WarrenFarmNR Update – Boundaries and Buffer Zone
Thank you to everyone who has posted on our social media, emailed and called with concerns over the speculated loss of habitat on WarrenFarmNR as we await the incoming Local Nature Reserve (LNR) designation. If we’ve been a bit quiet this year on social media it’s because a few members of our team have had some life admin to attend to, but please rest assured that we are continually working behind the scenes to get our rewilded land safeguarded and the LNR designation across the line. We would like to take this opportunity to respond to some of the questions being raised of late, so please put that kettle on and let’s get into an update…
“What exactly has Ealing Council committed to deliver for WarrenFarmNR?”
On 6th March 2024, after the epic amount of support we received from everyone wishing to see rewilded WarrenFarmNR safeguarded for it’s incredible wildlife, Ealing Council’s Cabinet agreed that ‘All of Warren Farm will be rewilded and protected’. It was a massive celebrated moment! The council’s report confirmed the area to be designated as a Local Nature Reserve (see page 2, point 2):
“Delegates authority to the Strategic Director of Economy and Sustainability to apply to Natural England with updated plans to designate the entirety of the Warren Farm Sports Ground (in red) as a Local Nature Reserve.”
It also confirmed the neighbouring Imperial Collage London area to be designated for a proposed new sports facility (Page 2, point 3):
“Delegates authority to the Strategic Director of Economy and Sustainability to determine the exact location of the sports facilities (within the blue area of the plan on page 4) following consultation with local interest groups.”
Both the red area (LNR) and the blue area (sports facility) were clearly marked on the map plan on Page 4 of the report. We think it’s clear as day, please take a look!
Council map showing the boundary line in red of the agreed upon WarrenFarmNR LNR designation and the blue line for sports designation on neighbouring land.
Basically, the Cabinet approval meant that this became council policy, meaning the council have not just publicly committed but have signed-off that this is happening.
Ealing Council’s Cabinet re-confirmed this later in a report on 16th July 2025. Again, referring to the map with the clear red and blue boundary lines as seen in the previous report. The boundaries of the area for the sports facility were made very clear (see page 2, point 1.) The boundaries were therefore agreed in not one, but two separate cabinet meetings. The map and the Cabinet decision were also then published on Ealing Council’s website.
Image of the boundary line map published on the Ealing Council website.
The map included in this agreement is transparent - the red line shows the WarrenFarmNR boundary line. The blue line shows the neighbouring Imperial College boundary line. Note how the brownfield area on WarrenFarmNR is within the red boundary line, as it always has been.
We have been having discussions with the council and working on the application required to get official Local Nature Reserve designation ensuring our species are safeguarded… forever!
“Has the council now backtracked on ‘all’ of WarrenFarmNR being protected?”
On 15th October 2025 the Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Gary Malcolm raised a question at a council progress update meeting where there were confusingly two different area sizes quoted in the report that was being discussed, in relation the LNR designation boundary line, let’s dig into that… WarrenFarmNR is 24.8 hectares (just shy of 25 hectares). The council report said it would be rewilding both 20 and 22 hectares, which would be a reduction of somewhere between 3 to 5 hectares. In response, Cllr Blerina Hashani, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities, said the size difference was because it came from an out-dated map and the Council Leader, Cllr Peter Mason, said it was a ‘typo’.
You can watch the video below time stamp 28:30.
Katie Boyles, Warren Farm Nature Reserve campaign organiser and Chair of the Brent River Park charity, was quoted in recent press coverage saying; “This size discrepancy was well spotted by the Leader of the Opposition. We are surprised that the Cabinet Progress Report used numbers from what sounds like an out-of-date document and that two different figures (20 and 22 hectares) were quoted in the same paragraph. The full size of Warren Farm Nature Reserve is just shy of 25 hectares.
“It appears that a mix of poor miscommunication and the use of out-dated information has muddied the waters. Why a 2021 document is being referred to at all is a bit odd but here we are. Our talks with the council have been slow, yes, but positive since it was agreed in March 2024 that all of Warren Farm will be given Local Nature Reserve designation. The supporting published documents of which contain maps clearly showing the Warren Farm boundary line and where sports provision will be placed on the neighbouring Imperial College land.
