Heritage - Countryside & Biodiversity
The East Hampshire countryside is spectacularly beautiful with chalk hangers, heathlands, meadows, downland, sites of special scientific interest, National and local nature reserves and woodlands. It is one of the most heavily wooded districts in the country with 17% woodland cover. It contains many rare plants and animals and has some of the best rivers in the country for fishing and wildlife.
It is mainly a farmed landscape, predominently arable with some cattle and sheep. Countryside education is an important part of helping people understand about farming.
East Hampshire District Council's role
EHDC's Countryside Officer helps protect and conserve the countryside of East Hampshire. He manages the following council owned sites:
- Buriton Chalk Pits, Buriton (Local Nature Reserve);
- Liss Riverside Railway walk, Liss (LNR); in partnership with Liss Parish Council and Liss Conservation Rangers.
- Liss Meadow, Liss
- Havant Thicket (part of the woodland to the north east), Rowlands Castle
- site near Warner's Wood, Worldham
Some of these sites have special plants and animals which need a particular type of management to ensure that they can survive. In March 2006 4 Dexter cattle were introduced to Liss Meadow to graze and improve the biodiversity value of the site. Cattle will continue to graze the site through 2010.
Rose Bridge on the Liss Railway walk will be closed for January and February 2010 to enable refurbishment work to be carried out. A traditionally constructed oak bridge will be put in place as part of the programme to refurbish all three bridges on the walk. The programme is funded by East Hampshire District Council, the South Downs National Park and LEADER funding.
EHDC priorities
The council has identified priority areas it wishes to concentrate its resources on which include:
- ecological advice and support for planning
- implementation of the East Hampshire Biodiversity Action Plan
- support for young people's understanding about farming through the Country Trust (Hampshire) based at Sparsholt College.
- support for Hampshire Fare, at Hampshire County Council, for the promotion of local food and produce
- work with both the farming community and planning department.
East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
50% of East Hampshire is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The council works in partnership with other agencies for the protection and enhancement of the East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The South Downs Joint Committee oversees the management of the South Downs as an interim organisation until a decision is made about the South Downs as a possible National Park area. This decision is likely to be made in the summer of 2009.
Biodiversity
The Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) 2009-2019 was approved by East Hampshire District Council’s Cabinet on 18th March 2009. The BAP outlines the actions needed to protect and enhance the local environment in East Hampshire. It provides lots of useful information about species and habitats and includes useful names and addresses of organisations that can help.
The success of the BAP will rely on the partners who have signed up to implement the actions listed in section 3. A huge debt of thanks is extended to all involved. Now comes the action! We look forward to hearing about the successes.
Please contact Martin Healey 01730 234386 or martin.healey@easthants.gov.uk if you wish to discuss the implementation of the plan. The actions and achievements will be reviewed every year.
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