Biodiversity Action Plan

2015-2018

Public March 2015

Contents

Introduction ...... 3

About Us ...... 3

What is biodiversity? ...... 3

Drivers for the Biodiversity Action Plan ...... 3

Focus on Special Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSIs) ...... 4

Objectives ...... 6

Biodiversity Achievements and Measures to Date ...... 7

Environmental Management System (EMS) ...... 7

Partnership ...... 7

Operational Response at Designated Sites...... 7

Waste and Recycling Sites...... 8

Procurement ...... 9

Estate Management ...... 9

New Builds and Major Refurbishments ...... 10

Promotion of and education in biodiversity ...... 11

Targets, Activities and On-going Commitments ...... 12

Appendix A – London Sites of Special Scientific Interest ...... 16

Introduction

About Us

The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) is one of the functional bodies (FBs)of the Greater London Authority (GLA) and has statutory responsibility for fire fighting and fire safety in the Greater London area. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is one of the largest fire-fighting organisations in the world, protecting people, property and the environment from fire within the 1587 square kilometres of Greater London which has a resident population of 8.2 million, increased by another 500,000 during working hours.

To provide this service we manage a large estate which includes 103 fire stations largely based in densely populated urban areas. LFB has always recognised the need for responsible stewardship of its estate and has therefore endeavoured to manage its land holdings in a sympathetic and sustainable manner.

We are here to make London a safer city. Our vision is to be a world class fire and rescue service for London, Londoners and visitors and we aim to be the leader on sustainable development within the UK Fire and Rescue Service,. This, our second biodiversity action plan, addresses our approach to one of those other areas of responsibility over the next 3 years.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is the term used to describe the variety of life found on Earth and all of the natural processes. It is a measure of the variety of organisms present in different ecosystems. This can refer to genetic variation, ecosystem variation, or species variation (number of species) within an area and it recognises the connections between these.

Drivers for the Biodiversity Action Plan

The Biodiversity Duty (Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) 2006 requires all public authorities, including LFB, to pay regard to the conservation of biodiversity in exercising their functions.

Furthermore, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, state that it is an offence to carry out potentially damaging operations on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) without Natural England consent or reasonable excuse.

The Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy – Connecting with London’s Nature – has been in place since July 2002 (reviewed as current in 2015)and has provided the framework through which the capital’s natural environment is protected and enhanced.

In Proposal 21 of the strategy a commitment from the mayor is noted to encourage land managers, including London borough councils and other public bodies (which includes the Brigade), to take biodiversity into account in the management of their land. This should include managing important habitats to protect and enhance their nature conservation value, providing safe access for all, involving the local community and creating new wildlife habitats where appropriate.

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The Government’s Natural Environment White Paper “The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature” published in 2011, recognised that a healthy natural environment is the foundation of sustained economic growth, prosperous communities and personal wellbeing. The White Paper established how the value of nature can be mainstreamed by strengthening the connections between people and the natural environment; developing new approaches to convey the economic value of the natural environment; and facilitating broader partnerships and local action.

LFB is committed to Sustainable Development and environmental protection principles as set our in our Sustainable Development Strategy 2013-16 and Environment Policy. We recognise the need to both mitigate the negative impact of our activities on biodiversity and where possible enhance the level of biodiversity, where we have direct or indirect control.

As biodiversity contributes to the maintenance of ecosystem functions we understand that it is therefore the source of many services and goods, which we rely on, such as food, timber, fibre and water. Biodiversity provides the environment and the natural resources essential for our organisation to operate and survive. As increasing supplies of these materials are required, greater pressure is put on ecosystems, which compromises their ability to deliver. The resulting diminishing natural supply chain will have profound effects including increasing costs, scarcity of materials, stakeholder pressure, and increased regulation.

We recognise that Biodiversity protection and enhancement can offer a range of benefits for our organisation which might include:

Environmental Protection and enhancement of open spaces, wildlife Protection and habitats Climate Change Alleviation of the effects of climate change through habitat creation Well-being Improved physical and social access to nature and open spaces encouraging healthy leisure pursuits Community Supporting social regeneration in host borough’s, making our engagement stations a more attractive and inviting community resource by maintaining or enhancing the biodiversity present on our premises Availability of Adoption of sustainable economic and procurement practices resources through the responsible maintenance of ecosystem functions Regulatory The Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) compliance and Regulations 2009 make polluters financially liable and require the avoidance polluters to prevent, limit or remediate damage to water of fines and systems, land quality, protected sites, species and their prosecution habitats, enforcing the ‘polluter pays’ principle

Focus on Special Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSIs)

A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is one of the country’s very best wildlife and/or geological sites. SSSIs are the basic building block of site-based nature conservation legislation and most other legal nature/geological conservation designations in Great Britain are based upon them.

