Appendix A
Environmental Baseline
Environmental Baseline Information
This section details the baseline data (including existing environmental and sustainability information)
relevant to a range of environmental receptors that has been gathered to date from various sources for
use in the SEA. The information provides the basis for predicting effects on the environment and helps
to identify any relevant environmental trends and existing problems that may be affected by the LFRMS.
It should be noted that there is an abundance of environmental information available. However, the
information presented in the following sections (extracted from the Scoping Report) has been chosen on
the basis that it may be influenced or affected by the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS).
Steps have been taken to avoid including information which is of no clear relevance to the LFRMS. It may
be necessary to collect further data against which to assess the potential environmental effects of the
LFRMS with regard to monitoring requirements.
Social Conditions
Population
Westminster has a resident population of 219,400 (2011 Census), of which approximately 45,000
residents live within a high risk flood area. Additionally, it is the most visited London borough (due to its
business, employment, shopping, arts, entertainment and hosts of visitor attractions) with over 55
million trips per year. Consequently, its residential population increases to over one million during the
daytime with the influx of workers, visitors and tourists (Westminster City Council 2012).
The population of Westminster is continuing to grow and is projected to increase to between 242,000
and 320,000 by 2025 (Westminster City Council 2013). This is considered to be largely driven by natural
change (i.e. more births than deaths) and migration. This population growth is increasing demand on
existing infrastructure and services such as sewerage networks and local water supplies, as well as new
affordable housing.
The pressure on the existing environment is therefore considerable and careful planning of flood risk and
water management related infrastructure will be required considering the pressure that population
growth and tourism places on the environment. The risk to properties and an increasing population is
likely to increase in the future as flood risk increases and sea level rises. These flood risks will need to be
managed.
Human Health
Health inequalities including life expectancy are closely linked to patterns of deprivation. Life
expectancy for both men and women in Westminster is higher than the England average, although it is
very variable across the city. The City of Westminster Local Economic Baseline Study (2011) identifies
that 42% of Westminster’s deprived population live in the four Wards that make up most of NWEDA:
Church Street, Westbourne, Queens Park and Harrow Road. Life expectancy is 16.6 years lower for men
and 9.9 years lower for women in the most deprived areas of Westminster than in the least deprived
areas (Westminster City Council 2012).
Since 2004, the level of multiple deprivation in the worst affected wards has decreased. Despite this,
Westminster still contains some of the most deprived areas in London. Queens Park and Church Street
are amongst the top 10% of deprived wards in the country, Harrow Road and Westbourne amongst the
10 – 20% most deprived, and Churchill ward amongst the 20 – 30% most deprived. At a sub-ward level,
there are also smaller groupings of deprived residents, such as some communities in the West End
(Westminster City Council 2012). Flood risk contributes to the level of deprivation within the LFRMS
area.
SECTION 3 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE INFORMATION
Existing risks to human health relating to the LFRMS include the physical risks of flooding (e.g. potential
injury, loss of life and security), contact with polluted water or damp conditions and physical/emotional
stress due to loss of property, potential evacuation and loss of control. These risks are likely to be high in
the hotspots of flood risk identified in the LFRMS.
Noise levels in the city are anticipated to be typical for a densely populated urban area.
disturbance to the local community from the LFRMS is not considered to be a strategic issue.
Noise
Accessibility and Recreation
Areas of recreation and open space in Central Westminster include the River Thames, canals, Royal Parks
and iconic public spaces such as Piccadilly Circus, Leicester, Trafalgar and Parliament Squares and
Speakers Corner. There is both an overall and localised shortage of open space in Westminster, and a
need for additional social and community facilities. The quality and network of open spaces provides
opportunities for increased activity in relation to organised sport, recreation, children’s active play, and
walking and cycling both for recreation and as a means of transport.
Westminster contains five Royal Parks: Regent’s Park, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park and
St. James’s Park, providing 250ha of open space. These are designated in the London Plans as
Metropolitan Open Land. They have an estimated 25 million visits per year and comprise 89% of
Westminster’s public open space. The Royal Parks provide the only metropolitan sized public spaces in
Westminster and therefore are important in providing open landscapes and tranquillity amidst a busy,
heavily built up area and have significant heritage, ecological and natural conservation value
(Westminster City Council 2012).
