Beddington Farmlands project providers ‘have failed’ Sutton, admitted councillors, as the plans face further delays.

The long-awaited nature reserve has again been stalled at the planning stage, leading councillors to say it’s ‘now time for legal enforcement’.

Plans for the 120-hectare site near the Beddington industrial estate were initially proposed as South London’s newest wetland habitat nearly 20 years ago and would provide ample space for wildlife and humans.

Some work has been carried out on the sight since then, with a bird hide being erected that members of the public can visit on regular guided walks.

However, the plans have been constant source of frustration for councillors and members of public alike during that time, with the project passing it’s deadline completion date on a number of occasions.

Tensions flared at last night’s Housing, Economy and Business committee as Sutton councillors directed their anger towards the lack of any progress on the Farmland’s project.

Councillors were told how, despite after years of planning discussion and seemingly endless ‘back and forth’, 80 per cent of biodiversity tasks had not not been started on the site.

Matters were made worse by the notable absence of any representatives from Valencia Waste Management during the meeting.

This meant many questions were left unanswered and led Lib Dem Councillor Ed Parsely to describe their behaviour as ‘disrespectful and quite frankly cowardly’.

Beddington Councillor Tim Foster, who has been actively pushing for the plans in his ward, began a discussion about ways to deal with Valencia in a bruising fashion.

He said: “I’m sorry to say I have a profound sense of deja vu as with regards to the current state of play on the farmlands.

“There is no point in waiting for another report in March; that would be three years since Viridor sold the project from under the council’s feet. The target species, the ecology and the borough, cannot afford more excuses. It is time for enforcement.”

The project has previously seen revisions and even a change of owner from Viridor, who owns the nearby Beddington incinerator, to Valencia.

Now, a report published by the council for the meeting last night has left councillors questioning whether Valencia will even carry out the biodiversity works they are legally obliged to.

Councillors heard that one of the reasons for Valenica’s delay was that the approved restoration would be deliverable due to concerns over the acid grassland and the technical challenges of delivering it without risking the chalk Wandle stream.

The original plans had been for the farmlands to be covered in acid grassland, which is nutrient-poor but provides a great habitat for biodiversity. 

Valencia has now shown interest in replacing this with meadow grassland, which they say would be easier and cheaper to deliver. However, Sutton councillors believe this is just another excuse in a long line of ‘failed promises’.

For the first time, councillors are united in supporting measures that would see Sutton taking legal action against Valencia.

They hope this action will force Valencia to complete the works and compensate the local authority for the ‘time and opportunity’ they have already exhausted. 

Anger and frustration were rife throughout the meeting, with councillors across the spectrum venting their anger on behalf of residents.

Committee chair Jake Short said, “Valencia have categorically failed us,” while former council leader Ruth Dombey stated, “They have proved themselves to be arrogant and have very little intention of carrying out the work they are legally obliged to do.”

Councillors concern for Valencia’s commitment was worsened by the absence of the £1.8m bond, which they assumed would be included with the original plans as a form of assurance that the project would be completed.

Upon discovery that no such bond existed, the council committed to investigating further.

While the next update regarding the project is expected in March, the council has now committed to discussing legal action with it’s officers. Before the end of discussion, Foster added: “We need to stand our ground, we are the authority here and unless we demonstrate we are the authority it will make a nonsense of the planning application.

“We need, if nothing else, to rattle a sabre or two.”

When approached for comment, a spokesperson for Valencia said: “We remain committed to working with the London Borough of Sutton and stakeholders to deliver the Beddington Farmlands restoration project.

"This has seen significant investment into varying the restoration plans to make them fit for purpose and ensuring that the site can be delivered sustainably for the communities around the site and we look forward to receiving planning permission in 2025.”