READING BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN, MARCH 2021 Reading Biodiversity Action Plan, March 2021 1 READING BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN, MARCH 2021 This is an accessible version of the Biodiversity Action Plan for online viewing. For a print copy, please contact Reading Borough Council’s Natural Environment Team. This plan was prepared by GS Ecology on behalf of Reading Borough Council. Please contact GS Ecology by e-mail, webform or by telephone at +44(0)1189759387 2 READING BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN, MARCH 2021 Contents Contents ................................................................................................. 3 1. Executive Summary ................................................................................. 7 2. Biodiversity ........................................................................................... 8 What is biodiversity? ................................................................................ 8 Why is biodiversity important? ..................................................................... 8 What is a Biodiversity Action Plan? ................................................................ 8 Why does Reading need a Biodiversity Action Plan? ............................................ 8 The 2006 Reading BAP .............................................................................. 9 Habitats ............................................................................................ 9 Species .............................................................................................. 9 What is the vision for Reading’s biodiversity? ................................................... 9 How is the BAP structured, what are its aims, and who will it be used by? ................ 10 3. Policy and legislation .............................................................................. 12 4. The state of biodiversity .......................................................................... 13 International context .............................................................................. 13 National context .................................................................................... 13 Local context ........................................................................................ 14 Monitoring in Reading ........................................................................... 15 Recent actions .................................................................................... 15 5. Habitats .............................................................................................. 16 Habitat classifications ............................................................................. 16 Phase 1 ............................................................................................ 16 National Vegetation Classification ............................................................. 16 Integrated Habitats Classification (IHS) ...................................................... 16 Priority Habitats .................................................................................. 17 An overview of habitats in Reading .............................................................. 17 Woodland, trees and hedgerows ................................................................. 18 Woodland .......................................................................................... 18 Street trees ....................................................................................... 22 Grasslands ........................................................................................... 23 Reading’s hay meadows ......................................................................... 23 Road verges and roundabouts .................................................................. 24 Parks ............................................................................................... 25 Herbicides and pesticides ....................................................................... 25 3 READING BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN, MARCH 2021 Watercourses ........................................................................................ 25 Classification of rivers ........................................................................... 26 Water framework directive ..................................................................... 26 6. Designations ......................................................................................... 28 National Character Areas .......................................................................... 28 The Chilterns NCA ................................................................................ 28 The Thames Valley NCA ......................................................................... 28 Biodiversity Opportunity Areas ................................................................... 29 Kennet Valley East ............................................................................... 29 West Reading Woodlands ....................................................................... 29 Statutory Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation ....................................... 29 Local Wildlife Sites ................................................................................. 29 Green Links .......................................................................................... 30 Historic parks and gardens ........................................................................ 30 Green Infrastructure ............................................................................... 31 Species ............................................................................................... 31 7. Stakeholders ........................................................................................ 33 Who owns and manages land in Reading? ....................................................... 33 Private landowners .............................................................................. 33 Reading Borough Council ........................................................................ 33 The University and private schools ............................................................ 33 Farmers ............................................................................................ 33 Network Rail ...................................................................................... 33 The Environment Agency ........................................................................ 34 Canals and Rivers Trust ......................................................................... 34 Other stakeholders ................................................................................. 34 Berkshire’s Local Nature Partnership ............................................................ 34 Neighbouring authorities .......................................................................... 35 8. Themes for action .................................................................................. 36 A) Legislation ........................................................................................ 36 B) Designated Sites ................................................................................. 36 C) Planning and building control ................................................................. 37 Biodiversity net gain ............................................................................. 37 Ecological enhancements within development sites ........................................ 38 Soils ................................................................................................ 38 D) Woodlands, trees & hedgerows ............................................................... 39 E) Grasslands and road verges .................................................................... 41 4 READING BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN, MARCH 2021 F) The two rivers, their floodplains and other watercourses ................................. 42 Development and urbanisation ................................................................. 42 Lighting ............................................................................................ 42 Management of parks ............................................................................ 43 Fish passages ..................................................................................... 43 Invasive, non-native species .................................................................... 44 Litter ............................................................................................... 44 Other pollution ................................................................................... 45 The Kennet floodplain & its management .................................................... 46 The Proposed Caversham & Reading Flood Alleviation Scheme ........................... 46 G) Management of Council projects and the sale of land ..................................... 48 H) Education, access to nature, public engagement & volunteering ........................ 49 I) Ecological records ................................................................................ 51 J) Species and habitat specific actions .......................................................... 52 K) Connectivity ...................................................................................... 53 L) Coordinated approach across Council departments and within policy documents ..... 53 M) Global biodiversity – what can the Council do? ............................................. 54 N)