The proposed management plan by Danone HSW includes the long-term use of glyphosate: a chemical harmful to humans, the environment (including air and water pollution), pets and wildlife.
The use of a ‘weed-wipe’ has been identified within the plan:
“Use a weed wipe three times in year 1 to kill off weeds—spear thistle, creeping thistle, broad-leaved dock, clustered dock, wood dock, curled dock, nettle, ragwort, and others according to ECoW recommendations.” (Brooks Biodiversity Management Plan, 2024, pg 8)
This is features in the plan for year 1 of ‘Neutral Grassland’, years 1-5 of ‘Mixed Scrub’, years 1-5 of ‘New Broadleaved Woodland - Off Site Adjacent Land’, years1-5 ‘New Broadleaved Woodland - Off-Site Crag Lane’, year 1 of ‘Modified Grassland Off Site Adjacent Land’, year 1 of ‘Modified Grassland Off Site-Crag Lane’, and year 1 of ‘Sustainable Urban Drainage System - Attenuation Pond and Marginal Planting.’
“Microwipe (weed wipers) are designed to be used with herbicides containing glyphosate such as Gallup Biograde or Roundup Proactive.”
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialised cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), published a study (March 2015) leading to the conclusion that:
“The herbicide glyphosate and the insecticides malathion and diazinon were classified as probably carcinogenic to humans.”
They go on to explain that: “Glyphosate has been detected in the air during spraying, in water, and in food. The general population is exposed primarily through residence near sprayed areas, home use, and diet…”
In 2019, the BBC published an article making it public knowledge that a US jury ruled unanimously that glyphosate contributed to causing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in a California resident.
“A US jury has found that one of the world's most widely-used weedkillers was a "substantial factor" in causing a man's cancer.”
The proposed use of weed wipe would likely result in air and water pollution, leading to public health risks. Putting the health of the public at risk is unacceptable.
The FDA recognises that herbicides pose a potential risk to pets, stating that:
“Pets may be at risk of digestive or intestinal problems if they touch or eat plants that have just been sprayed.”
Rotary Wood is frequented by dog walkers. Putting members of the public’s pets at risk is unacceptable.
Furthermore, the wildlife population (fauna) on site would also be at risk of poisoning. This includes rabbits, deer and badgers - the latter are a priority species located on site (photographic and video evidence provided within February 2024 objections).
Putting local fauna at risk is unacceptable, especially when there are UK BAP Priority Species. It is an offence for a person to willfully kill or injure a badger (Protection of Badgers Act 1992). The use of a herbicide spray identified by FDA to pose a risk to animals, in an area known to support badger activity, specifically foraging, would arguably be wilful intent to cause injury and possible death.
Government guidance on what must be done to avoid harming badgers includes the use of chemicals.
The proposal to use herbicides, where there is a high chance of the chemicals entering the water system, not only potentially increases the threat to pets and wildlife (polluting their drinking water), it also poses a risk to the surrounding ecosystem as flora will access water run off for growth. How this could negatively impact the surrounding flora and fauna has not been explored, neither has the impact on the surrounding public’s health.
In addition, many of the identified ‘weeds’ support the insect population (for example, nettle) and, in turn, support the local bird and bat population. As noted above, bat species included within the UK BAP Priority Species List are identified on site.
“The benefits to wildlife are far more wide-ranging and unaffected by their sting, insects and birds find them ideal for both feeding and breeding. Their density and longevity have enabled many insects to develop a life cycle totally dependent on the Common Nettle. The larvae of the Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma all feast upon the nutritious leaves, along with a myriad of magnificent moths.”
Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55215291
Weedkiller glyphosate a 'substantial' cancer factor - BBC News
Protection of Badgers Act 1992
Badgers: protection and licences - GOV.UK
www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk