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Nature conservation and the quality of our natural environment has, in recent years, become the focus for increasing public, government and local government concern. Through the development of policies, proposals, legislation and public awareness campaigns, nature conservation and the health of the global and local environment are now regarded as a priority to safeguard an environment which is worthy of inheritance by future generations.
We have never been more aware of the catastrophic and detrimental consequences of poor or no environmental management. By failing to take into account potential affects upon the environment, the world has witnessed events the consequence of which are not curtailed by political geographic boundaries but affects the dynamics and health of the entire global system.
Environmental disasters such as Chernobyl, the Exon Valdese oil spill and the Union Carbide chemical explosion at Bhopal, bring home to us the cost of lax environmental policy on wildlife, habitats and human life. Less easy to quantify or ascertain the outcome of, is the continued and cumulative effect human activity is having on the entire global system. The dynamics of the seas and the weather is little enough understood, but it is now recognised that human activity is contributing to a shift in global weather patterns and temperatures, the long term consequences we can neither determine or predict.
Globally and nationally, we are suffering from unprecedented habitat loss due to the pressures of human activities. In Britain alone over the last fifty years, 95% of flower rich meadows and 50% of our Ancient woodlands have been lost to agriculture or development.
It is now generally accepted that if we wish to enjoy the benefits of wild animals and plants, we need to safeguard their habitats and the environment as a whole. Whilst all our material needs such as food, clothes, fuels, air and water derive from the natural environment, our physical and mental well being is dependant on a healthy, stimulating environment which provides for our recreational, educational and cultural activities.
Growing numbers of people now choose to spend their leisure time outdoors, whether cycling, jogging, climbing or simply walking and appreciating the natural environment.
As public concern continues to grow over wildlife loss, habitat destruction and the quality of our environment, concerted effort is required to develop policies and proposals which seek to protect and care for the natural environment we have inherited.
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A number of international, national and local frameworks have been developed over recent years aimed at safeguarding the natural environment. These, together with specific parliamentary legislation and policies developed at both national and local levels, have served to further protect and promote guidelines for conserving our natural heritage.
Whilst specific U.K. legislation empowers local authorities to protect and safeguard wildlife and the natural environment at home, international and European obligations have, over recent years, prompted a strategic and integrated approach to conservation of the world's resource. By consequence, most people now recognise the plight of wildlife, their habitats and the health of the environment on a global perspective.
International agreements have sought to reinforce this perspective through the following:-
(i) The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. This treaty requires the protection and conservation of wetland sites.
(ii) European Community Council Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds : The Birds Directive. The Directive provides for the protection of birds, their eggs, nests and habitats and requires member states to safeguard a diversity of habitats suitable for all species of wild birds, including migratory species.
(iii) European Community Council Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna : The Habitats Directive. The Directive requires member states to define areas which have a conservation status and to implement both habitat and species protection initiatives.
(iv) European Community Council Directive on the Assessment of the Effects on Certain Public and Private Projects on the Environment. The Directive requires an environmental assessment be carried out prior to development consents for projects likely to have a significant effect on the natural environment.
U.K. Legislation has successively been updated since the first Act in 1949 and include:
(i) The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The Act introduces the concepts of National Nature Reserves, NNR's, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, (S.S.S.I.'s) and confers powers on local authorities to declare Local Nature Reserves, (LNR's).
(ii) The Wildlife and Countryside Acts of 1981 and as amended 1985. The Act safeguards species and habitats by restricting the killing, taking from the wild and disturbance of species.
(iii) The Protection of Badgers Act 1992. This makes it an offence to wilfully kill, injure or take a badger or attempt to do so. A licence is required from English Nature to disturb a sett.
Ramsar Sites listed under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
Special Protection Areas (SPAs) classified under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to be designated under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (The Habitats Directive)
National Nature Reserves (NNRs) declared under Section 19 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 or Section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) designated by Local Authorities under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.
Non-statutory Nature Reserves established and managed by a variety of public and private bodies e.g. county wildlife trusts, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs). Usually adopted by local authorities to protect local wildlife sites. The name and status of this type of site varies considerably.
Whilst the two major "global management" publications, the World Conservation Strategy and Caring for the Earth, a Strategy for Sustainable Living in 1991, introduced the concept of sustainability, it was not until 1992 when the much publicised United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (The Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro endorsed the concept of sustainable development through an agreement known as Agenda 21.
The Earth Summit attracted delegates and world leaders from over 150 nations amidst unprecedented media coverage. Although Agenda 21 was outlined on the world stage, the majority of the action points require the active involvement of local authorities to implement a local Agenda 21 process for sustainable development by 1996.
The world Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs", whilst the Strategy for Sustainable Living offered "improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems".
It is clear from both definitions that development decisions must be balanced with the effects they may have upon the natural environment. Whilst this in no way precludes development, it presents a framework within which cause and effect can be assessed and informed decisions implemented.
