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Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation

in Barking and Dagenham

December 2004

Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation in Barking and Dagenham

This is a list of sites identified as being of importance for nature conservation under the procedures detailed in Policy, criteria and procedures for identifying nature conservation sites in London, adopted by the Mayor of London in his Biodiversity Strategy as the basis for such work in London. The list has been produced jointly by the Greater London Authority’s Biodiversity Strategy team and officers of Barking and Dagenham Council, and will constitute the recommended sites to be protected for nature conservation in the review of Barking and Dagenham’s UDP. It is based on a survey commissioned by the Greater London Authority in 2002 and updates the list of sites in the London Ecology Unit’s handbook Nature Conservation in Barking and Dagenham of 1992.

This is the final version of the report. Wide consultation was undertaken earlier drafts during 20023. Consultees include Councillors and officers of the Borough, adjacent borough planning departments, statutory and voluntary environmental agencies, local amenity societies, local naturalists and the landowners of sites listed in the schedule (where known).

The different grades of site

Sites of Metropolitan Importance Sites of Metropolitan Importance for nature conservation are those sites which contain the best examples of London’s habitats, sites which contain particularly rare species, rare assemblages of species or important populations of species, or sites which are of particular significance within otherwise heavily built-up areas of London. They are of the highest priority for protection. The identification and protection of Metropolitan Sites is necessary, not only to support a significant proportion of London’s wildlife, but also to provide opportunities for people to have contact with the natural environment. The boundaries of the Metropolitan Sites in this report were endorsed by the Mayor of London on 25 November 2002.

Sites of Borough Importance These are sites which are important on a borough perspective in the same way as the Metropolitan sites are important to the whole of London. Although sites of similar quality may be found elsewhere in London, damage to these would mean a significant loss to the borough. As with Metropolitan sites, while protection is important, management of borough sites should usually allow and encourage their enjoyment by people and their use for education. Since 1988 Borough sites have been divided, on the basis of their quality, into two grades, but it must be stressed that they are all important on a borough-wide view.

Sites of Local Importance A Site of Local importance is one which is, or may be, of particular value to people nearby (such as residents or schools). These sites may already be used for nature study or be run by management committees mainly composed of local people. These sites also deserve protection in planning.

Local Sites are particularly important in areas otherwise deficient in nearby wildlife sites. To aid the choice of these further local sites, Areas of Deficiency are identified. Areas of Deficiency are defined as built-up areas more than one kilometre from an accessible Metropolitan or Borough Site. Further Local Sites are chosen as the best available to alleviate this deficiency; such sites need not lie in the Area of Deficiency, but should be as near to it as possible. Where no such sites are available, opportunities should be taken to provide them by habitat enhancement or creation, by negotiating access and management agreements, or by direct acquisition.

Copyright Greater London Authority/London Borough of Barking and Dagenham October 2003

Sites of Metropolitan Importance M031 River Thames and tidal tributaries M089 The Ripple Nature Reserve M090 The Chase Nature Reserve and Eastbrookend Country Park

Sites of Borough Importance, Grade I B&DBI0 1

River Roding in Barking

B&DBI0 2

Furze House Farm

B&DBI0 3

Dagenham Breach and the lower Beam River

B&DBI0 4

Beam Valley South and the Wantz Stream

B&DBI0 5

Mid-Beam Valley and Dagenham East Lake

[B&DBI 06

Eastbrookend Country Park now included in M090]

B&DBI0 7

Goresbrook and the Ship & Shovel Sewer

B&DBI0 8

Marks Hedge and Hainault Road Allotments Wood

Sites of Borough Importance, Grade II B&DBII0 1

Barking Park and Loxford Water

B&DBII0 2

Mayesbrook and associated watercourses

B&DBII03 Mayesbrook Park Lakes B&DBII0 4

Parsloes Park

[B&DBII 05

Lymington Field zoned for housing so deleted as a SINC]

B&DBII0 6

White’s Farm

[B&DBII 07

Goresbrook now included in B&DBI07]

[B&DBII 08

Whalebone Lane Hedge now included in B&DBI08]

B&DBII0 9

Wantz Lake and Crowlands Golf Course

B&DBII1 0

Scratton’s Farm Ecopark

B&DBII1 1

Romford Line railsides

Sites of Local Importance [B&DL0 Lady Trower Trust Playing Fields now entirely in Newham]


