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London Wildlife Trust

5 stories · 3 councils

Councils are focusing on biodiversity strategies, site protection, and managing development pressures on London's wild spaces.

Councils are advancing strategies for protecting wildlife and wild spaces in London. Barking and Dagenham Council approved an interim biodiversity duty statement in March 2026, aligning with the London Local Nature Recovery Strategy. This statement details six objectives for conserving and enhancing biodiversity, including creating larger habitats and boosting wildlife populations.

Specific sites are also a focus, with Barnet Council intensifying efforts against fly-tipping near Welsh Harp Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in November 2025. The council also allocated over £220,000 for ecological improvements and mitigation works at the Welsh Harp SSSI, scheduled from August 2025.

Barnet Council also announced plans in November 2025 for a new basketball court at West Hendon Playing Fields, near the Welsh Harp SSSI, with the local planning authority ensuring compliance with SSSI policies. Separately, Kingston upon Thames' Place Committee discussed the future of the ecologically important Seething Wells Filter Beds in September 2025, which faces development pressure.

Key facts

  1. Barking and Dagenham Council approved an interim biodiversity duty statement in March 2026. Source
  2. Barnet Council intensified efforts against fly-tipping near Welsh Harp Reservoir in November 2025. Source
  3. Kingston upon Thames' Place Committee discussed the future of Seething Wells Filter Beds in September 2025. Source
  4. Barnet Council allocated £220,531.05 for Welsh Harp SSSI improvements in July 2025. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Biodiversity duty statement approved Barking and Dagenham Council has approved an interim biodiversity duty statement, outlining the council's commitment to conserving and enhancing biodiversity across the borough.... Barking and Dagenham 26 March 2026
  2. Barnet Council Intensifies Efforts to Combat Fly-Tipping and Environmental Issues Near Welsh Harp Reservoir Barnet Council is intensifying its efforts to combat persistent fly-tipping issues near the Welsh Harp Reservoir, particularly at Priestly Way. The commitment was highlighted... Brent 28 November 2025
  3. West Hendon Playing Fields to Get New Basketball Court and Other Upgrades Barnet Council has announced plans to install a new 3x3 basketball court at West Hendon Playing Fields as part of a phased improvement project. Brent 28 November 2025
  4. Seething Wells Future Uncertain Amid Development Pressure Kingston upon Thames faces an uncertain future for its historic Seething Wells Filter Beds, as development pressures mount on the privately-owned site. The landowners are... Kingston upon Thames 22 September 2025
  5. Welsh Harp SSSI to Benefit from £220k Boost for Ecological Improvements and Public Access Barnet Council has allocated £220,531.05 for improvements and mitigation works to the Welsh Harp Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The funding, derived from a s106... Brent 25 July 2025