Agenda item

Southwark Nature Action Volunteers (SNAV) will present the enclosed report outlining recommendations for nature recovery. In addition a report on Depaving is enclosed.

The chair welcomed Southwark Nature Action Volunteers (SNAV).

 The following presented:

·  Anna Colligan , who is also a co-optee on the Commission, 

·  Jenny Morgan,

·  Susan Crisp.

SNAV started by setting out their vision, which is that:

o  For nature: Southwark’s many species will more easily find the particular resources they need to survive and thrive,

o  For people - all residents will easily experience significant nature close to home, with safe and pleasant active travel.

In order to achieve this SNAV said that Southwark’s places for nature need to be Bigger, Better, More Joined Up and More Exciting.

SNAV proposed two types of nature corridors, set out in a map: 

1.  One for people and nature:  ‘Pedestrian/Nature Corridors’ – these connect green spaces. These are continuous, or have very frequent “biodiversity stepping stones”.

2.  One for nature only: ‘Strategic Nature Highways’ – these inaccessible areas are critical for wildlife survival and nature recovery.

 SNAV drew the Commission’s attention to specific points to be noted from the SNAV Southwark Nature Connectivity Mapping Exercise:

•  Peckham Rye Lane – nature corridors go there and then get lost, this is a major missing link

•  Canada Water – this is an opportunity

•  Old Kent Road – this is also an opportunity area, as presently a barrier that ought to be made permeable to nature.

Jenny Morgan explained that a lot of habitat is required to feed the diversity of insects and birds. In the absence of large swathes of land then joining up parks and pockets of land is the next best action. A large amount of plants are required in these areas to support insects and small mammals. Reducing cutting, keeping litter leaf, retaining water, will support worms, insects and biodiversity.

Anna Colligan explained that paving reduces the retention of water and washes pollutants into the river and sea. Retaining water through de-paving, better design, provision of rain gardens, will mean water is retained and pollutants removed.

Jenny went on to say that water is important, and certain types of creatures require ponds.  Temporary scrap ponds are good for specific plants. Toads can breed if the ponds remain until May. She suggested that opening up rivers such as The Peck can create ponds and several cities have exposed rivers.

Trees are good, and it would be even better to increase the size of tree pits to include more than one tree and to make space for other planting, which can increase biodiversity. Jenny said that around 50% of the trees ought to be native but other pollinators are useful. Trees that can harbour insects, have nuts, berries or pollen is most helpful. Large tree pits can also encourage the community to adopt and maintain the planting.

More diverse habitat in parks would enable greater diversity. Hedgehogs need a large area. In cutting grass it is best to try and replicate animals grazing and the patterns created – for example sheep go close, whereas other animals graze higher. Disruption of the area is also good for diversity, including leaving bare soil. When de-paving it is possible to retain poor soil and the hard standing can be broken up as this creates different habitats.

Jenny said it is generally important to minimise light pollution as it is bad for bats, particularly near water.

Susan Crisp said that there are opportunities coming up with the Green Infrastructure Plan. She advocated for early engagement with the community and to take a co-design approach as there are many residents and groups who are invested in biodiversity.  As the plan is not due for completion until 2026 it would be good to have a plan developing as an iterative process. She proposed beginning on the nature corridors and other steps, rather than waiting for a perfect plan in two years’ time.

The chair then invited questions and the following points were made:

·  Members asked what further steps could be taken by planning to improve biodiversity.

·  In response Susan suggested that the Commission review Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and other emergent policies in a year’s time.  She also said that the climate and environmental SPD polices, that will go to cabinet in June and are linked to the Southwark Plan, ought to go beyond the requirements of the Mayor of London /GLA. She said to do that would require a good evidence base, and there is are good evidence base around heating and cooling, flooding and health & wellbeing.

·  Anna suggested looking at making the Urban Greening Factor (UGF) mandatory not optional. She also added that the thriving nature section of the resilient climate action plan is inadequate and does not discuss habitat protection, habitat creation or de-paving, at all.