BRACKNELL FOREST COUNCIL Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-2023 Table of Contents Foreword ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Background ............................................................................................................................................. 4 UK Biodiversity Action Plan ...................................................................................... 4 Berkshire Local Nature Partnership Strategic Plan .................................................. 4 Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan ................................................................. 4 Legislation and Policy ............................................................................................................................. 5 Local, National and International sites of significance ............................................. 5 Local Partnership for Biodiversity Action ................................................................................................ 7 Bracknell Forest Nature Partnership ........................................................................ 7 Berkshire Local Nature Partnership (BLNP) ............................................................ 7 Bracknell Forest Council’s role ................................................................................. 7 The new Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-2023 .............................................................. 8 Consultation.............................................................................................................. 8 The role of the BAP in sustainable development ..................................................... 8 Plan Aim – to conserve and enhance biodiversity within Bracknell Forest Borough. ............................. 9 Plan Objectives ........................................................................................................ 9 Monitoring ................................................................................................................. 9 Delivery Plan ............................................................................................................ 9 BAP Habitats ......................................................................................................................................... 10 General Themes ................................................................................................................................... 11 Information ................................................................................................................................... 11 Strategic action ............................................................................................................................. 11 Multi-functional benefits and climate change .............................................................................. 11 Community .................................................................................................................................... 11 Objectives for General Themes.............................................................................. 12 Grassland Habitat Action Plan .............................................................................................................. 14 Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) .......................................................................................................... 14 Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) ................................................................................................ 14 Devil’s Bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) ......................................................................................... 14 Objectives for Grassland Themes .......................................................................... 17 Woodland Habitat Action Plan .............................................................................................................. 18 Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) ......................................................................................................... 18 Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis) ........................................................................................... 18 Noctule Bat (Nyctalus noctula) ..................................................................................................... 18 Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus) ......................................................................................................... 18 Objectives for Woodland Themes .......................................................................... 21 Wetland Habitat Action Plan ................................................................................................................. 23 Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) ........................................................................................ 23 Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) .......................................................................................................... 23 Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) .............................................................................................................. 23 Objectives for Wetland Themes ............................................................................. 26 Heathland Habitat Action Plan .............................................................................................................. 27 Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata), Woodlark (Lullula arborea), Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) ...................................................................................................................................................... 27 Brilliant Emerald Dragonfly (Somatochlora metallica) ................................................................. 27 Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus) ............................................................................................ 27 Objectives for Heathland Themes .......................................................................... 29 Farmland Habitat Action Plan ............................................................................................................... 31 Skylark (Alauda arvensis) .............................................................................................................. 31 Barn Owl (Tyto alba) ..................................................................................................................... 31 Objectives for Farmland Themes ........................................................................... 33 Urban Habitat Action Plan ..................................................................................................................... 34 Swift (Apus apus) .......................................................................................................................... 34 Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) ................................................................................................. 34 Cowslip (Primula veris) .................................................................................................................. 34 Objectives for Urban Themes................................................................................. 37 References ............................................................................................................................................ 39 Appendices ........................................................................................................................................... 41 A1 Key to Abbreviations ...................................................................................... 41 A2 Bracknell Forest Borough Information ........................................................... 43 Designated Sites .................................................................................................... 43 A3 Designations Map .......................................................................................... 45 A4 TVERC Habitat Mapping Update ................................................................... 46 A5 Species Selection .......................................................................................... 46 A6 Relevant Legislation, Policies and Plans ....................................................... 48 LEGISLATION ................................................................................................................................. 48 PLANNING POLICY ......................................................................................................................... 48 NATIONAL STRATEGIES ................................................................................................................. 50 LOCAL STRATEGIES ........................................................................................................................ 52 A7 Public consultation ........................................................................................ 57 Survey form ................................................................................................................................... 57 Summary of consultation results .................................................................................................. 60 Foreword The woodlands, parks, countryside and open spaces help make Bracknell Forest a place where families and individuals want to live and is something Bracknell Forest Council is committed to