3. Deletions

W30 Finches EWT Nature Conservation Area has a large population of Glow-worms (Lampyris noctiluca), a scarce beetle of unimproved grassland in Essex. The colony at Finches is one of the largest in Essex and in Rochford. Glow-worms are particularly susceptible to habitat change and are unable to move between sites easily making their remaining habitats extremely valuable. In view of the presence of Glow-worms (which are rare in the Rochford District) I would ask the Council to consider keeping the reserve on the list of Local Wildlife Sites and to remove it from the proposed deletions.

FW1 Butts Hill Pond EWT Nature Conservation Area (0.3 ha) TQ899947

The EARG would like to point out that the following species are present on this site - Crested Newts, Smooth newts, Common Frog, Common Toad, grass snake, slowworm, viviparous lizard

The presence of these species would in our view require further survey to establish whether this key amphibian and reptile site meets the criteria

The EARG would like to see this site flagged up for further survey work

W30 Finches supports a colony of glow worms, I thought that this species was nationally scarce.

I object to the removal of for example Finches (Canewdon) (note - not an EWT site). I would suggest that the criteria are not sufficiently local to take into account sites that have intrinsic borough value such as Finches (PLUS the related verge), Rayleigh Mount, and even Butts Pond and The Paddock? Essentially, they may NOT be nationally/regionally wildlife important, but locally they are AND offer green corridors, community 'open space' and social enjoyment, etc. Lack of survey specific data (e.g. Butts Pond) should not necessarily result in withdrawal (Also has good population of lizards).

am a resident of Canewdon, I live opposite Finches.

This is a very special place to me and a lot of other people. Not only for it's peacefulness, but for the wildlife contained. There seems such a diversity of plant, animals habitat for such a small area. The glow worms are of particular interest to people in the village (my sons enjoy counting them and sending a report via e mail to some web site) and feel very proud we have them on our doorstep. Not a common sight, in such numbers as we have (long may it continue and grow, or do I mean glow!).

Anyway I am not sure of the implications of any change in status, but I do know that it is something we should hold very dear within this district and have as tight restrictions and security for its future as possible. May I add that the wildlife trust do a splendid job of maintaining it, the paths are almost always acessable.
Many thanks
Marion Buffett

Herewith Comments from the Rochford and Southend Local Group of the Essex Wildlife Trust to the initial draft report form EECOS regarding designation of Local Wildlife Sites.
We would first like to welcome the addition of significant new sites in the District such as the intertidal zone of the River Roach above Stambridge Mills and the new sites at Barling both of which were overdue for recognition. We would comment that the saltmarsh/freshwater transition zone reedbed of the River Roach Site does extend slightly more upriver than appears on the identification map . We would suggest extension to a point adjacent to the westernmost boundary of the Sewage farm rather than the easternmost. One committee member has actually seen kingfisher flighting along this stretch on 2 occasions. This boundary till ends lower than the traditional local marker of freshwater transition which was marked by what was known historically as the "Salt Bridge" now the bridge adjacent to the Horse and Groom Public House
We recognise that it has been difficult for EECOS to make multiple survey visits to sites and thus seasonal flora and fauna present on certain sites may not have been apparent to them. We would however like to draw two sites to your attention.
In particular we are concerned at the suggested delisting of the Finches Nature Conservation area in Canewdon . This site provides habitat for the 2nd largest population of the Glowworm ( Lampyris noctiluca) in Essex . This species whilst not Essex Red Data Book is nevertheless locally scarce. The only larger population recorded recently in Essex is at One Tree Hill in Langdon Hills Country Park. The Finches Glowworm population has been regularly surveyed each summer by the Essex Glowworm Survey organised by Dr Tim Gardiner of Writtle Agricultural College from whom population data can be requested. The core of the population is to be found in the Finches Nature Area but the largest display areas for the females are usually on the verges of Gardiners Lane Canewdon extending approximately 200 yards in either direction on both north and southern verges. Proper management of these verges is therefore important for sustaining this population. The glow-worms are a well known local sight and of considerable public interest locally.
We would also like to record that The Great Crested Newt has been noted by Mr Julian Kaye ( Essex Wildlife Trust warden of Lower Raypits and Lion Creek Reserves) during pond dipping at Finches wildlife area. We are aware that presence of a BAP species does not in and of itself qualify the site for inclusion as an LWS but would suggest that its presence goes towards its inclusion.
Finches also possesses an area of marginal bog to the north side of the large central pond which during the summer is home to a large invertebrate population .
We note the addition of a field adjacent to Hullbridge Rd Rayleigh to the LWS list as an example of unimproved grassland and would like to add another site of unimproved Grassland some 300 yds. further north where last year members of the EWT Local Group Committee photographed approximately 200-300 flower spikes of green winged Orchid during their Spring Flowering on an approx 1/3 acre field fronting Hullbridge road Grid Reference TQ 806 938 ( Full Reference 5806 16 193855).
We would also remind Rochford District Council that even sites that sensu strictu may not qualify under the various criteria on a national scale may have considerable intrinsic value on a district scale for instance Rayleigh Mount , we would also like to see a commitment to resurvey of the soon to be expanded Cherry Orchard Country Park in the future. We accept that it may already benefit from stronger protection in law than that afforded a LWS but feel that a blanket statement that it is unlikely to qualify at all in the future somewhat harsh given the new habitat creation and wildlife initiatives being put in place by Patrick Mckenna and team at the Rochford District Council themselves.
It is undoubtedly the case that time and economics have limited the number of sites that EECOS could have surveyed for this report . Since, as is mentioned in their report, most new species identification at new sites will be by amateur groups such as Southend Natural History Society and Essex Field Club it is imperative that a regular system of review allowing submission of findings from such people be established to allow addition of new sites as they are identified. This is already an intention stated by the Rochford District Council. We would suggest that there should be an annual opportunity for addition to the Local Wildlife Sites list on the grounds that small habitat areas, which these generally are, with small fragile populations of species may well disappear within the timeframe of larger 3 or 5 year plans often beloved of local plan developers.

We would further suggest that a mechanism for reporting LWS candidate sites to the District Council is established between the LWS reviews. This should be in an electronic format available for Public Access and easy checking by Planning Officers . The aim of such a list would be to provide an information resource concerning sites that might benefit from further ecological assessment, should an attempt be made to secure planning approval over such a site before it can be formally added to the list of Local Wildlife Sites. This will be of particular important if such LWS reviews are to be less frequent than annually.
With Kind regards

I.C Jobson
Planning Representative (Rochford and Southend Local Group)
Essex Wildlife Trust