7. WORMWOOD SCRUBS STRATEGY 107 WORMWOOD SCRUBS Key facts Approximate area: 68 hectares Designations: Metropolitan Open Land, Wormwood Scrubs Act, Commons Act, part covered by a Nature Conservation Area 7.1 Covering almost 68 hectares, responsibility of the Wormwood Scrubs (Boroughwide Grade 1 Importance). Wormwood Scrubs is the largest open space Charitable Trust. The Linford Christie Managed by the Wormwood Scrubs in the London Borough of Hammersmith Stadium provides changing facilities which Charitable Trust & Fulham and is green lung that provides are used by sports pitch users during people and wildlife with the opportunity match days. to enjoy green amenity space. The PRINCIPLE WS1: Wormwood Scrubs open space is managed 7.4 Over half of the Scrubs comprises a mix PROTECT & ENHANCE by the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust of young and established woodland, scrub, and is protected by the Wormwood Scrubs grassland and tall herbaceous vegetation The Mayor will: Act 1879, the Commons Act 2006 and as which gives the Scrubs a sense of wildness a. Ensure the valuable ecology of Metropolitan Open Land in the London that is a unique characteristic, in particular Wormwood Scrubs is maintained and Plan, which affords the Scrubs the same given is proximity to central London. There where appropriate enhanced; level of protection as Metropolitan Green is a combination of diverse habitats across b. Maintain and where appropriate Belt. This protection will continue and the Wormwood Scrubs that support a diverse enhance Wormwood Scrubs as an Mayor of London will not seek to change range of native plants, breeding birds and area for exercise and recreation for the the Acts or its designation as Metropolitan insects, including species not usually found inhabitants of the metropolis; Open Land. The Ministry of Defence also in more formal parks and open spaces. c. Improve access to Wormwood Scrubs have rights to access and use the Scrubs. The site also supports a large population of from the surrounding area; common lizards and attracts a wide variety d. Secure resources for the long-term 7.2 Wormwood Scrubs sits between Old of migrant birds in spring and autumn. management and maintenance of the Oak and White City Shepherds Bush. It There are a number of legally protected Scrubs; can become an amenity space focal point animals, plants and fungi resident on the e. Carry out detailed discussions with local between both places that helps bring them Scrubs. residents and interest groups, including together. the Friends of Wormwood Scrubs; and 7.5 Retaining the Scrubs as an amenity f. Agree any works for any sensitive 7.3 To the south-east of Wormwood space that is more wild than tamed, will enhancements to the Scrubs with the Scrubs is the Linford Christie Stadium. The inform future thinking about how the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust and Linford Christie Stadium lies outside of the regeneration of land at Old Oak relates to London Borough of Hammersmith and Old Oak Common Opportunity Area and the Scrubs. Given the scale of development Fulham. OPDC boundary but does fall within the planned to the north of Wormwood Scrubs it 108 WoodlandWoodland habitat habitat MeadowMeadow habitat habitat GrasslandGrassland PlayingPlaying pitches pitches MainMain streets streets PotentialPotential new new access access ExistingExisting access access ExistingExisting paths paths SensitiveSensitive edges edges ActiveActive frontage frontage PedestrianPedestrian route route WWSCRUBS MAP & BLOB IN- SET Figure 76: Wormwood Scrubs 0 0.5 1km 109 is recognised that there will be an increase 7.8 All development shown to the north of in users, and so in the interest of coherent the Scrubs in Figure 76 is on rail or industrial planning and to ensure that all local people land. have access to the Scrubs, there is a need to consider the potential impacts of these additional users. 7.6 Over the coming year there is a need to have discussions with local residents, businesses, local Councils, the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust and local groups (including Friends of Wormwood Scrubs) to consider these issues in more detail. Any works to the Scrubs would need to be consented by the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust and the current role of the Charitable Trust will not be changed. 7.7 As part of these discussions there will be some important issues to consider including: The conflict between protecting the integrity of the Scrubs and providing access to it; Outcomes of increased users; Drainage across the Scrubs; Maintenance and management; Relationship to surrounding areas including the Linford Christie Stadium and Little Wormwood Scrubs; and Opportunities for sensitive enhancements. 110 Figure 77: Wormwood Scrubs 111 Figure 78: Kings Cross Station 112112.