Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. The Countryside Service has in the past designated some of their sites as Local Nature Reserves and is currently seeking to designate further sites. In order to ensure that any candidate site fits the Natural England criteria and any future management of the site is aligned with the aims and objectives HCC and the Countryside Service, a "Creation of Local Nature Reserves" Policy has been prepared. This report seeks approval of this new policy.

1.2. in line with the above policy, this report seeks support and approval for several new Local Nature Reserves. These are proposed at Netley Common, Westwood Woodland Park, Whiteley Coppices, Dundridge Meadows, Manor Farm, Sturt Pond and Bishops Waltham Branch line.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are a statutory designation which identifies land, normally managed by a Local Authority, which is of value to local people for accessing the natural environment.

2.2. A policy has been created by the Countryside Service for selecting site where LNR would be beneficial. It also details the steps to be taken to ensure that the local community are consulted and engaged in the process of designation, and in the future of the site, if LNR status is confirmed.

2.3. As part of the process within the policy, before any new LNRs are designated approval is sought from the appropriate Executive Member. Several proposed LNRs are presented here for that purpose.

3) Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

3.1. The new Countryside Service "Creation of Local Nature Reserves" policy is approved.

3.2. The declaration of new LNRs at Netley Common, Westwood Woodland Park, Whiteley Coppices, Dundridge Meadows, Manor Farm, Sturt Pond and Bishops Waltham Branch line is approved.

MAIN REPORT

1) Contextual Information:

1.1. Local Nature Reserve (or LNR) is a statutory designation made under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 by principal Local Authorities. It should be seen as a permanent designation, de-designation is possible but is extremely rare.

1.2. LNRs are described by Natural England as for both people and wildlife. They are living green spaces in towns, cities, villages and countryside which are important to people, and support a rich and vibrant variety of wildlife. These give easy local access, allowing informal contact with the natural environment. They also provide a great opportunity for people to become involved in the management of their local environment, for educational events and public open days.

1.3. In addition, because LNRs support habitats and species that are important within a local (and often national) context, they should form an integral part of Local Biodiversity Action Plans.

1.4. PPS9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation lists local sites, including LNRs, as having a fundamental role to play in meeting overall national biodiversity targets. It further recommends that criteria based policies should be established in local development documents, against which proposals for any development on, or affecting, such sites will be judged. Nature conservation is a material consideration within the planning process and the declaration of a site as a LNR will give extra emphasis for its conservation value.

1.5. The declaration of LNRs by an Authority is generally seen as a commitment by that Authority to manage the land as a nature reserve and protect it from inappropriate uses or developments.

2) Key Issues:

2.1. Everyday contact with nature is important for peoples wellbeing and quality of life. Current research has shown that access to green spaces can have a beneficial effect on both mental and physical health.

2.2. Whilst contact with nature in spectacular wilderness areas undoubtedly has its place, the value of access to the everyday, unspectacular natural environment that is near to your home is increasingly being recognised. People should have to make no special effort to access nature.

2.3. Local green spaces can serve as a focus for local activity, act as a social facilitator and encourage community cohesion. The creation of LNRs at such sites can increase community engagement with the environment and a sense of ownership, and assist in building relationships between the local community and the managing authority.

2.4. Where such community links are forged and can be demonstrated, additional external funding may be gained.

3) Countryside Service Local Nature Reserves

3.1. The Countryside Service currently manages 17 LNRs, the majority of these however were designated over 10 years ago. Many of the other sites managed by the Service are already, or have potential to be, managed in a manner complimentary to possible LNR status.

4) Criteria for selecting Local Nature Reserves

4.1. Natural England recommend that LNRs should be;

· normally greater than 2ha (4.9 acres) in size.

· capable of being managed with the conservation of nature and/or the maintenance of special opportunities for study, research or enjoyment of nature as the priority concern.

4.2. Natural England also state that LNRs should also be either;

· of high natural interest in the local context.

· of some reasonable natural interest and of high value in the local context for formal education or research.

· of some reasonable natural interest and of high value in the local context for the informal enjoyment of nature by the public.

4.3. Alongside of these, the proposed Countryside Service criteria are that the potential LNR site;

· must be either owned or leased by the Countryside Service.

· must have a long term future with the Countryside Service.

· would normally be designated as of Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) level or greater.

· have a local community interest, or potential for developing this interest.

· have present or potential ready access, both within the site and the wider Rights of Way network.

· have identified resources.

· have an outline management plan or objectives.

4.4. The combined criteria will ensure that only those site which are suitable for LNR status will be selected by Countryside Service.

