| Cities, towns & villages- Devon |
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Devon LBAP |
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| Extent/Distribution There is no figure currently available for the area of cities, towns and villages in Devon. Inappropriate management of sites, either over-management, incorrect management, insufficient management, or complete neglect. Development pressures; many sites are lost to development Pollution, both chemical air and water pollution, and noise pollution People pressure - urban sites constitute areas of high population and therefore may suffer the effects of over-use or misuse, including fouling by dogs, erosion and disturbance by mountain biking, vandalism, illegal activities such as poaching, air gun abuse, motorbike scrambling, etc. Conflict of interests on sites; nature conservation very often takes second place to the demands of leisure and sports uses, especially pertinent as lottery funding is generating a large number of such developments. Lack of public understanding and awareness of the wildlife conservation value of some sites, and of the various opportunities for enhancing wildlife in their gardens and other places. Lack of resources and best practice information to allow sympathetic conservation management of sites, in relation to other demands on them Objective 1 Foster greater public understanding and awareness of the built environment as a place for the enjoyment of wildlife and earth sciences. Target Establish a Community Wildlife Group in each settlement of 5000 or more people by 2005. Objective 2 Ensure the provision of accessible "natural green space" to the populace of towns and cities Target For all new housing developments, ensure that at least the legally
required standards for access to green spaces are met. Objective 3 Expand the range and distribution of common and nationally/locally scarce species and habitats in cities, towns and villages. Target Ongoing see above Very active Urban Wildlife Groups, which have been established in Torbay, Plymouth and Exeter (including a Garden Pond Survey) promote the study, enjoyment and conservation of urban wildlife and its habitats. Plymouth Area Groundwork Trust undertakes practical conservation and education projects within the bounds of the City. Torbay, Exeter and Plymouth and other Local Authority Countryside Services play important roles in conserving wildlife habitats and promoting conservation and enjoyment by the public in built up areas. Exeter City Council and English Nature have undertaken Exeter Wildlife Survey in the City. British Trust for Conservation Volunteers undertake practical conservation work throughout Devon, and many of their operations restore and enhance habitats in urban areas. Torbay and Plymouth are formulating Local Biodiversity action plans for their urban habitats and species. Devon County Council’s Environmental Education Working Group. Tree Wardens, supported by Local Authorities, operate to safeguard and increase the resource of isolated amenity trees in cities, towns and villages across Devon. Community Woodlands project, coordinated by Forest Enterprise, aims to enhance the number of woodlands which are accessible to local communities for recreational enjoyment. Tree planting schemes which involve schools in activities in the County include "Special Branch" in Exeter (in association with Exeter City Council). The Devon branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) staged a competition in 1997 in Mid Devon to find the village which has made the best of its natural qualities and is kept attractive to its local inhabitant. In recognition of the district’s success, Mid Devon District Council is planting trees in the parishes that took part in the initiative. Devon RIGS (Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites) Group, identifies and promotes County Geological Sites, which are sites of at least county importance for the geology they demonstrate. This non-statutory designation aims both to make planners aware of the location of these important sites so that harmful development may be steered away from them, and also aims to establish access to them for educational purposes. Several CGS occur within built up areas, such as quarries, cliffs or road and railway cuttings. Devonshire Association has published a pamphlet, The Building Stones of Devon, which details, in an accessible and readable format, the occurrence and use of different types of native building stone within the cities, towns and villages of Devon. Research at University College London is being undertaken nationally to investigate people’s attitude to nature, particularly in an urban context. Ideas have been generated by this work into ways conservationists and local residents can be involved in enhancing and enjoying the wildlife in cities and towns.
