After prolonged discussion and consultation with both our legal team and local stakeholders, we have decided not to take our case further. To do so would mean fundraising an additional £12,000 - £25,000. We do not feel we have the right to put such a heavy financial burden on our friends and supporters, who have already been so wonderfully generous.

Although this is the end of this road, the story is by no means over. We will continue to support and work for our local nature reserves, our urban countryside, ensuring that they become the best that they can be. We will continue to ask for open and accessible consultation, where local residents and community groups are able to make their voices heard.

Our next goal? Working to become a Metropolitan Site of Importance to Nature Conservation. A bold aim, but one that is achievable with the support of our amazing community and fantastic hardworking volunteers.

To all our supporters, local and not so local, from the UK and abroad, thank you. Knowing that there are people out there, who are prepared to speak up for green spaces gives us hope for the future. Please continue to speak up and speak out – every voice makes a difference.

Last Thursday, 29th October, a High Court judge refused our application for permission to proceed to a full hearing of our judicial review claim.  Unfortunately, the Judge agreed with the barristers for the Council and for British Land that the Council’s consideration of the impacts of the Masterplan development was legally sufficient.  Specifically, she agreed with the Council that the protections for open spaces designated as ‘Metropolitan Open Land’ including Stave Hill Ecology Park and Russia Dock Woodland, do not take account of harm from developments that are bordering the land, only from development on the land itself.  Whilst we and our legal team continue to believe this is the wrong interpretation of the policy, that was the Judge’s conclusion.  Disappointingly, this means that our only route to take the case forward is an appeal to the Court of Appeal.  We are evaluating with our legal team whether this is a sensible option and will provide an update soon.

Decisions such as these are made solely on points of law. The impact on the ecology of the nature reserves was not raised.

Thank you all for your support so far – the last 18 months have demonstrated that our Local Nature Reserves have so many dedicated friends, friends who believe that green spaces matter, wildlife places matter.

We are greatly buoyed by the level of support that our campaign to legally challenge the planning decision in respect of the Canada Water Master Plan continues to receive.   

The individual comments that accompany many of the pledges clearly endorse our view that more and more people are becoming aware of the long term importance of Russia Dock Woodland and Stave Hill Ecology Park and the role of the environment in their daily lives.    To date we have been successful in raising 74% of the funds needed to seek permission for a Judicial Review.    The oral hearing of the Judicial Review application is expected to take place towards the end of October.   Buxtons, the Law Firm handling the application, remain firmly of the view that there are significant grounds for a Judicial Review of permission 18-AP-1604.     C-19 and climate change initiatives have undoubtedly raised the level of understanding of the importance of tranquil and natural open green spaces and the environment for people’s well-being. There is also much evidence that access to significant open spaces is essential as an aid for mental health sufferers.       Many visitors to SE16 are flabbergasted when members of the campaign team talk about the shadowing issues relating to the building on site K1 and how it will adversely affect the adjacent butterfly colonies and eco systems. The fact that the building is totally at odds with the Canada Water Area Action Plan, the recommendations of CABE and the London Plan is also highlighted.    People struggle to understand why anyone should actively pursue such a detrimental course of action against such a unique resource that has been carefully and methodically created over the last 35 years. A number of people have indicated that the quality and quantity of the existing open spaces played a significant part in them deciding to move into the area. Hence, nothing must be allowed to negatively impact on the natural feel and the diversity of the flora and fauna and wildlife.   The area is a treasure, a peaceful and tranquil secluded sanctuary where individuals and families can walk and daydream away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life. Most visitors believe the accredited nature reserves must be cherished and enhanced for future generations.   A ‘What’s the price of Love’ campaign has remarkably successful in raising awareness of the negative impact of building on K1 will have on Russia Dock Woodlands and Stave Hill Ecology Park.    Meanwhile, please continue to promote awareness of https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/rethink-canada-water-masterplan/  

Thanks to the outstanding generosity of our supporters, we’re now over halfway to our target. This support means that we’re able to move to the next stage of our legal challenge, a request for an oral hearing in front of a judge. This will give our legal team the opportunity to make a verbal presentation of our case and argue key elements.

One key element of our case is the impact on Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). Metropolitan Open Land is our urban countryside and has similar levels of protection as Green Belt land.

However, increasingly across the UK, developers are deliberately ignoring MOL or Green Belt status. Proposed changes to planning legislation could create more loopholes for developers, providing “special circumstances” and enabling planning permissions to be granted.

Individual impacts on each MOL may be small – fewer butterflies in one place, a species of bumblebee disappearing in another. Sites that can no longer support the same range of birds. Local reductions in biodiversity.

Small local losses, adding up across cities. We will all be poorer because of it. Recent times have clearly shown us that people need access to nature. This gradual erosion of Metropolitan Open Land must be challenged.

