About the Nature Conservation Strategy

Published in 1996, the Strategy outlines Hastings Borough Council's commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural environment for wildlife and all residents of the Borough.

Hastings has a wonderful diversity of habitats and species from spectacular wooded glens, ancient woodlands in the midst of town, to one of the largest reedbeds to be found anywhere in Sussex. Due to its location on the south east coast of England the coastal scrub and woodland provides vital food and shelter for migrant birds.

The town also has a very large badger population, the extent of which was surveyed in a partnership project between the Borough Council, the Badger Protection Society and English Nature. The results of this are being collated on a separate data base for use by the key partners.

The Borough of Hastings has three Sites of Special Scientific Interest at Marline Woods, Coombe Haven Valley and Hastings Cliffs to Pett Beach. There are three Local Nature Reserves at St. Helens Woods, Marline Woods and Filsham Reedbeds.

The strategy itself identifies key wildlife sites and the rational behind protecting the green spaces of the Borough. There is an extensive section on all Sites of Nature Conservation Importance, SNCI's, around the Borough providing a full site description and map of each area. This information was last updated in 1998.

Finally, a series of policy commitments outline just how Hastings Borough Council aims to protect and enhance nature conservation now and in the future.

The Strategy will be reviewed and updated when new work, such as the development of a Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Hastings is completed.

It should be noted the Strategy is presently a long document. It is intended to review our presentation of the document to take in additional information and allow discreet sections to be downloaded. The site will be continually monitored and upgraded to make more accessible, but it is recognised this will take time.

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