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Future secured for nature area in London housing development |
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20 Mar 2014, 3:06 PM
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A new 17 hectare nature conservation area will be created next to a Crayford housing development, thanks to a deal between national land management charity The Land Trust and the developer.
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Bexley Councillor Linda Bailey at the site of the conservation area.
The creation of the new area was part of a planning condition imposed by Bexley Council when the Braeburn Park housing development was built in 2000. However, the site has a history of contamination which meant finding an organisation willing to take on this liability and manage the site proved problematic.
A long search for a solution followed during which time the land provided no benefit to the local community. The answer was found in the form of The Land Trust, a national charity which manages open spaces for community benefit and has a track record in dealing with complex sites.
Jonathan Ducker, Development Manager at The Land Trust, said: "The Land Trust manages numerous sites such as former coalfields or landfills that retain certain environmental liabilities. We are therefore used to dealing with complex sites and finding solutions. At Braeburn we worked with developer Taylor Wimpey to find a new innovative technique to constantly record levels of methane from the landfill restoration works. In doing so we were able to prove that levels were safe and therefore the site could be managed within the available resources. This means we can now start to transform the land into an asset for the local community, in particular those living next to the site.”
The Land Trust has taken the ownership of the site and its environmental liability and have appointed the London Wildlife Trust to take on the day to day management of the site.
Matthew Frith, director of policy and planning for the London Wildlife Trust said: "Braeburn Park provides an excellent opportunity to facilitate people’s positive engagement with the natural world. It is a site of borough-wide ecological importance in Bexley and has a unique range of features that have evolved from its previous land uses. London Wildlife Trust is keen to bring our expertise to the site, ensuring our conservation work goes hand-in-hand with making Braeburn a safe and attractive place for people to enjoy."
Bexley Council’s cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, Councillor Linda Bailey, added: "We are delighted this issue has finally been resolved and the area is set to gain a well maintained open space that will benefit local people and wildlife. We have worked hard for many years to find this solution and the result will be an area people can enjoy for many years to come."
The Land Trust is a not for profit organisation that provides a cost effective management solution for open space and green infrastructure. This land can deliver significant community benefits, improving health, social cohesion, providing an educational resource and uplifting the local economy.
The aim of the Trust is to provide long-term sustainable management of open spaces across the country. The organisation has around 2,000 hectares of land in its portfolio and a strong balance sheet to provide financial stability. Our open spaces are a crucial part of the social landscape, delivering a range of significant benefits for residents and businesses. Safe and accessible open space allows communities to come together and individuals to develop and relax through physical activity and recreation. Well designed and maintained open spaces are outdoor classrooms, gyms and theatres. They change lifestyles and improve health and well-being.
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