Thames21 seeks help with World Wetlands Day event at Thames Road Wetland, and Cray river bank restoration work, during February

Posted on 26/01/2017 by Chris Rose

The Thames21 waterways team for the River Cray has announced four February events.

There will be two sessions at Thames Road Wetland. The first, on Wednesday February 1st, is timed to tie in with World Wetlands day http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/  The second is on Wednesday February 15th. In both cases meet next to the river at Thames Road, Byway 105 (just past the Cray River bridge) , DA1 4RF.  Time: 10.00am-2pm. Vital vegetation management will be done to prevent silting up, and to maintain a variety of suitable habitats for various bird and dragonfly species.  

River Cray bank restoration work will be done on Weds 8th and Weds 22nd Feb to curb excessive erosion and help improve the marginal vegetation. Meet Foots Cray Meadows Leafield Lane DA14 5EB Time 10.30am-2pm.

Assistant River Cray Project Officer Joanna Barton is seeking help during February with conservation work on our important local river and wetland habitats. 

Assistant River Cray Project Officer Joanna Barton said ‘New volunteers are always welcome, all equipment is provided and refreshments are available afterwards. It’s a great opportunity to get a different perspective on our local water bodies and to contribute to keeping them in good condition for wildlife, and for people to enjoy looking at .’

Ffi contact Joanna at: Joanna.barton@thames21.org.uk

Posted in Cray Riverkeepers, River Cray, Thames21 | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lesnes Woods ‘garden grab’ – will Bexley uphold existing policy or signal further shift towards Boris-inspired ‘densification’ agenda?

Posted on 13/01/2017 by Chris Rose

‘Bexley Wildlife’ has been contacted by local residents opposing a plan to demolish numbers ‘5 and 6 Friars Walk to create access to a new development of 8 detached 2/3 storey houses (2×3 bed, 3x4bed, 3x5bed) with rear gardens backing to Abbey Wood, and new street, parking and landscaping at front”. It is being claimed by the ‘developer’ that the gardens are ‘wasted’ and of ‘no benefit’ to anyone, that there will be no adverse effect on protected or priority species either on or adjacent to the site, and that there will be no loss of trees, which looks dubious given the density of them indicated by aerial photographs. Approval would certainly be another unwelcome move regarding the future look and feel of our (for now) suburban Borough. 

Friar's Walk (right) would have

Friar’s Walk (right) for which an application has been submitted to Bexley Council to demolish two existing dwellings and build 8 new ones on what are currently gardens. 

An opponent says ‘We are a tiny woodland close adjacent to Lesnes Woods. We are set to lose many old native trees, plus Bats, slow worms, Stag beetles and other species as a result of a proposed housing development in 3 large gardens. Tawny owls and other birds have already gone since clearance started …… (we) do our best to support the indigenous wildlife and love the tranquility of this natural woodland environment.’

Unfortunately none of these species enjoy sufficient legal protection to stop this sort of ‘development’ from going ahead on their own account. However, Bexley’s Core Strategy (the Council’s policy ‘bible’) says, at Policy CS17, 4.8.10 :

 ‘The natural environment, and particularly our open spaces and waterways are also rich sources of biodiversity and archaeology. Back land areas in the borough include gardens and incidental open space. They should normally be excluded from development where developments results in harm to amenity and biodiversity. Further details in this respect will be set out in future policy documents, such as a development plan document that deals with detailed sites and policies. 

So in theory the Council has a policy against garden-grabbing and can legitimately turn the application down. The problem is that the Core Strategy is still the policy but is effectively a dead duck because the Council has decided to tear it up in favour of its much trumpeted ‘Growth Strategy’, at the heart of which (though it doesn’t say so very explicitly) is a target for a 20% growth in population. It laughably calls this a ‘Vision’. The reality is that it is kow-towing to Boris Johnson’s grand plan from when he was London Mayor. This involves what is politely termed ‘densification’ across the east side of London, which is essentially what this planning application is proposing. Whilst the ‘Growth strategy’ isn’t official policy yet, it will probably be touted as some kind of ‘agreed direction of travel’ in the meantime. Which position will win out in this case will therefore be a strong indication of what the future of our Borough is going to look like, irrespective of whether the Tories or Labour are in control as they both think all this ‘growth’ is unquestionably a ‘good thing’.  

