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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN ENVIRONMENTS: London’s FOUNDATIONS: PROTECTING THE GEODIVERSITY OF THE CAPITAL SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE MARCH 2012 LONDON PLAN, 2011 IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The work to prepare and produce London’s Foundations, published in 2009 was made possible by funding from Natural England via the Defra Aggregates Levy Sustainability fund (ALSF), The Greater London Authority (GLA), British Geological Survey (BGS) and Natural England London Region. In-kind project support was provided by London Borough of Lambeth, Natural England, Hanson UK, British Geological Survey, Harrow and Hillingdon Geological Society, South London RIGS Group and London Biodiversity Partnership. BGS prepared the draft report in 2008 on behalf of the London Geodiversity Partnership, led by the GLA. BGS is a component body of the Natural Environment Research Council. BGS Report authors: H F Barron, J Brayson, D T Aldiss, M A Woods and A M Harrison BGS Editor: D J D Lawrence The 2012 update was prepared by Jane Carlsen and Peter Heath of the Greater London Authority with the assistance of the London Geodiversity Partnership. Mapping updates provided by Julie MacDonald of Greenspace Information for Greater London. Document production by Alex Green (GLA). The Mayor would like to acknowledge the work and extend thanks to the London Geodiversity Partnership who contributed to the revision of London’s Foundations SPG and those who responded to the consultation. Maps and diagrams have been prepared by the authors, except where stated. This report includes mapping data licensed from Ordnance Survey with permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown Copyright and/or database right 2008. All rights reserved. BGS Licence number 100037272/2008. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN ENVIRONMENTS: London’s FOUNDATIONS: PROTECTING THE GEODIVERSITY OF THE CAPITAL SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE MARCH 2012 COPYRIGHT GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY Published by Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 ISBN 978-1-84781-503-3 Photograph credits Cover: Riddlesdown Quarry © Diana Clements All other photographs: Diana Clements, Joanna Brayson, Vernon Marks and Bryan Cozens. This publication is printed on recycled paper Copies of this document are available from www.london.gov.uk . CONTENTS MAyor’S FOREWORD V SUMMAry VI 1 INtroDUCTION 1 AIMS 2 2 UNDERSTANDING GEODIVERSITY 7 WHAT IS GEODIVERSITY AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? 8 RELATIONSHIP WITH BIODIVERSITY 10 GEODIVERSITY AND SPATIAL PLANNING 11 3 GEOLOGICAL coNSERVATION 15 STATUTORY DESIGNATIONS 16 4 LONDON’S GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE 23 EVOLUTION 24 BEDROCK GEOLOGY 32 QUARTENARY DEPOSITS 51 FOSSILS AND PALAEONTOLOGY 61 5 GEOLOGICAL RESOUrcES AND BUILT HERITAGE 67 MINERAL RESOURCES 68 WATER RESOURCES 71 6 EVALUATING LONDON’S GEODIVERSITY 75 REVIEW OF GEODIVERSITY GUIDANCE AND ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 76 GEODIVERSITY AUDITING 78 PROJECT GIS 79 7 GEODIVERSITY AUDIT RESULTS AND REcoMMENDATIONS 83 CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF RIGS AND LIGS 84 AUDITED SSSIS 84 RECOMMENDED AND POTENTIAL RIGS 84 POTENTIAL LIGS 85 8 GEODIVERSITY GUIDANCE to BoroUGHS 95 POLICY 96 GEODIVERSITY AND THE WIDER LANDSCAPE 96 IMPLEMENTATION 98 9 GEODIVERSITY ACTION PLANNING 103 APPENDICES 105 - 250 GLOSSAry 251 REFERENCES AND RESOUrcES 256 v MAyor’S FOREWORD Our city’s development is intimately bound to its geodiversity – to the variety of natural materials and processes that have shaped it over the millenia and continue to do so. When we piece together the geological jigsaw puzzle we gain insights into our past. But crucially this also helps us to understand our present and future. We need this knowledge to safeguard our environment, our heritage, and our wildlife, but also in order to most effectively harness our resources and develop our city’s economy and infrastructure in a sustainable way. When I published London’s Foundations in 2009 it was one of the first comprehensive documents for a major urban area in this country. Now that I have published a new London Plan, it is time to update the guidance to reflect my revised policy. This document also reflects the significant work undertaken by the London Geodiversity Partnership to help us to protect and value geodiversity. Boris Johnson Mayor of London PROTECTING THE GEODIVERSITY OF THE CAPITAL SUMMAry the 36 sites are recommended for designation as Regionally Important Geological/ This guidance is based upon a geodiversity geomorphological Sites (RIGS) in borough Local audit of London commissioned in 2007 by a Development Documents. Of the 33 London partnership led by the