There are more than 4,100 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in England, covering around 8% of the country’s land area. More than 70% of these sites (by area) are internationally important for their wildlife and are designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) or Ramsar sites.

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Even though London is one of the largest urban areas in Europe, almost two-thirds of London is made up of greenspace and wetlands, consisting primarily of extensive areas of green belt, large parks and the Thames basin. Currently 38 sites are designated as SSSIs within London, 31 of which have been designated for their biological interest and 7 for their geological interest, including Bushy Park and Home Park in the Twickenham area, newly designated in September 2014.

It is essential to preserve our remaining natural heritage for future generations. Wildlife and geological features are under pressure from development, pollution, climate change and unsustainable land management. SSSIs are important as they support plants and animals that find it more difficult to survive in the wider countryside. Protecting and managing SSSIs is a shared responsibility, and an investment for the benefit of future generations.

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Objectives

The main objective of this Biodiversity Action Plan is to minimise any negative impacts upon biodiversity resulting from LFB’s activities. It is recognised that this is relevant in regard to; the way we manage our estate; the goods and services we procure; and the way we respond to operational incidents.

To pay due regard to ecological value in the way we respond 1 to operational incidents at designated (protected) sites.

To manage our estate and procurement activities in a way 2 that protects, and where possible, enhances existing ecological value.

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Biodiversity Achievements and Measures to Date

Our second Biodiversity Action Plan aims to build on the success and achievements of our previous plan, which was published in 2011.

Environmental Management System (EMS)

We operate an Environmental Management System for the whole Brigade, which includes biodiversity as an integral component.

Since 2005, our Procurement Department has had accredited certification to ISO 14001 Standard and from September 2014 that certification was expanded to cover our whole headquarters operations and 10 fire stations.

ISO 14001 is an internationally recognised standard for the management of environmental impacts, which includes a commitment to compliance and a programme of continual improvement. Our performance is publically reported in our Sustainable Development Annual Report, and the objectives, targets and activities outlined in this action plan form the biodiversity objectives and targets for our EMS and reporting activities.

Progress on implementation of the biodiversity action plan is reported at meetings of the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG). SDWG is an internal LFB steering group with departmental representation from across the Brigade. It is the primary vehicle for the coordination of sustainable development work, encouraging greater joint working across the organisation on policy, procedure, and projects, in line with the LFB Sustainable Development Strategy.

A key operational control of our EMS is Sustainable Development Impact Assessments (SDIAs). These are carried out for all projects, policies, procedures or processes, and have considered biodiversity impacts as a part of their assessment criteria since 2007.

Partnership

Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL) is the capital's environmental records centre who collate, manage and make available detailed information on London's wildlife, parks, nature reserves, gardens and other open spaces. GiGL manage and supply that information to those who need to make informed decisions in London. LFB became a partner to GiGL in 2009 and since that time GiGL have supplied the Brigade with information on London’s SSSIs, enabling us to make informed decisions in the way we respond to operational incidents at SSSIs. This information plays an essential role in decision-making, helping to protect biodiversity and geodiversity in London.

Operational Response at Designated Sites

In 2008, basic information on London’s SSSI sites and recommended operational response tactics for them was researched and entered onto the Brigade Command Support System (CSS). This provides our fire-fighters with information via the command unit about sites, to help them to make the best decision as to how to respond, should a major incident occur on one of these sites.

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In 2009 we improved the quality of biodiversity data available on our Command System with the help of GiGL. This means that LFB now holds information on the reasons why each site is designated and where the access points are improving the information available to fire-fighters when attending a major incident at a sites as to what features are at risk and need protecting.

Subsequently, we have now included this information as map overlays on the Mobile Data Terminals (MDT), making this information available on all frontline vehicles (see Appendix A).

Following a series of major fires on waste and recycling sites, some of which are adjacent to SSSIs, our Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection (HMEP) officers led on work in 2014 to begin to raise awareness amongst our Fire Safety Inspecting Officers about SSSI sites.

Waste and Recycling Sites

The recycling and waste management industry has been expanding in recent years with increased pressure to meet Government and European targets for recycling rates. The expansion of this sector is having significant impacts on Fire and Rescue Services and there have been a number of high profile and protracted fires across London and the UK involving waste, recycling, landfill and waste wood sites. In 2014 there were 283 of these fires in London alone. Such fires have the potential to burn for days and can have a huge impact not only on the local community and economy but also on the environment, especially where these sites neighbour SSSIs vulnerable to the environmental consequences of fire and firewater run-off. There are currently 6 SSSI sites within a firewater run-off area of these high fire risk sites (Appendix 1).