Open spaces are an integral part of Westminster’s architectural heritage. The Royal Parks and River
Thames form the settings of world famous landmarks such as the Palace of Westminster and
Buckingham Palace and Westminster’s open spaces feature in many of the city’s important views. Over
half of Westminster’s open spaces have heritage designations, with 85 London Squares and 21 English
Heritage listed parks and gardens (including the Royal Parks).
The Blue Ribbon Network in Westminster (i.e. a network of rivers, canals and lakes) is of strategic
importance to London and comprises the River Thames, the Grand Union and Regents canals, the
Serpentine and Long Water in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The Thames and the canals are
important for providing habitat and wildlife corridors and fulfil other environmental functions such as
drainage and play important roles in transport, recreational access and education (Westminster City
Council 2012).
Green Infrastructure
The Green Infrastructure (GI) network in the city includes parks and gardens, amenity and urban
greenspace green corridors (such as river, canal and rail corridors), and various other areas, including,
gardens, and churchyards.
In relation to flood risk management (including flood risk from sources outside of the scope of the
LFRMS), GI networks can be used for various purposes. These include:
2

Providing dedicated flood water storage areas – thereby providing water for nature conservation
or other purposes;

Providing opportunities to aid a more natural and slower response to heavy rainfall - for example
by developing and restoring GI to favour open water courses, through channel restoration and
de-culverting;

Helping manage surface water, by reducing flood risk from streams, rivers and sewers.
Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) can be used to recycle grey water and harvest rainwater,
or, where appropriate, reduce flash flooding; and
DOCUMENT1/[INSERT DOCUMENT LOCATOR]

Make a direct contribution to improving home and community resilience to climate change, for
example through green roofs that improve localised drainage.
Research by the University of Manchester (CABE 2011) has shown that:
 Increasing the green space cover in urban areas by 10 per cent reduces surface run-off by almost
5 per cent;

Increasing tree cover in urban areas by 10 per cent reduces surface water run-off by almost 6
per cent; and

Adding green roofs to all the buildings in town centres can reduce surface water run-off by
almost 20 per cent
GI can also reduce fossil fuel consumption by providing corridors for walking and cycling, thereby
potentially reducing private vehicle usage and the air pollution associated with it. Increased uptake of
walking and cycling can also improve general wellbeing, health and fitness as well as help reduce obesity
levels. By providing recreation opportunities, GI can also reduce visitor pressure on vulnerable habitats.
Due to the many social and environmental benefits of GI, the LFRMS should maximise opportunities to
either create new GI or help extend, link up or improve the condition of existing GI. Plans for GI,
including any delivered by the LFRMS, should seek to mimic natural drainage processes wherever
possible. This will also help to fulfil the requirements pertaining to natural processes and
hydromorphology contained in the WFD. Factors such as land cover, habitat, soil type, topography and
groundwater should all be considered in planning for GI. Locating new GI features on top of groundwater
source protection zones could also help to avoid risks of groundwater contamination.
It should be noted that maintenance of GI has implications in terms of staff resources and costs.
However, if planned carefully according to local environmental and management requirements, the
application of GI can offer a responsive system that can adapt itself to the changing climate, potentially
reducing future maintenance burdens.
In addition to cost and resource implications, the longevity of GI or other flood risk measures
implemented on the ground also has implications for the timescale, permanence and reversibility of any
environmental impacts.
The Mayor of London’s All London Green Grid Supplementary Planning Guidance has identified a key
area in Westminster where GI could be improved:
Develop a linear park along the Thames between Chelsea Bridge and Tower Bridge by enhancing the
Thames Path National Trail and riverside spaces, embracing the heritage and identity of London
anchored by two World Heritage Sites (Tower of London, Palace of Westminster and Westminster
Abbey).
The LFRMS should identify whether this area coincides with any areas where LFRMS measures are
needed on the ground to see if GI could aid flood risk management.
Population/Human Health: Likely evolution of the baseline without LFRMS
The population of Westminster is estimated to rise to 239,596 by 2031 (Westminster City Council 2012),
which will continue to be affected by increasing flood risks from main rivers and the sea (with associated
impacts on human health), if no further action is taken to manage flooding from LFRMS sources.
Tourism and associated recreation areas/public space are likely to remain an important part of the local
economy in Westminster, which will continue to be affected by flooding.
