Medicago lupulina Black Medick Apis mellifera Honey Bee Merodon equestris a hoverfly Arabidopsis thaliana Thale Cress Nephus redtenbacheri tiny ladybird Arctium minus Lesser Burdock Nigma walckenaeri spider Armoracia rusticana Horse-radish Nomada flava a cuckoo bee Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-Grass Oedemera nobilis Swollen-thighed Beetle Ballota nigra Black Horehound Ophonus rufibarbis ground beetle Bombus hypnorum a bumblebee Osmia leaiana a mason bee Bombus lapidarius Large Red Tailed Bumble Bee Osmia rufa Red Mason Bee Bombus pascuorum Common Carder Bee Pieris brassicae Large White Bombus terrestris Buff-tailed Bumble Bee Plantago major Greater Plantain Bombylius major Bee fly Plantago major Greater Plantain Brachypodium sylvaticum False-brome Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed Poa trivialis Rough Meadow-grass Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed Prunus cerasifera Cherry Plum Cardamine hirsuta Hairy Bitter-cress Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata 22-spot Ladybird Carex hirta Hairy Sedge Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Celastrina argiolus Holly Blue Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Rhopalus subrufus Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed Rumex sanguineus Wood Dock Cyclophora punctaria Maiden's Blush Salticus scenicus Elytrigia repens Common Couch Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet Epilobium parviflorum Hoary Willowherb Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Epilobium tetragonum Square-stalked Willowherb Sphaerophoria scripta a hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus a hoverfly Stellaria media Common Chickweed Eristalis tenax a hoverfly Syritta pipiens a hoverfly Euphorbia peplus Petty Spurge Taraxacum agg. Dandelion Eurydema oleracea Tilia cordata Small-leaved Lime Festuca rubra Red Fescue Triaxomera parasitella micro moth Ficaria verna Lesser Celandine Trifolium repens White Clover Fraxinus excelsior Ash Urtica dioica Common Nettle Galium aparine Cleavers Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell Geum urbanum Wood Avens Veronica hederifolia Ivy-leaved Speedwell Harpalus affinis ground beetle Veronica persica Common Field-speedwell Helophilus pendulus a hoverfly Volucella bombylans a hoverfly Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Xanthogramma pedissequum a hoverfly Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog unidentified at least 25 inverts

-12- Appendix 2

Abney Protected Species Threatened by Development

This table lists the main protected species, and their designations, threatened by the proposed development. It is intended as a concise summary of the issues and threats. Estimation of threat is based upon the following criteria: • direct habitat destruction • habitat damage/indirect habitat destruction • construction disturbance • obstruction of movement or navigation by the proposed building • loss of nectar and pollen resource • shade*

* Shade reduces solar heat gain as well as access to light. The latter adversely affects plant photosynthesis so that plant diversity in Wilmer Place would be reduced to almost zero if the proposed building is built. This would eliminate nectar and pollen resources, and remove host plants for many invertebrate larval stages. Another threat to protected species is the reduced temperature in Wilmer Place, in the boundary veteran poplars and inside Abney. Many of the listed invertebrates are adversely affected by reduction in temperature even though they may tolerate natural shade that occurs under woodland trees.

-13- Abney Protected Species Threatened by Development Threat (loss of) Negative Common Name Scientific Name Protection (rarity) Protection (BAP) Habitat Known Sites Known Sites Impact Girdled Mining Bee Andrena labiata Nationally Notable a London BAP open grassland Wilmer Place Abney (forage) definitely Centre-barred Sallow Atethmia centrago NERC 2006 UK, London BAP Ash woodland Abney shade/obstruction possibly a longhorn beetle Phytoecia cylindrica Nationally Notable b London BAP cow parsley Abney shade/obstruction possibly a leaf beetle Chrysolina oricalcia Nationally Notable b London BAP cow parsley Abney shade/obstruction possibly White-Letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-album WCA 1981, NERC 2006 UK, London & Hackney BAP elm woodland Abney shade/obstruction probably a beetle Scolytus mali Nationally Notable b fruit trees Abney shade unlikely spider Nigma walckenaeri Nationally Notable a London BAP ivy Wilmer Place shade definitely Maiden's Blush Cyclophora punctaria local Hackney BAP Oak woodland Wilmer Place Abney shade/obstruction definitely Blotched Emerald Comibaena bajularia local Hackney BAP Oak woodland Abney shade/obstruction possibly beetle Kissophagus hederae Nationally Notable b London BAP old ivy Abney shade probably a beetle Anobium inexspectatum Nationally Notable b old ivy Abney shade probably a hoverfly Pocota personata Na/RDB Vulnerable old poplars Abney shade/(habitat) possibly a weevil Cossonus linearis Nationally Notable a London BAP old poplars Abney shade/(habitat) probably fungi Ossicaulis lignitalis UK rare/Red Data Book London BAP old poplars Abney (habitat) possibly Silky Rosegill Volvariella bombycina UK scarce London BAP old poplars Abney (habitat) possibly Orange Shield Cap Pluteus auranitorugosus very rare old poplars Abney (habitat) possibly Brown Tree Ants Lasius brunneus Nationally Notable a London BAP old trees Abney shade/(habitat) probably bark beetle Pediacus depressus Nationally Notable a old trees Abney (habitat) possibly Cobweb beetle Ctesias serra Nationally Notable b old trees Abney shade/(habitat) possibly Noctule Nyctalus noctula WCA 1981, NERC 2008 UK, London & Hackney BAP old trees Wilmer Place Abney Disturbance/obstructiondefinitely Sunfly Volucella zonaria Nationally Notable London BAP open woodland Wilmer Place Abney shade/(forage) definitely hoverfly Volucella inflata Nationally Notable open woodland Abney shade/(forage) probably hoverfly Volucella inanis Nationally Notable open woodland Abney shade/(forage) probably Seraphim Lobophora halterata local Hackney BAP Poplars Abney shade/(habitat) definitely a micro moth Gypsonoma minutana Nationally Notable b Poplars Abney shade/(habitat) probably Tawny owl Strix aluco Hackney BAP Poplars Abney (habitat) possibly a beetle Platyderus depressus Nationally Notable b Soil & litter Abney ? unlikely Buff Ermine Spilosoma luteum NERC 2006 UK, London BAP various Abney shade/obstruction possibly Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis NERC 2006 UK, London BAP various Abney shade/obstruction possibly Common Pippistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus WCA 1981, NERC 2006 UK, London & Hackney BAP various Wilmer Place Abney Disturbance/obstructiondefinitely White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda WCA 1981, NERC 2006 UK, London BAP various Abney shade/obstruction possibly Soprano Pippistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus WCA 1981, NERC 2006 UK, London & Hackney BAP various Wilmer Place Abney Disturbance/obstructiondefinitely August Thorn Ennomos quercinaria NERC 2006 UK, London BAP woodland Abney shade/obstruction possibly Silver washed fritillary Argynnis paphia London BAP woodland Abney shade/obstruction possibly

-14-