1 B&DL02 Barking Abbey Ruins and St Margaret’s Churchyard B&DL03 Gascoigne Road Pumping Station Rough B&DL04 St Chad’s Park B&DL05 Valence House Gardens [B&DL0 6

Morrison Road Rough now upgraded to B&DBII10]

B&DL07 Pondsfield Park and adjacent railside B&DL08 St Peter’s and St Paul’s Churchyard, Dagenham B&DL09 Wellgate Community Farm B&DL10 Thameside Park City Farm


Site of Importance for Nature Conservation

M031 The River Thames and tidal tributaries

Grid ref: TQ 167 754 Area (ha): 2295 Borough(s): Richmond, Hounslow, Hammersmith, Kensington, Westminster,

City, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Barking, Havering, Bexley,

Site first notified: 01/04/1986 Boundary last changed:01/09/2002

Citation last edited: 17/03/2003

Habitat: Running water (fresh and brackish), intertidal mud and shingle, saltmarsh, reed beds, woodland, grassland, vegetated walls

The River Thames and the tidal sections of creeks and rivers which flow into it comprise a number of valuable habitats not found elsewhere in London. The mud-flats, shingle beach, inter-tidal vegetation, islands and river channel itself support many species from freshwater, estuarine and marine communities which are rare in London. The site is of particular importance for wildfowl and wading birds. The river walls, particularly in south and east London, also provide important feeding areas for the nationally rare and specially-protected black redstart. The Thames is extremely important for fish, with over 100 species now present. Many of the tidal creeks are important fish nurseries, including for several species of commercial importance. Barking Creek supports extensive reed beds. Further downstream are small areas of saltmarsh, a very rare habitat in London, where there is a small population of the nationally scarce marsh sow-thistle (Sonchus palustris). The numerous small islands in the upper reaches support important invertebrate communities, including several nationally rare snails, as well as a number of heronries. Chiswick Eyot, one of the islands, is a Local Nature Reserve. The towpath in the upper reaches is included in the site, and in places supports a diverse flora with numerous London rarities, both native and exotic.

In Barking & Dagenham, the mudflats of Barking Reach are very important for wintering waterfowl and waders. Over 100 teal, 150 shelduck and 300 dunlin regularly winter here. A small area of saltmarsh at Barking Reach, supports plants such as English scurvygrass (Cochlearia anglica), sea milkwort (Glaux maritima), lesser seaspurrey (Spergularia marina) and glasswort (Salicornia sp.), all very rare in London. The sea wall supports further scarce plants, including sea couch (Elymus pycnanthus) and deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). Large numbers of cormorants feed in the mouth of Barking Creek. The reed beds of Barking Creek support uncommon invertebrates. Also included in the site is an area of calcareous grassland beside Barking Creek flood barrier. Plants found here, rare in this part of London, include marjoram (Origanum vulgare), eyebright (Euphrasia sp.), viper’s


bugloss (Echium vulgare), field madder (Sherardia arvensis), upright brome (Bromus erectus), salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor) and grass vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia).



M089 The Ripple Nature Reserve

Grid ref: TQ 466 822 Area (ha): 8.3 Borough(s): Barking & Dagenham



Habitat: Neutral grassland, ditches, secondary woodland, reedbed, wasteland

An area of Thames-side ex-industrial land, now supporting a mosaic of important habitats developed over former fly ash lagoons. Much of the site is open, consisting of early successional habitats, damp neutral and some drier, calcareous grassland, with drainage ditches and areas of scrub and young birch (Betula sp.) woodland. Locally rare and uncommon plants include yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata), fenugreek (Trifolium ornithopodioides), vervain (Verbena officinalis), cotton thistle (Onopordum acanthium) and the nationally scarce yellow vetchling (Lathyrus aphaca) on drier grassland, with saltmarsh rush (Juncus gerardii), wood small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos), sea club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus) and grey club-rush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani) in wetland habitats. A number of orchid species include pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), and a mixed colony of common spotted and southern marsh-orchids (Dactylorhiza fuchsii, D. praetermissa) and their hybrids.

The invertebrate fauna is also important and includes many nationally rare and scarce species, such as the scarce emerald damselfly (Lestes dryas). The Thames Terrace hymenopteran assemblage is particularly well-represented. The breeding avifauna is diverse and includes song thrush and linnet, both UK BAP priority species. Mammals include weasel and a population of the declining harvest mouse. Reptiles and amphibians include smooth newt, grass snake and slow-worm.



