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The Essex Field Club
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB DEPARTMENT OF LIFE SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON ROMFORD ROAD, STRATFORD, LONDON, E15 4LZ NEWSLETTER NO. 16 February 1996 FROM THE PRESIDENT How would you describe the aims and activities of the present day Essex Field Club? When the Club first came into being it might not have been that inappropriate to regard its activities as encompassing ‘hunting, shooting and fishing’, the collection of dead voucher specimens of everything living in Essex being one of the Club’s primary objectives. Today however, our members would regard themselves as anything but, members of an organization that might be misconstrued as indulging in ‘field sports’ . Our Club is surely primarily a natural history society, with a present-day emphasis an recording, conservatian and natural history education. Your Council had a special meeting on the 31 January to look at the present and potential future role of the EFC in Essex, debating just how we could give the Club a new attractive image that would give us a steadily increasing membership, and how best we might interrelate to such organisations as the Essex Wildlife Trust, English Nature, the National Biological Records Centre and the local county natural history societies. Particularly in view of our proposed partnership in a new museum on Epping Forest. As a result of this meeting Council will be proposing at the next AGM that the Club should change its name to the ESSEX NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, and redefine its objectives, and rules, in line with its modern image. We propose subtitling the new name with ‘formerly the Essex Field Club’ for a few years, and retention of our ‘speckled wood on blackberry leaf logo’ , to give us continuity. -
Decision Document: Tilbury Green Power Limited
Determination of an Application for an Environmental Permit under the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2010 Decision document recording our decision-making process The Application Number is: EPR/KP3936ZB/A001 The Applicant is: Tilbury Green Power Limited The Installation is located at: Tilbury Dock, Essex What this document is about This is a decision document, which accompanies a permit. It explains how we have considered the Applicant’s Application, and why we have included the specific conditions in the permit we are issuing to the Applicant. It is our record of our decision-making process, to show how we have taken into account all relevant factors in reaching our position. Unless the document explains otherwise, we have accepted the Applicant’s proposals. We try to explain our decision as accurately, comprehensively and plainly as possible. Achieving all three objectives is not always easy, and we would welcome any feedback as to how we might improve our decision documents in future. A lot of technical terms and acronyms are inevitable in a document of this nature: we provide a glossary of acronyms near the front of the document, for ease of reference. Preliminary information and use of terms We gave the application the reference number EPR/KP3936ZB/A001. We refer to the application as “the Application” in this document in order to be consistent. The number we have given to the permit is EPR/KP3936ZB. We refer to the permit as “the Permit” in this document. The Application was duly made on 21 November 2013. The Applicant is Tilbury Green Power Limited. -
Newsletter Index May 2021
Wycombe Wildlife Group (WWG) newsletter index (Revised 26 May 2021) Wycombe Wildlife Group has produced a newsletter 3 times a year since the Group was formed, initially as Wycombe Urban Wildlife Group, in 1989. Copies of all the newsletters issued have been placed on this website to provide a record of the history of the Group and some of its achievements and failures in carrying out its planned objectives. This index includes reports and articles published in the newsletters containing material relating to wildlife species and their conservation, wildlife habitats and their management, as well as listing past activities such as walks, talks and visits. The list is divided into categories to make it easier to find items on particular subjects. Each item on the list shows the number of the newsletter in which it was published.By selecting the relevant issue number from the list of issued newsletters, you can view or, if necessary, download that issue. This index will be updated following the issue of each future newsletter, and amended to take account of any changes considered necessary following the receipt of comments and/or suggested changes from members. Index of WUWG/WWG newsletter items (Revised May 2021) Group activities 24 hour Wildlife Watch Marathon (Issues 5, 6 and 24) Chair Museum wildlife garden (Issue 8) Create a Hedgerow project (Issue 34) Creation of bat hibernaculum at Booker (Issue 6) Grange Farm and Terriers Farm - fauna and flora surveys (Issue 35) Hang on to hedgerows project (Issues 30-32) Hedgehog survey (Issues 5 -
Geological Conservation a Guide to Good Practice