“Cllr Blerina Hashani’s response, standing by the council’s commitment to make all of Warren Farm into a nature reserve, is reassuring. Reducing the size of our Local Nature Reserve by a fifth would have had serious negative consequences for our species-rich meadow. I would like to take this opportunity to reassure our 26,000 plus supporters and stakeholders, that we would, of course, oppose any de-wilding of what is a much loved rewilded site. We remain in constructive dialogue with Ealing Council and are looking forward to celebrating next year when Warren Farm Nature Reserve becomes officially designated.”
In an Ealing.News press article on the matter a spokesperson at Ealing Council denied any change in its position saying that “The size of the Local Nature Reserve planned for Warren Farm has not been reduced since 2021. The earlier figure was an estimate based on assumptions at that time. It wasn’t a deliberate reduction, and the council hasn’t stepped back from its original commitment.”
“Can we really trust this and what would you do if it isn’t true?”
Please know we have since raised this recent boundary size issue when it came up with the council and are in conversation about this ‘blip’. If we were to suddenly find ourselves in a position where things were moving in a direction that harmed our beloved species-rich meadow and our wildlife was put under threat in any way, we would inform you, our 26,200 petition supporters and take appropriate action. And yes, as we’re being asked, in such circumstances, we would reignite the campaign (which is still very active, we’re working hard!) but right now we are as content as we can be with the council discussions to date. Steps are being taken in the right direction towards safeguarding our rewilded urban meadow and all the incredible biodiversity benefits that come with this.
“Why is the Imperial College land not receiving LNR designation?”
In our original vision and campaign we asked for WarrenFarmNR and all the surrounding Brent River Park meadows to be given Local Nature Reserve designation. This includes Trumper’s Field, Jubilee Meadow, Blackberry Corner, Fox Meadow, Earl of Jersey Field and Imperial College land.
The WarrenFarmNR Vision map showing the connected meadow habitats our campaign wants to receive LNR designation.
The adjourning Earl of Jersey Field and Imperial College land are both privately owned. (Historically speaking, both WarrenFarmNR and the Imperial College land were jointly named in all council documentation as being ‘Warren Farm’. Both bits of land were at one time farmland and both were once used for sports in later years). Would we have loved to have had the Imperial College land given LNR designation too for all the amazing biodiversity benefits it would bring? Of course! Citing the requirements for sports provision in the borough, this is where the negotiations between Imperial College London, the horse stables and Ealing Council have landed to date.
“What about the promise made on all the other meadows receiving LNR status?”
Jumping back to 28th April 2022 Ealing Council confirmed its decision to give all of the meadows it owns which surround WarrenFarmNR Local Nature Reserve designation. Namely Trumper’s Field, Jubilee Meadow, Blackberry Corner and Fox Meadow. This in itself is an added big boost for Biodiversity Net Gain in the borough and we were delighted by this decision! (And still are!) The blog post we published at the time can be read here.
The WarrenFarmNR map highlighting the surrounding meadows that will be receiving LNR designation
Has this been slower than a Slow Worm in happening? Yep. Is it still happening? Yes, with WarrenFarmNR being put through for LNR designation first. There is a whole series of processes involved in getting LNR designations ready and approved and we are working with the council on these. Yes, we would like it to be faster too, more Peregrine Falcon levels of speed, but in their Delivery Plan, Ealing Council’s Cabinet has set itself a target of achieving LNR designation for all of WarrenFarmNR by the end of the 2025-26 financial year - which is 31st March 2026. We are actively working towards achieving this.
“Won’t having sports next to a nature reserve be damaging for wildlife?”