M090 The Chase and Eastbrookend Country Park

Grid ref: TQ 512 863 Area (ha): 147.1 Borough(s): Barking & Dagenham, Havering



Habitat: Neutral and acid grassland, scrub, secondary woodland, river, wetlands

A large area of former gravel workings beside the River Rom, comprising a mosaic of grazed wetland and terrestrial habitats. The country park was restored later than the Chase, although the two sites are complementary in terms of their habitat diversity.

Shallow pools support a rich aquatic vegetation, including the London rarities sea club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritima), lesser reedmace (Typha angustifolia) and common and thread-leaved water-crowfoots (Ranunculus aquatilis, R. trichophyllus), and attract numerous waterfowl and waders. The dry acid grassland supports one of London's few populations of spiny restharrow (Ononis spinosa), while other uncommon species include sand spurrey (Spergularia rubra) and hare's-foot clover (Trifolium arvense).

Lapwing, little ringed plover, little grebe, yellowhammer and skylark all breed. Blocks of scrub and secondary woodland add further habitat diversity. Beds of reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima) and tall herbaceous vegetation beside the river attract breeding warblers and water rail. Birds wintering here include snipe, teal and many others. The site is also regularly visited by a long list of passage species, some nationally rare. Several mature black poplars (Populus nigra ssp. betulifolia) grow near the river, at one of the very few native London sites for this nationally declining tree (a UK and London BAP priority species). Mammals include the declining harvest mouse and the specially-protected water vole.

There is a visitor centre and the site attracts many visitors for education and informal recreation. The Chase is a Local Nature Reserve managed by the London Wildlife Trust.



B&DBI01 River Roding in Barking

Grid ref: TQ 437 842 Area (ha): 6 Borough(s): Barking & Dagenham



Habitat: River, reed bed, rough grassland

The river in this section is semi-tidal, with considerable areas of exposed mud at low tide. The river supports a good diversity of fish, including eel, stickleback, pike and flounder. Narrow fringes of reeds occur in places, supporting nesting reed warblers. Other birds present include the specially-protected kingfisher, and small numbers of migrant ducks and waders. Other water's edge vegetation includes sea aster (Aster tripolium), wild celery (Apium graveolens), water dock (Rumex hydrolapathum) and hemlock water dropwort (Oenanthe crocata), all rather scarce in London. The water treatment works has been removed from the 1992 site.



B&DBI02 Furze House Farm




Habitat: Arable, hedges

The only substantial area of productive farmland in Barking and Dagenham, this represents a relic of a landscape which would have covered most of the borough in the past. The hedgerows are somewhat patchy but contain a good range of shrubs, and narrow grassy strips support locally scarce plants such as chicory (Cichorium intybus), burnet saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga) and agrimony (Agrimonia eupatorium). Breeding birds include yellowhammer, linnet and yellow wagtail, all species of conservation concern, while flocks of golden plovers occur regularly in winter.



B&DBI03 Dagenham Breach and the lower Beam River in Dagenham




Habitat: Lake, river, reed bed, tall herbs, scrub, rough grassland

Dagenham Breach is a lake created by storm flooding from the River Thames in the early 18th century. Its margins contain a fringe of common reed (Phragmites australis) and great reedmace (Typha latifolia). This is widest at the south-western end. Other wetland plants growing among the reeds include sea club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus), false fox-sedge (Carex otrubae), lesser reedmace (Typha angustifolia) and common club-rush (Scoenoplectus lacustris), all rather scarce in London. The lake supports several species of common dragonflies. It also holds a good population of fish, including eels, carp, tench and roach, and is popular with anglers. Breeding birds include reed warbler, great crested grebe, mute swan and possibly kingfisher, while wintering waterfowl include substantial numbers of tufted duck and pochard and smaller numbers of shoveler.

The Beam River runs through the Ford Works between strips of amenity grassland until the southernmost 500 metres of the site, where it is fringed by reed beds, tall herbs, rough grassland and scattered scrub. Stonechat and black redstart have bred in this area.

Public access is restricted to a footpath along parts of the northern edge of the lake.



