Biodiversity Working Group Horton Park Farmhouse, Horton Country Park

Wednesday 16th March 2016 10:00-13:00 Notes 1. Present: John Edwards ( CC); Helen Cocker (Surrey CC); Stewart Cocker (Epsom & Ewell BC); David Page (Elmbridge BC); Mike Waite & Jim Jones (); Alistair Kirk (Surrey Biodiversity Information Centre); Henryk Jurk ( Guildford BC); Ann Sankey (Surrey Botanical Society); Rod Shaw ( DC); Simon Elson (Surrey CC); David Olliver (Waverley BC) Apologies: Sarah Thompson (Tandridge DC); Cath Rose (Reigate & Banstead BC); Debbie Cousins & Francesca Taylor (Environment Agency); Claire Kerr (RSPB); Gail Jeffcoate (Butterfly Conservation); Sarah Jane Chimbwandira (Surrey Nature Partnership/SWT) 2a. The notes of the meeting 11th November 2015 were agreed Action

2b. Matters Arising:

The protocol for SNCIs selected outside Local Plan timetables was discussed (see attached Paper A). There are still outstanding comments to be made on this and consultation is extended to 31/03/16 (any further comments direct to JE please). The All paper can then be taken to (all-Surrey) Planning Working Group for agreement. RS recommended highlighting the planning areas to focus discussion and ideas.

HJ - Guildford planners require help to understand national guidance & status underpinning SNCI; will gauge necessity for a meeting with Local Sites Partners JE, MW, HJ AK. There may be existing papers setting out the procedures. RS reminded that Local Sites Partnership must ensure LAs are kept informed of any decision-making around policy, criteria and procedures with regard to SNCI (Local Wildlife Sites). AK is currently JE/AK drawing up a brief for the revision of Surrey SNCI Selection Guidelines (c/f 11/11/15). MW - The Wildlife Trusts is currently considering promotion of an award scheme for SNCI owners demonstrating model safeguard/management, and has produced a generic (national) advice leaflet on good stewardship of SNCI (SWT will be procuring stock for onward distribution); TWT is also pressing Natural England at high-level to incorporate SNCI within priority targeting of the Countryside Stewardship grant. SE suggested importance of getting local government Environmental Portfolio holders on-side; as well

as framing biodiversity conservation as ‘half-full’, ie. more positively, so as to present in a more attractive way. Historic England promotes ‘Heritage Champions’ and there may be an equivalent role for ‘Natural heritage/environment champions’ here in Surrey, see; https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/planning/local-heritage/heritage-champions/. JJ suggested the SNP Natural Capital Investment Strategy might highlight an overt valuation of SNCI to bring further attention; JE to check with SJC. JE/MW

SNCI re-surveying: Issue of perennial access problems was raised in context of LAs powers-of-entry. RS unsure whether these could be used, as normally only prosecuted

under strict issue/event criteria. Danger of incentivising obstructive landowners to destroy potential biodiversity interest was also discussed. Borough SNCI reviews re- visited from 11/11/16 and Waverley BC case in particular; DO intends to raise this. DO

BOA Policy Statements & guidance in planning. All suggestions to improve

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document incorporated and finished document now on SNP website (notified to Bio WG group previously by email), here. Appended Policy Statements available for Thames Valley-Wealden Greensands; remainder (Low Weald & Rivers) still in process. Re-run of ‘Biodiversity & Planning’ lunch-time roadshows to LAs has begun with Waverley BC (on 29/02), where policy for BOAs given a high profile. MW has subsequently assisted relevant Local Plan policy drafting there.

BOA Project map to be available on the SNP website; original Opportunity Area Mapping MW/AK Methodology document to be made downloadable from SNP website both incomplete; action c/f. Surrey ‘State of Nature’ Report. MW described his outline of how the SoN could look (distributed Paper B), including several original options now narrowed as that to follow a Biodiversity 2020 (ie. Priority habitats/species, Ecosystem Services/Natural Capital) focus. Aim to be concise and incorporate recommended methodology for monitoring future progress, gains/losses. Other key messages & opportunities inc.;  Surrey’s national & international biodiversity responsibilities;  Fully document county extinctions/declines/increases/reintroductions;  Explore relationship of biological diversity with ecosystem function/Natural Capital;  Natural Capital importance to economy, health & well-being, etc. DO - the local dimension very important to parochially-minded councillors. MW is at a MW very early stage but has begun the SoN research work. DP – VC17 Coleoptera Recorder Jonty Denton is currently reviewing local extinctions across Surrey and assessing chances of recovery.

3. Former Surrey BAP Habitat Action Plans

SC had previously raised the importance of these (local Epsom & Ewell BAP currently under review and requires a steer). MW asked if any of the former HAP steering groups still met (answer – no). Perceived status of former HAPs (plus x2 SAPs) currently remains in limbo and various authorities continue to make inappropriate reference to them. Agreed that a SNP statement is necessary and would be produced by MW. AK will AK/MW compile the most recent versions with the aim of placing minimum background information on the SNP website (ie. removing their previous objectives/targets). JJ - some of the national HAP Groups have morphed into ‘Advisory Groups’, eg. Hedgerows. MW suggested that this might be the ideal way forward for Surrey, ie. to establish/formalise SNP chief points-of-contact on any action to achieve maintenance/ restoration/creation of Priority/HPI habitats (consolidated as necessary). All agreed – MW MW to research and combine with above. JJ - ‘Hedgerow Heroes’, a SWT citizen science project targeting this Priority habitat to launch in May. 4. BOA Objectives

