EIR - Havering Wildlife Project on North Ockendon Pit [Jul 2022]

Your request

I would like a copy of the surveys mentioned in the Havering SINC Review 2017 carried out by Havering Wildlife Project on North Ockendon Pit (formerly HVBII38) that were the evidence base for the site’s upgrade to a Site of Metropolitan Importance (SMI). 

A Cabinet meeting was held on 19 July 2017 to discuss the Proposed Local Plan for 
Havering. In Annexe 4 (The Havering Local Plan – Evidence Base and Procedural Documents) the Havering Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation Review 2017 “Provides an overview of the proposed changes to Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation including a detailed justification (Annex 33).”

With regard to the Havering SINC Review 2017, on the cover page it is titled 2016 instead of 2017, however, this is the document referenced in the cabinet meeting of 19 July 2017. On page 2, section 5 it states: “5. Two sites are proposed for upgrade to Site of Metropolitan Importance (SMI), North Ockendon Pit and Beam Valley South. The former is proposed by Havering Wildlife Project, based on recent survey work, and the latter via a review of metropolitan SINCs commissioned by the GLA. Proposed new SMIs must be submitted to the London Wildlife Sites Board (LWSB) for their approval, and approval has been given for North Ockendon Pit and is expected for Beam Valley South.”

The survey work referenced above is the survey work that I am requesting a copy of 
please. Based on the fact that new SMIs must be submitted to the LWSB for approval, it would follow that the LWSB must have seen and have a copy of the supporting evidence base.

Our response

Please find attached the information the GLA holds within the scope of your request:

1. Submission to LWSB
2. North Ockendon Pit list

We are withholding a limited amount of information under Regulation 12(5)(g) - The 
protection of the environment to which the information relates, which states:

12.—(5) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a public authority may refuse to disclose information to the extent that its disclosure would adversely affect— (g) the protection of the environment to which the information relates.

The withheld information relates to a protected species. The site survey included reptile surveys and considered the site in the context of local reptile populations in east London. Specific locations and species have been redacted.

• We are mindful of our statutory obligations under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
• However, we will withhold wildlife information if it is in the best interests of the species concerned.
• Disclosing the nature and location of the species would be likely to expose the site to interference or damage, and disclosure could adversely affect the protection of the environment.
• In this instance, it is our view, that by applying the Countryside Agencies’ Open Information Network Guidance Note 1 - The ‘Environmental Exception’ and access to information on sensitive features the details of the location of endangered species and site locations should be withheld as these sites are supporting small populations, which are vulnerable to collection, persecution and disturbance.

Additionally, some names are exempt from disclosure under Regulation 13 (Personal 
Information) of the EIR. Information that identifies specific employees or volunteers constitutes personal data which is defined by Article 4(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to mean any information relating to an identified or identifiable living individual. It is considered that disclosure of this information would contravene the first data protection principle under Article 5(1) of GDPR which states that personal data must be processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject.

If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please contact us, quoting
reference MGLA180522-1283.