Ongoing development for new affordable housing will increase settlement size, which will exert pressure
on the floodplain. Increasing development within Westminster will place additional pressure on open
spaces, GI and recreational land although the London Plan seeks to increase the green space in London
by 5%.
According to the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA), the number of people exposed to a
significant likelihood of flooding in the UK (taking population growth into account) will be between 1.3
million and 3.6 million by the 2050s, rising to between 1.7 million and 5 million by the 2080s (an increase
SECTION 3 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE INFORMATION
of between 400,000 and 2.7 million by the 2050s and between 800,000 and 4.1 million by the 2080s
compared to the current figure of 900,000). The CCRA for the ‘health’ sector (Defra 2012) also shows
the principal impacts of climate change on human health expected to come from changing
temperatures, ground-level ozone levels and sunlight.
Material Assets
There are four main rail termini and 32 underground stations with 10 of the 12 tube lines running
through the city. Capacity increases are proposed on eight of the London Underground lines. The
delivery of Crossrail by 2018/19 will result in stations at Paddington, Bond Street and Tottenham Court
Road.
There are four river bus piers with commuter services; and some 157 daytime, night bus and 24 hour bus
routes that also pass through Westminster. European, national and local express coach services also
serve the City (Westminster City Council 2012).
The City Council is the Highway and Traffic Authority for 323kms of carriageway and 568kms of footway.
Within the Council’s administrative boundary there are also 27.5kms of carriageway and 55kms of
footway that are part of the Mayor of London’s Transport for London Road Network (TLRN)
(Westminster City Council 2012).
New development will be supported by upgrades to existing infrastructure and the provision of new
infrastructure to enable it to be sustainable. New ‘critical infrastructure’ and development will need to
be appropriately located in terms of risk of flooding from the River Thames, taking into account
constraints on development potential across the whole of Westminster and the limited opportunities to
develop in some parts of the borough.
Material Assets: Likely evolution of the baseline without LFRMS
The heavy reliance on Westminster’s road and railway network and comprehensive public transport
system will continue with increased population growth. The flood risk to this infrastructure (and
associated capacity increases) is likely to increase without the LFRMS.
This could potentially increase risks to receptors that fall under other SEA topics, for example an
increased risk of pollution to soil and water resources.
Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna
Designated Sites
There are no international (i.e. Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites)
or national conservation sites (i.e. Sites of Special Scientific Interest or National Nature Reserves) within
the borough.
The closest international conservation site is Lee Valley Special Protection Area (SPA), which is located
approximately 8km to the north-east of the borough.
Westminster has numerous local conservation sites, which are to be protected and enhanced for their
biodiversity and ecological value. These sites include (SINC information has been sourced from
Westminster City Council 2010): 

4
St Johns Wood Church Ground Local Nature Reserve (LNR) – see Figure 1
10 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) of Metropolitan Importance, with a
combined total area of 448.35ha
DOCUMENT1/[INSERT DOCUMENT LOCATOR]



6 SINCs of Borough Grade 1, with a combined total area of 5.44ha
13 SINCs of Borough Grade 2, with a combined total area of 10.72ha
15 Local SINC’s, with a combined total area of 25.30ha
Notable Habitats and Species
Westminster supports a diverse range of habitats including urban habitats (such as parkland, small parks
and garden squares), water and areas of deciduous woodland.
There are 634 different kinds of flora and fauna in Westminster, including the rare cornflower,
chamomile, native bluebell and London Rocket (Westminster City Council 2010).
Some species protected by national environmental legislation (protected species) are present in
Westminster, such as bats and nesting birds. Westminster also has many Priority Species and Priority
Habitats which are set out in Biodiversity Action Plans for Westminster, London and the UK.
The LFRMS needs to ensure that local flood risk management measures do not adversely affect flow,
frequency or duration of flooding to water-dependent habitats (and their supporting species), increase
levels of pollution reaching aquatic environments (for example, through highway runoff) or directly
impact on notable terrestrial, aquatic or riparian habitats including within or adjacent to the Thames
(which is tidal in the LFRMS area).
Figure 1: St Johns
Wood
Church
Ground
Local
Nature Reserve
Flora and Fauna: Likely evolution of the baseline without LFRMS
Trends in biodiversity can be due to a wide variety of factors, including climate change and land
management activities. Water dependant habitats will come under increasing pressure as demand for
water increases alongside population increases.
