DOCSLIB.ORG

Natural and Semi- Natural Green Space

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Natural and Semi- Natural Green Space Draft Open Space Needs Assessment | December 2014 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space Natural and Semi- Natural Green Space Land, water and geological features which have been naturally colonised by plants and animals and which are accessible on foot to large numbers of residents. www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 59 Draft Open Space Needs Assessment | December 2014 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 60 Draft Open Space Needs Assessment | December 2014 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space What is natural and semi-natural green space? Natural and semi-natural green spaces have been defined as “land, water and geological features which have been naturally colonised by plants and animals and which are accessible on foot to large numbers of residents4.” They are areas of undeveloped land with limited or no maintenance, which have been colonised by vegetation and wildlife and includes woodland, railway embankments, river and canal banks, road verges and derelict land. The primary function of natural and semi-natural green spaces is to promote biodiversity and nature conservation, but they are also important for environmental education and awareness. This section of the Open Space Needs Assessment provides an overview of natural and semi-natural green space that is, for the most part, accessible to the public. It follows on from the ‘Biodiversity Distribution’ section which has considered open space with biodiversity value and networks of natural and semi-natural green spaces, many of which are not publically accessible. Ilketshall St Andrew & St John Common 4 Harrison, C, Burgess, J, Millward, A, and Dawe, G (1995) Accessible Natural Greenspace in Towns and Cities English Nature Research Report 153, English Nature www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 61 Draft Open Space Needs Assessment | December 2014 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space Benefits of natural and semi-green space Accessible natural and semi-natural green spaces have an important contribution towards the quality of the environment and life in urban areas. They often have high community value and have a variety of benefits including: health and well-being: better physical and mental health; economics: attracts people to live and work in an area and can be a key contributor to regeneration; education: provides hands on experience with plants and animals and learn about the environment around them; functional: vegetation slows runoff to reduce risk of flooding and can help mitigate air and noise pollution; biodiversity: provide wildlife habitats; children’s play: facilities for independent play, good physical health and stimulating useful learning experiences. The Open Space Needs Assessment (2006) consulted the public to ascertain their views of natural and semi-natural green spaces in the District. A summary of the key findings are set out in Figure 18. Lound Heath www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 62 Draft Open Space Needs Assessment | December 2014 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space Figure 18: Summary of key points in 2006 consultation General 15% go for a country walk at least weekly and 39% monthly 18% never visit the countryside 28% visit the Broads at least monthly People who visit the countryside least tend to be elderly, less mobile or do not have private transport Frequent countryside visitors live in rural areas and smaller towns 75% said the countryside was easily accessible More than half of residents say walking paths are well signposted but only 37% say they are well-maintained 46% of people identified common land in their locality and 19% identified specific village greens 22% of people knew of wildlife in their local area and over half said there were not enough of these areas. Beaches 3% of people use the beach daily, 40% every two weeks, 9% never visit the beach (primarily people with disabilities and without private transport). People living near the coast use the beach most often. Visits to the beach are primarily by car (60%) and 27% walk to the beach. Beaches trips are less spontaneous for people living away from the coast. Primarily used for walking, relaxing, socialising and picnics. 22% use the beach for swimming. Two main areas of concern are a shortfall of car parking facilities and toilet facilities. www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 63 Draft Open Space Needs Assessment | December 2014 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space Recommended standard of provision The Open Space Needs Assessment (2006) found that people living in Beccles, Bungay and North Lowestoft do not consider there to be sufficient access to natural and semi-natural green space. People in North Lowestoft, however, have relatively good access to beaches. On this basis it was considered that North Lowestoft has a good provision of natural and semi-natural green space and meets local expectations. A standard of 2 hectares of accessible natural green space per 1000 population was recommended. Access to natural and semi-natural green space Natural England advocates that every household should have access to natural green space. To help achieve this, Natural England encourages the use the of ‘Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard’ (ANGSt). The standard recommends that everyone should have access to: at least 2 hectares in size, no more than 300 metres (5 minutes walk) from home; at least one accessible 20 hectare site within two kilometres of home; one accessible 100 hectare site within five kilometres of home; and one accessible 500 hectare site within ten kilometres of home. Across the District the distribution of natural and semi-natural green space and public access to these sites varies. Areas located in the coastal part of Waveney have good access to natural and semi-natural green space (Figure 19). Much of this area