Nesting Birds and FOI Request to Thames 21 and Enfield Council
August 19, 2026
Dear <redacted names>,
I am a local resident who manages a CIC called Open Woods, which is funded through the generous support of the Enfield Society. I am writing about the Salmons Brook Restore and Reconnect project in Enfield Chase, delivered by Thames21 in partnership with Enfield Council.
I recently observed tree and vegetation clearance along the brook during July/August. As this falls within the main bird nesting season (broadly March to August), when the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects active nests, I would be grateful for information on how the work has been planned to remain compliant with wildlife law. I am raising this as a genuine query and freedom of information request, rather than an assumption that anything is wrong, and I would welcome the reassurance.
Specifically, please could you tell me:
1. Was a nesting-bird survey or check carried out by a suitably qualified ecologist before the clearance began, and on what date? May I see a copy?
2. Were any active nests identified, and if so, what measures (such as exclusion zones or postponement) were put in place to avoid disturbing them?
3. Why was the work scheduled during the nesting season rather than in the lower-risk September-to-February window? Was there a specific operational or safety reason?
4. Do any of the trees affected have Tree Preservation Orders, and if so, was the appropriate consent obtained from Enfield Council?
5. Is there an ecological method statement or environmental assessment for this phase of work that I could see a copy of?
6. Were any of the newly planted trees since 2021 cleared? If so, what plans are there to replace them?
I would be grateful for a response within a reasonable time, and I am happy to be pointed to any published documents if that is easier. Thank you for your time, and for the wider work to restore the brook. I have enclosed a copy of my report and video published today https://www.openwoods.org/reports/botany-bay-to-ferny-hill which details my concerns and questions.
Yours faithfully
Helen Moulinos, Open Woods CIC https://www.openwoods.org/
On August 21st we received the following reassuring response from the Enfield Council which we felt was aligned to our own conservation values:
The Council’s Response
I can confirm the Council does hold the requested information.
1. Was a nesting-bird survey or check carried out by a suitably qualified ecologist before the clearance began, and on what date? May I see a copy?
The Council’s in house Arboricultural team are qualified to observe nesting birds and bat roosts ahead of any tree clearance. In addition, the project employs both an internal ecologist and external ecological
consultancy to conduct species surveys. As the works are being delivered in phases, the nesting bird reports are also conducted in phases. This enables us to reassess whether there are nesting birds before each sub-section of each phase begins where works
are being conducted during bird nesting season.
Consequently a nesting bird survey was conducted for the first sub-phase of works. Please see the attached document.
2. Were any active nests identified, and if so, what measures (such as exclusion zones or postponement) were put in place to avoid disturbing them?
No active nests were identified during the first sub-phase of works. Trees containing inactive nests have been retained, in line with the projects objective of preserving as many trees as possible as part
of the river restoration scheme.
Although no active nests were present and therefore no nesting-related exclusion zones or postponements were required, a range of measures have been implemented to protect retained trees and associated habitats
during construction.
Category A and B trees identified in the Arboricultural Survey are being retained, while lower-quality and young trees have been approved for removal where necessary. To protect retained trees:
· No excavations or level increases are permitted within 5 metres of retained mature oak and hornbeam trees.
· Ground level changes beyond this distance are limited to 200 mm.
· Temporary protective fencing will be installed around Root Protection Areas (RPAs) in accordance with BS 5837.
· Ground protection measures such as ground guards, will be used where access is required within root zones.
· No-dig construction techniques will be adopted for temporary access routes and working platforms near trees.
· Machinery operating beneath tree canopies is restricted to prevent branch damage, with any necessary pruning undertaken as agreed by qualified arborists
· Tree trunks, canopies and RPAs of Category A and B trees are clearly marked and protected throughout the works
· An Arboricultural Clerk of Works is monitoring compliance, inspecting protection measures, supervising works near retained trees and has authority to stop works if unauthorised
encroachment occurs.
These measures ensure that retained trees and their ecological value are protected throughout the construction period, despite no active bird nests being identified in the current phase.
3. Why was the work scheduled during the nesting season rather than in the lower-risk September-to-February window? Was there a specific operational or safety reason?
Construction works for the river restoration scheme are scheduled during the summer months, when the river channel is typically dry. This not only provides more suitable working conditions but also minimises
the risk of disturbance to aquatic habitats and species.
Initial vegetation clearance was undertaken in February 2026, prior to the commencement of the bird nesting season. These works were limited to scrub removal and the felling of a small number of large trees
that had been identified as either dangerous, dying, or in poor condition. Throughout the project, the aim has been to retain as many high-value trees as possible. Category A and B trees identified in the Arboricultural Survey are being retained, while lower-quality
and younger trees are being selectively removed only where necessary to facilitate access for construction activities. This selective thinning will also improve light penetration within the woodland corridor, which has become densely shaded through a prolonged
period of under-management, thereby enhancing habitat diversity and supporting the long-term ecological objectives of the restoration scheme.
It should also be noted that any trees felled as part of the scheme will be retained on site and repurposed. Timber arising from tree removals will be used to create woody debris features and log jams within
the restored river corridor, as well as habitat piles within the floodplain and adjacent woodland creation areas. This approach maximises the ecological value of felled material, providing habitat for invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals,
while contributing to the natural functioning and habitat diversity of the restored environment.
4. Do any of the trees affected have Tree Preservation Orders, and if so, was the appropriate consent obtained from Enfield Council?
None of the trees currently have Tree Preservation Orders (TPO). The Council’s Principal Arboricultural Officer will decide if some trees do require a TPO, however, all mature trees will be retained so a TPO can be
designated at any time by the Council.
5. Is there an ecological method statement or environmental assessment for this phase of work that I could see a copy of?
Yes. The contractor have ecological clauses within their method statement. In addition, there is an ecological watching brief which is being conducted by both the Council’s ecologist as well as an external
consultant ecologist who are supervising the works. Please see the extract of the ecological clauses within the method statement:
Protection of Nesting Birds and other Wildlife
Should vegetation clearance be conducted within the core bird nesting season taken to be 15th February to 31st August, surveys for nesting birds must be carried out prior to any clearance. In addition,
protected species surveys have been ongoing. Although none have been identified at the date of this document issue, care should be given during excavation, removal and transportation of large wood as reptiles and bats amongst other species may be present.
As works also include the infilling of the river channel, a Fish Movement licence has been granted for the site, and any fish identified must be transported to an appropriate location (Cheyney Walk Open Space) downstream of the works.
Surveys should be carried out a maximum of 24 hours prior to vegetation clearance. If vegetation clearance is required during the nesting season, the Contractor should inform the Supervisor at the earliest
opportunity.
The vegetation removed can be stockpiled to create wildlife habitat piles locally.
Protection of Trees
A number of Category A and B trees will be retained within the channel. For these the following protective measures must be considered:
Protective Fencing: Sturdy barrier fencing (Heras or post-and-wire with high-visibility tape, to BS 5837 standards) will be erected around the Root Protection Areas (RPAs) of retained trees prior to any
site works. In constrained areas where the full RPA cannot be fenced off, the maximum possible area around the trunk will be protected and activities in the remaining RPA will be carefully controlled (e.g. use of ground protection).
•Ground Protection: Where vehicle or machinery access is required within root zones (e.g. on the designated bank access routes in proximity to trees), temporary ground protection will be used. This may
include ground guards and heavy-duty track mats. This prevents soil compaction and root damage.
•No-Dig Techniques: Any temporary access track or working platform near trees will employ no-dig construction.
•Low Headroom and Pruning: Machinery operating under tree canopies will be limited in height or have folding masts to avoid striking branches. If necessary, a minimal pruning of lower branches may be performed
by qualified arborists to create safe clearance for equipment. Any pruning will be kept to the essential minimum and follow best practices to avoid introducing decay.
•Trunk/Canopy Protection: trees that require protection will be demarked with paint and the root protection zone will be demarked with tape. Overhanging branches that cannot be pruned might be temporarily
tied back or supported.
•Monitoring: An arboriculture clerk of works will attend site at key points, for instance, to inspect tree protection measures before works commence, and to supervise any excavations near trees or tree
removals. They will have authority to stop work if unauthorised encroachments into protected zones occur.
6. Were any of the newly planted trees since 2021 cleared? If so, what plans are there to replace them?
The majority of the trees established as part of the woodland creation project are located outside the floodplain and will not be affected by the river restoration works.. Any woodland creation trees within
or adjacent to the working area have been clearly demarcated and protected, reflecting their long-term management agreement with the Forestry Commission.
In addition, areas of naturally regenerated trees within the floodplain have been identified and fenced off for retention wherever possible. Retaining these self-seeded groups will complement the restoration
scheme by increasing the structural diversity, complexity and ecological value of the floodplain habitat.
This information can be found in the FAQs section of the scheme’s webpage:
https://letstalk.enfield.gov.uk/salmons-brook-river-restoration