Climate change is likely to affect all habitats, for example through sea level rise, changes in flood risk
from all sources, changes in the frequency of flooding or flow volumes to water dependant habitats. The
proliferation of invasive species is also likely to continue.
It is likely that some benefits to the locally designated conservation sites can be achieved with the
implementation of measures to achieve good ecological status or potential under the WFD, and
protection of the sites strengthened through the government’s 2020 biodiversity strategy which seeks to
halt biodiversity losses by 2020 and beyond.
Soil, Geology and Geomorphology
There are no known designated earth heritage sites within Westminster.
The underlying geology of Westminster is characterised predominantly by flood plain gravels and alluvial
deposits in the south, ‘Taplow gravel’ in the central region around the Paddington basin and Kensington
Gardens Lake and London Clay to the north. There is also a small area of brick earth in the east of the
administrative area. The south east of the Council area has the River Thames as its boundary
(Westminster City Council 2010).
The impact of geology on flood risk is determined by the effects on topography, the permeability of
rocks and their resistance to erosion. Permeability, along with other factors such as vegetation cover
and topography will influence the response of an area to a rainfall event. Geological conditions can
influence the extent and likelihood of an area to groundwater flooding and/or the suitability of some
types of Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS) options.
There is one historic landfill site at Portugal Street near Holborn and there may be other areas of
potential contamination within the borough.
Soils and Geology: Likely evolution of the baseline without LFRMS
It is likely that soil erosion will continue in Westminster, for example through surface water flash
flooding. Compaction and sealing will also continue to occur, for example through an increase in
developed areas and impermeable surfaces.
Water
Flood Risk
The greatest flood risk in Westminster is from the River Thames and surface water, which could affect
approximately 45,000 residents living within the floodplain, together with strategic infrastructure
including transport routes, industry, power and fuel transmission lines. Some parts of Westminster
identified by the Environment Agency have been designated by the Environment Agency as being
located within Flood Zones 2 and 3 (see Figure 2). Flood Zone 3, without defences, has a high probability
of flooding (1 in 100 or greater annual probability of river flooding or a 1 in 200 or greater annual
probability of flooding from the sea). Flood Zone 2, without defences, has a medium probability of
flooding, and covers very small areas in Westminster (Westminster City Council 2013).
Figure 2: Flood Risk in the City of Westminster
Although Westminster has flood defences along 4.7km of the tidal Thames frontage (the Embankment
Wall) and also the Thames Barrier, downstream at Woolwich, which reduce the flood risk to about a 1 in
1000 chance of flooding in any given year, the city continues to be affected by flash flooding (e.g. in 2007
and 2009), overtopping of the defences and surface water flooding. If the defences were significantly
breached, low-lying areas closest to the Thames would be flooded.
Surface water flooding in highly developed areas, such as Westminster, occurs when intense rainfall is
unable to soak into the ground or enter drainage systems, because of blockages, or breakages in water
pipes or where drainage capacity has been exceeded. In comparison with overtopping or breaching of
the Thames, the more probable occurrence of flooding within Westminster is from surface water
flooding, due to the highly built-up nature of the area and limited drainage capacity. All parts of
Westminster may be susceptible to varying degrees of surface water flooding. However, surface water
run-off invariably pools in low lying areas indicating a greater risk of surface water flooding.
The LFRMS should ensure that measures taken do not increase flood risk or transfer risk to third party
property or land or neighbouring boroughs.
Flooding of urban areas and sewerage systems in Westminster presents a pollution risk to receiving
water bodies with associated impacts on human health, water quality and ecology.
Water Framework Directive
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is a European Directive, which seeks to manage, protect and
improve the water environment. It came into force on 22 December 2000 and was transposed into law
in England and Wales by the Water Environment (WFD) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003. The WFD
helps to protect and enhance the quality of:





Surface freshwater (including lakes, streams and rivers);
Groundwater;
Groundwater dependant ecosystems;
Estuaries; and
Coastal waters out to one mile from low-water.
The WFD is aimed at protecting physical, chemical and biological water quality. The WFD requires all
natural waterbodies to achieve both good chemical status and good ecological status (GES). The Thames
River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) (Environment Agency 2009) outlines the actions required to
enable natural water bodies to achieve GES. Artificial and heavily modified water bodies may be
prevented from reaching GES due to the modifications necessary to maintain their function, but are
required to achieve good ecological potential (GEP).
