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London Borough of Sutton

Beddington and Wallington Local Committee 17 May 2011

Report of the Executive Head of Environmental Sustainability

Roundshaw Downs – HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS

Ward Location: South Author(s) and Contact Phone Number(s): Hendryk Jurk (Ext. 5329) Area Served: Beddington South Executive Councillor: Cllr Colin Hall

Summary

This report sets out the results of the initial consultation on the principle to introduce conservation grazing as a site management tool for Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Conservation grazing is a well documented method of improving floristic and hence, faunal diversity and is widely used by organisations including RSPB, National Trust, County Councils and Natural as a preferred site management tool.

The proposals aim to ensure long-term improvements to the chalk grassland habitat at Roundshaw Downs.

Chalk grassland is a local, regional and national Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitat.

Cattle grazing on this site would positively improve the sward and botanical distribution, leading to an increase in overall species diversity. Improving the Borough’s biodiversity is part of Sutton’s commitment to become London’s most sustainable suburb.

The introduction of conservation grazing requires the installation of an accessible permanent enclosure. This would impact on a number of site uses currently carried out on the LNR. The consultation sought site users’ views as to whether a grazing project would be supported in principle and what issues would need addressing to minimise the impact on current site uses.

128 responses were received. 75 (58%) of respondents were in favour of the principle of conservation grazing, 47 (37%) against and 6 (5%) undecided.

This result warrants further work to modify the proposals and carry out additional public engagement and consultation work to make a grazing project more acceptable for the site users of Roundshaw Downs. The modified proposals include an option to create compartments within the permanent enclosure between which stock can be rotated. Proposed public engagement work will allow raising further awareness of the sensitivity of the habitat and encourage site users to consider their impact.

The Committee is requested to:

(a) Note the attached report on the initial consultation results (b) Agree for further public engagement work to be carried out to increase community support for conservation grazing on Roundshaw Downs (c) Agree to re-consult on a modified grazing scheme that addresses issues raised in the initial consultation. A map of the modified proposals is attached.

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1. Background

Roundshaw Downs is Sutton’s largest Local Nature Reserve at approximately 38ha. The site is designated for its Metropolitan Importance as chalk grassland habitat with associated plant species and its value as breeding habitat for skylarks.

The site has a small number of localised indicator species for the chalk grassland community this site should represent for a dip slope of the North Downs. The majority of the grassland is rank neutral grassland that contains common and widespread species and is consequently of lower conservation concern than rare chalk grassland habitat.

In order to improve Roundshaw Downs’ biodiversity for chalk grassland plants and invertebrates, it is proposed to introduce cattle grazing as a tool for nature conservation management for parts of the site.

The proposals have been developed in partnership with the Old Surrey Downs Project OSD), a lottery funded project to promote public understanding of the value of the nationally declining chalk grassland habitat. OSD also provides conservation grazing on a number of sites within the South London and North Surrey area and has secured funding for the grazing infrastructure at Roundshaw Downs.

2. Issues

1. The launched a consultation to investigate whether the users of the Local Nature Reserve are, in general, supportive of a proposal for cattle grazing on this site to greatly improve the biodiversity value.

2. The aim of this initial consultation was to establish whether there is sufficient public support for the project and to identify how to minimise the impact on other responsible uses for the site.

3. Cattle grazing requires the installation of permanent fencing that may impact on general uses of the site through restricting open access and creating pinch points. The enclosure would be accessible for all site users. A number of indicative fence lines were published to give options that can combine nature conservation interests and use of the site for public amenity.

4. The consultation commenced on 8 December and was extended to the 28 February due to issues arising with the heavy snow fall in early December.

5. The public consultation effort was in line with consultations on Parks Management Plans and involved the following:

• Two public meetings at the Phoenix Centre 8 December 2010 and on site15 January 2011 to provide opportunities for the public to ask questions and raise issues site users felt should be addressed • 1,600 leaflets were delivered to the houses in the area prior to the public events. The leaflets provided a link for further information on the website hosted by LB Sutton, for which an online response form was created

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• Exhibition at Roundshaw Library for the consultation period with more detailed plans, including a response form and pre-paid envelope provided by OSD • Posters on site • Press release in Sutton Guardian • Local groups were invited directly to respond, including The Community representatives on the Beddington and Wallington Local Committee, Residents associations in and Purley, Parkrun and Model Airplane Society

6. Responses were received through the questionnaire that was available on the website, at Roundshaw library and during the two public events. All respondents that sent in views by email or contained a telephone number were responded to.