B&DBI04 Beam Valley South in Dagenham and the Wantz Stream




Habitat: Rivers, wetlands, acid and neutral grassland, scrub

A substantial expanse of open land, extending over the borough boundary into Havering, in the valleys of the Beam River and Wantz Stream. The Beam has rather steep sides, and thus supports little marginal vegetation, but the Wantz has more natural banks and supports good growths of watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquatica) and fool's watercress (Apium nodiflorum). Ditches, hollows and other wet areas support a wide variety of wetland plants including lesser reedmace (Typha angustifolia), celery-leaved buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus), reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima), yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus), marsh foxtail (Alopecurus geniculatus), common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and trifid bur-marigold (Bidens tripartitus). Snipe are frequent visitors on passage and in winter, and the area is important for amphibians, including the specially protected crested newt.

Large areas of drier grassland (some of it acidic) with scattered hawthorn scrub support breeding skylark, linnet (both UK BAP priority species) and meadow pipit, while tree sparrows are frequent in winter.

There is free public access to most of the site.



B&DBI05 Mid Beam Valley in Dagenham and Dagenham East Lake




Habitat: River, lake, grassland, scrub, wet woodland, wasteland

A section of the Beam Valley with extensive open spaces extending across the borough boundary into Havering, and with a good suite of high quality habitats. The river in some stretches has dense marginal vegetation, dominated by branched bur-reed (Sparganium erectum) with smaller amounts of water figwort (Scrophularia auriculata) and fool's watercress (Apium nodiflorum), and submerged vegetation includes curled and broad-leaved pondweeds (Potamogeton crispus and P.natans). Kingfishers are seen regularly, and reed warblers and reed buntings breed.

The flood plain has been partly worked for gravel, leaving a wide diversity of habitats, with wet and dry grassland, tall herbs and scrub, with one small area of willow woodland, a scarce habitat in London. There is also a sizeable lake, much used by anglers, which supports breeding great crested grebes and attracts tufted duck, pochard and shoveler in winter. A number of smaller pools support a diverse wetland flora, including marsh ragwort (Senecio aquaticus) at probably its only site in the borough.

Drier grassland and wasteland habitats support breeding skylarks and a wide variety of migrating birds, which seem to follow the open grassland of the Dagenham Corridor.

There is free public access to most of the site, which is very popular for informal recreation.



B&DBI07 Goresbrook and the Ship & Shovel Sewer




Habitat: River, ditches, associated wetland, tall herbs

The northern end of the Gores Brook begins life as a damp patch just north of the District Line. The area is planted with poplars and willows. It continues southwards through allotments and Goresbrook Park, then through more built surrounds. The banks of the brook, particularly through the park, have been planted with trees (e.g. willows, alder and hawthorn) over tall herbs, dominated by Indian balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) and semi-improved neutral grassland. A number of wetland plants occur in the stream itself, including fool’s watercress (Apium nodiflorum), branched bur-reed (Sparganium erectum), reed canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea), galingale (Cyperus longus), lesser pond-sedge (Carex acutiformis) and yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus).

South of the railway the Gores Brook widens and as a result is quite sluggish. Plants characteristic of brackish water make an appearance including dittander (Lepidium latifolium), sea aster (Aster tripolium) and sea club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus). Common reed (Phragmites australis) is abundant and branched bur-reed frequent. In the water itself is fennel-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) and ‘blanketweed.’ The brook splits into two forks, which rejoin just before entering the River Thames. Within this area an island of reeds has formed. At the northern end succession is beginning with the reed being joined by tall herbs.

The Ship & Shovel Sewer joins the Gores from the west just south of the railway. It has a very modest flow and has been counted as ‘standing water’ here. It is the richest ditch in the borough. Wetland plants include common reed, gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), common duckweed (Lemna minor), floating sweet-grass (Glyceria fluitans), reed sweet-grass, common club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris) and branched bur-reed. The western end of the Sewer has been planted with alder, willows and hawthorn over neutral grassland and tall herbs. Elsewhere naturally occurring scattered trees and scrub replace planted trees.

The brooks support a population of the specially protected water vole, a priority species in both UK and London BAPs, as well as interesting invertebrate


communities.