A most extreme example is the recycling centre in Orpington formally run by Waste4Fuel. Waste4Fuel was prosecuted by LFEPA for storing flammable materials in stacks 12 times in excess of the size legally allowed. Despite this court case, and other interventions from the Environment Agency (EA) and the Health and Safety Executive, the stacks of waste remained on this site for a number of months, and waste continues to be stored there. This site is located adjacent to the Ruxley Gravel Pits SSSI, protected for it’s high diversity of habitats and species including insects and breeding wetland birds.

LFB has signed a National Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the EA which provides arrangements for joint working and agreed protocols for joint inspection and enforcement at waste and recycling sites. The LFB also worked with the Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) forum to produce new guidance, called Reducing Fire Risk at Waste Management Sites . The WISH guidance provides a single point of reference for operators, insurers and regulators to identify minimum acceptable fire safety standards for general waste and recycling sites.

Furthermore, LFB officers are currently in the process of carrying out a programme of joint visits to high risk permitted sites (sites carrying out waste treatment activities require a permit), across London with EA colleagues under the MoU. Through these LFB officers are able to collect the details needed to determine operational tactics and pollution control methods if a fire did occur on a site and this information is stored on LFB systems accessible to crews through the MDTs.

LFEPA responded to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) consultation “Updated national waste planning policy: planning for sustainable waste management” on 9 September 2013. Our response set out that LFEPA is aware of waste and

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recycling facilities adjacent to SSSIs and highlighted the heightened risk to SSSIs from fire water run-off in the event of fire.

In October 2014 DCLG published its report on responses to the consultation alongside the updated National Planning Policy for Waste . Neither document refers to the points LFB put forward and there have been no changes to the policy in these regards. LFB has therefore committed to “…continue to call on government to make sure the proposed changes are incorporated in the national waste planning policy”.

Procurement

LFB recognises that decisions made regarding the procurement of materials and services can have far reaching environmental impacts. We are committed to procuring goods, works and services sustainably, by delivering on the GLA Group’s Responsible Procurement Policy. We have recently been awarded the runner up in the Emergency Services category of the Public Sector Sustainability Awards.

LFB routinely considers environmental management in its assessment of suppliers. We include further environmental requirements as specifications at the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage or through evaluation criteria as appropriate to the contract. Prompts have been included in our ITT templates for when tenders are being drafted.

LFB has had a Sustainable Timber Policy in place since 2006 when the Mayor of London introduced a GLA Group policy. A number of contracts have had requirements on sustainable timber built in from construction to our bulk timber supply for urban search and rescue activities and spot audits are undertaken to verify compliance.

Estate Management

LFB holds over 100 sites across London largely based in densely populated urban areas. The majority of LFB sites do not have significant areas of vegetation as they are based in densely populated urban areas. Therefore our sites are largely considered to be of low ecological value. However, it is recognised that many of these sites have outdoor space, with ecological, aesthetic and amenity value to both our staff and the community we serve. This ranges from simple grass verges to the front of stations, to gardens within the station grounds.

The presence of trees is common to most sites. We undertake tree surveys annually to determine the condition of the trees. A site map/plan is provided of all sites to show the location of the tree detailing the type, condition and any action required. Several of our trees are subject to Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) which are managed through our Grounds Maintenance Contract.

Environmental requirements supported by related evaluation criteria have been strengthened in our recently re-tendered Grounds Maintenance Contract due to be awarded in 2015. Environmentally friendly products are required to be used where possible and contractors must take all reasonable precautions to protect flora and fauna and safeguard the environment, with particular care to avoid disturbance of nesting birds. Our evaluation criteria also now require; a demonstration of environmental commitment that would support our environment policy; a commitment to not negatively impact upon ecological value; and demonstrable experience and commitment to limiting the spread of invasive species.

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Provision has been made to limit grass cutting at Wennington Fire Station to protect a Nationally Scarce species of clover, trifolium glomeratum, which was found in 2009 during refurbishment works. The scheduled works were due to destroy the area. Following advice from ecology specialists, a translocation project was successfully completed in 2010 to an alternative grassed area on the site. Subsequently, this area is now bordered and is not cut between March and July to allow the clover to grow and flower.

In 2013 we developed and published our first Gardens Policy. The policy provides the basis for the management of biodiversity and habitats across the brigade estate, whilst not compromising employee health and safety, or the structural integrity of Brigade premises. The policy applies to gardens cultivated by employees, such as memorial gardens, and soft landscaping areas maintained centrally through our Grounds maintenance contract.

The garden’s policy supports low maintenance and low impact gardens at stations, with new planting carried out in movable containers (Kentish Town Station pictured), and includes guides to planting to attract biodiversity and an invasive plants guide for staff, to promote awareness and support controlled management.