Geological conservation a guide to good practice working towards Natural England for people, places and nature Roche Rock, Cornwall. Mick Murphy/English Nature Contents Foreword 4 1 Why conserve geology? 7 1.1 What are geology and geomorphology? 7 1.2 Why is geology important? 7 1.3 Why conserve geological features? 10 1.4 Who benefits from geological conservation? 13 2 Geological site conservation 15 2.1 Introduction 15 2.2 Site audit and selection 15 2.3 Legislation and site designation 19 2.4 Site safeguard and management 20 2.4.1 The Earth Science Conservation Classification (ESCC) 20 2.4.2 Site safeguard and threat deflection 26 2.4.3 Site management 29 2.4.3.1 Site management plans and conservation 30 objectives 2.4.3.2 Site monitoring 31 2.4.3.3 Physical maintenance of sites 32 2.4.3.4 Management aimed at threat deflection 34 2.4.3.5 Site interpretation 35 3 Management guidance by site type 37 3.1 Active quarries and pits EA 38 3.2 Disused quarries and pits ED 39 3.3 Coastal cliffs and foreshore EC 47 3.4 River and stream sections EW 49 3.5 Inland outcrops EO 51 3.6 Exposure underground mines and tunnels EU 52 3.7 Extensive buried interest EB 53 3.8 Road, rail and canal cuttings ER 55 3.9 Static (fossil) geomorphological IS 58 3.10 Active process geomorphological IA 60 3.11 Caves IC 62 3.12 Karst IK 64 3.13 Finite mineral, fossil or other geological FM 65 3.14 Mine dumps FD 66 3.15 Finite underground mines and tunnels FU 68 3.16 Finite buried interest FB 69 Geological conservation: a guide to good practice By: Colin Prosser, Michael Murphy and Jonathan Larwood Drawn in part from work undertaken for English Nature by Capita Symonds (Jane Poole and David Flavin). -
Screening Statement on the Determination of the Need for A
Screening Statement on the determination of the need for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in accordance with the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 and European Directive 2001/42/EC for the West Hanney Neighbourhood Development Plan 06 AUGUST 2018 SUMMARY Following consultation with the statutory bodies, Vale of White Horse District Council (the ‘Council’) determines that West Hanney Neighbourhood Development Plan (the ‘Plan’) does not require a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). INTRODUCTION 1. In June 2018, an SEA screening opinion was used to determine whether or not the contents of the emerging West Hanney Neighbourhood Development Plan (the ‘Plan’) requires a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in accordance with the European Directive 2011/42/EC (the Directive) and associated Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (the Regulations). 2. Any land use plan or programme ‘which sets the framework for future development consent of projects’ must be screened according to a set of criteria from Annex II of the Directive and Schedule 1 of the Regulations. These criteria include exceptions for plans ‘which determine the use of a small area at local level’ or which only propose ‘minor modifications to a plan’, if it is determined that the plan is unlikely to have significant environmental effects. 3. An initial screening opinion was subject to consultation with Historic England, the Environment Agency and Natural England. The results of the screening process are detailed in this Screening Statement and is made available to the public. THE SCREENING PROCESS 1. Using the criteria set out in Annex II of the Directive and Schedule 1 of the Regulations, a Screening Opinion determines whether a plan or programme is likely to have significant environmental effects. -
The Reading Naturalist
The Reading Naturalist No. 53 Published by the Reading and District Natural History Society 2001 Price to Non Members £2.50 T H E R E A D I N G N A T U R A L I S T No 53 for the year 2000 The Journal of the Reading and District Natural History Society President Mr Rod d’Ayala Honorary General Secretary Mrs Catherine Butcher Honorary Editor Dr Malcolm Storey Editorial Sub-committee The Editor, Dr Alan Brickstock, Mrs Linda Carter, Mr Hugh H. Carter Miss June M. V. Housden, Mr David G. Notton Honorary Recorders Botany: Mrs Linda Carter, Fungi: Dr Alan Brickstock Entomology: Mr David G. Notton Invertebates other than insects: Mr Hugh H. Carter Vertebrates: Mr Hugh H. Carter CONTENTS Obituary 1 Members’ Observations 1 Excursions Meryl Beek 2 Wednesday Afternoon Walks Alan Brickstock 5 Meetings (1999-2000) Catherine Butcher 6 The Fishlock Prize 7 Membership Norman Hall 8 Presidential address: Some Mycological Ramblings Alan Brickstock 9 Natural History Services provided at the Museum of Reading David G. Notton 13 A Mutant Foxglove Malcolm Storey 16 Sehirus dubius (or should that be dubious!) Chris Raper 17 Hartslock – a Local Success Story Chris Raper 17 Recorders’ Reports Malcolm Storey 19 “RDB” and “N” status – The Jargon Explained Rod d’Ayala 19 Recorder’s Report for Botany 2000 Linda Carter 20 The New Berkshire Flora Malcolm Storey 23 Recorder’s Report for Mycology 2000 Alan Brickstock 24 Recorder’s Report for Entomology 2000 David G. Notton 27 Recorder’s Report for Invertebrates other than insects 2000 Hugh H. -
Suffolk Coastal Local Development Framework Core Strategy - Preferred Options