B&DBI08 Marks Hedge and Hainault Road Allotments Wood




Habitat: Ancient woodland, hedge

There are the remnants of the ancient ‘Marks Hedge’ (which once marked the perimeter of Hainault Forest and the Manor of Barking with the Liberty of Havering). This begins along the northern fringe of Warren Fields and can be extrapolated in a north-eastern direction into the allotment site. Here it widens to a small area of ancient woodland (the only ancient woodland in the borough) dominated by pedunculate oak with hornbeam, elm, hazel and hawthorn also present. The woodland area continues on the other side of the A12. A number of other trees and shrubs have found there way into the hedge/woodland indicating its great antiquity e.g. field maple, blackthorn, grey willow and goat willow. The hedge is accompanied by a ditch and earth-bank characteristic of Medieval Period. There are, however no signs of ancient woodland indicator species, though a spring survey could reveal a better ground flora.

The surrounding allotments were abandoned relatively recently and are not included in the site. They have nevertheless become surprisingly habitat diverse and species rich, with the relicts of its former cultivation growing together with a diversity of native shrubs, tall herbs and grasses, and complement the biodiversity interest of the woodland. This site includes the 1992 site B&DBII08.



B&DBII01 Barking Park and Loxford Water




Habitat: Stream, lake, parkland

Barking Park is a well-utilised recreation ground containing a lake, formal parkland with mature trees, and a section of the Loxford Water, a small stream. The Loxford Water, on the western edge of the park, forms the borough boundary with Redbridge. It has a few clumps of reed canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea), sea club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus) and branched bur-reed (Sparganium erectum) in the margins, and is bordered by a strip of rough grassland and tall herbs.

The lake has little or no aquatic vegetation, but its three islands provide nest sites for common waterfowl, including mallard, tufted duck, moorhen and coot. The mature trees and dense shrubberies in the park provide habitat for common birds, including the declining spotted flycatcher.



B&DBII02 Mayes Brook and associated watercourses




Habitat: River, ditches, associated wetlands, rough grassland

The brook runs alongside Mayesbrook Park (see B&DBII03) in a fenced-off strip of rough grassland, between sloping banks which are partly stone-clad and partly grassy. There is little aquatic vegetation except a few clumps of watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquatica) and reed canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea). There is a clear opportunity for enhancements to the watercourse in this section, which could considerably increase its nature conservation and amenity value.

Further south, the channel is similar, with narrow strips of fringing grassland and the same plant species. A flood relief channel supports more interesting wetland vegetation, including lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula), sea club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus) and rushes.

South of the A13, the brook flows in a two-stage channel, which allows for more riparian vegetation, with frequent sea club-rush. Kingfishers are often seen in this section. Several drainage ditches join the Mayes Brook in this southern section, the largest known as the Roundabout Sewer. This supports abundant vegetation, including several species which are scarce in London, such as horned pondweed (Zanichellia palustris), water dock (Rumex hydrolapathum) and galingale (Cyperus longus). The smaller ditches contain similarly diverse flora.

The brook and ditches support a population of the specially protected water vole.



B&DBII03 Mayesbrook Park Lakes




Habitat: Lakes, woodland

The southern part of Mayesbrook Park contains two very attractive lakes. Both have wooded islands which provide nest sites for common waterfowl, including mute swan and tufted duck. Larger numbers of waterfowl, including shoveler, are present in winter. Marginal vegetation is densest around the southern lake, and includes sea club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus), common club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris), false fox-sedge (Carex otrubae) and jointed rush (Juncus articulatus), all rather uncommon in London. The southern lake also supports abundant and diverse submerged vegetation, including lesser pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus), which is rare in London, as well as fennel and curled pondweeds (P.pectinatus and P.crispus) and rigid hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum). The park is well used for informal recreation.



B&DBII04 Parsloes Park




Habitat: Lake, woodland, acid and neutral grassland

Two parts of this large park are of particular interest for wildlife. The lake in the southwest corner of the park supports good numbers of common waterfowl, with tufted duck among the species nesting on the two wooded islands, and little grebe and shoveler regular in winter. Marginal vegetation is quite diverse, and includes sea club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus) and hemlock water-dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) as well as the commoner great reedmace (Typha latifolia), hard rush (Juncus inflexus) and gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus).

A little to the north of the lake is an area of rough grassland known as "The Squatts". Largely dominated by false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) and cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), the grassland contains typical meadow flowers including hairy tare (Vicia hirsuta) and meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis), as well as hemlock water-dropwort, more usually associated with watersides. A small area of acid grassland is dominated by bents and fescues, with early hair-grass (Aira praecox), uncommon in London, in places. Skylarks nest in The Squatts, and meadow pipits are frequent in winter.

