Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of The Commons.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the proposed Natural Nature Reserve (NNR) status for the Coulsdon Commons and Happy Valley. The Report informed Members that Officers had attended meetings with Natural England and the London Borough of Croydon, to discuss the potential for the City’s Cousldon Commons and the London Borough’s Happy Valley to be declared a National Nature Reserve. Further, the report informed Members that at the most recent meeting officers from all parties agreed to develop and work towards the planned designation and seek further approval from Member’s concerning the formal ‘declaration process’. Director of Open Spaces noted that the proposed NNR status for Coulsdon Commons and Happy Valley would bring them into line with many of the other City Commons who have similar status’ and would advance the profile of the properties. In addition, the Director of Open Spaces explained that the proposed name for the NNR area was ‘South London Downs’ and commented that this name designated the area geographically but was not site specific.

A Member queried whether the position of the Royal Air Force at Kenley Airfield effected the classification of Kenley Common as an NNR and if the presence of aircraft impacted the maintenance of the site. The Superintendent clarified that airfield was only a small and entirely separate part of the common, currently owned by the MOD and that an effective management policy was in use place to mitigate the impact the airfield caused to the common. 

RESOLVED - that Officers be authorised to progress the matter with Natural England and The London Borough of Croydon in order that a formal proposal can be developed and reported to this Committee by May 2019.