The only WFD water bodies in the borough are:

Thames Middle (i.d. GB530603911402), which is estuarine and is considered to be heavily
modified by flood protection and navigation such that it does not meet the WFD target of good
ecological potential; and

Part of the Grand Union Canal (Grand Union Canal, Uxbridge to Hanwell Locks, Slough Arm,
Paddington Arm, Regents Canal up i.d. GB70610078), an artificial water body that already meets
the target of good potential.
The other significant surface water features in the borough (the Serpentine, Kensington Gardens Lake,
Regent’s Park Lake, St James Park Lake, River Westbourne, Tyburn River and Tyburn Brook) are not
identified by the Thames RBMP as water bodies in their own right.
The River Westbourne runs approximately north-south, entering Westminster at Paddington/Bayswater,
passing under Hyde Park then the western edge of the borough to enter the Thames near Chelsea
Bridge. It has a small tributary, Tyburn Brook, under Hyde Park. The separate Tyburn River runs
approximately north-south further eastwards within the borough, passing under Hyde Park and Green
Park and entering the Thames near Vauxhall Bridge. There are no open stretches of the River
SECTION 3 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE INFORMATION
Westbourne (which is enclosed as the “Ranelagh Sewer”) or Tyburn River (“King’s Scholars Pond
Sewer”). However, taking a precautionary approach that minor tributaries should be considered as part
of the river water body into which they flow, they should be considered as part of the Thames Middle
water body.
The WFD does not identify any water-related Protected Areas within the borough, which require the
achievement of more stringent standards than GES/GEP to meet the requirements of other, related, EU
Directives. There are no Drinking Water Protected Areas, Groundwater Safeguard Zones or Water
Protection Areas within Westminster’s boundaries.
There are three Groundwater Source Protection Zones (SPZ) that fall partially within Westminster; one is
located in the Knightsbridge area and also falls within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; the
second SPZ has an ‘Inner Protection Zone, SPZ1’ on the opposite side of the Thames, but the ‘Outer
Protection Zone, SPZ2’ incorporates the Pimlico area, and the third SPZ is in the north of Westminster’s
boundary with Camden.
The majority of Westminster falls within a Groundwater Vulnerability Zone, which is categorised as
‘Minor aquifer – high vulnerability’, although there is a smaller area categorised as ’Minor aquifer –
intermediate vulnerability’, centred around The Serpentine.
New activities proposed through the LFRMS that affect the water environment may adversely impact
biological, hydromorphological, physico-chemical and/or chemical quality elements, leading to
deterioration in water body status. The LFRMS has therefore been assessed for WFD compliance through
the SEA process to ensure that LFRMS strategic options comply with the WFD, and contribute to
achieving WFD objectives. There may also be opportunities to deliver mitigation identified in the
RBMP’s Programme of Measures e.g. removal of hydromorphological constraints, improvements to fish
passage, and improvements to floodplain connectivity.
An SEA objective proposed to cover water quality incorporates underlying criteria to assess potential
impacts on the physical, chemical or biological status of water bodies. SEA objective 6 is also aimed at
assessing the strategy in terms of minimising any adverse effects of the LFRMS on water
hydromorphology and natural processes.
The Environment Agency (the competent authority in England and Wales responsible for delivering the
Directive) has recommended that all LFRMS’s undergo an assessment to take account of the
requirements of the WFD. A WFD assessment is therefore required to ensure that the LFRMS does not
conflict with the Thames RBMP or undermine the aims of the WFD.
Water quality
The River Thames catchment that Westminster falls under is highly urbanised with Greater London
situated at its heart. The majority of rivers are designated heavily modified and there are generally few
natural river processes throughout the catchment. The modification of rivers including in-stream
structures has led to loss of habitat diversity and the creation of barriers for fish migration (Environment
Agency 2009).
Water quality remains a significant issue in the catchment. The highly urbanised nature exacerbates the
pollution pressures, particularly through increased surface water run-off, storm sewage overflows and
misconnections, alongside effluent from sewage treatment works. These issues, the presence of invasive
species and physical modification pressures, give rise to poor water quality and habitat diversity, as well
as varied biological quality throughout the catchment. Four per cent of rivers currently achieve good or
better ecological status/potential, including the small River Lee (and tributaries) east of Westminster.
