The Local B IODIVERSITY A CTION P LAN for Test Valley May 2008 The Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Test Valley May 2008 ….….……………………………………………..……………………… The Local Biodiversity Action Plan Background This is the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (hereafter referred to as the BAP) for the Borough of Test Valley. It is a working document that provides a framework for the maintenance and enhancement of the biodiversity of the Borough and has been prepared in accordance with planning regulations.1 It has been published by Test Valley Borough Council and was written in conjunction with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The BAP also has the support of the Environment Group representing the Borough’s Local Strategic Partnership, a group of stakeholders with a special remit for developing environmental activities as part of the Borough’s Community Strategy. Obtaining Further Information about the Local Biodiversity Action Plan If you have any queries on the BAP or you would like to discuss its contents with someone from the Council: Contact: Kevin Harrington (Leisure) Address: Test Valley Borough Council Beech Hurst Weyhill Road Andover, Hampshire SP10 3AJ B Telephone: 01264 368815 Email: [email protected] A If you would like to speak to someone from the Wildlife Trust: Contact: David Rumble, Biodiversity Information Manager Address: Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, P Curdridge, Hampshire, SO32 2DP. Telephone: 01489 774433 Email: [email protected] 1 Part 5 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004 ….….……………………………………………..……………………… 2 The Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Test Valley May 2008 ….….……………………………………………..……………………… Foreword Test Valley includes many important wildlife areas, including a number of international designations. The Borough contains an exceptional range of habitats and hosts a number of rare and declining species. Not all of the habitats important to maintaining and improving biodiversity in the Borough are protected by legislation; therefore it is important that they are identified and managed appropriately. This is especially important where we are witnessing increased fragmentation of habitats and need to anticipate the implications of a changing climate. The Council has a duty to protect and enhance biodiversity. This Local Biodiversity Action Plan provides us with a key source of information in identifying the habitats and species the Borough supports. It also provides a way forward in the future management of the environment both on a Borough-wide and more localised scale. Partnership working will be essential in the implementation of the action plans and everyone can play a role in protecting biodiversity and the environment as a whole. Councillor Martin Hatley Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transport All maps reproduced by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (Ordnance Survey Licence no. 100015632) with the permission of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office, Crown Copyright 2000. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil preceedings. Coastal aerial photos courtesy of the Channel Coast Observatory. Phase 1 Habitat and SINC data supplied by the Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre Partnership. Produced by Hampshire and Isle of WIght Wildlife Trust on 19 October 2007 by Deborah King. For enquiries relating to the Wildlife Trust’s GIS data contact Deborah King, email [email protected], tel: 01489 774420. The data that has been analysed for the purposes of this document remains the copyright of the data providers. Maps within the document have been produced by, and remain copyright of, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England – No. 676313 (Registered charity No. 201081). ….….……………………………………………..……………………… 3 The Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Test Valley May 2008 ….….……………………………………………..……………………… Contents Section 1: An Introduction To Biodiversity Action Planning 7 Introduction 8 An Overview of Biodiversity in Test Valley 10 The Government’s Commitment to Biodiversity 13 Biodiversity Action Planning in the UK 14 Partnership Working for Biodiversity at the Local Level 16 Integrating Biodiversity into Local Decision Making 19 Producing the BAP for Test Valley 23 Biodiversity Objectives for Test Valley 26 How to Use the BAP 28 Section 2: Biodiversity Audit: Part 1 – Habitats And Species 31 Woodland Habit 34 Neutral and Calcareous Grassland Habitats 38 Wetland Habitats Including Floodplain Grazing Marsh 41 Heathland and Acid Grassland Habitats 45 Farmland Habitat 48 Urban Habitats 51 Species Audit 54 Key Species in Test Valley 56 ….….……………………………………………..……………………… 4 The Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Test Valley May 2008 ….