5) Countryside Service process for declaration

5.1. As a principle Local Authority, Hampshire County Council is able to declare LNRs. Within the Countryside Service Policy on the declaration of LNRs, steps have been identified to ensure that stakeholders are informed and involved in the proposals. This will include consultation with site users, local interest groups, parish councils, district councils and most essentially, the local community. Where the site is a leasehold the landowner will also be consulted. Such consultation will occur at an early stage of the process of proposing a LNR, before the consultation period of the official declaration process.

5.2. For the Countryside Service the process for selecting and declaring a LNR are;

· Discuss the suitability of the site with appropriate managers, checking against the Natural England and Countryside Service Criteria.

· Report and recommendation to go to CSMT for initial approval, via the Conservation Officer.

· Consultation with site stakeholders.

· Consultation with Natural England.

· Report to go to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage for support and approval.

· Official declaration process to be carried out by Democratic Services.

· Local launch event.

6) Approval of several new LNRs

6.1. Several Countryside Service sites in the southern area are currently proposed as new LNRs. These conform to the selection criteria set down by Natural England and the Countryside Service. All of the sites have current management plans.

6.2. Consultation is currently underway with the appropriate neighbours, local user groups and organisations. For Netley Common and Westwood a public consultation website has been set up. Numerous letters of support are being collected along with any concerns individuals may have. These will be considered and addressed where appropriate and practicable.

6.3. All the proposed sites have been visited by the Natural England officer Bob Lord, who commented, "I think the County Council should be proud of these sites, the existing management and proposals for the future". He further recommended that each of the sites are worthy of promotion to Local Nature Reserve status because they are;

· Of high natural interest in the local context.

· Of high value in the Borough context for the informal enjoyment of nature by the public.

· Are capable of being managed with the conservation of nature and the maintenance of special opportunities for study and research as a priority.

7) Proposed New LNRs

7.1. The following sites are proposed as Local Nature Reserves.

7.2. Netley Common is a 16 hectare site on the outskirts of Southampton. It is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) comprised of heathland and woodland, important for reptiles, specialist invertebrates, fungi and bog plants. The site contains a Bronze Age burial mound and a Roman road. It is an important site for dog walkers, guided walks, health walks and local school visits. A Friends group has been set up in partnership with Southampton City Council.

7.3. Westwood Woodland Park is a 60 hectare woodland and grassland SINC jointly owned with Southampton City Council. It is well used by dog walkers, families, school children and other local people, with a large number of guided walks and events through the year. There are over 11 km of footpath with benches and a picnic area. Many species of plant and animal are found on the site including Barn Owl, Nightingale, Dormouse, Bluebells and over 400 Bee Orchids. There is a combined Friends group between this site and Royal Victoria Country Park.

7.4. Gull, Berry and Round Coppices together form the Whiteley Woods, just north of the M27 at Whiteley. These three woodlands are SINCs and have a combined area of 23 hectares. Local schools visit the sites which are important of butterflies, reptiles and the Wild Service Tree.

7.5. Dundridge is a SINC consisting of 5.5 hectares of hay meadow, hedgerows, chalk grassland and woodland. Work has been carried out here to restore the flower rich meadows with extensive help from local volunteers. This site is highly valued by the local residents.

7.6. Bishops Waltham Rail Path is a permissive footpath fringed with woodland following part of the former branch line between Bishops Waltham and Botley. It is part of the Pilgrims Way long distance footpath and is well used by ramblers and dog walkers.

7.7. Manor Farm Country Park lies beside the upper reaches of the Hamble. It consists of farmland, meadows and ancient woodland, and is in the main is of either SSSI or SINC status. The site offers extensive riverside and woodland walks, picnic areas and a children's play area. For dog owners and families there is a dedicated dog exercise field and a proposed dog owners activity trail. The manager is seeking to develop the use of the site by local interest groups and individuals. An active volunteer group works regularly on the site. Volunteers also regularly participate in the activities and maintenance of the historic farm on the site.

7.8. Sturt Pond at Milford on Sea is an important 11 hectare coastal wetland, owned by New Forest District Council and leased to Hampshire County Council to be managed as a nature reserve. The site contains lagoons, saltmarsh and reedbed, including areas of Site of Special Scientific Interest and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation. Sturt Pond is managed in partnership with Milford Environment Group, Milford Wildlife Recording Group and Milford on Sea Parish Council, who provide volunteer support and have campaigned for this site to become a LNR.

8) Recommendations:

Please see Executive Summary for recommendations.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment:

a) The policy and declaration of new Local Nature Reserves will not disadvantage any customer groups.

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder:

a) N/A

3. Climate Change:

a) How does what is being proposed impact on our carbon footprint / energy consumption?

· No significant impact on our carbon footprint or energy consumption. The promotion of nature reserves for local people should however encourage people to access their local countryside and reduce vehicle use.

b) How does what is being proposed consider the need to adapt to climate change, and be resilient to its longer term impacts?

· N/A