Biodiversity & nature conservation

In February 2003, the council approved the preparation and implementation of a Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Tower Hamlets. Facilitated by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the Action Plan was prepared by the 'Tower Habitats' partnership; a group with representatives from key council departments and a range of local and regional groups and organisations.

The Tower Habitats Partnership produced a first draft, which was launched in March 2003 in the Eco Pavilion, Mile End Park. Tower Hamlets Council also signed up to the Memorandum of Understanding with the London Biodiversity Partnership. The publication of the draft in March 2003 was seen as the beginning of a long term programme of action, involving all partners.

Since the launch, the council has supported many initiatives to enhance biodiversity and nature conservation at sites across the borough. New local nature reserves have been declared at the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and at the Mudchute Park. Other parks have seen the creation of wildflower meadow areas and the introduction of bird and bat boxes. New water areas have been created and lakes have been restored to improve wildlife habitats.

Ecological surveys have discovered insects and spiders that have not been seen in London before or that have been absent for over 50 years. All of the borough's Green Flag Parks have been surveyed and action plans are being developed to further enhance these and other sites.

Revision of the BAP for the next five year period

The current Tower Hamlets Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) runs until December 2008. The LBAP for the next five years will run from January 2009 - December 2013, and work is already well underway to develop it.

The project plan for this process is as follows:

• Evaluation report of current LBAP - January 2007
• Consultation event February 2008
• Drafting of the revised strategy by June 2008 (inc relevant Equalities Impact Assessment)
• Design, layout and printing of document by July 2008
• Formal Council procedure to adopted as council policy (August - November 2008)
• Adoption/launch as formal Council policy document by December 2008

More information on biodiversity and nature conservation can be found on the Tower Habitats web site at; www.towerhabitats.org/index.htm