The ‘developer’ states that residents in the Walk have collaborated on this scheme (though the wording is ambiguous as to exactly how many of them), and that it is supported by the National Planning Policy Framework (but then that is skewed massively in favour of building everywhere). Very disturbingly, in terms of setting a future precedent if the application is approved, the proponents are advancing the argument that: ‘These gardens are evidently hugely disproportionate to the houses and must be so by historical accident and it is impossible for these houses to either fully utilise and enjoy on indeed maintain these gardens; an impossible and unreasonable task to ask from them. Clearly these gardens, therefore, represent a very ineffective use of private land in reality being wasted and of no benefit to anyone let alone the owners. In effect, and in accordance with the emphasis on the dire need for housing (especially in London) and on the most sustainable use of resources, and given they are of no public benefit they ought to be developed, admittedly by a development of special character given their wonderful location. They cannot be used or enjoyed in full by the occupiers who want to understandably develop them as they are enormous and a financial burden to them.’

The applicant further claims that ‘This proposal, by utilizing effectively currently huge neglected and underused private areas of no public benefit will not only make efficient use of this land – a key primary planning sustainability objective’. It is not obvious that this squares with providing an extra 21 parking spaces over what already exists. Nor does the size, location and likely sale price of the proposed dwellings suggest that the ‘development’ will do much to help those most in housing need.

We suggest that all ‘BW’ followers worried about the same thing happening on their patch start opening their gardens to the public with immediate effect ….. !

Posted in development threat, Environment, Lesnes Abbey Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE LONDON BOROUGH OF BEXLEY: A CHECKLIST OF SPECIES, WITH NOTES ON DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS – 5th edition – published

Posted on 04/01/2017 by Chris Rose

This revised and updated guide to the 29 species of butterfly known to be resident in, or that have recently visited, the London Borough of Bexley, includes details of their conservation status, a guide to the kinds of habitats in which they are most likely to be found, named locations at which the less frequent ones may be seen and photographs of selected species.

Since the 4th edition published in May 2016, White Admiral has been unequivocally confirmed as a denizen of Bexley, with one of the sightings suggesting that an ‘unverified’ record from 2003 was almost certainly correct. A fourth Marbled White has been seen and photographed, but the hoped for larger influx and an indication of the commencement of a sustained colonisation has yet to be detected. There are new site records for Brown Argus, Green Hairstreak and Small Heath.  Notably, the 2016 season was an above-average one for  numbers of the Clouded Yellow in the Borough, with 12 seen across five different locations.

Compiled by Chris Rose with additional Bexley records and photographs from John Archer, Steve Carter, Joe Johnson, Mike Robinson, Purnendu Roy, Ian Stewart, Karen Sutton, Ralph Todd and Donna Zimmer, the document comprises an illustrated cover and 15 pages of text and images. It can be read online below, or downloaded as a pdf file.

http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/CHECKLIST-OF-THE-BUTTERFLIES-OF-THE-BOROUGH-OF-BEXLEY-5th-edition-Jan-2017.pdf

Posted in Bexley, Butterflies, Recording | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Updated CHECKLIST AND ACCOUNT OF THE ODONATA (DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES) OF THE LONDON BOROUGH OF BEXLEY (6th edition) published

Posted on 03/01/2017 by Chris Rose

This updated guide to the 19 species of Dragonflies and Damselflies of the London Borough of Bexley, compiled by Chris Rose with additional records and photographs from Ralph Todd, Ian Stewart, Karen Sutton, Martin Petchey and Wren Rose, provides information on and photographs of the first observations of the Willow Emerald Damselfly in Bexley – which arrived in the Borough during 2016 – as well as other key sightings which have led to additions to the species lists for Crossness (Erith Marshes), Footscray Meadows and Lamorbey lake.     

Comprising an illustrated cover and 12 pages of text and photographs, it can be read online below, or downloaded as a pdf file.