Invasive non-native species are now widely understood to be the second biggest threat to biodiversity worldwide. Japanese knotweed in particular, can block footpaths and damage concrete, tarmac, flood defences and the stability of river banks.

The invasive species, Japanese Knotweed is under strict management at 3 of our sites in Forest Hill, Croydon and Erith. In additional to being managed through our Grounds Maintenance Contract, the monitoring of these invasive species on our estate is now integrated into our EMS. This includes the presence of an invasive species being included in the risk assessment scoring criteria, which ranks our estate based on environmental risk and the inclusion of invasive species monitoring in our EMS auditing programme.

New Builds and Major Refurbishments

The new build and major refurbishment process, including the Privately Financed Initiative (PFI)programme, has been integral to LFBs effort to protect and enhance the ecological value of our sites. Our aim of achieving a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status has driven this, through the Land Use and Ecology credits.

To date GiGL data has helped us to complete ecological surveys required as a part of the planning process.

Each site was found to be dominated by man-made habitats such as buildings and concrete hard- standing and all were considered to be of low ecological value. In light of this it has been recognised that there is potential to greatly enhance the biodiversity value of each site.

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It was recognised that the provision of habitat enhancement for key groups and species such as invertebrates, reptiles and birds would greatly add to the biodiversity of each site. Therefore every new PFI station has either a green or brown roof and our new stations at Mitcham (pictured) and Old Kent Road are due to have their roofs seeded in 2015. Our station in Dockhead has also been

specified to include a green wall, utilising a rod and wire trellis system.

Promotion of and education in biodiversity

Training on biodiversity is provided at various organisational levels including the Environment Induction for all new staff, the Middle Managers Development Programme on Environmental Protection and through the Green Champion volunteer training programme. The Brigade now boasts over 175 volunteer Green Champions. Green Champions are intended to be a focal point for green issues in departments and at stations. An award is presented to “The Green Champion of the Year” who receives an Assistant Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation, at the Brigade’s November honours and awards ceremony. In 2014 the award was issued to our Green Champion at Surbiton Fire Station in recognition of (amongst over things) the roof garden (pictured), which had been created to attract pollinators.

We have developed a series of internal Toolbox Talks to help spread positive environmental protection messages. They are intended to be an interesting and interactive way to communicate and get across ideas and requirements in relation to a range of environmental protection topics. To date 2 talks have been developed to specifically address biodiversity, the first focussed on Gardening to Promote Biodiversity and the second to raise awareness on Invasive Species.

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Targets, Activities and On-going Commitments

Targets will be set and a variety of activities (monitored via our Performance Management Framework (PMF)) and on-going commitments will be implemented across LFB in order to achieve our Objectives. Target/Activity *monitored via PMF On-going Commitment

Delivery Objective On-going Commitments, Targets and Activities Department/ Team To responsibly manage and maintain our grounds in a way that protects and where possible TSS enhances, existing ecological value To identify biodiversity risks and opportunities through our contracts risk register and take them into Procurement account when buying goods, works and services To manage our estate To only buy timber from sustainable forestry sources, identified by the Forest Stewardship Council Procurement management and (FSC) certification or an equivalent standard procurement activities in a To make provisions in contracts to ensure information about the biodiversity of our sites is passed to Procurement and way that protects, and contractors and a responsible approach is taken TSS where possible, enhances existing ecological value To reduce the demand for virgin resources and the resulting damage to species and habitats by, Procurement wherever possible buying products made from recycled materials, and to use reclaimed materials Avoid, where possible, chemicals that can harm species including; chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs); hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs); persistent organic pollutants (POPs); chemicals that the Procurement European Union classifies as substances of very high concern; ‘volatile organic chemicals’ (‘VOCs’) which can be present in goods such as paint; cleaning substances; formaldehyde; and pesticides.

Delivery Objective On-going Commitments, Targets and Activities Department/ Team Include biodiversity issues in the Sustainable Development Communications Programme specifically including the Green Champions newsletter, Shout, the intranet, LFB external website and other SD Team external publications where appropriate, and encourage partner organisations to promote access to nature opportunities to Brigade employees Provide training on biodiversity at various organisational levels to ensure staff understand the Brigade’s role in protecting biodiversity and how this translates into their role, including; the Environment Induction for all new staff; the Middle Managers Development Programme on SD Team Environmental Protection; Crew and Watch Manager training on Environmental Protection; and the Green Champions Volunteer programme Report progress on implementation of the Biodiversity Action Plan at meetings of the Sustainable SD Team Development Working Group and within the Sustainable Development Annual Report Strive to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status for all new builds and major refurbishments (as outlined by our Standard Station Design Brief), including attainment of the range of BREEAM Land Use and Ecology credits where possible, including: 1. To ensure, where possible, any construction zones only occur on sites defined as land of low ecological value; TSS 2. To ensure, where possible, that any new builds or major refurbishment work protects existing ecological features on the site from substantial damage during site preparation and completion of construction works; 3. To recognise and, where possible, encourage actions to be taken to enhance the ecological value of the site as a result of the development Monitor new activities and their potential impact on biodiversity through Sustainable Development SD Team Impact Assessments (SDIA) which are carried out for all projects, policies, procedures or processes. *To include a monitoring update of biodiversity measures and BREEAM Land Use and Ecology credits attained in our new build and major refurbishment programme, within the Sustainable Development TSS Annual Report