The rest of the park consists of wide expanses of amenity grassland of limited value to wildlife. These are not included in the site. However, there is considerable potential for enhancement of the nature conservation value of these areas, particularly where some remnants of acid grassland survive.



B&DBII06 White's Farm




Habitat: Hedges, rough grassland, pond

This site consists of two fields, periodically grazed by horses, along with hedges and a pond. The fields contain moderately diverse grassland, with typical meadow flowers such as common knapweed (Centaurea nigra), meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) and black medick (Medicago lupulina) all frequent. Between the two fields is a hawthorn hedge which expands into a copse. An older hedge, marking the historic boundary of Hainault Forest, runs along the eastern edge of the site, and contains hawthorn, blackthorn, elm, elder and hazel. A pond at the southern edge of the site is fringed by reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima), great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) and yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus) and supports breeding moorhens. It may be of value to amphibians.



B&DBII09 Wantz Lake and Crowlands Golf Course




Habitat: Lake, stream, neutral grassland, scattered trees, scrub, hedge, tall herbs

Wantz Lake is artificially banked with very sparse vegetation growing in cracks within the concrete. Although the greater part of the lake’s surrounds are covered in amenity grassland there is an area of young trees, scrub (e.g. ash, hawthorn, alder and silver birch) and semi-improved neutral grassland, dominated by creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera) to the west. There are rows of hybrid black poplars at the northern and eastern boundary of the driving range area.

The triangle of land to the north (the pitch and putt area) is chiefly covered in amenity grassland but with a strip of neutral grassland with tall herbs at its western perimeter. There is an ancient hedge running north-south along the course of the Wantz Stream. This probably dates back to at least the 1300s. As a result a diversity of trees and shrubs occur e.g. hawthorn, elder, pedunculate oak, ash, silver birch, hazel, hornbeam and blackthorn.

The whole of this site is now used/managed by Crowlands Golf Course. The area surrounding the lake (and the lake itself) forms part of the driving range. This will probably discourage waterbirds from breeding there. The triangle of land to the north is used for pitch and putt.



B&DBII10 Scratton's Farm Ecopark




Habitat: Scattered trees, scrub, neutral grassland (semi-improved), tall herbs, ditches

This is a newly created wildlife site on land once occupied by old overgrown allotments. It makes use of previously existing vegetation and new planting/clearing.

Most of the area is covered in tall herb and scrub (elder) vegetation. The eastern and southern edges have been planted with trees and shrubs e.g. white willow, aspen and hazel. A large grassy plain has been created at the south-eastern end. Two damp ditches cross the area (N-S). The most easterly of these is clothed in common reed (Phragmites australis) and the other reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima). A ditch marks the southern boundary of the site. Most of this is too shaded to be vegetated, however at the extreme western end reed sweet-grass and great reedmace (Typha latifolia) are present in this still wet ditch.

The Council is currently considering expanding this site by adding further grassland to the west.



B&DBII11 Romford Line Railsides in Barking & Dagenham




Habitat: Woodland, scrub, rough grassland

The Liverpool Street to Shenfield line forms an important green corridor leading into London from the Havering countryside. Within Barking and Dagenham, the railsides are characterised by steep narrow cuttings either side of the broad unvegetated tracks. The northern bank is covered in a mosaic of bramble, false oat-grass dominated semi-improved neutral grassland with clumps of sycamore woodland.

To the south there are areas of similar inaccessible vegetation but intermingled with patches of bare artificial material. Network Rail take nature conservation into account in their management of railside vegetation, but the needs of safety and efficient operation of the railway must always be paramount.



B&DL02 Barking Abbey Ruins and St Margaret's Churchyard




Habitat: Vegetated walls, dry neutral grassland, scattered trees

This site provides valuable open space right in the heart of Barking town centre. The abbey ruins and adjacent churchyard support two plants known nowhere else in the borough: fern-grass (Catapodium rigidum), which is scarce in London, and pellitoryof-the-wall (Parietaria judaica), as well as thyme-leaved sandwort (Arenaria serpyllifolia). The amenity grassland in the churchyard and park to the north contains further unusual plants, including the nationally rare Bermuda-grass (Cynodon dactylon), and field madder (Sherardia arvensis) and dwarf mallow (Malva neglecta), both rare in the borough. There is free public access to the site, which is popular for informal recreation.



