Learning legacy Lessons learned from planning and staging the 2012 Games

Habitat protection Abstract LOCOG undertook a comprehensive survey programme to identify during the Games Biodiversity is one of the five priority ecological and heritage constraints themes that make up the London at sensitive venues which informed 2012 Sustainability Plan. Many of protection plans, environmental the London2012 venues were located management plans and long-term in existing areas of habitat management and restoration plans. It importance and were legally also worked closely with a range of protected. Habitat protection was stakeholders including Natural therefore of critical importance in England, the National Trust, The ensuring continued and enhanced Royal Parks, local authorities and biodiversity. In addition, areas of local communities. new habitat were created on the Olympic Park, which presented Key learnings included early additional challenges in terms of planning for habitat protection and their protection during the Games. enhancement – the ecological constraints of a venue had a major This case study sets out the approach impact on where and how activities the London Organising Committee of could take place and affected almost the Olympic and Paralympic Games every aspect of the build. Early and (LOCOG) took to habitat protection continued consultation and and enhancement across a range of partnership working with key venues, and focuses particularly on stakeholders was critical to finding work done at Box Hill, Hadleigh solutions to habitat challenges and to Farm, the Olympic Park, Weymouth creating a positive legacy. During the Authors and Portland and in . Games, clear and plentiful signage Kate Chapman These venues presented a range of along with properly briefed stewards Venues Sustainability Advisor, opportunities and challenges for made the difference between habitat LOCOG habitat protection and enhancement, protection measures being respected Julie Duffus from relocating badger setts near the or ignored. Venues Sustainability Advisor, Mountain Bike course at Hadleigh LOCOG Farm to setting up a scrub clearance programme at Box Hill.

1 Introduction Approach ‘These were visually London’s bid to host the 2012 The ability to protect fragile habitat attractive and often Olympic and Paralympic Games and, wherever possible, to enhance iconic backdrops for included a promise that the natural it played a large part in the decision environment would be protected process as to where several of the sport and presented an during the Games1. The London 2012 venues would be located. Some opportunity to market our Sustainability Plan included biodiversity proposed locations were ruled out on natural environment to as one of its five priority themes2. the basis that the London 2012 events could not be held there In addition to the construction of the t he world’. without causing unacceptable levels venues on the Olympic Park itself, of risk to the fragile habitats. For LOCOG installed temporary venues each proposed venue, detailed in parks and open spaces. In assessments and ecological surveys London, Games venues were were carried out, incorporating constructed within at comprehensive mitigation and and in Westminster (Hyde enhancement measures into designs Park and St James’s Park). The Road where required. For each sensitive Cycling events took cyclists through venue, an ecological constraints map the Royal Parks of Richmond and was produced which highlighted to Bushy and on to the highly sensitive the venue design team and to

The Road Race cyclists at Box Hill area of Box Hill, where a temporary contractors the parameters within spectator venue was created. Further which they had to work. afield, Rowing and Canoe Sprint Some venues have had events took place at Eton Dorney, comprehensive long-term Mountain Bike at Hadleigh Farm in management plans built into the Essex and Sailing off Weymouth and Venue Use Agreements with the land Portland on the Dorset coast. owners and so the remediation and These were visually attractive and enhancement of habitat will, in some often iconic backdrops for sport and cases, be taking place beyond 2012. presented an opportunity to market The mitigation programmes focus a Natural England is the non-departmental our natural environment to the world. efforts into enhancing the habitats, public body of the UK government responsible Many of these sites are important for involving the local community where for ensuring that England’s natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, nature and heritage conservation possible to create a sense of pride in freshwater and marine environments, geology and are protected by law, so holding these natural spaces. and soils, are protected and improved: a major sporting event with its www.naturalengland.org.uk From the outset, extensive b The National Trust is a conservation organisation associated infrastructure and large consultation took place with key in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: numbers of spectators posed www.nationaltrust.org.uk stakeholders such as Natural numerous challenges. Englanda, the National Trustb and

