The Bittern Edition 1
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Somerset Woodland Strategy
A Woodland Strategy for Somerset 2010 A Woodland Strategy for Somerset 2010 Contents ©ENP Introducing the Strategy 2 Mendip 20 Table of Contents 2 Sedgemoor 21 Woodland Strategy Overview 4 Taunton Deane 22 Benefits of a Somerset Woodland Strategy 4 West Somerset 23 VISION STATEMENT 5 Sensitive Landscape Areas 24 Analysis of Somerset’s Woodland Resource 6 Culture and Heritage 25 Somerset’s Woodland Resource 6 Cultural issues related to woodlands 25 Woodland distribution 6 Links with our history and a source of inspiration 25 Area of woodland 7 Ecosystem Services provided by trees and woodland 25 Woodland size 8 Recreation and access 26 Woodland species 8 The need for public access 26 Coniferous woodland 9 Accessible woodlands in Somerset 27 Hedgerow and parkland trees 10 Case Study - “The Neroche Forect Project” 28 Other elements of the woodland resource 10 Archaeology and the Historic Landscape 29 Nature Conservation 11 Historic woodland cover 29 SSSI Woodland 11 Ancient woodland 29 Importance of the designated areas 11 Ownership of ancient woodlands 30 Key woodland biodiversity types 12 Sensitive Management of Archaeological Features 31 Local Wildlife Sites 14 Case Study - “Exmoor National Park, Ancient Woodland Project” 32 Woodland wildlife of European importance 14 Historic value of hedgerow trees 33 Management for biodiversity 15 Historic landscape policy 33 Veteran Trees 16 Woodland Ownership 34 Landscape Assessment 18 Why people own Woodlands 34 Somerset Character Areas 18 Woodland ownership by Conservation bodies 35 Woodland in -
Somerset Levels Flooding
A very European disaster The Somerset Levels Flooding Political aspects of the flooding, winter 2013-14 Richard North 7 March 2014 v.008 1 Contents Introduction ............................................................................................... 3 Policy drivers and influences .................................................................... 7 Environment Agency and local policy .................................................... 18 Deliberate flooding of the Levels ............................................................ 23 Conclusions and recommendations ....................................................... 28 Appendix 1 - the Birds Directive ............................................................. 31 Appendix 2 - EU funding of the RSPB ................................................... 39 Appendix 3 – catchment area treatment ................................................ 43 2 Introduction The winter just past has seen some of the most severe flooding in the Somerset Levels and Moors in living memory, triggered initially by the Christmas storms of 24-31 December. By 3 January, the village of Muchelney in the Sedgemoor district was cut off by flood waters and residents were using boats to make the mile-long journey to the village of Huish Episcopi, to pick up supplies. Figure 1: on the road to nowhere. The A361 in the flood area was inundated to the depth of ten feet or more in some places. With continuing rain, the flooding spread, encroaching the village of Burrowbridge. On the River Parrett, with a tidal reach of 18.6 miles to the sluice at the abandoned village of Oath, storm-driven tidal surges met flood pulses from the catchment, overtopping the protective embankments. Long before rainfall had reached record levels, the 3 waters had inundated the A361 Taunton to Glastonbury road to a depth of ten feet and more in places. Some 11,500 hectares (28,420 acres) of the 65 square miles of the Levels were covered by an estimated 65 million cubic metres of water, eventually rising to over 90 million m3. -
JNCC Coastal Directories Project Team
Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom Region 11 The Western Approaches: Falmouth Bay to Kenfig edited by J.H. Barne, C.F. Robson, S.S. Kaznowska, J.P. Doody, N.C. Davidson & A.L. Buck Joint Nature Conservation Committee Monkstone House, City Road Peterborough PE1 1JY UK ©JNCC 1996 This volume has been produced by the Coastal Directories Project of the JNCC on behalf of the project Steering Group and supported by WWF-UK. JNCC Coastal Directories Project Team Project directors Dr J.P. Doody, Dr N.C. Davidson Project management and co-ordination J.H. Barne, C.F. Robson Editing and publication S.S. Kaznowska, J.C. Brooksbank, A.L. Buck Administration & editorial assistance C.A. Smith, R. Keddie, J. Plaza, S. Palasiuk, N.M. Stevenson The project receives guidance from a Steering Group which has more than 200 members. More detailed information and advice came from the members of the Core Steering Group, which is composed as follows: Dr J.M. Baxter Scottish Natural Heritage R.J. Bleakley Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland R. Bradley The Association of Sea Fisheries Committees of England and Wales Dr J.P. Doody Joint Nature Conservation Committee B. Empson Environment Agency Dr K. Hiscock Joint Nature Conservation Committee C. Gilbert Kent County Council & National Coasts and Estuaries Advisory Group Prof. S.J. Lockwood MAFF Directorate of Fisheries Research C.R. Macduff-Duncan Esso UK (on behalf of the UK Offshore Operators Association) Dr D.J. Murison Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment & Fisheries Department Dr H.J. Prosser Welsh Office Dr J.S. -
