Biodiversity

Local Habitat and Species Action Plans

Promote and increase the profile of wildlife gardening
Promote allotment management is carried out with due regard to biodiversity principles

Gardens and allotments were chosen as an action plan as they represent what people the local community can easily do themselves at home or by supporting the boroughs allotment societies
All gardens and allotments have the potential to be informal nature reserves, however small. The planting of nectar rich plants, creation of loggeries, and other initiatives can play a significant role in supporting and enhancing local biodiversity

The management of private gardens are left to the discretion of local residents, although there is some control over the state of Housing tenant gardens
Allotments on the other hand have considerable protection in law. Our Unitary Development Plan Policy G70 protects allotments in use from development. They are also protected by legislation such as The Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 and The Allotments Act, 1925 and The Land Settlement (Facilities) Act 1919. In addition, in 1988 the government introduced the requirement for local authorities to obtain consent from the Secretary of State for making alternative uses of allotment land
There are a number of allotment sites across the borough, some parts of which have become redundant and are therefore of biodiversity value. Grassland is left uncut and brambles and other native shrubs are left, which encourage a number of birds, insects to feed and breed on site

Concreting front gardens for parking, the use of pesticides and fertilisers coupled and the perception that wildlife-friendly gardening is difficult and involves extra cost and effort
The disuse of allotments can often lead to the areas being altered for other uses, such as development. It therefore is important to promote and encourage their upkeep, whilst allowing some parts to be managed more for their nature conservation interest

The government introduced 'Growing in the Community' a good practice guide for the management of allotments in June 2001
The London Wildlife Trust undertook a London-wide Wildlife Garden Survey in 2003. They have also produced a wildlife gardening pack
English Nature has produced a series of wildlife gardening packs and leaflets and is strongly promoting education and awareness
We have allotment societies, which work towards the maintenance of out allotment sites. These include the Barking Allotments Society, East Barking Allotment and Horticultural Society, Exeter Road Allotment Exeter Road Allotment Association, Exeter Road Allotment Association and Gale Street Organic
Wildlife gardening is being actively promoted in the borough. Stalls and information on wildlife gardening were set up at the borough's Town Show in June 2004. In addition, bat and bird boxes and a variety of wildlife gardening seeds were handed out to the community during the London Sustainability Weeks

Ranger Services

The Millennium Centre

The Chase

Dagenham Road

Rush Green

Romford

RM7 0SS

Tel: 020 8595 4155

Fax: 020 8984 9488

General parks enquiries: