Valencia have failed to deliver the restoration of Beddington Farmlands on time (31 December 2023), citing some of the Restoration Road Map (legally binding documentation) was undeliverable, namely acid grassland and heathland and the continued need to import soil to finish the restoration.

In the meantime, key species have declined and some lost forever from the Farmlands like the Tree Sparrows and major concerns for the Lapwings.

This new application provides lots of information, but does it really deliver the first class nature reserve we were promised and is having to wait up to another 5 years for full access acceptable?

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How to access the planning application

You can access all the planning documents using the button below and type in the application number DM2024/00199 (we use to provide direct links, but they sometimes time out). It can be overwhelming, so we have uploaded a few key documents you can read.

• Planning Statement
• Landscape Restoration Master Plan
• Communication and Access Strategy
• Revised Restoration Management Plan

Responses need to be made using planning terms and where possible referring to policies. The plans below are all relevant and can help. We will upload our response once done, but likely to be nearer the deadline!

• Sutton’s Local Plan
• South London Waste Plan
• The London Plan
• National Planning Policy Framework

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Suggestions for your response

Feel free to use any of the text below or our formal submission to help with your own response.

ENFORCEMENT

Valencia is in breach of their planning obligations, and it is imperative that Sutton Council continue with enforcement action to stop delayed access and mitigation for loss of wildlife.

Contra to: Paragraph 59 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that ‘Effective enforcement is important to maintain public confidence in the planning system …’

ACCESS NOW

Valencia claims that to prevent wildlife disturbance, the newly created habitats need to mature before the public are allowed onsite, but this will delay public access for another 5 years! However, this is a broad strategy, and less sensitive parts could be accessible now!  Also, opening hours should be similar to other nature reserves, 2.30pm closing it far too early, when most shut at 4pm.

Contra to: London Plan 2021, Policy G4 Open Space – 2) where possible to create areas of publicly accessible open space, particularly in areas of deficiency. Policy G3 Metropolitan Open Land – 8.3.4 Proposals to enhance access to MOL and to improve poorer quality areas such that they provide a wider range of benefits for Londoners that are appropriate within MOL will be encouraged. Examples include improved public access for all, inclusive design, recreational features, habitat creation, landscape improvements and flood storage.

INCORRECT BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN CALCULATIONS

The new plan boasts a biodiversity net gain, but the reality is quite the opposite, with most of the important species lost forever.  Comparison should be made with the land’s status prior to the landfill operation, not after. 

Contra to: the Environment Act 2021, Schedule 7A Part 1 ‘The biodiversity gain objective is met in relation to development for which planning permission is granted if the biodiversity value attributable to the development exceeds the pre-development biodiversity value of the onsite habitat by at least the relevant percentage.’

NO MITIGATION FOR MAJOR CHANGES, DELAYS AND LOSS OF WILDLIFE

There is no financial mitigation for loss of the rare acid grassland and heathland, whose creation was promised, despite saving the developer a substantial investment.  Compensation should be sought for the unnecessary delays in restoration and the loss of key wildlife species, which could soon include the Lapwings as they are now also under threat.

Contra to: Building a Sustainable Sutton – Technical Note for Developers includes TGN 2 Biodiversity accounting and TGN 3 Green Space Factor relates to mitigation and enhancing of habitats.  The estimated costs should be added to the budget of the current restoration and included in the Section 106 Agreement.

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How to submit feedback

Deadline – 1 April 2024

Online:

If you haven’t submitted an online response before, it is relatively easy. You need to register before you can comment.

• Click on the image below to open up the Sutton Council Planning Portal
• Click on ‘register’. Once you have registered, click on ‘login’
• Click on ‘search’ – ‘planning’ – ‘simple search’
• In the box entitled ‘enter keyword, reference number etc’, put in the planning application number.
• Near the top right is the button ‘make a comment’. Click on it and you should find your details already there.
• Click on ‘commenter type’ and pick ‘member of the public’
• Pick whether you object, support or neutral
• You can then add your comment text. 
• When you have finished, click ‘submit’ and you should receive confirmation of your response by email. If you have issues, check to see if you have used any special characters like “%” and remove and try submitting again.

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By post or hand deliver to:

Development Control
London Borough of Sutton
Civic Offices
St Nicholas Way
Sutton SM1 1EA

Ensure you use the correct planning reference in your letter.