Policy and legislation 1. Reinforce and maximise use of Section 106 agreements to create new urban habitats through planning gain.LEAD:LPAs PARTNERS:DCC, ENDWT 2. Ensure the provision of nature reserves within all towns and cities in Devon. LEAD:LAs, Unitary Authorities 3. Ensure that the statutory requirements are met for provision
of green space in new housing developments, and review non-statutory
guidelines for new and existing housing estates. 4. Ensure that provision is made in Statutory Development Plans
for the retention of features of wildlife and earth science interest
within housing and other developments in urban areas. Management
1. Identify important urban sites for wildlife and its enjoyment by 1999 and liaise with the landowner of each site to inform and advise on possible management, and where appropriate establish suitable management agreements. LEAD:LAs, Unitary Authorities , DWT PARTNERS: EN, Parish Councils 2. Complete the identification of urban sites that meet the criteria for CGS and CWS, by 1999. LEAD:RIGS Gp., DWT PARTNERS: LAs, Unitary Authorities 3. Take opportunities for habitat creation within new development schemes. LEAD: LAs, Unitary Authorities PARTNERS:Parish Councils, NPAs 4. Identify potential sites for habitat creation, e.g. "barren" open spaces, by 1999. LEAD:LAs, Unitary Authorities 5. Review maintenance regimes of open spaces in cities, towns
and villages with a view to enhancing their potential as sites for wildlife
and its enjoyment. By 2000. 6. Encourage the integration of urban biodiversity initiatives
into all strategic schemes, e.g. SRB bids. 7. Encourage building design that is environmentally friendly and that provides habitats for animals and plants LEAD:LAs, Unitary Authorities 8. Evaluate where improvements in the management of the built environment could help in the delivery of species and habitat action plans, by 1999. LEAD:DWT, EN Research and monitoring
1. Survey and evaluate the existing and potential urban nature
and earth science conservation resource in terms of its intrinsic and
social value 2. Undertake surveys of urban landscapes to identify potential sites of interest and value to local communities, and survey public opinion on whether these sites are of value to them LEAD:LAs, Unitary Authorities, DWT, RIGS Gp. Education and awareness raising
1. Establish a forum (Regional or Devon) of urban wildlife issues groups to share vital expertise and ideas in order to progress wildlife and earth science conservation within cities, towns and villages. By 1999. LEAD:DWT, DCC PARTNERS:LAs, Unitary Authorities, DWT, RIGS Gp, Local Wildlife Groups 2. Seek to influence competitions such as "Nations in Bloom", "Britain in Bloom", and "Best Kept Village" to become more orientated towards wildlife gardening. By 1999. LEAD:DCC, LAs, Unitary Auth’ties Community Council 3. Establish and promote a Devon Best Wildlife Gardener of the
Year competition, with an emphasis on gardens within settlements (including
school grounds). By 1998. 4. Target garden centres for distributing publicity leaflets, hosting awareness events, and stocking garden wildlife products such as bird and mammal nest boxes, bird feeders, wildflower seed mixtures and advice on managing gardens. LEAD:DWT, RSPB, BTO, DBWPS PARTNERS: Chambers of Commerce 5. Continue to establish and promote sites of geological and wildlife interest within urban areas which are accessible to the general public, and provide suitable on site interpretative facilities. LEAD:RIGS Gp., LAs, Unitary Authorities PARTNERS:NPAs 6. Devise and promote a series of geological trails within towns and cities, using examples of building stone and the quarries from which they came. By 1999. LEAD:RIGS Gp., LAs, Unitary Authorities 7. Encourage schools and other educational establishments to use wildlife and earth science sites within towns and cities. LEAD:LAs, Unitary Authorities 8. Promote the use of Building Stones of Devon (see Current Initiatives
section) to schools and other educational establishments. 9. Foster awareness and understanding of the value of urban biodiversity in the context of local communities. LEAD:DWT, LAs, Unitary Authorities PARTNERS: EN, CF 10. Promote proposed initiatives for the built environment using radio and press features, to maximise people’s awareness of them, and therefore increase their effectiveness. LEAD:DWT, Local Wildlife Groups PARTNERS: LAs, Unitary Authorities {no current information] |
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