Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
Rewilding Hillingdon - Participation in the London Rewilding Programme Development Phase
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Chief Officer Decision Notice Page 1
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Chief Officer Decision Notice
For non-key decisions
Notice is hereby given that the following Chief Officer Decision has been made, as
delegated by the Cabinet/Cabinet Member or under their delegated authority in the
Council’s Constitution.
1. NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
Title of decision Rewilding Hillingdon
Participation in the London Rewilding Programme Development Phase
Name and Title of
Chief Officer(s)
making the
decision
Chris Wheeler
Director of Environment
Directorate Resident Services
Reference No. 2026 / 1788
Date of decision 02/09/2026
Relevant Ward Hillingdon East
Details of Decision Taken
Decision The Chief Officer agrees to:
1. Approve the London Borough of Hillingdon's participation
in the funded development phase of the London Rewilding
Programme.
2. Support continued partnership working with the Greater
London Authority (GLA) and London Wildlife Trust (LWT).
3. Progress feasibility studies, stakeholder engagement,
ecological assessments and concept development for
rewilding opportunities within the borough.
4. Note that participation in the programme does not commit
the Council to implementing any future rewilding proposals
and that any future delivery projects, financial
commitments or land management changes will be subject
to separate approvals.
Chief Officer Decision Notice Page 2
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Reason for
decision The London Rewilding Programme provides a fully funded opportunity
for the Council to explore landscape-scale nature recovery
opportunities within Hillingdon. The programme has identified the
Gutteridge Wood and Yeading Brook corridor as a priority area for
further investigation following borough-wide feasibility work undertaken
between 2024 and 2025.
Participation in the development phase will provide access to specialist
expertise, technical support and additional officer capacity to undertake
ecological, hydrological and stakeholder assessments. The programme
will allow Hillingdon to help shape emerging proposals while retaining
full control over any future decisions relating to implementation, land
management or funding commitments.
The proposal supports the Council's biodiversity, environmental
improvement, climate resilience and community wellbeing objectives
whilst carrying no direct capital commitment from the Council during
the development phase.
Alternative
options
considered and
rejected
List alternative options considered and rejected
Option 1 – Do not participate in the programme
This option was rejected as it would result in the Council missing a fully
funded opportunity to investigate landscape-scale habitat restoration
and nature recovery initiatives within the borough and would limit
Hillingdon's ability to influence proposals being developed through a
strategic Mayoral programme.
Option 2 – Participate in the development phase (recommended)
This option enables the Council to access external funding, technical
expertise and partnership support while retaining the ability to make
separate decisions on any future delivery proposals.
Factors
considered The following factors were taken into account:
• The potential environmental benefits through habitat restoration,
biodiversity recovery and ecological connectivity.
• Opportunities to improve climate resilience, natural flood
management and river health.
• Increased access to nature and associated health and wellbeing
benefits for residents.
• The need to ensure alignment with planning policies and
environmental designations.
• The importance of early community and stakeholder
engagement.
Chief Officer Decision Notice Page 3
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
• The fact that no future implementation or financial commitment
is being approved through this decision.
Report Author &
Directorate
Dragana Knezevic
Countryside and Conservation Officer
Residents Services
Legal and Finance Comments
Finance
comments
Finance has reviewed the proposals and notes that participation in the
London Rewilding Programme developmental phase does not require
any direct capital funding contribution from the Council.
Finance Officer
name and Title
Yasmeen Hasan
Capital Finance Business Partner
15/07/2026
Legal Comments The decisions set out in this decision notice in relation to the rewilding
programme do not carry any legal impediments for the Council.
The Council has functions in relation to ecology, wildlife, biodiversity and
natural spaces under various statutory provisions, such as section 164
of the Public Health Act 1875, section 10 of the Open Spaces Act 1906,
and section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act
2006. The decisions further these functions.
The Council should ensure that any rewilding works comply with
planning, environmental and other land restrictions. To this end, this
notice confirms that there will be engagement with Planning Services.
Also, any contract that is entered into as part of the programme
must comply with the Council's Procurement Standing Orders.
More specific comments will be provided in any future reports or notices
regarding specific works / projects being carried out as part of the
programme.
Legal Officer
Name and Title
Anita Dhillon
Lawyer
16/07/20266
Chief Officer Decision Notice Page 4
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Appendices / report attached
List here any
report /
appendices / e.g.
tender evaluations
or other
documentation to
be included in
support of this
decision
Report attached (public)
Exempt
Classification
N/A - Public
Cabinet Member & other Chief Officer consultation
Name and Title of
any other Chief
Officer(s) you
have consulted
with and as per
any delegation.
N/A
Name and Title of
the Cabinet
Member you have
consulted, and as
per any delegation
Cllr Bridges Councillor Bridges confirmed by email that he approved
the proposed decision on 20th July.
Any conflicts of
interest declared
by the Chief
Officer making
this decision
and/or Cabinet
Member who is
consulted by the
officer which
relates to the
decision - or if
dispensation by
the CEO was
granted to them.
