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Wildlife Trusts voice concerns over new planning proposals

Nov 16

Posted by admin in eco-tourism, wildlife | No Comments

Wildlife Trust

Wildlife Trust

The Wildlife Trusts have expressed concern about government proposals that allow the new Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) to fast-track major developments such as ports and power stations.

The British conservation charity fears wildlife may not be adequately considered when approving new developments.

Six National Policy Statements released this week state that the IPC will give the final go-ahead on major infrastructure projects. Stephanie Hilbourne, chief executive for The Wildlife Trust, claims this overrides the current democratic process where local people, through bodies such as Wildlife Trusts, can raise objections to developments on environmental grounds. She said:

“Local Wildlife Trusts all around the country scrutinise and monitor planning applications – around 90,000 each year. Our local expertise and knowledge is second to none. It often adds value to the planning system on major infrastructure and other projects.

“The new process must allow this careful consideration and involvement to continue with major infrastructure projects, whether it is the siting of ports, wind farms or nuclear power stations. For the future of our natural environment and our wildlife, it is vital we continue to have that say.”

The Wildlife Trusts are worried that, since the IPC does not have explicit ecological expertise, wildilfe and ecology issues may get overlooked when future large-scale developments are planned.

wildlife boost

Jan 8

Posted by evekerswill in News, wildlife | 2 Comments

It’s great to be able to report a positive wildlife story. The following piece, due to appear in the next issue of Holiday Cottages, is based on information sent to us by the Wildlife Trusts. OK, so we are giving a plug to Waitrose, but we’re more than happy to publicise people or organisations who encourage farming practices that attract and help wildlife. Good old Waitrose. I wish our nearest wasn’t 50 miles away!

Wildlife thrives

Some of Britain’s dairy farmers are playing a vital role in the resurgence of many threatened wild animals and birds. 

Figures from the wildlife scheme, WildCare, which advises farmers on how to create and maintain habitats, show that endangered creatures – such as brown hares, yellowhammers and even the house sparrow – are making a dramatic comeback on participating farms.

The figures, released two years after the launch of  WildCare at 60 dairy farms which supply the supermarket Waitrose, reveal that wildlife habitats have increased by 19% on the farms. Sightings of birds considered to be in decline are up 47%.

Farmers involved in the scheme leave hedgerows to produce blossom and fruit to feed birds in the winter, before they trim them. They’ve also taken a variety of other wildlife-attracting measures which include creating wide field margins so that wild flowers provide food and egg-laying areas for butterflies, and making ponds, ditches, beetle banks, skylark scrapes, barn owl boxes and wetland areas as well as leaving stubble on the ground over winter.

Species in decline nationally, but which have bucked the trend on the participating farms include spotted flycatchers, reed buntings, starlings, house sparrows, yellowhammers and the brown hare.

Sightings of butterflies have also increased ’significantly’, including meadow brown, gatekeeper, ringlet and large white. www.wildlifetrusts.org


Winter Walks

Oct 15

Posted by evekerswill in News, Walking, wildlife | 1 Comment

Winter is the best time for walking. That’s the opinion of many people who say that not only is it more comfortable to get out in the cooler months (layer your clothing so you’re not too warm or too cold), but our landscapes look great, too.

        The National Trust has come up with some fabulous walks for holiday cottagers and here are just a few of them. For more, go the Trust’s website where you’ll find 100 downloadable treks.

Allen Banks in Northumberland  –  The River Allen has carved out a wooded gorge in this area of ancient woodland. 181 species of fungi have been recorded, along with roe deer and otters. A gentle 2.5 mile walk. Download it for free at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01670 774691.

 

Blakeney Point to Stiffkey, Norfolk  –  During the winter, hundreds of thousands of birds flock to the salt marshes and fields here to feed. Birds of prey skim the marshes, too. Grey and common seals bask off Blakeney Point. The Trust says, “Don’t forget your binoculars on this four mile walk”. Download it at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01263 740241. 

 

Box Hill, Surrey  – Box Hill, says the Trust, is a “green jewel in an urban landscape”. It’s  an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) of chalk downland and woodland with terrific views across the South Downs. Follow the footpaths or roam free. Collect a leaflet at Box Hill or call 01306 885502.

 

Clent Hills, West Midlands  –  With their magnificent views to the Welsh Black Mountains, quiet copses and ancient beech pollards, these hills are a great place to walk. A one mile path leads to the summit and from here you can take woodland or heathland paths back.  Download at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01384 872418.

 

Dodman Point, Cornwall  – A  three mile walk over the highest headland on the South Cornish coast through a landscape shaped by 4,000 years of human occupation. Iron age earthworks, bronze age barrows, mediaeval strip fields and fabulous views of the Lizard peninsula await. Download the walk at  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01726 844652.

 

Harting Down, Sussex  – A  moderate two mile walk over one of the largest areas of ancient chalk downland in the care of the National Trust. Magnificent views over the Weald to the North Downs from a path through ancient yew woodland. Download it at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01372 453401.

 

Hayfield to Kinder Scout in Derbyshire  –  In 1932 more than 500 people gathered to walk this eight mile route – illegally – to campaign for rights of access to the countryside. The Mass Trespass was a milestone in opening up the British countryside to walkers. You, too, can trek through this dramatic landscape.  Download the walk from  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01433 670368.

 

Old Harry Rocks, Dorset  – This 3.5 mile path leads through ancient coppiced woodland to the rugged sea stacks of Old Harry Rocks on the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, before heading inland over meadows and then back to the sea at Studland beach. Download at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01297 561900.

 

Tarn Hows, Cumbria  – This  five mile walk heads from Coniston water up to Tarn Hows. Some of the most famous Lakeland fells stretch before you, including Wetherlam, the Old Man of Coniston, Langdale Pike and Helvellyn: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01539 441951.

 

Whitford Burrows, Gower Peninsula  –  Whitford Burrows sit at the more northerly end of the spectacular Gower Peninsula in south Wales. The four mile walk takes you along the dunes, past mediaeval marshes, and through pine forests planted to help stabilise the  sands. The walk back is along the beach. Download at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01792 390636.

Good news for badgers

Jul 17

Posted by evekerswill in News, wildlife | No Comments

The Wildlife Trusts have welcomed environment secretary Hilary Benn’s rejection of a badger cull as a solution to combating bovine TB in cattle.

Stephanie Hilborne, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, says: “This is a good day for science, public opinion and common sense. We congratulate Hilary Benn on sticking to the scientific evidence and drawing a line under any consideration of a badger cull. 

“There is no single solution to this disease, but now is the time for all parties to throw their weight behind cattle-to-cattle control measures, vaccine development and improved biosecurity to deal with bovine TB.”

www.wildlifetrusts.org