“..Clearly more is now required to help inform and prioritise the action necessary to achieve [BOAs’] individual objectives, as well as to monitor their real effectiveness in serving collectively as a coherent ecological network across and beyond Surrey... Ideally, the key stakeholder land managers would unite to form a project delivery partnership active in every BOA..” (from BOAs document)

SE had raised approaches to BOA objective delivery as an agenda item. There are various examples of the above already operational with delivery of BOA objectives, including; the Wey, Mole, Hogsmill Blackwater (River Loddon) and Eden (River Medway) Catchment (CaBA) partnerships; Holmesdale (WG11); West Weald Landscape Project

(LW01), as well as the SCC Countryside Partnerships (Downlands in various ND BOAs,

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Heathland Project in various TBH & WG BOAs). SE presented his recent document (Holmesdale, the creation of a new woodland), explaining its intended role in explaining the aims and objective of the landscape approach while also helping to shape the identity of the BOA. Of course, different approaches will be more appropriate in different areas. An emerging delivery model is currently under application to the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation fund (NE administered), whereby a landowner advice project officer would be funded across a particular priority landscape, in this case the North Downs scarp between Dorking and Guildford (ie. old ‘Mid Surrey Downs’ project area, now BOA ND02). Both HJ and SJC attended from the SNP. If successful Officer would MW be Shaun Page (FWAG Advice). MW to keep group updated.

5. Re-wilding in Surrey?

SE interested in whether there is anywhere in Surrey that might conceivably support this approach and if we might need some SNP policy/statement around the topic. There was a wide-ranging discussion comparing the Knepp Estate in West Sussex, as well as the extensive MoD ranges in the west of Surrey. Priority species reintroductions were also covered; Pine marten (there being a call for suitable English introduction sites by the Vincent Wildlife Trust); also European beaver (introductions under trial in Scotland and England). and/or in the upper catchment of the Wey might indeed be suitable for eventual beaver introduction, as would sites on the upper catchments of the Mole (Gatwick Airport?) and Eden. DO and DP both warned of likely negative reaction to any notion of reintroducing long-eradicated ‘wild’ species from large quarters SE/JJ of home-counties Surrey. SE and JJ to draft a SNP re-wilding discussion statement.

6. Partner Updates

DP (Elmbridge BC): Large-scale conifer clearance for tree safety undertaken alongside A3, but allowing for natural regeneration. x14 new ponds created across Esher Commons area (BOA TBL03). RS (Mole Valley DC): will be considering new biodiversity surveys (including SNCI) for emerging Local Plan. AK (SBIC): Reported on 2016 Recorders’ Meeting held in February. GJ has suggested a SNCI presentation for next year’s agenda. Natural England has withdrawn its national funding support for local record centres although the EA will continue its funding contribution in recognition of their critical importance. SC (E&E BC): Langley Vale Farm, the Woodland Trust Centenary Woodland site is currently subject to x3 EIAs, the FC one and one each for the x2 LAs involved in applications for access, car-parking etc. These are due in 06/16. E&E development control intends to soon introduce its Biodiversity validation checklist. SE Rivers Trust (CaBA lead partner) is busy removing redundant weirs on River Hogsmill (BOA R01). JJ (SWT): Wey and Mole Catchment Partnerships awaiting Defra funding outcomes for 2016/17. Rye Brook (on the Mole) may become a WFD priority as able to move into Good condition (from Moderate). Thames Water funding towards Wey Diffuse Pollution Project advisory officer. Guildford BC looking at multi-functional GI restoration of Burpham Court Farm with WWT advice. Bioblitz 2016 to be held at Burpham Court Farm & Riverside Park Guildford, 26/06/16. 24/09 is World Rivers Day, within Rivers Week w/c 19/09 (coinciding with Wey River Festival out of NT Dapdune Wharf).

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SE (SCC): work at Holmesdale BOA continues. Closing RESTORE Project required a NW Surrey document to be produced. HJ (Guildford BC): Habitat restoration for Dormice carried out at Chilworth Gunpowder Works. x2 new UKBMS butterfly transects set up at Merrow Downs and Chapel Lane. Various tree diseases/parasites are currently a big concern. DO (Waverley BC): Wey Valley Meadows SSSI/Lammas Meadows have new site management plans. Ongoing discussions about conservation grazing, cost being a problem and SWT needs another herd in Guildford area

AS (Surrey Botanical Society): Working hard on publication of Surrey Rare Plant Register and for the intended new Flora of Surrey.

JE (SCC): Recently attended meeting on tree parasites and diseases and will send information to members. There is a need to ensure that planning conditions around landscaping specifications preferably restrict sourcing to native provenance, but at least regulate use of trees from abroad by quarantining for 1 year within the nursery of JE/SE origin/inspected prior to planting out. JE will draft model condition for comment. SE suggested a tree nursery accreditation scheme to ensure disease-free stock; to investigate? HC (SCC Countryside Partnerships): Cattle now grazing Nork Park after long battle to get water on site. Rare annual plant rotovation now completed for , Chipstead.

Date of next meeting;

Wednesday 29 June 2016 10.00-13.00 @ provisionally Warren Farm Barns, Headley MW or Horton Country Park, Epsom (tbc). Papers nearer the date; please let MW know if you will be attending.

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