Contact: John Tickle, ext 6000, e-mail [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 This report seeks approval to declare part of the Basingstoke Canal from the Greywell Tunnel westwards to Penny Bridge, as a Local Nature Reserve (see plan Appendix A). The report outlines the context for this proposal including the consultation that has taken place.

2. Recommendation

2.1 That the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage approves the proposal to create a Local Nature Reserve on the Basingstoke Canal (Greywell Tunnel to Penny Bridge).

3. Background

3.1 In addition to being a very important navigation and recreational waterway the canal is also renowned for its nature conservation value with a significant length of the canal designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

3.2 The canal is managed in a way that recognises these characteristics and seeks to support wildlife in a way that enables people to enjoy, experience and learn about it at first hand.

4. Historic Context

4.1 This stretch of the canal formed part of the Basingstoke Canal navigation built between 1788 - 1794.

4.2 At the end of the 19^th Century, a Brick Works was developed at Up Nateley from which barges and narrow boats were used to transport bricks until 1910.

4.3 Since the partial collapse of the Greywell Tunnel in the 1930s the last five miles of the canal going back into Basingstoke (which includes this section) have remained isolated from the rest of the canal system and navigation.

5. Biodiversity Value

5.1 Part of this site (the western portal of Greywell Tunnel to Slades Bridge) which lies within the Butter Wood SSSI is noted for the development of interesting flora (including thin spiked wood-sedge Carex strigosa and the distant flowered sedge Carex remota.)

5.2 The western portal of Greywell Tunnel provides winter refuge to a significant population of hibernating bats (predominantly Natterer's bat Myotis nattereri) and has an international reputation from this perspective.

5.3 Recent studies conducted by the Canal Authority and Hampshire Bat Group strongly suggest that the portal and surrounding habitat provide a focus for autumnal swarming activity. A number of bat species have been recorded here, including the rare Barbastell Bat Barbastellus barbastella.

5.4 The Water Vole Arvicola terrestris has been recorded along this stretch within recent years along with a number of other notable species including the Dormouse.

6. Objectives

6.1 The objective for the designation will be to manage the area primarily for nature conservation. This will include maintaining special opportunities for study, research and enjoyment of nature by providing open access to the local community.

6.2 It is planned that this site will form part of a `last five miles project', giving access into the countryside from the centre of Basingstoke and recognising, through interpretation, the original canal line. This has disappeared in some places.

6.3 This proposal will recognise the wildlife value of this stretch of canal, situated as it is within an important area for conservation and will also serve to recognise access, heritage and education opportunities associated with it.

7. Management Implications

7.1 Once designated, the Canal Authority will take on the general management of this area and conserve it as a local nature reserve. There is no intention to return this section to navigation and general maintenance requirements will be within current levels of core funding.

7.2 Full public access will be retained and encouraged and no extra legal liabilities or constraints will be imposed from a management perspective.

7.3 It is hoped that the partnership approach adopted to develop this proposal will result in a small joint funding initiative to develop interpretive aspects of the project.

8. Consultation

8.1 In bringing this proposal forward consultation has taken place through the Basingstoke Canal Authority with:

Natural England

Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council

Hampshire Wildlife Trust

Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society

8.2 All of the above organisations fully support this proposal and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council have indicated their willingness to consider a small financial contribution towards the project.

9. Designation

9.1 If supported by the Executive Member, the County Council will go through the appropriate process of advertising its intentions prior to formal declaration process. This will include written notification to the organisations listed above as well as public advertisement.

9.2 This Countryside Service already manages many key sites with conservation designations, including 33 sites containing Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 14 with Scheduled Ancient Monuments and 18 Local Nature Reserves and as such is well placed to support this proposal.

10. Conclusion

10.1 A declaration of the Local Nature Reserve is seen as a positive step in supporting the conservation value of this part of the Basingstoke Canal and represents a productive partnership between the organisations listed in the report.

Section 100 D - :Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

None.