Somerset Levels and Moors: Assessment of the Impact of Water Level Management on Flood Risk
Somerset Levels and Moors: Assessment of the impact of water level management on flood risk Report to Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium Charlie Stratford and Mike Acreman Centre for Ecology and Hydrology October 2014 Acknowledgements We would like to thank the following people for their assistance in compiling this document. Name Organisation Phil Brewin Somerset Drainage Board Consortium Nick Stevens Somerset Drainage Board Consortium Iain Sturdy Somerset Drainage Board Consortium Keith Fifield Environment Agency Murray Bush Environment Agency Christopher Matthews Environment Agency Executive Summary The aim of this document is to provide the reader with a robust understanding of the processes that affect surface-water flooding in the area of the Somerset Levels and Moors. Particular attention is paid to the storage of water in the ditch network and adjacent soil body and a key output of this report is an assessment of the role of ditch management in the severity of flood events. The Somerset Levels and Moors consist of low-lying organic peat soils sitting on top of marine silts and clays, and form in effect an impermeable bowl. Rain falling on the surrounding catchments will either infiltrate and recharge the groundwater system or find its way to the network of channels that pass through the Levels and Moors before ultimately entering the Bristol Channel. The area is naturally susceptible to flooding. Extensive drainage was carried out in the 17 th and 18 th centuries with the aim of making the land more accessible and increasing its agricultural value. The drainage network is principally managed to minimise the impact of flooding, enable agricultural production and also provide conditions required for the conservation of the natural and historic environment. -
An Assessment of the Effects of the 2013-14 Flooding on the Wildlife and Habitats of the Somerset Levels and Moors
An assessment of the effects of the 2013-14 flooding on the wildlife and habitats of the Somerset Levels and Moors Produced by Natural England with support and contributions from Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Somerset Consortium of Internal Drainage Boards, Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group South West, Bangor University and Flooding on the Levels Action Group. Summary Overview The winter 2013-14 flooding of the Somerset Levels and Moors had major impacts on communities, property, transport infrastructure, tourism and agriculture. Such a significant event will inevitably also affect the natural environment. However, considering how long the area was under water, our understanding is that the effect on wildlife and habitats was perhaps not as great as might have been expected. Our key findings are summarised below: ● Grasslands reacted in two different ways to the flooding and its aftermath. Older, more established grasslands, which are of greater importance to wildlife, appear to have recovered well whereas more recently established grasslands were either badly damaged or destroyed. ● Wildlife in ditches appears to have survived the flooding. There is a concern that the flooding may have resulted in some aquatic invasive species having spread beyond their previous range. This will need to be monitored. ● The numbers of waterfowl and wading birds remained about average for February, with the floods attracting significantly more of some species, notably ducks, but seeming to displace others, such as golden plover and teal. ● Numbers of breeding waders showed a slight dip in 2014, compared to 2012 and 2013, but were still higher than 2009. -
A Review of the Ornithological Interest of Sssis in England
Natural England Research Report NERR015 A review of the ornithological interest of SSSIs in England www.naturalengland.org.uk Natural England Research Report NERR015 A review of the ornithological interest of SSSIs in England Allan Drewitt, Tristan Evans and Phil Grice Natural England Published on 31 July 2008 The views in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Natural England. You may reproduce as many individual copies of this report as you like, provided such copies stipulate that copyright remains with Natural England, 1 East Parade, Sheffield, S1 2ET ISSN 1754-1956 © Copyright Natural England 2008 Project details This report results from research commissioned by Natural England. A summary of the findings covered by this report, as well as Natural England's views on this research, can be found within Natural England Research Information Note RIN015 – A review of bird SSSIs in England. Project manager Allan Drewitt - Ornithological Specialist Natural England Northminster House Peterborough PE1 1UA [email protected] Contractor Natural England 1 East Parade Sheffield S1 2ET Tel: 0114 241 8920 Fax: 0114 241 8921 Acknowledgments This report could not have been produced without the data collected by the many thousands of dedicated volunteer ornithologists who contribute information annually to schemes such as the Wetland Bird Survey and to their county bird recorders. We are extremely grateful to these volunteers and to the organisations responsible for collating and reporting bird population data, including the British Trust for Ornithology, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Joint Nature Conservancy Council seabird team, the Rare Breeding Birds Panel and the Game and Wildlife Conservancy Trust. -
