HAMBLETONHAMBLETON BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY ACTIONACTION PLANPLAN APRIL 2002 HAMBLETON BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN The Biodiversity Action Plan is an initiative to maintain and enhance the whole variety of life on Earth. Whilst many people perceive it to be a 'good thing' there has been a great deal of uncertainty as to what needs to be done and how they can contribute. The Hambleton Biodiversity Action Plan will help clarify that situation. The production of a Biodiversity Action Plan was an important target in the Local Agenda 21 Strategy for Hambleton District. By identifying areas of our natural environment where action is required, the Hambleton Biodiversity Action Plan represents an important step in the creation of a sustainable future. The Challenge of the Hambleton Biodiversity Action Plan is in making it not simply one to which conservationists, farmers and planners feel they must respond, but one in which all sections of the community actually want to become involved. We all want a healthy, attractive and sustainable natural environment and the actions and objectives in the Hambleton Biodiversity Action Plan are about achieving those real physical changes that will conserve our natural environment, halt the decline of key habitats and species, and make good past losses. No single organisation or body can achieve all the changes and improvements that are required and it is only by working together, forging new partnerships and involving the whole community that we can hope to establish and maintain a healthy environment in which all life can thrive and survive. Signature April 2002 HAMBLETON BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN Page i.1 CONTENTS Published by: Hambleton District Council, Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Northallerton DL6 2UU Telephone:01609 779977, Fax: 01609 767228 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.hambleton.gov.uk Page i.2 HAMBLETON BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN April 2002 HAMBLETON BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN Contents S E V Neutral Grassland Foreword i E N Habitat Action Plan 7 E I G Road Verges Contents ii H T Habitat Action Plan 8 O N Magnesian I N N E Introduction 1 Limestone Grassland E Habitat Action Plan 9 T Towns,Villages and T W E Lowland Heathland N O Open Spaces Habitat Action Plan 10 Habitat Action Plan 2 T E H L Farmland E R Rivers and Streams V E E E Habitat Action Plan 3 N Habitat Action Plan 11 F Native Broad- T O W U leaved Woodland E Lakes and Ponds R L V Habitat Action Plan 4 E Habitat Action Plan 12 F TH I I R V Wet Woodland Black Poplar T E Habitat Action Plan 5 E E Species Action Plan 13 N Lowland Wood FO S U I R X Bat Pasture and Parkland T E E Species Action Plan 14 Habitat Action Plan 6 N April 2002 HAMBLETON BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN Page ii.1 AN N E X Acknowledgements A A AN N E X Glossary B B AN N E X Bibliography C C AN N Steering Group E X D Membership D AN N E X Contacts E E AN N List of E X F Abbreviations F AN N E X Feedback Form G G Page ii.2 HAMBLETON BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN April 2002 O N INTRODUCTION E Background Biodiversity encompasses the whole In a local context, Biodiversity has variety of life on earth. It includes not particular importance in giving a only all species of plants and animals, distinctive character to an area, whether but also their genetic variation, and the it be chalk downland, estuary, woodland complex ecosystems of which they are or mountain. Even in towns and cities, all part. It is not restricted to rare or oases of wildlife habitat make an threatened species but includes the important contribution to the quality of whole of the natural world from the life. commonplace to the critically The world, however, is losing endangered. Biodiversity is also about Biodiversity at an increasing rate mainly the wide range of habitats that these as a result of human activity. It is animals and plants live in and depend reported that the UK has lost over 100 upon. species this century, with many more The intricate network of ecosystems, species and habitats in danger of habitats and species that comprises disappearing, especially at a local level. Biodiversity provides the support On a world scale, the rate of loss is systems that sustain human existence. It now recognised to be a cause for provides many of the essentials of life – serious concern, requiring international our oxygen, water, food, clothing, health action to prevent continued loss of and relaxation. The value of Biodiversity Biodiversity. extends from the spiritual benefits The target audience for the Hambleton gained from contact with nature, to the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is economic potential of wild species for landowners and land managers, policy new sources of food or medicines. makers and policy implementers, the wider community and businesses, their employees and customers. Planning Policy Context Framework Regional Planning Guidance for Yorkshire and the Humber to 2016 Planning Policy Guidance Note 9 advises (RPG12, published October 2001) now how the Government’s policies for the requires local planning authorities to conservation of our natural heritage are identify and develop policies for areas to be reflected in land use planning. It important to the conservation of embodies the Government’s biodiversity. This is to be done by commitment to sustainable drawing on Local Biodiversity Action development and to conserving the Plans and by reference to the Regional diversity of our wildlife. Biodiversity Audit and the National Species Action Plans (Policy N1). April 2002 HAMBLETON BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN Page 1.1 The North Yorkshire County Structure is found, and Plan (Alteration Number 3, October ! improve the number and diversity 1995) contains policies stating that of sites and habitats of nature development will normally be permitted conservation value in the District. only where it would not harm the character and appearance, general The preparation and use of the amenity value or nature conservation Hambleton Biodiversity Action Plan is interests of the surrounding area. an important part of the planning process because, in addition to The Hambleton District Wide Local providing valuable information and Plan (January 1999) contains policies supplementary planning guidance, it also with clear objectives to: identifies specific and positive actions ! protect sites and habitats of nature that can be undertaken to preserve and conservation interest from enhance biodiversity in Hambleton inappropriate development, District. ! protect the nature conservation heritage of the District wherever it Links to LA21 The Council’s Local Agenda 21 Strategy Local Agenda 21 Strategy (December states that the Council will, in 2000). It is also one of the Council’s partnership with North Yorkshire targets to develop a Council ‘Education County Council,‘Develop a Biodiversity for Sustainable Development Strategy’, Action Plan for the District’ by July which links throughout the various 2001. This document, therefore, satisfies sections of this plan. one of the targets in the Council’s first Why a Biodiversity Action Plan? Why conserve biodiversity? a rich and diverse natural world. Biodiversity is an integral part of our In the UK the destruction of the surroundings and quality of life, countryside and the loss of wildlife has providing a resource for recreation and been such that a rich and healthy education, improving our well-being and natural environment is no longer maintaining a whole range of guaranteed. For example, 98% of environmental protection functions such wildflower meadows, 448,000 as flood control and climate regulation. kilometres of hedgerows, over two million skylarks and 95% of high brown Biodiversity – a quality of life fritillary butterflies have been lost in less issue than a lifetime. We need to halt decline Quality of life is important to us all, and and put back, where we can, what has is dependent on a number of factors. been lost not just in protected areas or Amongst others, these include access to nature reserves, but in the wider a decent home, work, education, health. countryside too. Neither the scale of It also depends on a healthy the task nor the need for urgent action environment – clean air and water, and should be underestimated. Page 1.2 HAMBLETON BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN April 2002 Biodiversity is important to biodiversity cannot be dealt with by us all: targeted species or habitat recovery work alone. Many of the threats and ! We must hand over to the next constraints to protecting biodiversity generation a world no less rich arise from broader issues relating, for than the one we inherited; example, to the unsustainable use of ! The culture of a nation - music, land, air and water. An integrated literature and visual art - is approach is needed if positive impacts inspired by its landscape and are to be made, for example through: wildlife; ! Support for environmentally ! Respect for the environment friendly agricultural methods, and encourages respect for ourselves; the protection of the rural ! Power over other organisms economy; confers responsibility; ! Planning – needs to have a clear ! Life takes time to evolve but can approach to avoiding or mitigation be lost quickly and is impossible to of adverse impacts on habitats as a replace; result of development; ! Our environment’s health ! Controls on water management determines our own; and pollution; ! Some organisms are useful to us ! Protection of areas of high but we should not limit our efforts biodiversity interest (e.g. Sites of to these - we must conserve all Special Scientific Interest); those about which we still know ! Action on climate change, through little. wiser energy and transport use. Biodiversity is not only significant for The UK Biodiversity Action those who have a direct interest in Plan nature conservation.