 

http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/CHECKLIST-AND-ACCOUNT-OF-THE-DRAGONFLIES-AND-DAMSELFLIES-OF-THE-BOROUGH-OF-BEXLEY-6th-Edition-January-2nd-2017.pdf

Posted in Bexley, Crossness, Crossness Nature Reserve, Danson Park, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Recording, River Cray, River Shuttle, Thames Road Wetland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Updated ‘PROVISIONAL CHECKLIST AND ACCOUNT OF THE MAMMALS OF THE LONDON BOROUGH OF BEXLEY’ (Edition 4) published

Posted on 01/01/2017 by Chris Rose

The guide to the mammals of Bexley, compiled by Chris Rose with contributions from a number of local wildlife observers,  has been significantly updated to include a number of new Hedgehog records, additional information about Harvest Mice in the Borough, details of the credible sightings of Reeves’ Muntjac Deer in the Sidcup area, links to further reference material and more mammal photographs taken in the area. 

There are 30 species of ‘wild’ mammal (including humans!) considered resident in the Borough. Details of others that may be present or that are known to have become extinct during the 20th century, are also provided.  

Comprising an illustrated cover and 26 pages of text, it can be read online below, or downloaded as a pdf file.

http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/PROVISIONAL-CHECKLIST-AND-ACCOUNT-OF-THE-MAMMALS-OF-THE-LONDON-BOROUGH-OF-BEXLEY.pdf

Posted in Bexley, Extinction, Harvest Mouse, Hedgehog, Lesnes Abbey Woods, London Wildlife Trust, Mammals, Recording, Weasel | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Friends of the Shuttle events Jan-March 2017

Posted on 21/12/2016 by Chris Rose

Advance notice of Friends of the Shuttle events on the River Shuttle, at Danson Park, and in Danson Park Old English Garden (which the group helps maintain).  The River Shuttle meeting time is 10.30, that for the OEG is 10.00. Shuttle meeting points will depend on an assessment nearer the relevant dates as to which stretches need attention. Meet at the garden for OEG work. Ffi: “Friends of the Shuttle” <friends.of.the.shuttle@gmail.com>  See also: 

http://www.friendsoftheshuttle.org/

https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheShuttle 

https://www.facebook.com/DansonParkOldEnglishGarden/

12th January River Shuttle (location tbc)

OEG

 JS

NB
19th January OEG TB
Saturday 21st January OEG TB/JS
26th January River Shuttle (location tbc)

OEG

 JS

NB
2nd February OEG TB
9th February River Shuttle (location tbc)

OEG

 JS

NB
16th February OEG TB
Saturday 18th February OEG JS/TB
23rd February River Shuttle (location tbc)

OEG

 JS

NB
2nd March OEG TB
9th March River Shuttle (location tbc)

OEG

 JS

NB
16th March OEG TB
Saturday 18th March OEG TB/JS
23rd March River Shuttle (location tbc)

OEG

 JS

NB
30th March OEG TB
Posted in Danson Park, Friends of the Shuttle, River Shuttle, Rivers, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bexley RSPB members see Cattle Egret on Rainham visit

Posted on 18/12/2016 by Chris Rose

Having the Rainham RSPB reserve just over the water from Crayford Marshes increases the prospects of rarities turning up on our side of the river. Bexley RSPB members visiting on December 17th were delighted they got to see a Cattle Egret, as well as a good number of Pintail, despite the foggy conditions which otherwise limited their sightings.

http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Bexley-RSPB-Group-Field-Outing-to-Rainham-Marshes-RSPB-Reserve-Saturday-December-17th-2016.pdf

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Bexley butterfly highlights of 2016

Posted on 16/12/2016 by Chris Rose

A round-up of key butterfly observations in the London Borough of Bexley during 2016

Principal contributors – Steve Carter, Joe Johnson, Mike Robinson, Chris Rose and Purnendu Roy.