In twenty years time, we want to be living in true National Park Cities, not in impoverished developers’ landscapes.

Help us make this happen. Please continue your support by sharing our campaign link via social media, with your family, friends and work mates. Keeping on shouting! Your voices are making a difference, you are helping us to be heard. Thank you.

Covid-19 has shown us all how important it is for people to have access to natural space, and particularly public open space, because not everyone is lucky enough to have a garden or balcony of their own.

Rotherhithe’s accredited and much loved Local Nature Reserves are in danger from nearby overdevelopment.  

Similar schemes threaten towns and cities across the country. Over-tall buildings, blocking light, generating light spillage and funnelling wind, with long term consequences on wildlife and people. The loss of cherished views which connect us to our green spaces. The disappearance of wildlife that we take for granted. The long term impact on shaded soils.

All of this is about to happen in Rotherhithe, SE16.

Russia Dock Woodland and Stave Hill Ecology Park are two Local Nature Reserves, treasured by the local community, visited by bird watchers, insect and wildlife specialists from far and wide, and supporting a huge range of wildlife. These two sites will face irreversible effects from overdevelopment.

Developers want to commercialise and damage our green spaces.

Southwark Council’s Canada Water Area Action Plan proposed 28 dwellings for the small K1 plot on Russia Walk, next to these accredited Local Nature Reserves.  The developers want to build 79.

The K1 plot is outside the main area of the Masterplan development, segregated and furthest away from the shopping areas and transport links. K1 is reserved for social housing. Social housing should not be segregated. We need strong communities without social exclusion.  The Government has pledged to end ‘poor doors’ – this development will create 79 ‘poor doors’.

The 5 & 6 storey K1 block is planned for the southern boundary of Stave Hill Ecology Park and Russia Dock Woodland Local Nature Reserves. It will cast a long shadow, directly affecting wildlife and the wildlife habitats.

That shadow will also fall on local schools, shading playgrounds, sports pitches and growing areas. The impact on natural habitat and green spaces will be devastating and long lasting.

Our Urban green spaces have never been so necessary. Over the last three months of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, access to parks has been a lifeline for many. Contact with nature, spaces for kids, places for quiet reflection – people in towns need their urban countryside. We must defend it.

London is growing – more housing is needed, as well as work space and job opportunities. People need planned, consultative and sustainable development, which supports social integration, builds communities and protects our vital green space.

Because of these concerns, many local people across the community are supporting this challenge to the Planning Decision on the Canada Water Masterplan

A request for Judicial Review of the Planning Decision has now been lodged by a highly regarded  environmental law firm, who have been retained by a local resident.

If granted leave to proceed with the action, the legal costs will be up to £30,000, and that is our updated funding target.

Our campaign is still very active, and we would like to thank you all for your continued support. How can you help? Please email your M.P! ask why the Mayor of London did not pass Planning Application Ref: 18/AP/1604 , one of the largest in the country and changing the London landscape, to the GLA for an impartial and transparent review. And please pass on the link to everyone you think may help!

Campaign update, 20^th February 2020

• 8th January - we email Southwark Planning, requesting that we be notified when the CWMP application stage 2 review goes to the Mayor/GLA
• 8th January – Southwark Planning acknowledges this as a valid enquiry, and states that it is hoped application will be referred to Mayor / GLA at end of January.
  They also add that the Mayor then had 14 days to consider application, whether to call it in (refuse) or ratify (approve).
  They further stated that it was most unlikely planning decision would be made before end February. They suggested we might like to ask for an update in the 2nd week of February.
• Monday 10th February – We emailed Southwark Planning for an update on the submission of the application to the Mayor / GLA.
• Tuesday 11th February. Southwark Planning’s response to our email of the 10th Feb. They state that they could confirm the council submitted the application at the end of January -  a specific date was not given in the email.
  In the same email, it was further stated the Mayor did in fact decide not to call in the application, but to leave determination to the council .
  
  WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR CAMPAIGN?
  The Mayor of London has decided that Southwark Council will make the final planning decision and not the GLA. Given that they have already voted yes, they're not likely to say no at 2nd stage.

We have been told by Southwark planning that there are a number of issues regarding Section 106 funding that need to be resolved, and there will be no final decision until then. We have been told this may not be until mid-March.

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?

• 11th February - we emailed Buxtons (environmental law firm), and updated them on situation.
• 11th February - Buxtons reply, with following key points:
  - GLA website still shows application had NOT been submitted for stage 2 review.
  - We need to consider preparation for potential Judicial Review.
  - the next sensible step would be to instruct a barrister to provide advice on whether there are good grounds for Judicial Review.
• We have now instructed Buxtons to instruct a barrister to provide advice for a judicial review.