The Story of Breeding Waders on the Somerset Levels
Farewell to the silver meadows? The story of breeding waders on the Somerset Levels Flooded meadow at West Sedgemoor RSPB reserve. Richard Archer Chris Gomersall/rspb-images.com mong the pleasures of early spring the fen meadows and flood pastures of 11 grassland sights and sounds of the Somerset Levels Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in the Aon a still morning are hard to beat. Court- heart of the Levels, and to a few non-designated ing Snipe chip and drum above the damp hay satellite sites (Fig. 1). The Levels today are one of meadows on West Sedgemoor, and Greylake’s the four most important areas for breeding waders splashy pastures resound to the urgent ‘leeu leeu’ in lowland England, despite a long and continuing calls of displaying Redshank. history of wetland decline. This article gives an overview of breeding February and March can be a noisy time on the waders on the Somerset Levels over the past Levels as returning waders display and establish century. ‘The Levels’, as the area is known locally, territories. Curlews Numenius arquata are usually consists of 30,000ha of peat and clay moors in the first to arrive, appearing from early February the floodplains of the Brue and Parrett rivers, and in older hay meadows and unimproved pasture. includes the Somerset Levels & Moors Special Unlike other Levels’ waders, Curlews are less Protection Area and Ramsar site, designated for closely tied to high water levels and adult birds its non-breeding waterbirds and rare aquatic will range quite widely to feed. They do well on invertebrates. -
Taunton Deane Landscape Character Assessment – Report 1 Taunton Deane Landscape Character Assessment
Taunton Deane Landscape Character Assessment – Report 1 Taunton Deane Landscape Character Assessment Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 3 Background and Context ...................................................................................................3 Landscape Character Assessment ................................................................................................. 8 Landscape Type 1: Farmed and Settled Low Vale....................................................................... 25 Character Area 1A: Vale of Taunton Deane ....................................................................25 Landscape Type 2: River Floodplain ............................................................................................ 37 Character Area 2A: The Tone..........................................................................................37 Landscape Type 3: Farmed and Settled High Vale...................................................................... 45 Character Area 3A: Quantock Fringes and West Vale.....................................................46 Character Area 3B: Blackdown Fringes ...........................................................................47 Landscape Type 4: Farmed and Wooded Lias Vale .................................................................... 55 Character Area 4A: Fivehead Vale ..................................................................................55 -
A358 Taunton to Southfields Dualling Scheme
A358 Taunton to Southfields Dualling Scheme Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report - Volume 1: Main Report HE551508-ARP-EGN-ZZ-RP-LE-000001 23/03/21 A358 Taunton to Southfields Dualling Scheme | HE551508 Highways England Table of contents Pages 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Purpose of the report 1 1.2 Overview of the proposed scheme 2 1.3 Legislative context and the need for environmental impact assessment 3 1.4 Planning policy context 3 2 The proposed scheme 5 2.1 Need for the proposed scheme 5 2.2 Proposed Scheme objectives 6 2.3 Proposed Scheme location 7 2.4 Proposed scheme description 10 2.5 Construction 18 3 Assessment of alternatives 21 3.1 Assessment methodology 21 3.2 Stages 0 and 1 options appraised 22 3.3 Stage 2 Further assessment of selected options 24 4 Consultation 32 4.1 Consultation undertaken to date 32 4.2 Proposed consultation 33 5 Environmental assessment methodology 35 5.1 Approach to aspects of EIA regulations 35 5.2 Surveys and predictive techniques and methods 39 5.3 General assessment assumptions and limitations 41 5.4 Mitigation and enhancement 41 5.5 Significance criteria 42 5.6 Cumulative effects 43 5.7 Supporting assessments 44 5.8 Environmental Statement 45 6 Air quality 47 6.1 NPSNN requirements 47 6.2 Study area 48 6.3 Baseline conditions 49 6.4 Potential impacts 52 6.5 Design, mitigation and enhancement measures 54 6.6 Description of the likely significant effects 54 6.7 Assessment methodology 56 6.8 Assessment assumptions and limitations 62 A358 Taunton to Southfields Dualling Scheme | HE551508 Highways -
Somerset Levels and Moors Water Level Management and Nature Conservation Strategy Summary
