Land Management Plan

St James Church recognise that the UK is one of the least biodiverse in the world. We aim to manage our land to increase biodiversity.

OUR GROUNDS:

St James is a suburban church in the London Borough of Merton.

  1. We have a tarmacked car park for three cars, used primarily for disabled parking, since on-street parking nearby is limited. There is also a tarmacked area outside the church's main entrance which allows access whatever the weather. It is also used for outdoor events such as fairs and outdoor carolling.
  2. We have an area of lawn, which is mown to allow its use for events, such as the Good Friday Witness, summer fairs, parish picnics, children's play&helips;
  3. In 2022, we planted a side area of grass with wild flowers to create a meadow. The surrounding lawn is being allowed to grow longer. In 2023, we planted a plum tree and the fruit will be shared amongst the congregation in due course.
  4. The remainder of the grounds are planted with shrubs and allowed to grow largely untended, apart from trimming back overhanging branches from the public footway.

OUR MANAGEMENT

  1. The grass on the main lawns needs to be kept short for activities but we try to reduce the frequency of mowing whenever possible.
  2. The wild flower area is mown by hand in late Summer and the flower heads are left lying on the surrounding grass for a few days to allow the seeds to drop out and increase biodiversity; the surrounding grass is cut once a year.
  3. Pesticides are not used anywhere on our site. Herbicides are used minimally to prevent root damage to buildings and for safe access.
  4. We do not water either lawns or established plants at all. Newly planted trees are given water, using waste water as much as possible.
  5. We undertook the Count on Nature survey in 2025 to provide baseline data to allow us to improve biodiversity on site and will repeat each year.
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