Greater London Authority boroughs, RIGS are recommended in eight, (GLA), which include the British Geological with five in Bromley, three in Croydon and one Survey (BGS), Natural England, Government each in Lewisham, Ealing, Greenwich, Harrow, Office for London, London Biodiversity Hillingdon and Bexley. Partnership, London Borough of Lambeth, Harrow and Hillingdon Geological Society, South Using the criteria set out in this report 15 of the London RIGS Groups, Hanson UK and Queen 36 sites have the potential to be designated as Mary College, University of London. The project Locally Important Geological Sites (LIGS). These was funded by an Aggregates Levy Sustainability sites are located in nine boroughs, three in Fund grant from Natural England plus additional Waltham Forest, two in Bromley, two in Islington support from the GLA, BGS and Natural England and one each in Barnet, Lewisham, Redbridge, London Region. Wandsworth, Southwark and Sutton. The audit began with a review of the available However, the audit was never intended to be geodiversity documentation for London a static document and since its publication including: BGS field maps, databases and in 2009 the London Geodiversity Parnership publications; Regionally Important Geological have continued to undertake a programme of Sites (RIGS) Group information; Natural site audits and has made, and will continue to England Sites of Special Scientific Interest make, recommendations for both additions and (SSSI) and Geological Conservation Review deletions to the list of sites. During 2010 and (GCR) documentation; and documentation and 2011 the London Geodiversity Partnership re- data from the GLA and London Boroughs. An evaluated a number of sites and recommended initial list of around 470 sites with potential the deletion of nine of the 15 potential LIGS in for geodiversity value was compiled from this the 2009 edition of London’s Foundations, and information. This list was then narrowed down their replacement with nine new sites. They are to 100 for further assessment by exporting site also recommending changes to Regional Sites, locations to a GIS and cross-checking against increasing them from 14 to 28. The 14 potential digital aerial photography backed up by BGS RIGS and 15 LIGS are recommended for further staff local geological expertise. consideration and consultation by Boroughs through the LDD process. The GIS audit Using the procedure set out in this report field information on the sites is held by Greenspace auditing was carried out by BGS staff and the Information for Greater London. South London RIGS Group between November 2007 and April 2008. From the list of 100 sites, Planning proposals should have regard to 35 sites were found to be suitable for detailed geodiversity in order to implement strategic auditing. Harrow and Hillingdon Geological and local policies. Sites should be protected, Society audited a further site in November 2008, managed and enhanced and, where appropriate, bringing the total to 36 sites. new development should provide improvements to the geodiversity value of a site. This can Using the criteria set out in this report 14 of include measures that promote public access, vii study, interpretation and appreciation of 7. Sets out the audit results and geodiversity. recommendations; In addition to individual sites of geodiversity 8. Sets out guidance to boroughs; and interest, Greater London has distinctive natural landscapes shaped by geological processes, such 9. Looks at Geodiversity Action Plans. as undulating chalk downlands with dry valleys in south London, and river terraces forming 10. Appendices 1-6 provide more detailed long flat areas separated by steeper areas of information underpinning the text terrace front slopes. This natural topographic above. geodiversity underlying London should be understood, respected and only altered with full knowledge of its origin and form. Planners are encouraged to use authentic contouring in restoration work and new landscaping schemes, maintain the contributions of natural topography, rock outcrops, landscape features, and to maintain soil quality, quantity and function. The guidance in this document replaces London Foundations 2009. The document is divided into 9 sections; 1. The Introduction – sets out the purpose behind the document and its relationship to the London Plan, specifically Policy 7.20; 2. Explains what geodiversity is and why it matters; 3. Explains the three levels of geological conservation designation – national, regional and local; 4. Explains the evolution and development of London’s geological landscape; 5. Looks at London’s geological resources; 6. Takes the reader through the audit process; CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION PROTECTING THE GEODIVERSITY OF THE CAPITAL 1.1 The London Plan published in July 2011, to and understanding of geodiversity. aims to protect