7. 128 responses were received with 58% (75) in favour of the principle of grazing the Downs, 5% undecided (6) and 37% against the principle of grazing (47).

8. Of respondents in favour of the principle of grazing, the most favoured option for the proposed fence lines, by a considerable margin, was Option 1.

9. The main concerns raised were the following:

• Widths of paths: General concern about safety due to closeness to hedgelines and conflict between different user groups • Safety of livestock • Safety of site users when entering the proposed enclosure • Concern over the fencing / enclosing of an open space • Negative impact on the ability to let dogs run uncontrolled on the Downs • Waste of money • Perception that this initial consultation phase was not a proper consultation • Impact on model airplane flying area • Disabled access • Protection of wildlife

10. The responses received during this initial consultation process indicate that support from local residents may not be strong enough to allow the development of strong local community involvement and highlighted issues that would need to be addressed to make such a project viable.

11. Further community engagement work is necessary to create a higher level of community support that will lead to a self-policing effect on site. It is expected that public understanding for a conservation grazing project will increase over time through awareness raising.

12. This additional community engagement work may result in the loss of a current funding opportunity. The Heritage Lottery Fund is only available until the end of this year (2011). However, new funding streams including Higher Level Stewardship may provide other funding opportunities.

13. The following steps are proposed to increase community support for this project:

a) seeking a meeting with all respondents to Phase 1 to discuss in greater detail all issues raised and determine a mutually satisfactory way forward

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b) run 4 sessions on the Downs at various times of day (early morning, evening, weekday, weekend) over the summer months to engage local users c) increase the radius of properties receiving consultation leaflets d) continue to run a dedicated webpage e) re-consult on modified proposals. These proposals take the issues raised into account and comprise 2 options: a smaller grazing area than initially proposed and the possibility of compartmentalising the grazing area based on preferred option 1 of the previous proposals. Compartments would allow rotation of livestock between different areas reducing the areas occupied by livestock whilst maximising the overall grazed area. f) Engage with Roundshaw Homes and Roundshaw Community Board to increase awareness of the consultation.

3. Financial Implications

The London Borough of Sutton (LBS) and OSD have the agreement to claim, in arrears, up to £15,000 of Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) to provide grazing at Roundshaw Downs. This funding will provide the infrastructure to establish the conservation grazing, including the proposed further consultation work.

The proposed additional round of consultation and engagement work is expected to cost £2,000 for publicity material which will be funded by the HLF. LBS officer time spent on the consultation will be met from within existing budget estimates.

HLF funding must be claimed by the end of the 2011 calendar year. If grazing does not proceed, these funds will be unclaimed from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Site grazing is currently financed through the existing partnership funding with Downlands Countryside Management Project who will continue to provide conservation grazing after OSD project has finished.

It is expected that the proposed grazing scheme will increase the likelihood of securing additional Higher Level Stewardship funding from Natural England for ongoing grazing management and this could result in additional income to the council of £1,200 per annum. There will also be a reduction in the cost of meadow cutting the grazing area, which could amount to £2,000 per annum, depending on the area covered.

Current site management will be continued outside the proposed grazing area within the current site maintenance budget.

4. Influence of the Council’s Core Values

Sutton has an international reputation as a green Borough and part of this includes our commitment to promoting local biodiversity. Introduction of conservation grazing at Roundshaw Downs is a target in Sutton’s Biodiversity Action Plan. The proposals aim to improve the biodiversity at Roundshaw Downs but also present a challenge in reconciling the community wishes and balancing biodiversity requirements.

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5. Equality Impact Assessment

Roundshaw Downs is a designated Local Nature Reserve that provides local public access to nature. The consultation process aims to introduce conservation grazing as a means of site management, whilst enabling the continuation of existing site uses.

6. Background Papers

Modified proposals map.

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