Support
Rochford District Core Strategy Regulation 26 Draft
Representation ID: 489
Received: 29/06/2007
Respondent: Mr D A Harris
"The Council will develop policies that seek to ensure protection for Wildlife Sites, Local Nature Reserves and Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats"
The term "Wildlife Sites" with capital letters refers to the many small and large sites throught the district which are both private and public which were identified as important for wildlife several years ago. It is essential that the land in Rochford District is subjected to a complete new survey, with proper access onto the land by those carrying out the survey, to ensure that the integrity of the current Wildlife Sites is still good and that any more good wildlife sites identified during the new survey are protected.
It is very difficult and dangerous to generalise, but in my experience the wildlife value of arable farmland, except for hedgerows, is generally quite poor compared with the undeveloped land sometimes found on the margins of existing built-up areas. So if funds for a new wildlife sites survey are limited, concentrate on looking at the land at the edges of the built up areas and forget the open arable lands to the east of the district. I expect that many of the sites which you currently see as potentially good for houses are indeed very good wildlife sites and should be protected.
"The Council will develop policies that seek to ensure protection for Wildlife Sites, Local Nature Reserves and Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats"
The term "Wildlife Sites" with capital letters refers to the many small and large sites throught the district which are both private and public which were identified as important for wildlife several years ago. It is essential that the land in Rochford District is subjected to a complete new survey, with proper access onto the land by those carrying out the survey, to ensure that the integrity of the current Wildlife Sites is still good and that any more good wildlife sites identified during the new survey are protected.
It is very difficult and dangerous to generalise, but in my experience the wildlife value of arable farmland, except for hedgerows, is generally quite poor compared with the undeveloped land sometimes found on the margins of existing built-up areas. So if funds for a new wildlife sites survey are limited, concentrate on looking at the land at the edges of the built up areas and forget the open arable lands to the east of the district. I expect that many of the sites which you currently see as potentially good for houses are indeed very good wildlife sites and should be protected.