Biodiversity in Oadby and Wigston A Plan of Action Prepared by Alistair Church Oadby and Wigston Borough Council Contents Biodiversity Action Plan Process 3 Production of Biodiversity in Oadby and Wigston 3 Broad Habitat Types 5 • Urban Habitats 5 • Farmland Habitats 7 • Woodland and Scrub Habitats 8 • Wetland Habitats 9 Habitat Action Plans 10 • Hedgerow 11 • Species rich grassland 12 • Mature tree 13 • Floodplain wetland 14 • Roadside verge 15 • Field ponds 16 • Springs and flushes 17 • Fast flowing stream 18 • Reedbed 19 Species Action Plans 20 • Black poplar 21 • Bat 22 • Water vole 24 • Otter 26 Biodiversity Action Plan Process Biodiversity Action Plan Process In June 1992 at the ‘Earth Summit’ in Rio de Janeiro the United Kingdom and 150 other countries signed the convention on Biological Diversity. The convention is essentially a commitment to conserving and sustaining global Biodiversity (Jeeves et al. 1998). The UK response to the commitment to the biodiversity convention was launched in January 1994 with the publication of Biodiversity: the UK Action Plan. It included targets for the conservation of habitats and species within the UK and recognised the importance of local biodiversity action plans in identifying where action was needed locally to achieve national targets. The UK BAP also recognised that local BAP’s should include targets for habitats and species that are of value in the conservation of local distinctiveness. The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Biodiversity Action Plan represents the means of delivery for the UK Biodiversity Action Plan in this area. The Biodiversity in Oadby and Wigston document identifies the contribution which Oadby and Wigston can make to the achievement of the UKBAP and the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland BAP and other local BAP’s which affect the borough. The Production of the Biodiversity in Oadby and Wigston document Biodiversity action plans require an enormous amount of work in their production, and, because of this, and the staffing resources of the borough council, it seemed sensible to use the expertise already drawn upon in the Leicestershire Biodiversity Action Plan: Biodiversity Challenge (1996). Biodiversity in Oadby and Wigston will concentrate closely on the actions identified in Biodiversity Challenge and working in tandem with the county action plan. A biodiversity audit of the borough of Oadby and Wigston to assess exactly what habitats and species may be relevant to the Leicestershire Biodiversity Challenge. The biodiversity audit has enabled the Council’s Environment Team to focus their efforts on those habitats and species within the county plan that occur within the borough. The habitats and species that were relevant to the county plan were established and the action plan was analysed to identify the responsibilities Oadby and Wigston Borough Council held as lead agency. This strategic approach will enable council officers to clearly identify what actions need to be taken over the next five years, and increase the efficiency with which these actions can be carried out. Review and progress of BAP targets will be reported to committee and also to the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Biodiversity Action Plan Project Manager to assess Oadby and Wigston contribution to county targets. Biodiversity in Oadby and Wigston sets tough targets necessary for the conservation of Oadby and Wigston wildlife. Proposed actions within the plan are identified for the Oadby and Wigston Borough Council environment team but it is envisaged that local support and community involvement will play a major role in achieving these actions. Biodiversity in Oadby and Wigston summarises information which is currently available regarding the borough’s biodiversity. The plan identifies those species and habitats most under threat and sets an agenda for action. The Oadby and Wigston targets are based in the range of local conditions and thereby reinforce the borough’s local distinctiveness promoting the conservation of species and habitats characteristic to the area. Oadby and Wigston Biodiversity Action Plan - 3 - The following section identifies the broad habitat types present within the borough. From these broad habitat examples of sites are listed that may have a significant impact on the biodiversity present within the borough. Habitat action plans have been developed from the range of areas present within these broad habitats; however, wildlife should be conserved in all areas and not just specific habitats mentioned. The broad habitats listed define where biodiversity stock may be concentrated with the borough and detail what threats, actions and priorities may be applied for the benefit of wildlife. Although small in size at 2,372 hectares the borough of Oadby and Wigston contains an array of differing habitat types further enforcing the need to apply actions to further conservation biodiversity. It is important to note that the actions listed in the plan are those solely relating to Oadby and Wigston Borough Councils responsibility as lead agency. The document lists only these actions as it is intended to simply the councils’ role within the action plan process. For a full list of actions and responsibilities on a county-wide scale the references should be made to the Leicester, Leicester and Rutland Biodiversity Action Plan. The following text has been produced using the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Biodiversity Action Plan document and to reference every sentence would be counter-productive. The broad habitat types and action plans have followed the county plan closely and where relevant have mentioned Oadby and Wigston in context. Proposed actions re prioritised under High (H), Medium (M) and Low (L) and it is expected that these will take place within a five year time period. Oadby and Wigston Biodiversity Action Plan - 4 - Biodiversity in Oadby and Wigston Broad Habitat Types Habit: Urban Habitats Definition: The Borough of Oadby and Wigston is predominantly urban area on the south- eastern edge of Leicester City. The proportion of countryside in the Borough is limited to small green wedges between the main settlements and an area of countryside in the eastern side of the Borough, which represents 40% of the total area. Within the Borough there are only 15 specifically identified Wildlife Sites. In this respect this limited number increases the importance of these habitats in this area. It is apparent through the Local Agenda 21 questionnaire that the public value their open spaces and wildlife areas, and there is opportunity to garner public support for the enhancement of biodiversity. The important wildlife sites that are contained within the borough are a rare occurrence within an area dominated by an intensified agricultural landscape , the encouragement of sympathetic management to urban habitat spaces and urban fringe can offer corridors of sanctuary to wildlife. If species can migrate freely around the borough and within the county, this should have a positive effect on not only the wildlife within Oadby and Wigston but the amount of wildlife that chooses to enter. Wildlife habitats may be any of the following: • Remnants of old habitats such as ancient woodland and unimproved meadows • Buildings and other built structure • Derelict land, including disused industrial lands, demolition sites, and waste ground • Wetlands including rivers, brooks, lakes, flooded gravel pits and canals • Allotments • Parks and gardens • Golf courses • Railway lands • Plantations avenues of tree and scrub • Amenity grassland • Cemeteries and churchyards • Mature trees Conservation priorities: The Borough of Oadby and Wigston is really a continuation of the conurbation of Leicester City. This aspect makes the borough an increasingly important area with regard to urban habitats especially as development pressure is forcing building out into the countryside with the only green wedge/buffer system to control this phenomenon. The Borough benefits from being on the urban fringe with its outer limits being mainly farmland. This is often a vital link between urban habitats and the wider open countryside so the conservation practice that the borough council and associated landowners adopt affects the relationship between rural and urban habitats. Apart form the obvious position of importance held from a habitat interaction role there is also the need to promote the educational value that urban wildlife has to offer. Many species in decline will use the urban habitats of Oadby and Wigston. For instance farmland birds under threat from agricultural intensification may find valuable food Oadby and Wigston Biodiversity Action Plan - 5 - sources within synthetically managed parks, open spaces and gardens, creating opportunities to site and record rare birds. Further analysis needs to be carried out and this may lead to more species from urban habitats being added to the red data books. Oadby and Wigston Biodiversity Action Plan - 6 - Biodiversity in Oadby and Wigston Habitat: Farmland Habitats . (taken from Leics BAP Jeeves et al) Farmland is the most widespread rural land use in Oadby and Wigston. The following wildlife habitats may occur: • Unimproved and semi-improved grassland • Improved grassland and ley • Arable land, including set-aside • Field margins, which occur both on arable land and grassland • Hedgerows • Woodland and scrub • Mature trees • Built structures including old buildings and walls • Field ponds Conservation priorities (taken from Leics BAP Jeeves et