Breaking News - Ealing Council commit to Local Nature Reserve Designation for Warren Farm

In exciting breaking news, Ealing Council have just issued a revised proposal for Warren Farm Nature Reserve that sets out to give all of Warren Farm much needed Local Nature Reserve (LNR) designation. Yes, you read that correctly! The proposal will be discussed at an upcoming cabinet meeting. The Brent River & Canal Society’s (BRCS) vision and our Warren Farm Nature Reserve campaign has been asking Ealing Council to obtain LNR designation to a number of connected meadow habitats in the Brent River Park, with rewilded Warren Farm NR at its centre for the last 3 years and now we are delighted that the voices of our wildlife and supporters are being acknowledged to the betterment of our community and biodiversity gain in the borough.

Map of BRCS vision October 2019

Plans published by Ealing Council in January 2023 placed sports pitches on our rewilded green space which would have caused the destruction of over half of Warren Farm NR’s Wildflower and Grassland meadow. Our ecological experts made it clear at the time that the proposal would have led to loss of vital habitat for a quarter of London’s breeding Skylark population as well as rare and endangered plant species.

Map from Ealing Council’s cabinet report January 2023

These unpopular plans triggered significant public opposition with our campaign petition rising to more than 25,000 signatures and an incredible large family-friendly protest outside Ealing town hall. Support came flooding in from wildlife conservationists Kabir Kaul, Chris Packham, Iolo Williams, Megan McCubbin, Dr Amir Khan, Liz Bonnin and other renowned and established wildlife organisations.

This brings us to 27th February 2024, with Ealing Council having just announced a significant change to that unpopular plan, now putting forward the majority of Council owned land at Warren Farm as a Local Nature Reserve while relocating the proposed sports facilities to neighbouring Imperial College’s section of the former sports ground. This will safeguard a substantial area of Warren Farm NR and its rare species and continue the last 15 years of its remarkable rewilding.

Map from Ealing Council’s cabinet report February 2024

“We are delighted that Ealing Council has agreed to designate Warren Farm as a Local Nature Reserve. Credit to the council for taking stock and reversing plans that would have been hugely environmentally damaging. There is of course much work to be done, details to secure and discussions to be had. What’s fantastic is that we can now work together on this landmark decision with our supporters, community, and ecological experts to ensure the safeguarding of Ealing’s rare and beloved species. For our Copse Bindweed, Skylarks, Barn Owls, Butterflies and so much more, this marks a significant step in London’s environmental conservation.

This is a unique opportunity to set a precedent for other councils up and down the country. This doesn’t just stop with Warren Farm NR. We can be ground-breaking in our approach to protect and enhance biodiversity for the benefit of future generations who will be living with the consequences of the actions we take today. We extend a massive heartfelt thank you to our dedicated supporters for moving the dial in favour of nature here and whose unwavering commitment and care for our wildlife continues to play a pivotal role in making this further progress possible. We would not have made it this far without each and every one of you. If our Skylarks could thank you themselves, they would. Watch this green space.”

Katie Boyles, Brent River & Canal Society trustee and Warren Farm Nature Reserve campaign organiser

This is a significant step in the right direction with many more to take on the path ahead. The Imperial College land is a long-standing Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) within the Brent River Park and any development there need to be fully compliant with Ealing Council’s own policies and with London-wide policies for such sites. Any development will also be conditional on the outcome of the ecological surveys and assessments being undertaken. As BRCS Chair, Phil Belman noted:

“BRCS has been consistent in pointing out the national, regional and local policies the Council should be following. The BRCS Vision for Warren Farm remains the same. This is further progress which we warmly welcome. We look forward to the removal of the unsafe derelict buildings and the return of hardstanding to meadow.”

Phil Belman, Brent River & Canal Society chair 

Wildflowers and Grassland at Warren Farm NR

We firmly believe that Ealing Council’s rethink and Imperial College’s responsiveness demonstrate that both institutions acknowledge the ecological importance of Warren Farm NR and have taken into consideration the expert led comments of the BRCS, conservationist Dr Sean McCormack, founder of the Ealing Wildlife Group, and London Natural History Society botanist, Dr Mark A Spencer.  

We particularly endorse the following statement from the council’s report:

“Warren Farm has a strategically important role to play as part of the Council’s Climate Action strategy through the restoration of natural habitats, increasing biodiversity and providing space for nature to re-establish itself.”

And we also applaud the council’s ambition that Warren Farm NR;

“has the potential to become the best rewilding scheme nationwide”.

A Skylark in flight at Warren Farm NR. Photo credit Richard Carter

Can Warren Farm Nature Reserve remain sustainable with sports pitches next door? Will the wildlife that call our meadow home remain undisturbed by potential noise and light pollution? Will chemicals be used on any cricket pitches that may make their way on to Warren Farm NR? These are the sort of questions that will need to be explored and answered as discussions progress. There is much work ahead, but for this moment the takeaway from Ealing Council’s announcement is perhaps best summed up by Margaret Mead;

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

We look forward to working on the proposal details with the council, Natural England, supporters and stakeholders. Keep up-to-date by following us on social media @WarrenFarmNR and signing-up to become a free member of the BRCS to get copies of our newsletter! #watchthisgreenspace

25,000 thank yous and Skylark song!

Team #WarrenFarmNR

A female Kestrel gives us a wave at Warren Farm NR. Photo credit John Ashburner