Sustainability Appraisal of the Suffolk Coastal Local Development Framework Core Strategy - Preferred Options including Development Control Policies and Strategic Housing Locations also including Appropriate Assessment – screening & scoping December 2008 Suffolk Coastal District Council is grateful to the Research & Intelligence Group, Planning and Performance Improvement, Suffolk County Council, upon whose work this appraisal is based Sustainability Appraisal 1 CONTENTS Page Non-technical summary 4 1.1 Non-technical summary 1.2 Likely significant effects of core strategy policies 1.3 Likely significant effects of development control policies 1.4 Difference the process has made 1.5 How to comment on the report Introduction 6 2. Introduction 2.1 Purpose of the report 2.2 Compliance with SEA directive and regulations 3. Method of appraisal 3.1 Approach to sustainability appraisal 3.2 Who carried out the sustainability appraisal 3.3 Who was consulted, when and how 3.4 Difficulties encountered 4. State of the environment in Suffolk Coastal 4.1 description of baseline characteristics 4.2 Predicted future baseline 4.3 Main issues and problems identified 4.4 Assumptions and limitations on information 5. Sustainability objectives 5.1 Links to other policies, plans and programmes 5.2 The SA framework 5.3 Compatibility of SA and Plan objectives 5.4 Mitigation Core Strategy policies 22 6. Appraisal of core strategy 6.1 Statutory purpose 6.2 Links with national policy & other plans 6.3 Core strategy policies and options 6.4 Significant effects 6.5 Mitigation 6.6 Uncertainties and risks 6.7 Other observations 6.9 Implementation & proposals for monitoring Development Control policies 30 7. -
Conservation in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, 1942-65, from the Diaries of Charles Elton K
Walking back in Time: Conservation in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, 1942-65, from the Diaries of Charles Elton K. J. Kirby . Summary The diaries of Charles Elton, a father of community ecology, give details of over 300 visits in the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire between 1940 and 1965 (excluding those made to Wytham Woods near Oxford that are reported separately). The entries illustrate the changes that took place in the countryside in the post-war period; the idiosyncrasies of protected site selection at that time; and some of the management challenges that had to be overcome. Though inevitably a partial record they provide insights relevant to modern conservation. Modern conservationists should ensure that at least the equivalent record is passed on to future generations. Introduction Charles S. Elton, FRS, CBE (1900-1991) was one of the fathers of community ecology (Elton 1966) and the first editor of the Journal of Animal Ecology. He created and directed the Bureau of Animal Population from 1932 until his retirement in 1965 (Crowcroft 1991). The Bureau was absorbed into the Department of Zoology and Elton continued to have an office there for some years after his retirement. He was also a key figure in the early years of the Nature Conservancy which was set up in 1949, the forerunner of Natural England and the other statutory conservation agencies, and was involved in discussions on which sites should be become reserves or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Figure 1. Elton (in the middle, holding nets) with students in the 1950s. Elton lived in north Oxford and there is a commemoration plaque in the pavement in Park Town. -
Earth Heritage Habitat Action Plan
Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Biodiversity Action Plan Earth Heritage Habitat Action Plan Earth Heritage Key associated species Bats Sand Martin Common Lizard Buckinghamshire has an interesting and varied geology, which has a defining influence on the ecological interest of the County. Many of the sites in Buckinghamshire are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest or as Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological sites. These sites can be equally important for the plant and animal life which they support. Specialist animals, including invertebrates, birds and bats use geological sites and management should take account of these species. Earth heritage sites offer excellent opportunities for education and for bringing together the interests of both geologists and ecologists. 1 Current status in UK Biological status 1.1 Great Britain has a varied geology. Rocks, fossils, minerals and landforms are important features of our natural heritage, acting as records of how Britain has evolved over hundreds of millions of years. 1.2 Geology dictates much of the resultant landscape and scenery as well as the flora and fauna above. There is a strong association between habitat type and geology. This may be linked to the control of geology on landscape, soil type or niches, which have a variety of ecological values. The ecological value of sites is generally greatest where the substrate is not exposed but exposed substrate can be important for some invertebrates, pioneer plant species and lower plants. 2 Current status in Buckinghamshire Cover and distribution 2.1 Geology contributes in no small way to the shape of the human landscape and has guided many of its uses from the earliest times. -
Rare Plants Group 2007 Newsletter
Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire Rare Plants Group 2007 Newsletter Fen Violet, Viola persicifolia Note the mite waiting for a pollinating insect Photo: Phil Cutt INTRODUCTION Many of “our” species did well in 2007; Green Hound’s-tongue reappeared, just, at its Cotswold site; while Pasqueflower flourished on the chalk downland. Ploughing of the Wild Celery field has produced a record showing of this mainly coastal biennial. One of the young reinforcement plants of True Fox-sedge at BBOWT’s Asham Meads reserve even flowered. However, the little newly-planted Meadow Clary plants at Ardley were dug up by rabbits, and left to die. Fen Violet kept its numbers up, thanks to the dedicated farmer, the MoD warden and energetic volunteers from the neighbouring RSPB reserve. Preliminary research indicates that Fen Violet is producing lots of seed. Most pleasing of all John Killick found a new county record while working on the Rare Plants Register (see page 8). The spring and summer floods had dramatic effects on some species – Grass Poly, a charming magenta-flowered annual of flooded field corners, had a huge showing, after having been absent last year. Creeping Marshwort seemed to survive the floods – the plants at North Hinksey were under water for weeks in July and August, but went on to flower. We found Cuckoo-flower trying to beat the floods with little plantlets along the midribs of the leaves. Viviparous plantlets on the leaves of Cuckoo-flower, Cardamine pratensis, on Binsey Green; this is a known phenomenon but we think this maybe a response to the heavy summer flooding of 2007. -
Joint Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council Landscape Guidance August 2015
Joint Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council Landscape Guidance August 2015 Joint Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council Landscape Guidance 2015 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The landscape of Babergh and Mid Suffolk (South and North Suffolk) is acknowledged as being attractive and an important part of why people choose to live and work here. However current pressures for development in the countryside, and the changing agricultural and recreational practices and pressures, are resulting in changes that in some instances have been damaging to the local character and distinctiveness of the landscape. 1.1.1 Some development is necessary within the countryside, in order to promote a sustainable prosperous and vibrant rural economy. However, such development would be counterproductive if it were to harm the quality of the countryside/landscape it is set within and therefore the quality of life benefits, in terms of health and wellbeing that come from a rural landscape in good condition.1 1.1.2 The Council takes the view that there is a need to safeguard the character of both districts countryside by ensuring new development integrates positively with the existing character. Therefore, a Landscape Guidance has been produced to outline the main elements of the existing character and to outline broad principles that all development in the countryside will be required to follow. 1.1.3 Well designed and appropriately located development in the countryside can capture the benefits of sustainable economic development whilst still retaining and enhancing valuable landscape characteristics, which are so important to Babergh and Mid Suffolk. 1.1.4 The protection and enhancement of both districts landscape is essential not only for the intrinsic aesthetic and historic value that supports tourism and the economy for the area but also to maintain the quality of life for the communities that live in the countryside. -
Statutory Contaminated Land Strategy
Aylesbury Vale District Council : Contaminated Land Strategy : July 2001 Aylesbury Vale District Council Statutory Contaminated Land Strategy Required under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 78B Rachel Christie Head of Environmental Health Services PO Box 459 Aylesbury HP20 1YW Fax (01296) 585674 DX 4130 Aylesbury www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk Visitors please call at 66 High Street Aylesbury 1 Aylesbury Vale District Council : Contaminated Land Strategy : July 2001 Contents Page Introduction & Overview i.1 Background to the legislation 4 i.2 Explanation of terms 5 i.3 National objectives of the new regime 6 i.4 Local objectives 7 i.5 About this strategy 8 i.6 Roles and responsibilities 9 i.7 Outline of the statutory procedure 9 i.8 Situations where this regime does not apply 11 i.9 Land under the ownership of the enforcing authority 13 i.10 The need for team working 13 i.11 Financial and manpower implications 14 The Strategy Part 1 - Description of the Aylesbury Vale Council area and how its 15 particular characteristics impact on the inspection strategy Part 2 - Identification of potentially contaminated sites and their 23 prioritisation according to risk Part 3 - Obtaining further information on pollutant linkages and 27 the risk assessment process Part 4 - The written record of determination and formal notification 31 Part 5 - Liability and enforcement 33 Part 6 - Data handling and access to information 36 Part 7 - Quality control, performance indicators and arrangements 38 for review Part 8 - Projected costs