2 with local wildlife and community Trust and the Hill forms a prominent ‘LOCOG worked closely groups. London 2012 needed to feature in the landscape within the with the National Trust ensure that their requirements were ‘Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding met and concerns addressed. Natural Beauty’. and Natural England to Regular meetings, site walkovers and Box Hill forms part of the Mole Gap communications helped to facilitate ensure that they were to Reigate Escarpment Site of Special this process. able to host the Road Scientific Interest (SSSI)c and is a During the build and the Games Special Area of Conservation (SAC)d Cycling event without themselves, LOCOG and its under European legislation. contractors had to ensure that all damaging the Box Hill is an extremely important potential habitats of nature site for a variety of uncommon environment’. conservation importance and those species and the area obtained its which supported protected species name from the rare box trees that were protected and managed. This grow on its slope. The unique variety involved the development of venue- of habitats found on the Hill supports specific Environmental Management a host of animal life, some of which Plans (a construction Environmental are extremely rare. Management Plan developed and

The rare Small Blue Butterfly (Source: Butterfly Conservation) implemented by the principal LOCOG worked closely with the contractor, and an Operational National Trust and Natural England Environmental Management Plan to ensure that they were able to host prepared and implemented by the Road Cycling event without LOCOG). damaging the environment. Box Hill represented the most challenging During the Games, members of the section of the race, which meant that Sustainability team also inspected the the majority of spectators wanted to sites on a daily basis and worked watch it along the summit road. The closely with key stakeholders and issue here was that the majority of landowners to be certain that the the rarest and most delicate of the habitat protection measures were species were living on the verges, working and were being respected. where mass trampling could have Below are some examples of habitat created local extinctions. protection at venues: Extensive surveys were carried out to c A Site of Special Scientific Interest is given Box Hill understand the complexity of the risk legal protection by reason of its flora, fauna or geological or physiogeological features. Box Hill is located approximately and more than 1,000 species – 283 d A Special Area of Conservation is a strictly 30km south-west of London and is a of which were unique and not protected site designated under the EU summit of the North Downs in Surrey. Habitats Directive. previously known to live in the area The area is owned by the National – were discovered. Detailed and

3 accurate maps of the area were Hadleigh Farm ‘...the end result was a created as a result of the surveys, Hadleigh Farm, the venue for the fantastic Road Race contributing to the National Trust’s Olympic Mountain Bike discipline, is long-term programme to protect and an environmentally sensitive site watched by thousands as enhance the unique wildlife in their specifically due to its ecological well as a detailed site as well as assisting in the value and cultural heritage features. creation of detailed management The venue has a number of protected management plan for the plans for spectator viewing areas species such as reptiles, badgers, long-term protection of and ingress/egress. These, coupled breeding birds and bats. A new with a programme to undertake invertebrate shelf and bee area were the rare species that live defined scrub clearance not only to created at the venue, and fenced off in this special and boost spectator capacity but also to during the Games for protection. contribute to the longer-term plan to Surveys located a badger sett close exceptional habitat’. restore chalk grassland, meant that to the competition course which had the end result was a fantastic Road to be relocated. As there were no Race watched by thousands lining existing setts nearby, it was arranged the summit road as well as a detailed for an artificial one to be temporarily management plan for the long-term located following a habitat survey protection of the rare species that live with a badger consultant. This in this special and exceptional required a Badger Licence from habitat. Natural England for the translocation of the badger sett by Essex County Spectators received subtle messaging Council. about the site’s special habitats by way of dedicated signs for some of Prior to site and overlay works being the rare species, information guides undertaken, a number of ecological and local artist paintings of the rare walkovers and surveys were small blue butterfly on the steepest undertaken in collaboration with incline section of the road. external stakeholders such as Natural England, the local Wildlife Trust, the Other work included engaging with planning authority and Essex County Box Hill School where LOCOG staff Council. An environmental constraints attended weekly lessons for a term to map was also prepared by the teach the students about the importance LOCOG Sustainability team and of biodiversity conservation. A project communicated to the contractors and was also set up for students to hand- workforce to protect habitats and build bird, bat and dormouse boxes wildlife. Environmental method made from leftover wood from the statements were required to work Olympic Park and install them around near badger setts and to undertake the Box Hill site.