B&DL03 Gascoigne Road Pumping Station Rough




Habitat: Rough grassland, tall herbs, scattered scrub

A small area of "wasteland", a valuable habitat which is declining in London. The intricate mix of rough grassland, tall herbs and scrub provides habitat for a good diversity of birds and invertebrates.



B&DL04 St Chad's Park




Habitat: Parkland

An attractive formal park offering the best contact with nature for residents of Chadwell Heath, in the north of the Borough. The park contains a good number and range of mature trees, as well as hedges and shrubbery, which provide habitat for common birds. There is free public access to the park, which is well sued for informal recreation.



B&DL05 Valence House Gardens




Habitat: Ponds, parkland, herb garden

The former grounds of a moated manor house, this is now an attractive park, with most of the wildlife interest focussed close to the house and moat. Two sides of the moat now form a pond, with good marginal vegetation including yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus), false fox-sedge (Carex otrubae) and gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus). Mallards and coots nest on a small wooded island.

There are numerous mature trees around the house, including some fine old oaks and a small-leaved lime. An understorey of hazel and holly produces a woodland structure in places. A new feature of interest is a recently-restored herb garden.

There is free public access to the site, which is popular for informal recreation.



B&DL07 Pondsfield Park and adjacent railside




Habitat: Parkland, scrub, acid grassland

Pondsfield Park is a formal park providing vital green space for residents of the Becontree Estate. An adjacent area of land owned by Network Rail provides more natural habitats, including acid grassland and broom scrub, on the adjacent raisides. Public access to nature could be enhanced by habitat improvements in the park, and by allowing access to the railway land, which is separated from operational railside land by a fence. The adjacent Reede Road allotments have been removed from the site as they are zoned for housing development.


* Site of Importance for Nature Conservation

B&DL08 St Peter's and St Paul's Churchyard, Dagenham




Habitat: Vegetated walls, acid and neutral grassland, scattered trees

This site has the ambience of a country churchyard, despite its location among the housing estates of Dagenham. Several fine old ash trees to the north of the church provide shade where hartstongue fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium) thrives - this is a rare plant in the borough. Where the grass is cut short, sheep's sorrel (Rumex acetosella) indicates the acid soils beneath. Elsewhere, there is a mix of rough grassland and scrub, supporting a good range of common birds.

The site is managed as a nature reserve by the London Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Council. There is free public access.



B&DL09 Wellgate Community Farm




Habitat: scattered trees, planted shrubbery, native hedge, amenity grassland, tall herbs, standing water, horticultural areas

This is an environmental aware community farm with nest boxes in trees, hibernacula etc. It is a well-used resource for local schools both on site and as a result of outreach work. Additionally, after school and summer holiday activities regularly take place where training and volunteering opportunities are offered.

The farm is a relatively small area but includes a number of features. There is a small, created pond planted with native aquatics. Smooth newts have colonised the pond, and there have been reports of the specially-protected great crested newt. There is a reasonably mature hedge (particularly along the western edge of the site) dominated by hawthorn but also includes bullace, midland hawthorn and a little ash and oak. Other parts are cultivated as flowerbeds (with insect attractive herbs included) and vegetables. There are also areas of amenity grassland dominated by creeping bent and rye-grass.



B&DL10 Thamesside Park City Farm




Habitat: scattered trees, scrub, native hedge, neutral grassland (semi-improved), amenity grassland, ruderal/ephemeral, tall herbs, standing water, and reedswamp

The City Farm has a long history of environmental awareness and has worked with London Wildlife Trust since its creation in 1982. Joint walks, talks and courses are organised which take place on the farm or start and finish there taking in the nearby Ripple Nature Reserve. The farm also works with the disabled via an organic gardening project and often hosts visits by school children.

Although large sections of the farm are covered in paddocks and buildings parts have been reserved for wildlife. These ‘nature areas’ are attractive to small birds and butterflies and contain scrub of butterfly-bush and elder, nettles, bramble and scattered trees. Along the northern boundary is a native hedge of hawthorn, blackthorn and field maple (with recently planted and longer established lengths).

There is a pond in the north-eastern corner which is partly enclosed by scrub and scattered trees. It has small beds of common reed and iris at its margins although the banks are largely unvegetated.


geri gönder

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Albanian Nëse ju keni ndonjë vështirësi për të kuptuar këtë libër dore për shkak se Anglishtja nuk është gjuha juaj, ju mund të kërkoni për një përkthim duke shënuar një nga kutitë. Plotësoni emrin dhe adresën tuaj edhe kthejeni këtë formë në adresën e mëposhtme. French Si vous avez des difficultés à comprendre ce dépliant car l’anglais n’est pas votre première langue, vous pouvez demander à en obtenir une traduction en cochant une des cases cidessous. Remplissez vos nom et adresse et retournez ce formulaire à l’adresse figurant cidessous.