is quality wildlife habitat including several protected areas. The Waveney Valley provides an area of accessible natural and semi-natural green space and good access to the Broads. People living in the north eastern part of the District also have good access to natural areas outside the District such as Breydon Water. Similarly in the south of Waveney, Halesworth and Southwold & Reydon and the nearby villages that have access to the natural area of Minsmere. www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 64 Draft Open Space Needs Assessment | December 2014 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space Figure 19: Access to natural and semi-natural green space Along the coast, there are several Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation which are protected by European legislation. These sites provide good access to natural green space for people living in towns and villages stretching from Kessingland to Southwold. The beach also provides good access to a natural and semi-natural environment that provides wildlife habitat and can be used for recreational purposes. In the west of the District, access to natural and semi-natural green space is more limited. Sites that are available tend to be small pockets of natural and semi-natural green space rather than large green spaces. This limitation, however, is offset by the good access many of these communities have to the open countryside. www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 65 Draft Open Space Needs Assessment | December 2014 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space Quality and value of natural and semi-natural green space A quality and value assessment was completed for natural and semi-natural green spaces located within the boundaries of Lowestoft and the market towns where this was their primary use. Sites located in the rural areas of the District were not assessed in this manner, however, quality and value scores were taken from the 2006 assessment (it is assumed that little change has taken place to these sites since 2006). The greatest number of natural and semi-natural green spaces are located in the rural areas of the District. This is shown by the rural quality and value scores affecting the overall district average scores (Figures 20 and 21). Almost of these are of high quality but their value is generally lower. Figure 20: Quality of natural and semi-natural green space 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% Percentage of Percentage sites 30% 20% 10% 0% Beccles Bungay Halesworth Kessingland North South Southwold Rural District Lowestoft Lowestoft & Reydon Low Medium High www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 66 Draft Open Space Needs Assessment | December 2014 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space Figure 21: Value of natural and semi-natural green space 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% Percentage of Percentage sites 30% 20% 10% 0% Beccles Bungay Halesworth Kessingland North South Southwold Rural District Lowestoft Lowestoft & Reydon Low Medium High Residents living in Lowestoft and the market towns have several natural and semi-natural green spaces located within, or in close proximity to the build up area. Generally, these spaces are of good quality and value. Beccles, Bungay and Southwold all have access to large commons that support wildlife and offer opportunities for recreational activities. Halesworth, North Lowestoft and South Lowestoft have smaller natural and semi-natural green spaces, however, these are quite well integrated into the urban fabric offering good access to local residents. The coastal communities of Lowestoft, Kessingland and Southwold & Reydon also have access to the beach to supplement access to natural and semi-natural green space. www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 67 Draft Open Space Needs Assessment | December 2014 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space Natural and semi-natural green space in the Beccles area People living in Beccles have good access to natural and semi-natural green space. Beccles Common provides a significant green space of good quality and value to support a range of uses including a large open space for informal recreational activities, equipped play spaces, golf and a range of habitats for wildlife. The space is linked into a range of other forms of green space including sports pitches, allotments and Beccles Marshes.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Suffolk Health
    Stepping Out January to in Suffolk March 2019 Suffolk Health Winter Brochure East, West & Waveney Areas Helping local people live healthier lives Abbeycroft Leisure KEEP AC IVE Brandon - Mildenhall - Newmarket Abbeycroft Leisure KEEP AC IVE Brandon - Mildenhall - Newmarket Over 50 and want to get more active? Come and Keep Active at Newmarket Leisure Centre, Brandon Leisure Centre and Mildenhall Leisure Centres with our fun and social sport activities. Help yourself to a Bourbon whilst trying Walking Netball or maybe a Custard Cream to help with your Table Tennis. Try something new and inspire a healthier you for just a couple of pounds each session. Want to get involved? Email [email protected] to find out more and join a session near you. Welcome to our Health Walks Programme – Stepping out in Suffolk brochure. Why is walking the perfect activity for health? • Almost everyone can do it. • You can do it anywhere & anytime. • It’s a chance to make new friends. • It’s free & you don’t need to book or have special equipment. • You can also start slowly & build up gently. Full details of all of our walks are available at: www.onelifesuffolk.co.uk/our-services/health-walks and click on the Stepping Out in Suffolk Calendar. Each walk description will give you information on the grade, time, distance and other possible features on the walk so you will be able to choose walks to suit you. Stepping Out in Suffolk provide short, free Health Walks which take between 30-90 minutes. Postcodes are given for the meeting place or the nearest postcode to parking location.