If not managed correctly, yes it could be. Our ground-nesting Skylarks, Bats and Owls among many other species of invertebrates, mammals and plants call WarrenFarmNR home. We are keenly aware that safeguarding our wildlife from compromised sports disruption and encroachment has to be a priority if this is to be a true success story for biodiversity in London. Any areas for sports provision on the neighbouring land will potentially need to address issues such as light pollution, noise pollution, cars, pesticides, increased footfall, proposed building structures and 3G / astroturf pitches (let’s sadly call them what they are environmentally speaking, microplastic pollution and future landfill).
Our Rewilded Brownfield Area needs to remain as a vital Buffer Zone between our Meadow, where one of our priority species the Skylarks nest, and any proposed sports usage on the adjacent Imperial College land. This Buffer Zone will need to safeguard our wildlife from sports impacts as listed above. Retaining the brownfield habitat on WarrenFarmNR will provide a safe haven for a different mix of rare and vulnerable species recorded here, species which cannot be found in our main rewilded meadow area. The council, along with agreeing for our need of a protective Buffer Zone between the two sites, also like the idea of the Warren Farm NR Rewilding Hub concept we put out thanks to our friends at Lill Architects. It makes perfect ecological sense from both sides of the fence. Bats and Barn Owls don’t mix with floodlights, and sports players won’t want to be inadvertently harming wildlife.
“Is building work about to start?”
There would need to be an approved planning application in place if anybody wants to build anything, especially on a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Imperial College land is a SINC in its entirety. WarrenFarmNR has a SINC that runs the full length of Windmill Lane and more so, in 2017 a council report recommended WarrenFarmNR to receive SINC status in its entirety too. SINC’s should be reviewed every 10 years so this is currently 8 years overdue. Our Brent River Park charity has been working with the council to rectify this, not just for WarrenFarmNR but for SINCs across the entire borough. This is another important process that is ticking along in the background.
We do not know the details of who the sports provider is at this point in time. There will need to be a consultation and we await the consultation process with interest. Again, ongoing discussions are taking place and the agreed upon red and blue boundary lines will be a vital element.
We have been granted council permission to apply for funding to create a Rewilded Brownfield Buffer Zone.
In some positive breaking news - Ealing Council as the landowner, has given us permission at the Brent River Park charity and team WarrenFarmNR to apply for funding to create a protective Rewilded Buffer Zone on the brownfield areas. We know just how important this is for our wildlife going forward and for our supporters, who have joined us on many fascinating nature walks here with local experts. Funding is not something that will happen over night, it is a process we are starting to explore. All in all, it doesn’t get more urban nature than this!
To summarise
The council has agreed to give all of WarrenFarmNR LNR designation. It is council policy twice agreed and, as more recently stated, the latest size reduction issue was a mistake.
The council have stated the LNR designation is to go through March 2026.
The Brent River Park charity and us have been given council permission to apply for funding to create a Rewilded Buffer Zone on the brownfield areas of the site.
The SINC review is in process across the borough, WarrenFarmNR included.
As yet there is no definite information on the proposed sports facility. There would need to be an approved planning application in place if anybody wants to build anything.
The adjourning Brent River Park meadows namely Jubilee Meadow, Blackberry Corner, Trumpers Field and Fox Meadow are receiving LNR designation.
With less than 2% of meadow habitats left in the whole of the UK, these LNR designations are hugely beneficial for both the health of our wildlife and us!
Summer Wildflowers on Rewilded Meadow WarrenFarmNR
Finally, thank you again so much to everyone who has contacted us over the past few days. Your continued support and care for WarrenFarmNR have truly helped put us in the positive position we find ourselves in today. We’re incredibly grateful to all who keep an eye out for WarrenFarmNR, it means the world to our wildlife. Should anything take a negative turn for any reason, please be assured we will keep you informed but for now, we’re feeling optimistic in getting this LNR designation for WarrenFarmNR across the line at the start of 2026!
Team WarrenFarmNR
BrentRiverPark.org / WarrenFarmNatureReserve.co.uk / JustGiving - The Big Five Fundraiser!
A Skylark in amongst the Daisies on our rewilded meadow. Photo credit and songful thanks to @oonaghh_london