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Delivery Objective On-going Commitments, Targets and Activities Department/ Team *Seek to build on our relationship with English Nature, encouraging the recognition of the potential SD Team fire service role in species and habitat protection by 2018 *Develop a Green Champions Toolbox Talk focussed on SSSIs by 2015 SD Team *To ensure the fire-fighter development programme includes appropriate reference to biodiversity SD Team issues as a part of wider environmental protection training by quarter 4 2015/16 *Review SSSI information sheets and distribute up to date copies to stations by 2015, including the Operational production of information sheets for any newly dedicated SSSI sites Procedures and SD Team *Encourage the development of station led risk based incident response plans for SSSI sites, that Operational To pay due regard to consider the value of the site appropriately and sensitively, increase familiarity with the site including Procedures and SD ecological value in the way understanding neighbouring risks by 2018 Team we respond to operational *Promote information on SSSIs and other operational environmental matters through the production Operational incidents at designated of an Operational News special dedicated edition, in April 2015 Procedures (protected) sites. *Develop a SSSI Policy to provide guidance for operational response and the use of information on Operational technical resources, ensuring that the emerging issue of increased risk of fire at “Waste Sites” (i.e. Procedures and SD refuse derived fuel) and the impact of this on SSSI sites is considered where appropriate by 2015 Team *Develop a SSSI Policy/Procedure/Guidance Note for use by Inspecting Officers, ensuring that the Fire Safety emerging issue of increased risk of fire at “Waste Sites” (i.e. refuse derived fuel) and the impact of Regulation and SD this on SSSI sites is considered where appropriate by 2015 Team *Identify relevant monitoring information for incidents attended at SSSI sites and adjacent to SSSI Strategy and sites (action by 2015 ) Performance and SD Team * Create bespoke modular Environmental Protection Units through the enhancement of specialist kit Operational

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Delivery Objective On-going Commitments, Targets and Activities Department/ Team on existing vehicles including enhancing the large spill kits carried and providing additional pollution Procedures control equipment by 2015/16 *Implement a system for dealing with small quantities of decontamination run off which are deemed too hazardous to be dealt with by normal drainage and water undertakers. Operational Specifically, through the use of absorbent materials to solidify hazardous decontamination run-off, Procedures ideally for materials classified under the European Commissions priority substances and certain other pollutants according to Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC by 2015/16

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Appendix A – London Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Station Recommended Operational Waste Site within 1000m SSSI Site SSSI Address Protected Feature Ground(s) Response Tactics (as of March 2015)

A34 Edmonton Swamp, fen, wet woodland. Protect habitat from physical and Chingford Wetland habitat with 1 A35 Enfield Lea Valley Rd E4 chemical harm including spillage, run- Reservoirs important nesting bird off etc. colonies. F34 Chingford

Swamp, fen, wet woodland. Protect habitat from physical and Brent Cool Oak Lane Wetland habitat with 2 A40 Hendon chemical harm including spillage, run- Reservoir NW9 important nesting bird off etc. colonies. Protect habitats from physical A41 West Important broadleaved semi- damage. For example, avoid cutting Hampstead Spaniard’s Road/ natural woodland and flush trenches or firebreaks if possible. Hampstead 3 Hampstead Lane and spring fen (escaping Consider need to take fire appliance Heath Woods A43 Kentish NW3 groundwaters) giving rise to onto land. Protect from spillages of Town distinct flora and fauna. chemicals etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. DS Smith Recycling Ltd Important geological Herringham Road, Charlton, E23 East Gilbert’s Pit exposures revealing detailed 4 Maryon Road SE7 Protect from physical damage. Greenwich SE7 8NW Greenwich (Charlton) stratigraphy and fossil Waste Type: Paper and assemblages. cardboard baled and loose