SOMERSET LEVELS AND MOORS WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT AND NATURE CONSERVATION STRATEGY SUMMARY National Rivers Authority * NRA Information Centre National Rivers Authority Head Office South Western Region Class No______________ t Access'on No j£LSL&X|.£... I INTRODUCTION THE SPECIAL INTEREST OF THE On 1 September 1989, the Water Act established the SOMERSET LEVELS AND MOORS National Rivers Authority (NRA) as a public body whose The Somerset Levels and Moors are recognised as an main tasks are to protect and enhance the water environment internationally important wetland of exceptional wildlife, in England and Wales, and to provide appropriate protection landscape and archaeological interest. The area contains 12 against damaging flooding from rivers and the sea. major wet grassland Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) covering a total of approximately 7,200ha. English Nature has identified that the Levels and Moors meet the criteria of MISSION STATEMENT (PART) international importance qualifying for protection under two The NRA will protect and improve the water environment. designations: This will be achieved through effective management of water The Ramsar Convention to protect wetlands and the resources and by substantial reductions in pollution. The European Community Directive on the Conservation of Authority aims to provide effective defence for people and Wild Birds (Directive 79/409). property against flooding from rivers and the sea. In discharging its duties it will operate openly and balance the interests of all who benefit from and use rivers, RECENT PROBLEMS groundwaters, estuaries and coastal waters. With the post-war drive to maximise food production came drainage schemes of increased efficiency. Drier conditions THE NRA AND NATURE have thus become more prevalent on the Somerset Levels CONSERVATION and Moors allowing more intensive systems of agriculture to be used. -
LICENCE ANNEX B: Summary of All Restrictions Relating to Licensed
LICENCE ANNEX B: Summary of all restrictions relating to licensed actions on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and RAMSAR Sites within the county of Somerset Protected sites that are within the assessment are not necessarily part of any active operations. Active operations can and will only occur on protected sites where landowner permission has been granted. SSSI Site Name European Site Licence Conditions Name (if applicable) Aller and Beer Woods Exclude SSSI or restrict vehicles to existing tracks. Limit SSSI location of traps to existing sett footprint Aller Hill SSSI Exclude SSSI or restrict vehicles to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint or improved/ semi-improved/scrub grassland areas. Avoid localities of (Schedule 8 plant - Althaea hirsuta) Rough Marsh- mallow, consult Local Team for details Asham Wood SSSI Mendip Exclude SSSI or restrict vehicles to existing tracks. Limit Woodlands SAC location of traps to existing sett footprint Axbridge Hill and Fry's Exclude SSSI or restrict vehicles to existing established Hill SSSI tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint, woodland or on improved/ semi-improved/scrub grassland areas. Avoid localities of Vascular Plant Species Babcary Meadows SSSI Restrict vehicles to existing tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. Delay access until after hay cut, mid-July Barle Valley Exmoor & Exclude SSSI or avoid woodland areas from all shooting Quantock trapping and vehicle use. Limit activity to outside bird Oakwood SAC nesting season (1st March - 31st July). Restrict vehicles to existing surfaced tracks. Limit location of traps to existing sett footprint. -
Taunton Deane Local Plan Forms the Detailed Part of the Development Plan for Taunton Deane
C O N T E N T S Chapter Page 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 2. Strategy..................................................................................................................... 5 Aims and Objectives ................................................................................................. 5 Strategy..................................................................................................................... 6 S1 General Requirements ................................................................................ 12 S2 Design ......................................................................................................... 15 S3 Mixed-use developments ............................................................................ 16 S4 Rural Centres .............................................................................................. 18 S5 Villages........................................................................................................ 18 S6 Cotford St Luke New Village ....................................................................... 19 S7 Outside Settlements .................................................................................... 19 S8 Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land................................................... 20 S9 Taunton Town Centre.................................................................................. 21 3. Housing ..................................................................................................................