Summary: As envisaged in the 2015 report, White Admiral was confirmed as a Bexley resident at two woodland locations during 2016, taking the Borough’s total of butterfly species to 29. Clouded Yellow was more numerous than usual with sightings of 12 individuals across 3 lower Cray catchment locations, Crossness and East Wickham Open Space. Marbled White was found at a new site, but there were no definitive signs that it was managing to establish a permanent foothold in Bexley this year. Brown Argus was seen at three new locations, Small Heath at two and Green Hairstreak at one. Small Tortoiseshell remained low in numbers and was mainly spotted at the usual relative hotspots out on the marshes. There were few Painted Lady reports and Small Copper was worryingly thin on the ground, reflecting what appears to be a national decline. On May 1st Joe Johnson launched the Bexley Butterfly and Moth Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/BexleyButterflyandMothGroup/ – and at 15/12/16 this had 53 likes and 50 followers.

White Admiral (Limenitis camilla).  Tantalising records from last year strongly suggested that this species occurred in Bexley, but observers had not been sure that they had seen it within the Borough’s boundary. It is very uncommon in London, with reports from only 3 sites to as recently as 2015.

Steve Carter saw a White Admiral in Joydens Wood on July 18th 2016 and reported it on the ‘Bexley Wildlife’ Facebook page. When quizzed he gave an approximate grid reference which appeared to put him on the main path heading south-east from the Keeper’s Cottage, and was within Bexley. Armed with this information, Bexley Butterfly and Moth Group’s Joe Johnson, Mike Robinson and Chris Rose went in search of further sightings in this area on July 23rd. In the meantime, Mike had photographed one at the Parsonage Lane end of the wood on July 21st, believing that this too was inside the Bexley boundary.

The weather was somewhat changeable, with periods of no sun, then butterflies taking to the air as soon as it came out again. But we were in luck, seeing a White Admiral in the first area of young coppice by the side of the aforementioned path that we came to, well within the Bexley boundary.

White Admiral, Joydens Wood, 21st July 2016. (Photo: Mike Robinson)

White Admiral, Joydens Wood, 21st July 2016. (Photo: Mike Robinson)

During the late afternoon of the 23rd, Chris Rose (now solo) saw another along the ride that continues beyond the end of Parsonage Lane, which is pretty much on the Bexley/Kent border. He then found two more White Admirals in clearings in Gatton’s Plantation, which is wholly within Bexley. These latter sightings indicate that the 2003 record of the species made at the Plantation by top botanist Mark Spencer, but which the London biodiversity records centre (GiGL) has classed as ‘unverified’ was probably, in fact, correct.   

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia). This species has only been recorded from a handful of sites in London, and was confirmed as resident in Bexley in 2015. On July 23rd 2016 Joe Johnson, Mike Robinson and Chris Rose visited Joydens Wood and saw a few of these insects in coppiced areas along the main path heading south-east from the Keeper’s Cottage, within the Bexley boundary. Chris Rose also saw one later that day along the ride that continues beyond the end of Parsonage Lane, which is essentially on the Bexley/Kent border.  

Silver-washed Fritillary on Hogweed in the Bexley part of Joydens Wood, 23rd July 2016. (Photo: Mike Robinson)

Silver-washed Fritillary on Hogweed in the Bexley part of Joydens Wood, 23rd July 2016. (Photo: Mike Robinson)

Mike also discovered the species in Gatton’s Plantation, which is next to Joydens Wood, and wholly within Bexley, on August 16th.

Image may contain: plant, flower, outdoor and nature

A rather worn Silver-washed Fritillary pictured at Gatton’s Plantation 16th August 2016.  (Photo: Mike Robinson)

Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea). This migrant species is only very occasionally seen in Bexley, so twelve in one year is somewhat exceptional. As usual, sightings were predominantly from our ‘coastal’ areas. Purnendu Roy saw and photographed one at East Wickham Open Space on August 11th. Mike Robinson saw one at Crossness on August 17th and two there on the 24th. Steve Carter then reported seeing six at Crayford Marshes on August 26th. Chris Rose found one on the derelict former Electrobase industrial site in Crayford town centre, next to Roman Way, on September 11th  and saw another on September 14th Sept at the south end of By-way105 by the River Cray near Maiden Lane. What was at the time thought to have been a distant Jersey Tiger at Thames Road Wetland, may in retrospect have also been a Clouded Yellow, given the understanding of apparent colour and flight characteristics developed out of later sightings. 