Station Recommended Operational Waste Site within 1000m SSSI Site SSSI Address Protected Feature Ground(s) Response Tactics (as of March 2015) Protect from physical damage. For example, avoid cutting trenches or New Rd, Geological exposures 5 E27 Erith Abbey Wood firebreaks through exposures. SE2/DA17 containing important fossils Consider need to take fire appliance onto land. Galloway Drive Geologically important gravel 6 E28 Bexley Wansunt pit DA1, Station Road exposures and possible Protect from physical damage. DA1 archaeological remains Protect habitats from physical damage. For example, avoid cutting Important long-established trenches or firebreaks if possible. Rochester Way & 7 E30 Eltham Oxleas Wood woodland, characteristic of Consider need to take fire appliance Welling Way SE9 the London Clay. onto land. Protect from spillages of chemicals etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

Geological exposures Elmstead Lane 8 E39 Bromley Elmstead Pit containing important fossils Protect from physical damage. BR7 and stratigraphic features. Areas of heathland valley Protect habitat from physical and mire. Designation is due to Keston & chemical harm including spillage, run- Westerham Road the close spatial association of 9 E39 Bromley Hayes off etc. The mires in particular are BR2 different habitats and the Commons sensitive to fertilizers and organic control on them of underlying loads (e.g. farmyard run-off). soil conditions.

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Station Recommended Operational Waste Site within 1000m SSSI Site SSSI Address Protected Feature Ground(s) Response Tactics (as of March 2015) Waste4fuel Limited Waste4fuel Transfer Station Water quality and water level are of Stone Yard, Cornwall Drive, St paramount importance. Protect from Pauls Cray, Kent BR5 3JB Four small gravel pits with fen spillages of chemicals etc. Particularly (Awaiting update on Edgington Way vegetation. High diversity of Ruxley sensitive to inorganic fertilizers and ownership) 10 E40 Sidcup DA14, Sidcup by- habitats and species including Gravel Pits pesticides. Avoid lifting from open pass DA14 insects and breeding wetland water, particularly where water Waste Type: Approx 18,000 birds. bodies are small and water levels tonnes of general waste could be lowered as a result. (wood/plastic/carpets/etc) and mixed shredded was currently on site. Protect habitats from physical Ancient woodland together damage. For example, avoid cutting with scrub and grassland all Crofton Faringdon Ave trenches or firebreaks if possible. 11 E41 Orpington supporting diverse Woods BR3 Consider need to take fire appliance community of woodland onto land. Protect from spillages of birds. chemicals etc. Protect habitats from physical damage. For example, avoid cutting E41 Orpington trenches or firebreaks if possible. Downe Bank Cudham Rd/High Woodland and chalk 12 Consider need to take fire appliance & High Elms Elms Rd BR6 grassland. onto land. Protect from spillages of chemicals etc. Particularly sensitive to E42 Biggin Hill inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

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Station Recommended Operational Waste Site within 1000m SSSI Site SSSI Address Protected Feature Ground(s) Response Tactics (as of March 2015) Areas of heathland valley Protect habitat from physical and Keston & mire. Designation is due to chemical harm including spillage, run- Westerham Road 13 E42 Biggin Hill Hayes the close spatial association of off etc. The mires in particular are BR2 Commons different habitats and the sensitive to fertilizers and organic underlying soil conditions. loads (e.g. farmyard run-off). Protect habitats from physical Main Road TN16, damage. For example, avoid cutting Oaklands Lane Chalk grassland and open trenches or firebreaks. Consider need TN16, Jewels Hill scrub supporting nationally 14 E42 Biggin Hill Saltbox Hill to take fire appliance onto land. TN16, Saltbox Hill important butterfly species Protect from spillages of chemicals TN16, Blackmans and orchids etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic Lane TN16 fertilizers and pesticides. Protect habitats from physical Semi-natural wetland F29 Leyton damage. For example, avoid cutting including several species of trenches or firebreaks. Consider need Walthamstow Lea Bridge Road plant and insect uncommon 15 to take fire appliance onto land. F29 Leyton marshes E10 in the London area. Also Protect from spillages of chemicals important communities of F32 Stoke etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic breeding birds. Newington fertilizers and pesticides. Ancient wood-pasture F30 Protect habitats from physical including semi-natural Leytonstone damage. For example, avoid cutting woodland, grassland plains trenches or firebreaks. Consider need Epping Epping New Rd and scattered wetland. 16 F34 Chingford to take fire appliance onto land. Forest IG8 IG9 Exceptional assemblages of Protect from spillages of chemicals invertebrates, amphibians etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic and breeding birds F35 Woodford fertilizers and pesticides. characterize the area.

