About the Holland Park Ecology Centre

Kensington and Chelsea is one of the most densely populated London Boroughs with only 19% of the Borough designated as open space, giving the least amount of open space per head. Despite this, we have a surprisingly rich biodiversity resource and are home to many nationally and internationally scarce species and a variety of important habitats.   

Biodiversity is part of our heritage and provides a healthy environment for us to live and work. The intrinsic benefits provided by biodiversity impact our everyday lives, from contributing to clean air through our trees, green spaces absorb rainfall preventing flooding, helping our environment be resilient to a changing climate, to bees and insects pollinating our crops to name a few.   

Kensington and Chelsea Local Sites 

There are 24 designated Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) in the borough, including woodlands, parks, and wildlife gardens. These are sites that have been designated as they are either important areas of wildlife habitat, places where rare species are found, or places whereby the local community can have contact with the natural world.  

There are different types of Local Sites in the Borough: 

• Sites of Metropolitan Importance – Containing the best examples of London's habitats and species and opportunities to have contact with nature 
• Sites of Borough Importance grade I and II - These sites have a significant contribution to the ecology of the Borough and damage to these sites means a significant loss to the Royal Borough. 
• Sites of Local Importance - These sites are of value to people, nearby residents, and schools. These sites are designated in recognition of their role to the community and nature locally. 

All sites are a priority for protection and provide opportunities for people to have contact with the natural environment. For information about parks and open spaces in the borough visit our Parks pages

Local Biodiversity Action Plan 

We have a Local Biodiversity Action Plan which sets out the Borough's priorities around protecting, conserving, and enhancing Biodiversity. The plan sets out objectives, produced in consultation with a wide range of conservation experts, local organisations, and individuals, and linked to the Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy for London. 

We are currently reviewing our biodiversity action plan and will be consulting on the plan later this year so check back for details soon. 

 

Aims of the Plan 

The broad aims and objectives of this Biodiversity Action Plan are: 

1. To audit and monitor the ecological status of habitats and species; by carrying out focused biodiversity surveys and monitoring key indicators for species and habitats.
2. To raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity; by creating opportunities for local residents and visitors to enjoy the natural environment and to understand the biodiversity of the borough.
3. To protect and enhance the borough’s biodiversity resource; by improving the quality of the local environment through practical management, habitat creation and protection of important wildlife sites.