    [Show full text]
  • The Scheme (Illustrative) 1:40,000 (A3) Order Limits Main Study Area Broad Study Area Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
    SCALE BAR KEY 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 m The Scheme (illustrative) 1:40,000 (A3) Order Limits Main Study Area Broad Study Area Local Nature Reserve (LNR) Corton Cliffs (SSSI) Ramsar ´ Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Gunton Warren and Special Protection Areas (SPA) Corton Woods LNR Candidate Special Area of Conservation Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) County Wildlife Site (CWS) Gunton Warren and Corton Woods LNR Gunton Wood LNR Leathes Ham LNR Southern North Sea CSPA Outer Thames Estuary SPA Lowestoft Brooke Yachts Outer Mapping reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. and Jeld Wen Harbour CWS © Crown copyright and database rights 2017. All rights Broadland CWS reserved. (SSSI/RAMSAR/ Ordnance Survey licence number 100023395 SAC/SPA) Kirkley Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database rights Ham 2017. CWS Broadland (SSSI/RAMSAR/SAC/SPA) REVISION DRAWN CHECKED APPROVED DATE DESCRIPTION PROJECT TITLE DRAWING TITLE Main and Broad Study Areas Regulation 5(2)(l) Figure 11.1 DRAWING STATUS For DCO Submission DRAWN CHECKED APPROVED AUTHORISED SUITABILITY IW HR HR JB S4 Pakefield to Easton Bavents (SSSI) SCALE @ A3 SIZE DATE REVISION 1:40,000 18/06/2018 P00 DRAWING NUMBER Project Originator Volume 1069948-WSP-EGN-LL-SK-LE-0006 Location Type Role Number Document Path: \\cormsfsbsg01\shared\jobs\ENVADMIN\Hydradmin\GIS_Projects_External\Lake_Lothing\Phase_III_GIS_Figures\Ver_P0\Figure 11_1 1069948-WSP-EGN-LL-C19-SK-LE-0006 P00_10-4.mxd SCALE BAR KEY 0 2,700 5,400 8,100 10,800 13,500m Great Yarmouth Main Study Area 1:220,000 (A3) North Denes SPA Extended Study Area Special Areas of Conservation Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton Special Protection Areas Broadland SPA Possible Special Area of Conservation ´ Sites of Special Scientific Interest Breydon Water SPA Southern North Sea pSAC Sprat's Water and Marshes (SPA/SAC/SSSI) Outer Thames Estuary SPA Mapping reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix D Natural and Built Environment Baseline
    Appendix D Natural and Built Environment Baseline Lowestoft Ness to Landguard Point SMP2 9S4195/R/PBor Final Report November 2009 Suffolk Shoreline Management Plan 2 Natural and Built Environment Baseline Suffolk Coastal District Council/Waveney District Council/Environment Agency November 2009 Final Report 9S8393 HASKONING UK LTD. ENVIRONM ENT Rightwell House Bretton Peterborough PE3 8DW United Kingdom +44 (0)1733 334455 Telephone +44 (0)1733 262 243 Fax [email protected] E-mail www.royalhaskoning.com Internet Document title Suffolk Shoreline Management Plan 2 Natural and Built Environment Baseline Status Final Report Date November 2009 Project name Suffolk SMP 2 Project number 9S4195 Reference 9S4195/CCR/RKKH/Pboro Drafted by Rosie Kelly & Kit Hawkins Checked by Kit Hawkins Date/initials check KRH 20 / 05 / 2008 Approved by Mat Cork Date/initials approval MC 20 / 05 / 2008 CONTENTS Page GLOSSARY OF TERMS VI 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Structure of Report 1 1.3 Area of Interest 2 2 OVERVIEW OF STATUTORY DESIGNATIONS 4 2.1 Introduction 4 2.1.1 Compensation – managed realignment 5 2.2 Ramsar sites 6 2.2.1 Alde-Ore Estuary 6 2.2.2 Broadland 9 2.2.3 Deben Estuary 10 2.2.4 Minsmere-Walberswick 10 2.2.5 Stour and Orwell Estuaries 11 2.3 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) 13 2.3.1 Alde, Ore and Butley Estuaries 16 2.3.2 Benacre to Easton Lagoons 16 2.3.3 The Broads SAC 17 2.3.4 Minsmere – Walberswick Heaths and Marshes 19 2.3.5 Orfordness and Shingle Street 20 2.4 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) 21 2.4.1 Alde-Ore
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity Distribution
    Waveney Open Space Needs Assessment | July 2015 Biodiversity Distribution Biodiversity refers to all of the natural world and all living organisms within it including plants, animals, bacteria and micro organisms. www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 19 Waveney Open Space Needs Assessment | July 2015 | Biodiversity Distribution www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 20 Waveney Open Space Needs Assessment | July 2015 | Biodiversity Distribution What is biodiversity? Biodiversity refers to all of the natural world and all living organisms within it, including plants, animals, bacteria and micro organisms. The convention on biodiversity defines it as: “The variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems” (Source: Natural England website). Introduction to the biodiversity distribution assessment Waveney District has a wide range of wildlife and habitats, including coastline, parkland, arable