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Station Recommended Operational Waste Site within 1000m SSSI Site SSSI Address Protected Feature Ground(s) Response Tactics (as of March 2015) Contains one of the UK’s F36 O'Donovan Waste Disposal major heronries and a Walthamstow Ltd particularly large Protect habitat from physical and 82 Markfield Road, London, Coppermill Lane Walthamstow concentration of breeding chemical harm including spillage, run- N15 4QF 17 F32 Stoke E17, Forest Road reservoirs wildfowl. Reservoir shores off etc. Particularly sensitive to Newington E17 Waste Type: Mixed and banks of Coppermill inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. commercial wastes, bulked and A33 stream also contain important removed - within a shed Tottenham vegetation. Protect habitats from physical damage. For example, avoid cutting Fox Burrow Rd Hainault Nesting birds and mixed trenches or firebreaks if possible. 18 F37 Hainault Chigwell. Essex. Forest woodland. Consider need to take fire appliance IG7 4QN onto land. Protect from spillages of chemicals etc. Important geological F39 Hornchurch Maywin Drive & 19 exposures revealing detailed Protect from physical damage. Hornchurch Cutting Burnway RM11 stratigraphy. Prime Biomass 7 Dovers Corner, Rainham, RM13 8QT F39 Squadrons Waste Type: T6- Treatment of Hornchurch Approach RM12; Extensive freshwater Protect habitat from physical and waste wood and waste plant Ingrebournne Gerpins Lane marshland with associated chemical harm including spillage, run- 20 matter by chipping, shredding, Marshes RM14 and communities of invertebrates off etc. Particularly sensitive to cutting or pulverising Berwick Pond Rd and birds. inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

RM13/RM14 F40 Connect Waste Wennington Management ( easy chip) Unit 5 Denver Site Ferry Lane,

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Station Recommended Operational Waste Site within 1000m SSSI Site SSSI Address Protected Feature Ground(s) Response Tactics (as of March 2015) Rainham Essex RM13 9BU Waste Type: Large amount of RDF stored on site

Prime Biomass 7 Dovers Corner, Rainham, RM13 8QT Waste Type: T6- Treatment of waste wood and waste plant matter by chipping, shredding, cutting or pulverising

Scrapco, RJK, Darent Ind Important wetland habitat Protect habitat from physical and Est F40 Inner Thames with internationally important chemical harm including spillage, run- Darent Industrial Park, Bexley 21 Ferry Lane RM13 Wennington Marshes numbers of breeding birds off etc. Particularly sensitive to DA8 2LG and wintering wildfowl. inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Waste Type: End of Life Vehicles and metals

Connect Waste Management ( easy chip) Unit 5 Denver Site Ferry Lane, Rainham Essex RM13 9BU Waste Type: Large amount of RDF stored on site

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Station Recommended Operational Waste Site within 1000m SSSI Site SSSI Address Protected Feature Ground(s) Response Tactics (as of March 2015) Protect habitats from physical damage. For example, avoid cutting Broadleaved semi-natural trenches or firebreaks if possible. woodland, scrub and pasture Consider need to take fire appliance with associated breeding bird onto land. Protect from spillages of Bentley The Common, 22 G22 Stanmore populations. Water features chemicals etc. Avoid lifting from open Priory Stanmore HA7 supporting aquatic flora and water; particularly where water fauna. Flushes and springs bodies are small and water levels from groundwaters. could be lowered as a result. Particularly sensitive to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Harrow Common Road Important geological site for 23 G22 Stanmore Protect from physical damage. Weald HA7 gravel beds and their origin. Protect habitats from physical damage. For example, avoid cutting Open mire and wet woodland trenches or firebreaks if possible. characterized by zonation of Denham Lock Denham Court Consider need to take fire appliance 24 G23 Hillingdon habitats according to Wood Drive UB9 onto land. Protect from spillages of drainage. Extensive flooded chemicals etc. The mire is particularly areas. sensitive to herbicides, insecticides and hydrocarbons.

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Station Recommended Operational Waste Site within 1000m SSSI Site SSSI Address Protected Feature Ground(s) Response Tactics (as of March 2015) Protect habitats from physical damage. For example, avoid cutting Unimproved wet alluvial trenches or firebreaks if possible. Fray’s Farm Denham Court 25 G23 Hillingdon grassland. Important habitat Consider need to take fire appliance Meadows Drive UB9 for insects and birds. onto land. Protect from spillages of chemicals etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Important geological site yielding stratigraphical, 26 G32 Ruislip Harefield Pit Church Hill Protect from physical damage. palaeoenvironmental and fossil evidence. Chalk grassland and artificial water bodies that provide Protect habitat from physical and Moorfield Rd & important habitat for a wide Mid Colne chemical harm including spillage, run- 27 G32 Ruislip North Orbital Rd diversity of breeding Valley off etc. Particularly sensitive to UB9 woodland and wetland birds inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. and for significant numbers of wintering wildfowl. Protect habitats from physical damage. For example, avoid cutting Important ancient woodland trenches or firebreaks if possible. Old Park Belvue Ter & 28 G32 Ruislip with diverse community of Consider need to take fire appliance Wood Belfry Ave UB9 woodland herbs. onto land. Protect from spillages of chemicals etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