….……………………………………………..……………………… Section 3: Biodiversity Audit: Part 2 – Designated Sites And Land Management Schemes 65 Introduction 66 Internationally Important Wildlife Sites 68 Sites of Special Scientific Interest 70 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation 72 Other Designations 75 Land Management Schemes 77 Section 4: Action Plan: Part 1 – Borough-wide Issues And Actions 81 Issues and Actions 82 Wildlife Site Management 82 Habitat Loss and Fragmentation 85 Management of the Wider Countryside 87 Species Conservation 88 Development & Recreation 90 Climate Change and Sea Level Rise 92 Lack of Coordination 93 Broadleaved Woodland Issues 93 Unimproved Grassland Issues 94 Wetland Issues 96 Heathland and Acid Grassland Issues 97 Farmland Issues 98 Urban Issues 100 Borough-Wide Action Plan 101 ….….……………………………………………..……………………… 5 The Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Test Valley May 2008 ….….……………………………………………..……………………… Section 5: Action Plan: Part 2 – Issues And Actions For Local Areas 113 Introduction 114 The River Test 117 New Forest Fringe 126 Romsey and Southern Test Valley 133 North Wessex Downs AONB 143 Andover and Harewood Forest 153 Tytherley and Mottisfont 161 Salisbury Plain Fringe, The Wallops and Amport Park 171 Somborne and Chilbolton Downs 183 Section 6: Action Plan Part 3 – Practical Ways To Get Involved 195 Section 7: Action Plan Part 4 – Reporting On Progress Involved 201 Implementation 202 Monitoring & Review 202 Keeping People Informed 203 Hampshire Biodiversity Partnership’s Key Objectives 204 Appendices 209 Appendix 1 – Internationally Important Wildlife Sites In Test Valley 210 Appendix 2 – Sites of Special Scientific Interest In Test Valley 213 Appendix 3 – Landscape Character Of Each Local BAP Area 215 Appendix 4 – Hampshire BAP Species Recorded In Test Valley 218 Appendix 5 – References To Legislation, Strategies And Initatives 221 Appendix 6 – Contacts 224 Appendix 7 – Glossary 234 ….….……………………………………………..……………………… 6 1 B Section 1: A An Introduction To Biodiversity Action Planning P 7 The Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Test Valley May 2008 ….….……………………………………………..……………………… Introduction 1.1 This is the local Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for Test Valley. It is a working document that provides a framework for the conservation, enhancement and restoration of the biodiversity of the Borough. The BAP has been prepared by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust with support from Test Valley Borough Council and in consultation with several relevant agencies, authorities, non-governmental organisations, special interest groups and individuals. The document includes: • an introduction to biodiversity action planning (Section 1) • an audit of the biodiversity of Test Valley (Sections 2 and 3) • an action plan for partners and the public to maintain and enhance biodiversity in Test Valley (Sections 4 to 6) a procedure for monitoring and reporting on progress towards the BAP’s actions (Section 7) • appendices with relevant background information and contacts This section: • explains the term ‘biodiversity’ • gives an overview of biodiversity in Test Valley • discusses biodiversity action planning at the national and local levels and explains how biodiversity has become an important consideration in decision making • explains the process of producing the BAP for Test Valley • lists biodiversity objectives for the Borough • provides guidance on how to use the BAP 1.2 The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 requires every local authority to have regard to conserving biodiversity. Biodiversity Action Plans have been produced at a national, regional and county level; this document applies specifically to Test Valley, providing a basis for it to fulfil its duty identified in the Act. Furthermore, this document will inform the consideration of planning applications, particularly in relation to policies ENV 01 – ENV 05 of the Local Plan 2006 and emerging policies of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document. ….….……………………………………………..……………………… 8 The Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Test Valley May 2008 ….….……………………………………………..……………………… What is Biodiversity? 1.3 The word ‘biodiversity’ is short for ‘biological diversity’ and encompasses all living things in the natural world ranging from the smallest plants to the largest animals. It relates to both rare and common species, to the complex interactions between them and to the habitats in which they live. 1.4 It is important to maintain biodiversity for a number of reasons: • Biodiversity provides a life support system – We rely on a healthy environment to ensure our survival. For example, green plants take carbon dioxide from the air and in the process of growing and living