fields, rivers, hedges and woodlands. Many of these are extremely valuable in their own right and require protection and enhancement. These sites often also form part of a wider network of sites and wildlife corridors that increase the range of habitats that can support local wildlife. Networks of biologically valuable sites often have greater value than each of the sites individually. For this reason Waveney District Council wants to map ecological sites and networks to better understand how they can function alongside other types of green infrastructure. The Waveney District Council Biodiversity Audit was completed in 2007 by Suffolk Wildlife Trust. This biodiversity audit included officially designated sites, county wildlife sites and other sites that were considered to have ecological value.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural and Semi- Natural Green Space
    Waveney Open Space Needs Assessment | July 2015 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space Natural and Semi- Natural Green Space Land, water and geological features which have been naturally colonised by plants and animals and which are accessible on foot to large numbers of residents. www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 81 Waveney Open Space Needs Assessment | July 2015 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 82 Waveney Open Space Needs Assessment | July 2015 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space What is natural and semi-natural green space? Natural and semi-natural green spaces have been defined as “land, water and geological features which have been naturally colonised by plants and animals and which are accessible on foot to large numbers of residents2.” They are areas of undeveloped land with limited or no maintenance which have been colonised by vegetation and wildlife and include woodland, railway embankments, river and canal banks, road verges and derelict land. The primary function of natural and semi-natural green space is to promote biodiversity and nature conservation but they are also important for environmental education and awareness. This section of the Open Space Needs Assessment provides an overview of natural and semi-natural green space. It follows on from the ‘Biodiversity Distribution’ section which has considered open space with biodiversity value. Ilketshall St Andrew & St John Common 2 Harrison, C, Burgess, J, Millward, A, and Dawe, G (1995) Accessible Natural Greenspace in Towns and Cities English Nature Research Report 153, English Nature www.waveney.gov.uk/planningpolicy 83 Waveney Open Space Needs Assessment | July 2015 | Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space Benefits of natural and semi-natural green space Accessible natural and semi-natural green spaces make an important contribution towards the quality of the environment in urban areas and the lives of the people who live there.
    [Show full text]
  • Waveney Local Plan Interim
    Waveney Local Plan Interim May 2004 Waveney Local Plan Interim May 2004 (Waveney District Council approved this Interim Waveney Local Plan at its meeting in February 2004. It will be used for development control purposes, as representing the council’s emerging policies, alongside the existing Waveney Local Plan, adopted November 1996). Louise Jordan-Hall Corporate Director (Regeneration and Environment) Waveney District Council Town Hall High Street LOWESTOFT Suffolk NR32 1HS Contents 1. Function and Context 9 2. Local Plan Vision and Land Use Strategy 15 3. Regeneration and Renaissance 26 4. Development Control 37 5. Providing Homes for All 47 6. Revitalising the Economy 73 7. Providing For Sustainable Transport 111 8. Protecting and Improving Our Environment 129 9. Community Facilities, Recreation and Open Space 151 Appendices (1) Local Plan Policy – Monitoring Framework (2) Housing Guidelines for allocated sites (3) Parking Standards (4) List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (5) County Wildlife Sites (6) Ancient Woodland (7) Scheduled Ancient Monuments (8) Glossary of terms and Abbreviations Proposals Maps (separate folder) Waveney District Towns:- Lowestoft Lowestoft – Lake Lothing Beccles/Worlingham Halesworth/Holton Bungay Southwold/Reydon Larger Villages: Kessingland Barnby/North Cove Wangford Wrentham Other – (Defining Conservation Areas):- Homersfield Somerleyton Wissett The Ordnance Survey map data included within this publication is provided by Waveney District Council under licence from the Ordnance Survey in order to fulfil its public function as a Local Planning Authority. Persons viewing this map data should contact Ordnance Survey copyright for advice where they wish to licence as map data for their own use. All plans reproduced from Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of her Majesty’s Stationery Office and Crown Copyright.