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Station Recommended Operational Waste Site within 1000m SSSI Site SSSI Address Protected Feature Ground(s) Response Tactics (as of March 2015) Protect habitats from physical Newman Wood Recycling Ancient semi-natural damage. For example, avoid cutting Limited Ducks Hill Road woodland with acidic grass- trenches or firebreaks if possible. The Wood Yard, New years Ruislip 29 G32 Ruislip HA4, Brakespear heath and wetland Consider need to take fire appliance Green Lane, Harefield, Woods Road North UB9 supporting rare flora and onto land. Protect from spillages of Uxbridge UB9 6LX insect fauna. chemicals etc. Particularly sensitive to Waste Type: Large volume of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. wood stored on site Protect habitat from physical and Barn Elms Internationally important G36 Queen Elizabeth chemical harm including spillage, run- 30 Wetland wetland habitat (flora and Hammersmith Walk, SW13 off etc. Particularly sensitive to Centre fauna) inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Protect habitats (especially the Tidal meadow consisting of woodland) from physical damage. For wet grassland grading into example, avoid cutting trenches or Park Road TW7, drier semi-improved firebreaks if possible. Consider need 31 G38 Heston Syon Park Twickenham Road grassland and rough meadow to take fire appliance onto land. TW7 grass. Small area of wet Protect from spillages of chemicals woodland. Rare invertebrate etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic fauna are present. fertilizers and pesticides. Nationally important site for Protect habitat from physical and Kempton Main Street & wintering birds (gadwall). chemical harm including spillage, run- 32 G39 Feltham Park Mallhead Road Also important for other off etc. Particularly sensitive to Reservoirs TW13 birds, mammals and reptiles inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

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Station Recommended Operational Waste Site within 1000m SSSI Site SSSI Address Protected Feature Ground(s) Response Tactics (as of March 2015) Protect habitats from physical damage. For example, avoid cutting Farthing Extensive downland and trenches or firebreaks if possible. 33 H29 Purley Downs & Downs Road, CR5 grasslands with some ancient Consider need to take fire appliance Happy Valley woodland. onto land. Protect from spillages of chemicals etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Protect habitats from physical damage. For example, avoid cutting Calcareous scrub and herb- trenches or firebreaks if possible. rich chalk grassland 34 H29 Purley Riddlesdown Godstone Rd CR8 Consider need to take fire appliance supporting a diverse onto land. Protect from spillages of assemblage of invertebrates chemicals etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Protect habitats from physical damage. For example, avoid cutting Diverse ancient woodland Croham Upper Selsdon trenches or firebreaks if possible. 35 H31 Croydon reflecting underlying Hurst Road CR1 Consider need to take fire appliance geology. onto land. Protect from spillages of chemicals etc. Protect habitats from physical H33 damage. For example, avoid cutting Wandsworth Wimbledon The most extensive area of trenches or firebreaks if possible. Wimbledon Parkside SW19, 36 wet heath on acid soil in Consider need to take fire appliance Common Windmill Road H34 Greater London. onto land. Protect from spillages of SW19 Wimbledon chemicals etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

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Station Recommended Operational Waste Site within 1000m SSSI Site SSSI Address Protected Feature Ground(s) Response Tactics (as of March 2015) Kingston Vale, Roehampton Vale, Robin Hood Way, H41 Kingston Protect habitats from physical Priory Lane Parkland with many ancient damage. For example, avoid cutting SW15; Sheen trees supporting a diverse trenches or firebreaks if possible. Richmond Lane SW14; 37 beetle fauna. Areas of acid Consider need to take fire appliance Park Richmond Hill, grassland, marshy and onto land. Protect from spillages of Star & Garter Hill, unimproved grassland. chemicals etc. Particularly sensitive to Sawyer’s Hill, inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. H42 Richmond Ham Gate Avenue TW10; Queens Road KT2 Protect habitats (especially the Biological features of special woodland) from physical damage. For Hampton Court interest, including acid example, avoid cutting trenches or Bushy Park H43 Rd, Hampton, grassland, veteran trees, and firebreaks if possible. Consider need 38 and Home Twickenham Middlesex, TW12 assemblages of wood and to take fire appliance onto land. Park 2EJ fungal feeding (saproxylic) Protect from spillages of chemicals invertebrates etc. Particularly sensitive to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

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