Hadleigh Farm Mountain Bike venue – location of badger setts

4 scrub clearance and grass cutting for the crowds. Some management was ‘The newly planted trees spectators to move safely around the put in place through installing offered some of the only venue. Expert ecological advice was additional signage and temporary also sought regarding the potential for fencing to deter people from further shade and so spectators nesting birds during the nesting trampling the planted areas. However, wanted to sit under them, season to ensure the birds had left all this was limited due to the need to nests prior to any tree works. Sensitive allow crowd flow and ensure safety in thereby causing damage habitats such as vulnerable trees, case of an evacuation. badger setts and the invertebrate shelf to the plants’. The relative lack of shade on the were cordoned off to prevent any Olympic Park also contributed to disturbance by spectators. spectators trampling the new planting Live Site, Olympic Park during hot and sunny weather. The A major feature of the new Olympic newly planted trees offered some of Park is its Parklands – large areas the only shade and so spectators alongside the River Lea that have wanted to sit under them, thereby been transformed from an industrial causing damage to the plants. wasteland into a thriving haven for With hindsight, it would have been wildlife. The Parklands provide new, beneficial to have had more shade biodiverse habitat within the Olympic provided by canopies and large Park including wetlands, wild flower umbrellas at various areas around the meadows and species-specific habitat Park to help avoid this situation but, such as ponds and nesting boxes. given the weather conditions leading During the Games, the wetlands bowl up to the 2012 Games, it is perhaps in the north of the Park was used to understandable why planning for hot host the Live Site, a large screen weather was not adequately taken placed in the river and viewed by into account. spectators from the banks on either Weymouth and Portland side. The space on the banks was The Sailing events at London 2012 took planned before the Live Site became place within Portland Harbour, situated a feature, and therefore did not between the island of Portland and the adequately accommodate the large town of Weymouth along part of the numbers of additional people drawn Jurassic Coast World Heritage Sitee. to the area. Portland Harbour contains many As a result there was some trampling important marine ecological and of the new planting on the earth geological features and although well banks, in the drainage channels and used for sporting pursuits, care was on the edges of the river as people needed in planning and delivering the tried to get a better view and escape London 2012 events.

e A World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

5 Key measures that were taken by Richmond Park, situated in south-west ‘Portland Harbour LOCOG were: London, is London’s largest park, covering an area of 2,500 acres. It contains many important –– Ensuring no effluent entered the is home to a large population of water. marine ecological and free-roaming deer and contains a –– Siting generators well away from the wealth of veteran trees, broadleaved geological features and water to avert pollution in the event woodland and a mosaic of dry acid of a leak or a spill. although well used for grassland and neutral grassland. –– Support boats were briefed on Deer grazing has made a major sporting pursuits, care interacting with cetaceans (such as contribution to the historic landscape. was needed in planning whales and dolphins). –– ‘No anchoring’ zones were It is a fully designated Special Area and delivering the established and a close working of Conservation (SAC) under the London 2012 events’. relationship with Natural England European Habitats Directive, due to and the Port Authority was its population of stag beetles. It is a developed to ensure sensitive Site of Special Scientific Interest habitats were looked after. (SSSI) due to the presence of a range –– Holding tanks for sewage were of other invertebrates and habitats specified for boats with toilets. such as acid grassland and it is also a National Nature Reserve. Instructions for competitors ensured boats were washed down prior to Both Road Cycling races passed travel to ensure no non-native invasive through Richmond Park on the first species were brought to or indeed weekend of the Olympic Games and taken from Weymouth and Portland. there were concerns that large numbers of spectators could damage It was extremely important to maintain the fragile habitats that support stag the good water quality in Portland beetles and other wildlife. Harbour. To manage this, a number of measures were put in place including Although the Park is situated within a placing spill kits on boats, monitoring densely populated area of London outfalls, training staff about not pouring and is well used by the public, it is anything down surface water drains, actively managed by The Royal Parks pump out/holding tank provision and with the result that people tend to continual litter picking along the venue remain on paths for cycling and shoreline. walking, and sports activities usually take place within designated areas. A key learning from this venue is that it would have been beneficial to have a The route of the Olympic Road Races litter retaining barrier (small fence or through Richmond Park used two of bank) between the water and the the paved roads. Because it was a venue to stop litter entering the non-ticketed event, it was anticipated marine environment. that spectators would line this route The Royal Parks – possibly up to four-deep. The route passed through the Park twice during Some of the most stunning events the day, shortly after the start of the staged by LOCOG were at venues race in the morning, and about five within The Royal Parks of Londonf. hours later on the return route. These included the Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon events at Natural England and The Royal Parks , Beach Volleyball at were concerned about several key Parade/St James’s areas of fragile habitat which were Park, the Road Cycling events adjacent to the race route and were through Richmond Park and Bushy susceptible to damage from Park and the Triathlon and 10km trampling by spectators. These fragile Marathon Swim in Hyde Park. areas comprised acid grassland, areas of fallen deadwood within A detailed example of measures woodlands (home to stag beetles) taken to protect Richmond Park is and anthills, some of which may be given below. Although the details for more than 200 years old. There were f The Royal Parks of London is a statutory body each Royal Park differed, the concept also concerns about people climbing responsible for managing eight Royal Parks of protection remained the same. around London: www.royalparks.org.uk veteran trees to get a better view and about spectators cycling across