Water: Likely evolution of the baseline without LFRMS
Water resources within Westminster will be under increasing pressure from a growing population and
increased demand for wastewater treatment and drinking water. Increased flood risk could affect water
supply or treatment facilities, resulting in loss of service or contamination of water supplies. Increased
2
DOCUMENT1/[INSERT DOCUMENT LOCATOR]
water efficiency will contribute towards less water needing to be abstracted and/or treated at STW
before being discharged back into our rivers and water bodies.
The Environment Agency is aiming to improve water quality to ensure water bodies achieve GES/GEP in
line with the WFD, for example through catchment and RBMPs, and maintain this status into future
years.
Additionally, the UK CCRA for the water sector (UK CCRA 2012) shows that climate change is likely to
cause the following impacts on water nationally:
- River flows. By the 2080s, reductions in summer river flows may be significant across the UK, with the
largest decreases in southern and eastern England;
- Water supply. By the 2080s almost the whole UK population may be living in areas affected by a
supply-demand deficit unless significant action is taken. Maintaining supplies may become particularly
challenging in south- east England and the Midlands, unless further action is taken both to reduce the
demand for water and to increase supplies. By the 2050s, there may be a significant decrease in the
number of rivers where sustainable water abstraction is possible and this situation may grow more
severe by the 2080s;
- Water quality. This depends to a large extent on water volume and is therefore influenced by river
flows. For example, pollutants are less likely to be diluted by lower summer flows. Higher water
temperatures may also contribute to changes in water quality; and
- Assets and Infrastructure. Many UK sewers are part of combined systems that carry both sewerage
and surface water runoff. When their carrying capacity is exceeded by heavy rainfall, or they become
blocked, they overflow or ‘spill’. Although heavily influenced by socio-economic factors (e.g. population
change), significant increases in spill frequency may result from climate change due to changes in rainfall
patterns (e.g. more heavy winter downpours).
Climate Change Adaptation
Overview
While London currently has a very high standard of protection from tidal flooding, climate change will
increase the probability of all forms of flood risk, and the city is already exposed to far greater potential
damage from flooding than any other urban area in the UK. A number of parts of London are within the
tidal flood plain with over 150km2 of London below high tide level. The Mayor’s Climate Change Action
Plan estimates that 1.25 million people and over £80 billion of property is located in the flood plain. The
Environment Agency’s strategic flood risk management plan for the Thames, Thames Estuary 2100
(TE2100), was published in 2012 and sets out the how flood risk is likely to change in response to future
changes in climate. TE2100 considers the effects on people and property, and makes recommendations
and actions needed to manage flood risk through this century (Mayor of London 2010).
Westminster’s exposure to potential damage from flooding is high because it is home to a large and
dense population, and has relatively vulnerable infrastructure, such as the underground network. The
flood risk situation in London is further exacerbated by the fact that flooding potential comes from
upstream (fluvial flooding) and downstream from the tidal Thames (tidal flooding/sea surge) (Major of
London 2010).
The Mayor’s Draft Climate Adaptation Strategy shows that a lack of surface permeability in public spaces
is also exacerbating flood risks, as it minimises natural drainage opportunities. For example, the loss of
front gardens to parking and other hard surfacing is cited as a key component in urban areas of London
losing their ability to absorb rainfall naturally, thus leading to an increase in run-off, and pressure on the
city’s underground drainage system. More than 70% of Thames tributaries are contained in culverts or
concrete channels; and the replacement of green space by roads and buildings has reduced the city’s
ability to absorb rainfall. By the end of the century, climate change is projected to increase peak flows in
the tributaries by 40% (Major of London 2010).
SECTION 3 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE INFORMATION
The National Planning Policy Framework highlights the importance of GI in adapting to climate change. It
states that:
‘New development should be planned to avoid increased vulnerability to the range of impacts arising
from climate change. When new development is brought forward in areas which are vulnerable, care
should be taken to ensure that risks can be managed through suitable adaptation measures, including
through the planning of green infrastructure.‘
Climate change may affect the character of the River Thames within the borough and therefore there is
a need to retain flexibility within the LFRMS to adapt to unforeseen climate changes.
