| Coastal Heathland - North Devon |
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| Nature's Space - N Devon LBAP |
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| Extent/Distribution Heathland with a genuine maritime influence is very limited within the County and North Devon exhibits some excellent examples of this valuable habitat. Coastal heath tends to occur in a mosaic of semi-natural habitat which includes scrub and bracken. Coastal heathland occurs in specific areas along Devon's Coastline, which together hold a total area of 600 ha. The total extent of the North Devon resource is about 300 ha and the most exceptional areas of coastal heath can be found on Morte Point headland, with a few isolated examples elsewhere. The most prominent areas of coastal heath occur on Exmoor in the region to the east of Combe Martin at Foreland Point near Lynmouth. Locations: South side of Baggy Point and Middleborough Hill in Croyde Morte Point at Woolacombe Little Hangman; Great Hangman; Holdstone and Trentishoe Downs near Combe Martin Foreland near Lynmouth and Countisbury Remnant Heath: Saunton Down near Braunton Widmouth Head; Berrynarbor Woolacombe Down Today lowland heath is a scarce and declining habitat. In the UK it is estimated that 85% of our heathlands have been lost over the past 200 years due to changes in agricultural management and development. Some has been lost to intensification (ploughing, draining etc.) while conversely some has been lost to a lack of management (cutting and grazing). Others may suffer due to a high level of recreational use. OBJECTIVE 1: To ensure that all existing coastal heathland in North Devon
is protected from damage and loss. To ensure that all remaining areas of
coastal heathland in North Devon are sustainably managed to restore
and enhance their biodiversity. To recreate coastal heathland on site
where it formerly occurred with particular emphasis on linking together
existing fragments. OBJECTIVE 4. (see above) [no information currently available]
Policy and legislation Maintain maximum possible protection for all coastal heathland sites
against inappropriate development through general or specific Local
and Structural Plan policies reflecting the importance of statutory
sites (SAC/SPA and SSSI) and non-statutory wildlife sites. Consider notification of further areas of coastal heathland where these
meet SSSI criteria PARTNERS: RSPB, DWT Management
Maintain current positive management regimes for coastal heathland
sites Establish at least one buffer zone strip scheme (between heathland
and agriculturally improved ground) on the North Devon coast. Ensure that sympathetic management takes place alongside the South West Coast Path LEAD: ENPA, NDCCS Continue to offer guidance though other advisory work, ensuring all
advice is to a common standard Research and monitoring
Collate and appraise all existing site and species data on North
Devon's coastal heathland within the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre Ensure an efficient communications network is established between data holders especially for key heathland species
Identify gaps in existing data sets and initiate further field survey to complete coverage of all existing sites, and improve knowledge of key species populations LEAD: DBRC PARTNERS: DC, RSPB, NT, EN, ENPA, NDCCS Establish a monitoring programme for all existing coastal heathland sites, based on site revisits at a maximum of four year intervals LEAD: DBRC, DWT PARTNERS; NT, ENPA, NDCCS, DCC, NDDC, EN Maintain or establish individual monitoring programmes for key species LEAD: RSPB, DWT, EN PARTNERS: NT, DCC, DWT, RSPB, NDDC Education
and awareness raising
Ensure proper communications of coastal heathland related conservation
initiatives, issues and progress through existing channels of communication LEAD: NT PARTNERS: NDCCS, DCC, NDDC, ENPA Seek ongoing media interest in raising awareness of heathland issues and wildlife stories LEAD: RSPB, DWT, EN PARTNERS: ENPA, NDDC, DCC, NDCCS no information currently available |
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