N/A
Chief Officer Decision Notice Page 5
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Authority for this decision
Detail authority
from Cabinet or
under delegated
authority in the
Constitution /
Officer Scheme of
Delegations
This decision is made by the Director of Environment under the general
operational management delegation contained within the Officer
Scheme of Delegations applicable to Level B Officers (Director of
Environment). The decision relates to participation in the development
phase of the London Rewilding Programme. Councillor Bridges was
consulted and confirmed his support for the proposal by email on 20
July 2026. Participation in the programme does not commit the Council
to any future expenditure, implementation works, or delivery projects,
all of which would be subject to separate approvals if required.
2. APPROVAL
Formal approval by Chief Officer making the decision
Signed ………………………………………………………Date 02/09/2026
Chief Officer – Chris Wheeler, Director of Environment
Chief Officer Decision Notice Page 6
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
3. REPORT
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
1. Background
1.1 The Mayor of London established the London Rewilding Taskforce in 2022–23 to identify
opportunities for large-scale nature recovery across London.
1.2 Consultant-led feasibility studies undertaken between July 2024 and July 2025 identified
two potential opportunity areas within Hillingdon, with the Gutteridge Wood–Yeading Brook
landscape emerging as the preferred pilot area.
1.3 In January 2026, the Mayor of London committed funding for a two-year development
phase to support rewilding projects across London.
1.4 The programme is being delivered through a partnership between the Greater London
Authority and London Wildlife Trust.
1.5 London Wildlife Trust has appointed a Senior Rewilding Partnerships Officer to support
programme development with participating boroughs.
2. Proposal
2.1 Participation in the development phase would include:
• Working in partnership with the GLA and London Wildlife Trust.
• Supporting ecological, hydrological and technical feasibility assessments.
• Developing landscape-scale nature recovery concepts.
• Participating in stakeholder and community engagement.
• Working collaboratively with planning, environmental and infrastructure specialists.
• Exploring external funding and investment opportunities.
• Receiving additional officer support through the programme.
2.2 Participation does not commit the Council to implementing any future rewilding projects.
2.3 Any future proposals would be subject to detailed design work, consultation, assessment
and separate Member approval processes.
3. Strategic Alignment
3.1 The programme supports a range of Council priorities including:
• Habitat restoration and enhancement.
Chief Officer Decision Notice Page 7
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
• Biodiversity recovery.
• Woodland, grassland and wetland conservation.
• Ecological connectivity.
• Natural flood management.
• Climate change adaptation.
• Carbon sequestration.
• Improved water quality and river health.
• Enhanced public access to green spaces.
• Active travel opportunities.
• Community participation and volunteering.
4. Planning Considerations
4.1 No planning approvals are being sought at this stage.
4.2 The current phase focuses on feasibility studies, evidence gathering and option
development.
4.3 Planning Services will continue to be engaged throughout the programme to ensure
alignment with planning policy, environmental designations and place-making objectives.
RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION
The benefit or impact upon Hillingdon residents, service users and communities?
Participation in the development phase is expected to deliver benefits through:
• Improved biodiversity and habitat quality.
• Enhanced climate resilience and natural flood management.
• Increased opportunities for residents to access and enjoy nature.
• Potential improvements to walking and cycling connectivity.
• Opportunities for volunteering and community involvement.
• Health and wellbeing benefits associated with high-quality green infrastructure.
No adverse impacts on residents are anticipated at this stage as no physical works are
proposed.
Consultation & Engagement carried out (or required)
Discussions have taken place with officers from the Greater London Authority, London Wildlife
Trust and relevant Council services including Planning.
Chief Officer Decision Notice Page 8
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Community and stakeholder engagement will form a key component of the development
phase. Any future proposals will be subject to wider consultation before implementation.
CONSULTEE COMMENTS
Finance comments
There are no direct financial implications arising and no impact on Council resources from the
participation in the funded development phase of the London Rewilding Programme.
Finance notes that participation in the development phase does not commit the Council to the
delivery of any future rewilding projects or any ongoing funding obligations. Should the project
progress to a delivery phase then this will be on the basis that external funding is secured.
The development phase of the London Rewilding Programme is fully funded through external
programme funding.
There is no direct capital commitment required from the Council as part of this decision.
The programme will provide access to external technical expertise, specialist assessments and
support with feasibility studies and engagement activities, enabling the Council to explore
potential nature recovery and environmental enhancement opportunities.
Legal comments
The decisions set out in this decision notice in relation to the rewilding programme do not carry
any legal impediments for the Council.
The Council has functions in relation to ecology, wildlife, biodiversity and natural spaces under
various statutory provisions, such as section 164 of the Public Health Act 1875, section 10
of the Open Spaces Act 1906, and section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural
Communities Act 2006. The decisions further these functions.
The Council should ensure that any rewilding works comply with planning, environmental and
other land restrictions. To this end, this notice confirms that there will be engagement with
Planning.
Also, any contract that is entered into as part of the programme must comply with the Council's
Procurement Standing Orders.
More specific comments will be provided in any future reports or notices regarding specific works
/ projects being carried out as part of the programme.