Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan 2006-2011 Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan 2006-2011 Contents: Page: 1. Introduction 3 2. Background Information - Bracknell Forest Borough 8 3. Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan 1997-2005 13 4. Partnerships for Biodiversity Action 14 5. Structure of Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan 2000-2005 15 6. Biodiversity Monitoring 16 7. Habitat Action Plans: 18 Neutral meadows and pastures 19 Heathland and bogs 22 Woodland, scrub & hedgerows 26 Rivers and wetlands 29 Farmed land 33 Urban and built environment 35 8. Species Action Plans: 39 Barn owl, Tyto alba 40 Brilliant emerald dragonfly, Somatochlora metallica 42 Brown trout, Salmo trutta 44 Bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula 46 Cowslip, Primula veris 48 Dartford warbler, Sylvia undata 50 Devil’s-bit scabious, Succisa pratensis 52 Glow-worm, Lampyris noctiluca 54 Great crested newt, Triturus cristatus 57 Hobby, Falco subbuteo 60 Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis 62 Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus 64 Noctule bat, Nyctalus noctula 67 Ragged robin, Lychnis flos-cuculi 69 Round-leaved sundew, Drosera rotundifolia 71 Silver-studded blue butterfly, Plebejus argus 73 Skylark, Alauda arvensis 76 Small red damselfly Ceriagrion tenellum 79 Stag beetle, Lucanus cervus 81 Swift, Apus apus 83 Violet click beetle, Limoniscus violaceous 85 Water vole, Arvicola terrestris 87 Wild service tree Sorbus torminalis 90 Woodlark, Lullula arborea 92 Appendix 1 95 Policy EN3 - Nature Conservation Policy EN4 - Local Nature Reserves, Wildlife Heritage Sites & Regionally Important Geological Sites. 2 Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan 2006-2011 BRACKNELL FOREST BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN 1. Introduction 1.1 Aim AIM: To conserve and enhance biodiversity within Bracknell Forest Borough. 1.2 Objectives This will be achieved through the following OBJECTIVES: 1 Comprehensive Monitoring: of species and habitats in the Borough to enable decisions to be informed, with up to date and detailed records. 2 Proactive Policies: on planning and conservation, to ensure that important sites are protected and that where development occurs actions are taken to achieve the best result for wildlife in the Borough. 3 Positive Management: on sites owned and/or managed by the Borough Council and its partners that aims to maintain, restore and create habitat for wildlife and balance the varied uses on open spaces in the area. 4 Effective Communication: between partners, landowners and the public to raise awareness, encourage partnership working, and inform decision-making. 1.3 Biodiversity in Bracknell Forest Borough Biodiversity is the variety of life - the whole range of variation within living organisms, plants, animals and their habitats and ecosystems. ‘Biodiversity’ conservation (abbreviated from the term ‘biological diversity’) is, therefore, no less than the protection of the natural world. This includes all the genetic variation with individuals of each of the multitude of species that exist, and their ecosystems, which have to accommodate the expanding influence of people. Bracknell Forest Borough is fortunate in having a rich and diverse wildlife and countryside that is deserving of protection. In fact over 20% of the total area has been recognised by the Unitary Authority Borough Council as having a strong wildlife heritage value and is protected by local designations. There are also 9 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and two areas have been designated under European Union legislation for their international importance. 3 Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan 2006-2011 This is a situation to be proud of, and one that the Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan is designed to protect and enhance in the future. Focussing on a number of key species that range from locally characteristic to internationally rare - and the habitats upon which they depend - the plan will involve work that benefits all our wildlife. To deliver our ambitions for biodiversity, the Borough Council will work in partnership with Parish Councils, landowners, local conservation and voluntary groups, as well as neighbouring authorities and national bodies. Our local actions really will be effective. With proactive policies and action in the local area, mirrored by many others around the country and the world, the aim of global conservation of the wildlife, ecosystems and landscapes around us will be successful. 1.4 Biodiversity Action Plans Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) emerged as a consequence of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. Various outcomes were achieved; one of which was a convention on biological diversity. Ratification of the convention by the UK government led to the publication of ‘UK Steering Group Report - Meeting the Rio challenge’. This publication established action plans for 391 species and 45 habitats. Out of this strategy developed a government policy to preserve and enhance biodiversity with the publication of the ‘Government response to the UK Steering Group Report on Biodiversity’ in 1996, which formally approved the Steering Groups report. A key component of the BAP was to establish 3 to 5 yearly monitoring cycle. The first round of which culminated in the publication of the ‘Millennium Biodiversity Report’ published in 1999. A second reporting round was completed in 2002; the results of which were published in 2003. 1.5 Local Biodiversity Action Plans Local Biodiversity Action Plans have proven to be an effective method for achieving action on biodiversity. They enable targets and guidance developed at a national and regional level to be interpreted into practical local action. They can also develop and tailor policies that reflect local priorities and are supported by local people. Local Biodiversity Action Plans should: 1. Ensure targets developed at the national level for the conservation and management of habitats and species are translated into effective local action. 2. Identify targets for habitats and species that are important to the local area and people. 3. Develop effective local partnerships to take action on biodiversity. 4. Raise awareness of biodiversity and conservation in the local area. 4 Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan 2006-2011 5. Provide a basis for monitoring progress in biodiversity conservation at both a local and national scale. In Berkshire, the UKBAP has been translated into local action through the publication of 4 habitat action plans produced by the Berkshire Nature Conservation Forum between 1999 and 2001. The habitats for which plans have been produced to date are (plans for woodland and farmland are in preparation): • Heathland • Lowland Unimproved Grassland • Standing Open Waters and Associated Habitats • Rivers and Associated Floodplain Habitats Steering groups, made up of members of the BNCF have been established for each of the habitats to oversee the implementation of the plans. 1.6 The role of Local Authorities Local authorities, being the closest level of government to people, have a critical role in promoting and facilitating Local BAP development, involvement and implementation. They develop and operate the economic, social and environmental infrastructure, and oversee the planning process. Indeed, responsibility for planning control is one of their most important roles, ensuring that development is sensitive to the environment. They can also affect conservation through the management of their own land, the provision of advice and grant aid to empower others to take action (for example Wildlife Trusts and private landowners), and the collection and storage of ecological data for their area. However, they will not be able to act as the lead on all aspects of biodiversity action, and it will be essential to develop effective partnerships with other organisations. Within Berkshire, Local Authorities are a part of the Berkshire Nature Conservation Forum and as such have a responsibility to implement the actions set out in the habitat action plans. Within Bracknell Forest, the two previous BAPs from 1997 and 2001 have delivered actions that will meet the targets. This action plan continues to be linked closely with the Berkshire wide targets. 1.7 Planning Policy relevant to Local BAPs The following table highlights the main planning policy that is relevant to the BAP. Planning Policy Guidance Note 9 Nature Conservation provides guidance on how nature conservation should be dealt with through the planning process. The government proposes to replace this 5 Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan 2006-2011 document with a more streamlined Planning Policy Statement 9 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation. Consultation on a draft PPS 9 was undertaken in 2004. The document formalises the role of Local Authorities in protecting and enhancing biodiversity through the protection of species and habitats listed in Section 74(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 2000 in addition to those receiving legal protection. The “Development Plan” for the area comprises the Structure Plan plus the Local Plan. In parts of the Borough where there is no adopted Local Plan, the Berkshire Structure Plan alone is the development plan. The current Bracknell Forest Borough Local Plan (1991 – 2006) is a “material consideration” in planning applications. The Local Plan is to be replaced from 2007 by a Local Development Framework (LDF) as required by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act which came into force in September 2004. The