6
ECOLOGY AND THAMES CHASE COMMUNITY FOREST
Thames Chase Community Forest covers 9,850 hectares (over 38 square miles) and
extends across Dagenham, Havering, Thurrock, and Brentwood, including the Rom/
Beam, Ingrebourne, and Mardyke valleys. It is one of three lead 'community forest'
creation schemes out of a total of twelve distributed across England. A small nucleus of
full-time staff part-funded by the Countryside Commission are co-ordinating grant-aided
and voluntary efforts of the Forestry Commission, local authorities, farmers and land-
owners, community groups, and local conservation societies. The aim is to enrich the
metropolitan green belt and urban fringe. The London Ecology Unit has earned out a
Phase I survey, and an outline plan has been produced to promote interest and discussion,
and to steer land use in the direction of improved landscape, conservation, and increased
public access and enjoyment. Mainly small scale planting ia already in progress. Over 50
years it is proposed to increase woodland cover from 10% to 27% by planting 2000
hectares.
The first meeting of the Thames Chase wildlife forum discussed the need for high quality
ecological information before any changes are decided but this can be a problem. Once
proposals to develop or alter land-use have been formally submitted to local planning
authorities they may be determined quite quickly. The local planning authority can
require 'environmental impact assessments' to be carried out but these can be botanically
biased with limited field survey, especially when carried out by non-local consultants.
It so happened that in 1992 when local consultation on Thames Chase was in progress,
the UK government pledged action at the 1992 Rio World Environment Summit
Conference on what is now known as Agenda 21' (i.e. action to protect world
environment and biodiversity for the 21 st century). Agenda 21 emphasises the
fundamental importance of local action via 'Local Agenda 21' initiatives. 'Flagship'
iniatives such as Thames Chase would seem to be an ideal vehicle to demonstrate the
'new higher ecological standards' advocated. However, notwithstanding the good work of
staff and voluntary organisations, funding does not support a dedicated ecologist, and
additional expertise would be welcome. The capture of as much existing habitat and
species data as possible would be extremely useful, followed by new survey when
necessary. This would add definition to the Thames Chase vision, and assist responses to
planning applications as they arise. Are EFC members able to offer assistance? Contact
Peter Wilkinson on 01708-641880.
NOAK BRIDGE NATURE RESERVE
Members who assisted the local residents campaign by contributing records will be
interested to know that their efforts proved helpful in getting this site designated. Work
funded by the Commission for New Towns has begun on fencing the reserve area prior to
hand-over to EWT, who will oversight management by the Noak Bridge Conservation
Group. Unfortunately part of the adjacent wild area was sold to a builder who started
work without advance warning, with the result that orchids and primroses which should
have been translocated have been lost. A few plants have since been spotted in areas
cleared for fencing. Contract work has been in progress through the spring against
conservation advice. New ponds have been dug, the old one deepened in places to
maintain the aquatic fauna, and the collection and transfer of amphibians is in progress.
Fortunately there is still undisturbed habitat around the reserve which should ensure the
replacement of any losses due to disturbance
Phil Butler