    [Show full text]
  • WAVENEY WILDLIFE AUDIT Green Spaces, Open Spaces & County
    WAVENEY WILDLIFE AUDIT Green spaces, open spaces & County Wildlife Sites for the Local Plan review 2016/2017 Project no. Report Date 05/17 Final 17 July 2017 Prepared by Jill Crighton BSc. Hons and Alison Simone Bullion BSc. Hons. PhD. MCIEEM Looser BSc. Hons Prepared by: Prepared for: SWT Trading Ltd Waveney District Council Brooke House Riverside Ashbocking 4 Canning Road Ipswich Lowestoft IP6 9JY NR32 0EQ Waveney District Council: Wildlife Audit of Park Sites: 2016/2017 1.0 INTRODUCTION SWT Trading Ltd: Ecological Consultants, the wholly owned company of Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT), was commissioned by Waveney District Council in 2016 to carry out an audit of County Wildlife Sites, and in 2017 to carry out a Wildlife Audit of green spaces, open spaces and County Wildlife Sites for the Local Plan review. Surveys commenced in May 2016 and continued until autumn 2016 and April 2017 to June 2017. The survey protocol conformed to Extended Phase 1 and the information was presented as individual site reports using a standardised reporting form including a Phase 1 map and photographs. The presence, or likely presence, of Priority habitats and species and protected species was recorded. Information was also provided under various broad taxonomic groups, including flora, avifauna, invertebrates, herpetofauna and mammals. In addition, the structural diversity each habitat and the connectivity of sites within the overall ecological network across the District was assessed. Recommendations were provided for further survey work. 2.0 OBJECTIVES
    [Show full text]
  • Transactions 1912
    TRANSACTIONS OF THE Burfolk antr BovUmij NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY. YOL. IX.—Part iv. 1912—13 . Edited by the Honorary Secretary. JSr NORWICH : Printed by A. E. Soman & Co. 1913. ( (.Issued to the Members for the year igia-ij .) Bovfal k aitb Bafmtaltefs’ &on?t\i. OFFICERS FOR 1913—14. President. MISS A. M. GELDART. Ex-President. ROBERT GURNEY, M.A., F.Z.S. Vice-Presidents. THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF LEICESTER, G.C.V.O., C.M.G. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD WALSINGHAM, F.R.S. TIIE RIGHT HON. THE LORD LINDLEY MICHAEL BEVERLEY, M.D. H. M. UPCHER, F.Z.S. COL. H. W. FEILDEN, C.B., C.M.Z.S. SIR EUSTACE GURNEY, F.Z.S. JOHN HENRY GURNEY. F.L.S., F.Z.S. ’ SIDNEY F. HARMER, Sc.D., F.R.S. F. W. HARMER, F.G.S. JAMES REEVE. F.G.S. Hon. Treasurer. H. J. THOULESS. Hon. Secretary. S. H. LONG. M.D., F.Z.S., 37, St. Giles Street, Norwich. Assistant Secretary. JOHN QUINTON, Norfolk and Norwich Library, Norwich. Hon. Librarian. F. C. HINDE. Committee. A. W. PRESTON W. A. NICHOLSON W. II. BURRELL, F.L.S. W. G. CLARKE C. B. TICE HURST F. LENEY ROBERT GURNEY, M.A. F. D. WHEELER, LL.D. W. L. SUTTON, F.I.C. Journal Committee. J. T. HOTBLACK, F.G.S. A. W. PRESTON, F.R.Met.Soc. W. G. CLARKE F. D. WHEELER. LL.D. W. A. NICHOLSON. Excursion Committee. II. J. THOULESS J. T. HOTBLACK, F.G.S. F. LENEY. Hon. Auditor. S.