Lingala Soki ozali na kokoso ya kotanga mokanda oyo pona Angele ezali monoko na yo ya yambo té, okoki kotuna babongola yango na Lingala; na yango tia elembo na carré ya moke epayi okotia kombo na yo na esika ovandi; na sima zongisa yango na adresse oyo ezali na suka ya mokanda oyo. Polish Jeżeli masz trudności ze zrozumieniem tej ulotki ponieważ język angielski nie jest Twoim językiem ojczystym, możesz poprosić o tłumaczenie zaznaczając jedno z okienek. Wpisz swoje imię, nazwisko i adres i odeślij pod poniższy adres. Somali Haddii dhibi kaa haysato fahamka warqaddan iyadoo ay sababtu tahay inaanay ingiriisidu ahayn luqaddaada kowaad, waxaad codsan kartaa turjumaad adigoo calaamadinaya sanduuqyada midkood. Ku qor magacaaga iyo cinwaankaaga oo foomka ku soo celi cinwaanka hoos ku qoran. Swahili Ikiwa ni tabu kwako Kuifahamu karatasi hii kwasababu kiingereza sio lugha yako, waweza kuomba tafsiri kwa kuandika katika mojawapo ya box. Jaza jina lako na anwani na urudishe fomu hii katika anwani iliyoko hapo chini. Turkish İngilizce'nin ilk diliniz olmaması nedeniyle bu broşürü anlamakta güçlük çekiyorsanız aşağıdaki kutulardan birisini tıklayarak/işaretleyerek dilinize çevrilmesini isteyebilirsiniz. Bu forma adınızı ve adresinizi yazarak aşağıdaki adrese

in.Chinese

Urdu

Punjabi


If you would like information on audio-tape or in large print please contact us at the address below or phone 020 8277

Arabic

Name: Address:

Return to:

Sustainable Development Group Environmental Sustainability Planning and Transportation Division London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Municipal Offices 127 Ripple Road Barking Essex, IG11 7PB

Email: [email protected] Ph: 0208 227 3905 Fax: 0208 227 3774 Minicom: 0208 227 3034


Nature conservation sites important to Barking and Dagenham

Index to sites and key

1, Furze House Farm, B&DBI02

2, Wellgate Community Farm, B&DL09

3, Whites Farm, B&DBII06

4, Marks Hedge and Hainault Road, B&DBI08

5, St. Chads Park, B&DL04

6, Romford Line Railsides in Barking, B&DBII11

7, Valence House Gardens, B&DL05

8, Wantz Lake, B&DBII09

9, The Chase and Eastbrookend, M090

10, The Mid Beam Valley in Barking, B&DBI05

11, Beam Valley South in Dagenham, B&DBI04

12, Dagenham Breach and the Lower Bream, B&DBI03

13, St Peter's and St Paul's Churchyard, Dagenham, B&DL08

14, Pondfield Park, B&DL07

15, Parsloes Park, B&DBII04

16, Scratton's Farm Ecopark, B&DBII10

17, Mayesbrook Park Lakes, B&DBII03

18, Mayes Brook and associated watercourses, B&DBII02

19, Barking Park and Loxford Water, B&DBII01

20, Barking Abbey Ruins and St Margaret's Churchyard, B&DL02

21, The River Roding in Barking, B&DBI01

22, The River Thames and tidal tributaries, M031

23, Gascoigne Road Pumping Station, B&DL03

24, Ripple Nature Reserve, M089

25, Thameside Park City Farm, B&DL10

26, Goresbrook and the Ship & Shovel, B&DBI07

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11

1111

1010

55

1717

1212

1919

88

2626

1515

2424

66

2121

2020

33

1818

1414

1616

77

2525

22

2323

1313

44

Nature conservation sites important to

Barking and Dagenham

Key

Sites of Metropolitan Importance

Sites of Borough Importance, Grade I

Sites of Borough Importance, Grade II

Sites of Local Importance.

Borough boundary

sinc barking and dagenham · gascoigne road pumping station rough : b&dl04 : st chad’s park :...

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