Image may contain: plant, flower, nature and outdoor

Clouded Yellow at East Wickham Open Space, 11th August 2016 (Photo: Purnendu Roy)

Marbled White (Melanargia galathea). With two sightings in Bexley in 2015, records from both Bromley and Greenwich between 2012 and 2015, Ladywell Cemetery in Lewisham in 2015 and LNHS 2014 butterfly count data for London giving the highest Marbled White figures since reliable information for the species first became available in 1997, there were hopes that the species might be on the verge of ‘doing a Ringlet’ and begin to spread quickly across the Borough. There was only one confirmed record, however, with Mike Robinson getting a photo of a single specimen at Upper College Farm, a new site record, on 17th July 2016. Shaun Marriott, Site Manager at London Wildlife Trust’s Braeburn Park reserve in Crayford said in July that he had been told that the species had been seen there, but we have not been able to verify this to date. 

Image may contain: plant, flower, nature and outdoor

Marbled White at Upper College Farm, July 17th 2016. (Photo: Mike Robinson)

Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus). The rise of the Ringlet in Bexley appears to have begun around 2011/2012. It has since colonised the many suitable sites that have been studied. The only noteworthy new record was of 32 individuals seen flying in a small part of Braeburn Park on July 10th by Chris Rose.

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus). This small, pale butterfly is a Biodiversity Action Plan species for research due to an apparent decline, including due to loss of habitat. Mike Robinson confirmed and photographed it at Upper College Farm on May 26th, when it transpired that Ian Stewart had first seen it there about 3 years ago but had not submitted the record to GiGL. 

smallheaththoneuppercollagefarm26may2016resized50pct

Small Heath at Upper College Farm on 26th May 2016.  (Photo: Mike Robinson)

Chris Rose saw and netted a single specimen on a dry grassy bank at Thames Road Wetland on June 6th, and was able to make doubly sure of the ID before release. He also saw a few flying a Braeburn Park on July 10th. These were both new site records. The species has previously been recorded over on Crayford Marshes, so the Wetland insect may well have been a lone wanderer or wind-blown individual. According to GiGL data it has also been seen over the railway line from Braeburn at Crayford Rough, but not since 2007. Mike Robinson actively looked for the species at East Wickham Open Space on June 6th, but couldn’t find any.

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae). Numbers of this once frequent species remain severely depressed, with records continuing to come mainly from locations nearer to the Thames. Mike Robinson has submitted the most sightings. He saw his first for the year on 28th January in the gardens at Hall Place. The most he saw on any one day during 2016 was seven on 19th April at Crossness (this compares to his highest figure for 2015 of thirteen on 3rd July, again at Crossness). Others were beside a Public Footpath off Church Manorway, beside the Thames Path in both the Belvedere and Erith areas, at Crayford Marshes, Crayford Rough, East Wickham Open Space, the Hall Place flood overspill area, Hollyhill Open Space, Lesnes Abbey park/Woods and beside the Upper Bedon Stream (Streamway). He has commented that he probably saw around half the number of individuals he witnessed in 2015. Steve Carter saw one at Crossness 17th August and two on Crayford Marshes on 26th August. Amongst others, Chris Rose saw one each on 10th July and 16th August at Braeburn Park.

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui). Another poor year for this migrant from Africa. On 5th June Chris Rose saw one in a garden part way down Midhurst Hill, Bexleyheath, feeding on Red Valerian, and a second on Bramble flowers at Parish Wood Park.  Also on 5th June Mike Robinson saw two at Lesnes Abbey park/Woods, plus one in the East Wickham Open Space on 6th June, one on 26th June beside a public footpath off Church Manorway and one on Crayford Marshes on the same day. In general terms Mike reckoned he probably saw less than half as many as he had done in 2015. Other records included Thames Road Wetland on 29th July (Chris Rose), 10th August and 12th September at Crossness Nature Reserve (Steve Carter), 14th August at Lesnes Abbey (Mike Robinson), 16th August at Braeburn Park and a pristine individual on 29th August at Grasmere Road allotment site (Chris Rose), and Crayford Marshes on 26th August (Steve Carter) – all of which were singletons.