6 grassed areas of the park in order to were using the stake and tape ‘Large numbers of signs get to good viewing points.One of approach. asked spectators to the issues in planning for habitat –– The Friends of Richmond Park (a protection was that it was impossible local community group) to help respect the fenced-off to estimate how many people might with providing information on areas and explained try and view the races in Richmond habitat protection to spectators. Park. Road closures and the relative –– Event stewards to be well briefed what was being lack of public transport increased the on the habitat protection protected.’ likelihood that most spectators would measures, especially those on the come from the immediate vicinity. main access gates. The weather was a major factor –– Extra cycle parking to be provided affecting how many people would at a number of locations around turn out to watch. It was anticipated the main access points and that many spectators would bring a viewing points. picnic and would stay in the Park all Stewards were stationed at each day – watching both the outward gate, with particular emphasis and the return leg. placed on the three gates through A test event was held in August 2011 which the cyclists would enter and to test the proposed route of the exit. Part of their role was to tell Olympic Road Race. This event spectators to keep to marked paths highlighted a number of issues in and to respect the fenced-off areas. terms of habitat protection within Most of the Road Race Field of Play Richmond Park. A key learning was through the Park was protected with the need to have very clear plans for metal crowd barriers – partly to the barrier crews to follow – at the prevent crowds from going onto the test event the plans had not been road but mainly to prevent the correctly followed, resulting in resident deer population from spectators being directed to stand crossing the road and causing an behind habitat protection barriers accident. When the habitat rather than Field of Play barriers, protection was erected, this led to and therefore standing in the areas areas of double barrier lines, that were meant to be protected. creating a corridor or walkway effect Another key learning was that many along the route. people will access an event such as Large numbers of signs asked this by bicycle so a greater provision spectators to respect the fenced-off of cycling parking spaces is required. areas and explained what was being Habitat protection measures: a protected. Most of the signs were not number of consultations took place branded with London 2012 logos so between LOCOG, Natural England they can be reused by The Royal and The Royal Parks including Parks for future events. several site visits. From these The Friends of Richmond Park (FRP) is meetings, a set of plans was agreed a community group, founded in 1961 which detailed the following to conserve and protect Richmond measures: Park for future generations. It has –– Heras (high metal) fencing to be around 2,000 members of whom placed around veteran trees more than 150 regularly do volunteer immediately adjacent to the race work in the Park. During the Olympic route. Games, around 70 FRP members –– Metal crowd barrier fencing to be helped at the Road Cycling events placed around key areas of – providing information to spectators extremely fragile habitat. about the Park and its special –– Stake and tape-type ‘fencing’ to features and helping to explain to be used along habitat areas spectators about the habitat where the crowd pressure was protection measures. anticipated to be lighter. –– Signage to be put up along metal barrier lines, on stakes within woodland areas and where areas

7 ‘The combination of barriers, signage and information given out meant that the vast majority of spectators respected the habitats and acted in accordance with the protection me asures’.

Signage directing spectators around an area of acid grassland. Large numbers of spectators can be seen in the background, lining the race route.