Climate Change: Likely evolution of the baseline without LFRMS
Greenhouse gas emissions are currently growing, however government and international targets
indicate significant cuts in these emissions by 2020.
Unless a strategy is in place to reduce flood risk from surface water and groundwater, it is likely that
flood risk in Westminster will increase as the climate changes. There will also be pressure on land not
currently under risk from flooding for development.
As development continues within the City of Westminster, surface water flooding could also increase
due to an increase in the amount of impermeable land surface.
The Historic Environment
The importance of the historic environment in Westminster (see Figure 3) is reflected in its designation
of: 






over 11,000 listed buildings (more than any other local authority in the country); In 2012, 23
Listed Buildings in Westminster were on the English Heritage ‘Heritage at Risk’ Register (English
Heritage 2014).
56 Conservation Areas covering 75% of its land area. 82% of Conservation Areas have adopted
Conservation Area audits.
21 listed historic parks and gardens, five Royal Parks and 85 ‘London Squares’ which enjoy
protection under the London Squares Preservation Act 1931.
a World Heritage Site: the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including St
Margaret’s Church. Westminster’s World Heritage Site was inscribed by UNESCO in 1987 and is
only one of 28 such sites in the UK.
two scheduled monuments
five archaeological priority areas.
A high number of strategic or protected views in Westminster, as recognised in the City Council’s
planning department (Westminster City Council 2010). Six are specifically related to
Westminster, as follows:
o St Paul’s from Parliament Hill
o Palace of Westminster from Primrose Hill
o The Palace of Westminster from Parliament hill
o St Paul’s Cathedral from Greenwich Park
o St Paul’s Cathedral from Richmond Park
o St Paul’s Cathedral from Westminster Pier.
Consideration should be given to the potential to reduce the risk of flooding to these archaeological or
architectural assets, and to the effects of LFRMS options on the character and setting of designated
heritage.
4
DOCUMENT1/[INSERT DOCUMENT LOCATOR]
There may be other areas which may have unrecorded archaeological potential, especially the Thames
foreshore banks and river walls (Westminster City Council 2012), which should be considered in
developing flood risk management responses.
Historic Environment: Likely evolution of the baseline without LFRMS
The historic environment of Westminster helps shape the character of the borough and will continue to
play an important role in the economy of the city, particularly in the tourism industry. However, the
flood risk posed to the designated historic environment will increase.
The archaeological and architectural assets in Westminster will continue to be threatened by
development pressures as well as inadequate management of features, landscapes or nearby resources,
neglect and inappropriate development within or near historic features or landscapes. Direct impacts
on cultural heritage may include loss or damage of important features, as well as indirect impacts, such
as change of water table levels which may affect the preservation of archaeological and built heritage in
situ.
Air pollution, physical or chemical erosion and pressure from tourists can also pose threats to cultural
heritage. However, the positive effects of cultural heritage management and restoration are also likely
to continue in the absence of the LFRMS.
Figure 3: Historic Environment
3.1
Townscape and Public Realm
With the exception of Westminster’s Parks and Gardens, there are no known designated landscapes in
the borough.
There are 27 important views identified in the London Plan of which 17 are either to or from
Westminster and the city is crossed by five important viewing corridors including those to the Palace of
Westminster and Westminster Abbey (Westminster City Council 2012).
Westminster is characterised by its settled, low scale townscape and there are relatively few buildings
taller than six to eight storeys (Westminster City Council 2012).
Westminster has a legacy of good quality accessible and secure streets. Many streets have already been
de-cluttered, and this process continues. Some streets would benefit from upgrading, and in some parts
of the city, street management needs to be improved, particularly with regard to tables and chairs and
other clutter on the footway. Westminster has an impressive collection of historic street furniture, much
of it listed (Westminster City Council 2012).
Significant areas of work identified to improve the public realm include Oxford Street and other West
End public realm projects, work around Victoria and Crossrail stations, work on key sites along the River
Thames, and works in the North Westminster Economic Development Area including town centre
improvements and improving connectivity with the surrounding area (Westminster City Council 2013).
These projects will be delivered through partnership arrangements.
Townscape/Public Realm: Likely evolution of the baseline without LFRMS
It is likely that increasing urbanisation will increase pressure on the skyline and viewpoints around
Westminster. However, plans to de-clutter streets and improvements to the public realm will improve
the townscape in some areas.