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Painted Lady at Lesnes Abbey, 14th August 2016. (Photo: Mike Robinson)

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi).

Two sightings of the species by Chris Rose at Thames Road Wetland on the 20th and 21st of May constituted a new site record, some distance from other known locations in the Borough. 

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Green Hairstreak, Erith Southern Marsh. May 13th 2016. (Photo: Mike Robinson)

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas). Very few reported sightings, all singles. These were 4th June at Hollyhill (Mike Robinson),  Braeburn Park on 10th July (Peter Beckenham), one beside the Upper Bedon Stream (Streamway) on 14th July (Mike Robinson), in a glade at Martens Grove on 11th September and another at Grasmere Road allotment site on 13th September (Chris Rose).  Finally, one was seen and photographed by Mike Robinson at the closed Thamesview Golf Course on 15th September, who has commented that this species was “Massively down on 2015”.

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Small Copper, Thamesview Golf Course. 15th September 2016.  (Photo: Mike Robinson)

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis).  There were new site records from the small area of land between Gascoyne Drive and Thames Road (adjacent to Perry Street Farm) where there was perhaps only one individual, at Grasmere Road Allotment site and at Thames Road Wetland, all discovered by Chris Rose.

This report has been sent to the London Natural History Society butterfly recorder for its 2017 journal, which will contain the 2016 transect count and species status reports and be published in early 2018.

Report compiled by Chris Rose.

Posted in Bexley, Butterflies, Crayford, Crayford Marshes, Crayford Rough, Crossness, Crossness Nature Reserve, East Wickham Open Space, Erith Marshes, Hall Place, Hollyhill open space, Invertebrates, Joydens Wood, Lesnes Abbey Woods, London Wildlife Trust, Martens Grove, Parish Wood Park, Recording, River Cray, Thames Road Wetland, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bexley RSPB Foots Cray Meadows 6th December bird walk – report

Posted on 08/12/2016 by Chris Rose

Ralph and Brenda Todd report on the 6th December Bexley RSPB bird walk at Foots Cray Meadows, which attracted several members new to the group’s outdoor meetings. 28 species were seen including Little Egret, Kingfisher and Gadwall. 

http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/RSPB-Bexley-Group-Walk-Foots-Cray-Meadows-December-2016.pdf

Posted in Bird watching, Foots Cray Meadows, River Cray, RSPB, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

London Assembly green spaces investigation – comments sought, London Green Spaces Friends Group Network submission

Posted on 01/12/2016 by Chris Rose

The London Green Spaces Friends Groups Network

http://e-voice.org.uk/london-friends-network/

The Future of London’s Green Spaces:

London Assembly Investigation / Inquiry now underway. Evidence and recommendations requested.

Our much-loved parks and green spaces – around 3,000 throughout London – are recognised by all to be essential public resources providing an unparalleled range of vital services and facilities for all sections of our communities, and for nature. But their future is under threat due to Government cuts to local public services. This serious underfunding crisis needs to be addressed and reversed immediately.

The London Assembly has agreed to hold a formal Investigation /Inquiry into this crisis engulfing London’s public parks and green spaces, and what needs to be done. Full details here.

https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london-assembly/london-assemblys-current-investigations/green-spaces

All those who are concerned on this issue and wish to respond with evidence on the state of London’s green spaces and their views on what should be done to protect, enhance and improve them for current and future generations are urged to respond – initial deadline Friday 9th December (but responses will be accepted after that date).

Our initial draft response, which others are welcome to endorse or adapt, is set out in full below. E-mail submissions should be made to:

<mailto:environmentcommittee@london.gov.uk>environmentcommittee@london.gov.uk

In summary, the Friends group Network is saying that our public green spaces need:

– statutory recognition as a statutory service, with all public green spaces expected to be managed to Green Flag Award standard

– adequate public funding (eg from general taxation or majorinfrastructure budgets)

– effective protection by all tiers of Government

Dave Morris – for the London Green Spaces Friends Groups Network

 

http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/London-Green-Spaces-Friends-Group-Network-response-GLA-Londons-Parks-Investigation-Nov-Dec-2016.pdf

 

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