A landfill site is fast becoming London’s largest urban nature reserve.

As the landfill site at Beddington Farmlands reaches its capacity, owners Viridor waste management will open it to the public, and turn it into an ecological landmark, and a breeding area featuring dozens of rare species of bird.

The council granted planning permission to Viridor in the mid 1990s, on the condition the site would be restored when it reached full capacity in about 2020.

The site receives about 375,000 tonnes of domestic and commercial waste per year.

Seven out of 10 cells on the 92-hectare non-hazardous site have now reached capacity, and Viridor is working with Sutton Council and Beddington Farm Bird Group to decide how to make the most of the area.

The land – a site of metropolitan importance for nature conservation – is already home to many rare birds, and is nationally recognised for its large breeding bird community.

About £700,000 has been spent creating a wetlands area to encourage breeding and provide a “fueling station” for migrating birds.

Beddington Farm Bird Group member Peter Alfrey said: “It will be a flagship nature reserve, and by far the most important ecological area in the borough.

“The site is being transformed.

“When it fully opens to the public it will be great for the area, people will travel from far afield to see the birds and wildlife.

“We want to make the site as good as it possibly can be – anyone who has any ideas should get in touch.”

A range of small islands and enclosed areas are being created around the lakes to provide safer breeding areas for the birds.

Reed beds are being planted to attract key bird species, as well as helping to clean the surrounding water.

Current waste disposal operations mean public access is still restricted to the majority of the site, but this is due to change within the next year.

E-mail Peter Alfrey at littleoakgroup@btinternet.com if you have any ideas of how to put the waste site to best use for the public.

Protecting the species The site is London’s only breeding colony of tree sparrows, and has one of the largest populations in the country.

It also has one of the largest urban populations of lapwings, with up to 30 nesting attempts each year, involving up to 20 pairs.

Other rare species include yellow wagtail, redshank and waders.

Work is ongoing to bring interesting species. such as little ringed plover, ringed plover, tern and snipe to the nature reserve.

The site already has 500 breeding territories for nearly 60 breeding species.

Migratory visitors include the ring ouzel, spotted flycatcher, bullfinch, black-tailed godwit and the lesser spotted woodpecker.