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1Appendix A

2 Environmental Baseline

3Environmental Baseline InformationThis 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 ConditionsPopulationWestminster 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 HealthHealth 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. Noise disturbance to the local community from the LFRMS is not considered to be a strategic issue.

Accessibility and RecreationAreas 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:

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

Make a direct contribution to improving home and community resilience to climate change, for example through green roofs that improve localised drainage.

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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 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 AssetsThere 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 FaunaDesignated SitesThere 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): -

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 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 SpeciesWestminster 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 GeomorphologyThere 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.

WaterFlood RiskThe 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 DirectiveThe 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 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 qualityThe 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 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 AdaptationOverviewWhile 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).

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 LFRMSGreenhouse 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 EnvironmentThe 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 Hillo Palace of Westminster from Primrose Hillo The Palace of Westminster from Parliament hillo St Paul’s Cathedral from Greenwich Parko St Paul’s Cathedral from Richmond Parko 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.


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 RealmWith 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 LFRMSIt 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.

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