Outcomes: the men’s Road Race took Despite careful planning, the briefing place on Day 1 of the Olympic of the event stewards was only Games and, thanks in large part to partially effective. On Day 1, many the good weather, it is estimated that stewards did not know about the around 100,000 people viewed the habitat protection measures and race from Richmond Park. Around were not instructing people to keep half this number attended the out of protected areas, nor were women’s event on the following day those on the gates always directing in torrential rain. people away from the fenced-off areas. This was rectified by the Most of the habitat protection afternoon of Day 1 – the FRP, measures were well respected LOCOG and Natural England staff although early on Day 1 some all visited the gate stewards to brief spectators (many of whom were local them again. residents) ignored event fencing and crossed a protected area to get to a Elsewhere, the habitat protection viewing area. Once a precedent had worked extremely well, with only a been set it was very difficult to handful of people entering areas that prevent large numbers of people they were asked not to. The from doing the same. To manage this combination of barriers, signage and situation, The Royal Parks, after information given out meant that the discussion with Natural England and vast majority of spectators respected LOCOG, put in place a line of stakes the habitats and acted in accordance and tape to create a direct path with the protection measures. There across this particular area of was no significant or lasting damage grassland. This was put in place caused to any habitats within the Park. during the five-hour period between the cyclists racing through the Park so that in the afternoon, the spectator flows were managed across the sensitive grassland.

8 Key lessons learned –– Signage is crucial – if people are told the reason for keeping out of –– Early consultation is important: an area, they generally respect it. habitat protection and biodiversity –– Stewards need to be properly conservation are often seen as briefed – at Richmond Park and to barriers which will prevent some extent at Box Hill, this did activities taking place. Productive not happen and it made the job of partnerships were formed between keeping 100,000 people off the the main stakeholders (LOCOG, protected habitat that much harder The Royal Parks, Natural England for everyone else. and the National Trust) as a result –– Many hands make light work – the of a long planning process which Friends of Richmond Park and included the test events in 2011. Friends of Box Hill were an Creative solutions were found to invaluable part of the team during enable the events to take place the events, providing many without damage to the venues and knowledgeable extra pairs of often with long-term benefits for hands to help make sure the habitats and biodiversity. habitat protection was respected. –– Habitat protection and –– Flexibility is key – when the enhancement needs to be planned protected areas were breached, in from the very start. The potential as they were in some venues, it for damage is significant and in was important to be able to order to hold events in beautiful respond rapidly to minimise further and sensitive areas, appropriate damage. resources need to be allocated to –– If the venue design changes, the make sure that damage is potential effects on habitat need to minimised and that the area is left be thought through. The trampling in a better condition as a result of of the planting on the riverside the event taking place. banks at the Olympic Park could –– The implications of habitat perhaps have been avoided had protection for venue design and the Live Site been planned earlier. layout should not be –– Biodiversity enhancement does not underestimated. Compromises had need to be limited to the to be made on the siting of, for immediate site where events are example, fuel storage areas and taking place. LOCOG worked generators so that they were not in with its partners to implement sensitive locations and lighting biodiversity enhancement plans had to take account of bat measures and programmes both roosts. within and outside venue –– Running test events (usually with perimeters. smaller crowds) helped to highlight problem areas and habitat protection issues in advance of the main event. Many important lessons were learned as a result of these test events which were carried forward into the Games themselves.

9 References 1 London 2012 Candidate City. Candidate File: Volume 1 – Theme 5 Environment and Meteorology. London; 2004. 2 London 2012. London 2012 Sustainability Plan – Towards a One Planet 2012 – second edition. London; 2009. Acknowledgements Contributors Amanda Aukett, Venues Sustainability Manager, LOCOG Jacqui Stearn, Natural England London 2012 Programme Manager, Natural England

Peer reviewer Nick Blyth, Policy and Practice Lead, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)

Scoping and project management of the LOCOG Sustainability Learning Legacy Programme was provided by Action Sustainability CIC. Funded equally by Action Sustainability CIC and Defra.

This document and the official Emblems of the London 2012 Games are © London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited 2007–2012. All rights reserved.

For more information visit: learninglegacy.independent.gov.uk Published December 2012 LOC2012/SUS/CS/0010

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