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Sign the petition for promised Beddington Farmlands nature reserve "the Council should now seek to discharge the relevant conditions without delay" Local Government Ombudsman, 2015 Beddington Farmlands nature reserve was once a jewel in London's ecological crown. Its wildlife is now in shocking decline. The latest Breeding Birds survey shows eight species now extinct, failed or in drastic decline. The iconic tree sparrow has collapsed from a thousand birds to a single breeding pair in just a decade. The reserve is now the site of a major new incinerator being developed by Viridor, who promised to restore the surrounding area and set targets for increasing key wildlife. A comprehensive management plan was drawn up to deliver an abundant nature reserve for local people. Planning permission for the incinerator was given by Sutton Council in 2013 conditional on this management plan being delivered. The reality is very different. The incinerator is almost finished but the restoration plans have fallen way behind. Wildlife has collapsed and there is next to no public access to enjoy this vast area of open space at the heart of the Wandle Valley Regional Park. We call on Sutton Council to put an end to the delay. It is time to enforce the planning conditions and require Viridor to restore the site and deliver the nature reserve it promised. Please sign the petition for Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council to take action to enforce the planning conditions and deliver the promised Beddington Farmlands nature reserve. 
Hackbridge bridges - Network Rail has demolished the Irrigation and 100 Acre bridges. This is despite over 1000 people signing our petition to save them.
We are determined to make sure this is only a setback for the ambitions to create a new Wandle Metropolitan Park stretching from Beddington Park to Mitcham. This vast area of open space - more than three times the size of Hyde Park - has never been coherently managed and much remains off limits. If the loss of the bridges can have a silver lining it is to reignite the momentum to deliver a new open space for London. The first green shoots are visible. Over 500 supported our petition for Sutton Council to back a replacement bridge. Sutton Council has said that "now is the time for action" and Sutton Council Leader Ruth Dombey has told Wandle Valley Forum that she is "glad to work together to find ways of providing pedestrian access. Important for the future of the park." Following a debate on the petition Sutton Council has agreed to work with us and local groups to find a way forward. As a first step one thing is certain - any sensible plans for future public access are going to need better access over the railway. Sutton Council is already building a new school right next to where a bridge will be needed. A next step is to include an enabling policy in the new Sutton Local Plan. Watch the destruction of the Hackbridge bridges in the short video below.
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Wandle Valley ForumWandle Valley Forum provides support and an independent voice for over 120 community groups & voluntary organisations and for everyone who shares a passion for the Wandle. Our campaigning was instrumental in establishing the Wandle Valley Regional Park and we are integral to its future development. Support us by offering your time or giving a donation.
Our priorities are set out in the Wandle Valley Forum Charter. Latest Wandle Bulletin
Wandle Valley Forum Charter
The Wandle Valley Forum Charter was launched in April 2016. The Charter is grounded in the views of community groups, voluntary organisations and local businesses that support Wandle Valley Forum. The Charter:
Have a look at the Wandle Valley Forum Charter here. Download and print the Wandle Valley Forum Charter here. | ||