    [Show full text]
  • South-East England: Lowestoft to Dungeness
    Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom Region 7 South-east England: Lowestoft to Dungeness 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 1998 This volume has been produced by the Coastal Directories Project of the JNCC on behalf of the Project Steering Group. 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, A.L. Buck Administration & editorial assistance J. Plaza, P.A. Smith, N.M. Stevenson The project receives guidance from a Steering Group which has more than 200 members. More detailed information and advice comes 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 C. Gilbert Kent County Council & National Coasts and Estuaries Advisory Group N. Hailey English Nature Dr K. Hiscock Joint Nature Conservation Committee Prof. S.J. Lockwood Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences 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. Pullen WWF UK (Worldwide Fund for Nature) Dr P.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Lowestoft Open Space Needs Assessment (Created with Reference to the Waveney Open Space Needs Assessment 2015)
    Lowestoft Open Space Needs Assessment (Created with reference to the Waveney Open Space Needs Assessment 2015) January 2018 Lowestoft Town Council Open Spaces Assessment 1 Background Open space offers significant benefits to local communities. Open space can positively contribute towards sustaining and improving the local environment and have an important role in enhancing quality of life and attracting people to live and work in the area. Green space and recreational opportunities contribute significantly to the perception of attractiveness of a locality. This report comprises of several assessments and discussions to provide an overview of green space in the town and how provision meets the needs of people in Lowestoft. The assessment includes an audit of parks and gardens, amenity green spaces, play spaces and allotments located within Lowestoft and is compiled using a document produced by Waveney District Council. Because of this some of the stats are Lowestoft wide and not just related to the area covered by Lowestoft Town Council. Areas of biodiversity value have been identified and information relating to areas important to the biodiversity network has been collated and discussed. An overview of natural and semi-natural green space and cemeteries is provided and discussed in the context of the green infrastructure network and their contribution towards biodiversity. Green corridors that can support the movement of people and wildlife in the built-up areas of the town and habitats which provide key linkages in the green infrastructure network for people and wildlife are discussed. There was a previous Waveney Open Space Needs Assessment which was completed in 2006.
    [Show full text]
  • Members' Pictures
    Members’ pictures The sparrowhawks are by Alan Baldry and the purple sandpiper by Barry Hall. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales—No. 207076, Scotland No. SC037654 GROUP LEADER’S THOUGHTS from Tim Kenny t’s amazing. One minute you’re waiting you may well be as enthused as I am by I for a mini ice age to end, the next you the plight of this fascinating bird. find yourself complaining that it’s too hot. The golden tinge to the normally green Mid-June sees one of the highlights of our grass is indicative of a dry spell, and I local group year, the nightjar walk. At can’t recall it raining since early May. The Upper Hollesley Common were some crops and gardens could do with a drop singing Dartford warblers (warbling a bit between my writing this (it’s July 17 as I later than usual thanks to the Beast from tap out these thoughts) and harvest time. the East) before the stars of the show But on balance it’s been a glorious began their ethereal churring. Good, if summer, and for those that believe in the silhouetted, views were had of a singing St. Swithin’s Day myth, it was dry and male atop a tree before it got too dark to sunny two days ago – it looks like we’re in see anything. However, a glance to the for more of the same. heavens led me to train my binoculars on Jupiter, and to my surprise four of its When out on my bike training for my next moons were clearly visible in the clear adventure on two wheels, I’ve been going summer night sky.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Pollution Plan Can Be Activated By
    OFFICIAL Suffolk Marine Pollution Emergency Response Plan Author: Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit Date of Implementation: March 2020 Review: March 2023 Version Issue 3.0 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 This document will be made publicly available through the Suffolk Resilience Forum (SRF) website. Where content has been redacted under the freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) in the publicly available version, the paragraph number will be highlighted to show there has been a redaction and the relevant section of FOI referenced. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REGULATIONS 2004 This plan presumes disclosure of all environmental information, such as likely radiation emissions, under Environment Information Regulations. Where exemptions are claimed under Environment Information Regulation 12 (5)a, this will only be where one of the responder agencies has judged that the information may adversely affect either international relations, defence, national security or public safety. Where such content has been identified, the paragraph number will be highlighted and the paragraph text removed from public versions of the plan. DATA PROTECTION ACT 2018 This plan does not include personal, sensitive or special category data as defined under the Data Protection Act 2018. It does include data/information relevant to achieve planning arrangements and identifies how more specific personal data will be used during any emergency.. PROTECTIVE MARKING This plan uses the Government Protective Marking System to ensure that any sensitive information within this document is protected according to its degree of sensitivity. STATEMENT OF COPYRIGHT This document is subject to copyright legislation and no part or parts thereof shall be copied by any means without the approval of the Head of Emergency Planning, Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich IP1 2BX.
    [Show full text]