In this way the dynamic balance of natural ecosystems is now being used to measure the impact of human activities. Whether we like it or not, developments and activities which have harmful effects upon wildlife, their habitats and the environment, are becoming increasingly unacceptable.
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Hastings, like many other towns and cities throughout Britain, supports a rich variety of wild plants and animals. In response to ever-increasing public concern for the natural environment and the accumulation of tighter legislation to protect the global and local environment, many local authorities have developed policies and strategies to protect and enhance their natural environments over which they have jurisdiction. Hastings Borough Council has likewise recognised this need to plan for and protect our natural heritage.
Urban areas like Hastings provide a complex network of habitats which include the town's parks, woodlands, ghylls, marshes and informal open spaces. All these areas are havens for wildlife within the Borough and with careful planning and consideration, not only contribute to the green network of the Borough, but offer invaluable opportunities for study and enjoyment.
Hastings is a small Borough with a finite resource of valuable and fragile habitats and informal open space. It is clear this resource cannot be sustained if policies are not implemented for its protection. It is within this context that a strategy for the natural environment can address the multitude of needs, concerns and initiatives that are integral to managing and utilising the natural environment for the benefit of wildlife, the local community and visitors.
Within an overall strategy for the natural environment, many issues can be addressed, allowing a framework to be drawn up to implement the key policy objectives.
Protecting and managing the green network of habitats necessary for wildlife to flourish is only one aspect of the strategy. The other key provisions to be addressed are the opportunities which arise for the provision of a service aimed to promote study, enjoyment, access and safe use of the natural environment.
There are many opportunities within the Council framework to develop and promote initiatives aimed at protecting and enhancing the natural environment. These range from the way we manage our land, how we plan for and protect our natural heritage and the range of services we can offer to provide opportunities for people to participate in and enjoy nature within the Borough.
The Hastings Urban Nature Conservation Strategy through the policies and implementation objectives, will enable Hastings Borough Council to adopt a consistent approach to nature conservation and the natural environment and provide a vehicle to direct activities both within the authority and with other interested groups.
The aim of the urban nature conservation strategy is to provide a framework to identify, protect and enhance the natural environment of Hastings and promote its use, enjoyment and sympathetic management in order to improve the diversity of habitats, the attractiveness of the Borough and the quality of life of everyone who lives and works within the Borough of Hastings.
In order to achieve this aim, the following objectives form the basis of the strategy;
- continually identify and protect areas of nature conservation interest and ensure their appropriate management.
- develop policies and implementation guidelines to further the aim of the strategy.
- seek opportunities to enhance areas for nature conservation through appropriate management and habitat creation and consultation.
- establish a network of green spaces throughout the Borough.
- recognise nature conservation as a legitimate land use in its own right.
- wherever appropriate, improve and promote access to the green network and sites of nature conservation interest.
- develop an information base and advise on nature conservation, ecology and the natural environment within the Borough for use by all Council Departments, residents, schools and other interested bodies.
- improve the attractiveness of the Borough to residents, visitors and investors.
- improve the quality of life for residents of the Borough.
- monitor policy implementation and changes to the natural environment of the Borough.
Urban areas exert tremendous pressure on the natural environment through ever increased development, housing and industry. All too often sites which offer a refuge for nature are targeted for development, either wholly or partly. Sometimes developments encroach so far onto an existing habitat there is not enough land to sustain the balance of wildlife, leading to the eventual degradation and dysfunction of the habitat. A policy or strategy which does not take its natural environment and wildlife resource into account when planning for the future, ignores one of its fundamental and attractive resources.
The aim of the nature conservation strategy therefore is to provide an overview of the natural network of the Borough and ensure residents and visitors are afforded a quality natural environment as a part of their daily experience.
If the green network provides an overview of the natural resource of the Borough, the strategy then seeks to protect and enhance this network by creating a greater abundance and diversity of wildlife, habitats, wildlife corridors and informal open space, providing greater opportunities for enjoyment of the natural resource of Hastings.
The green network provides a dynamic approach to nature conservation within an urban area. Within the network are the most valuable wildlife sites and those areas which have the potential through appropriate management to increase their ecological diversity. Wildlife areas are not seen in isolation but within an overall perspective which highlights areas for protection and opportunities to strengthen the network providing for habitat creation, public use and enjoyment.
It is inevitable that parts of the green network will be lost to developments. Indeed, the Hastings Borough Plan identifies and allocates areas for specific development. Whilst these allocations fulfil a statutory obligation, it is recognised that many of these sites may possess or develop an intrinsic nature conservation interest. It is therefore important to integrate this nature conservation interest with potential development plans for these sites and recognise opportunities for strengthening the green network to protect the overall integrity of the natural environment.
Within the green network of Hastings are three Sites of Special Scientific Interest, (SSSI's), at Marline Valley, Combe Haven and Hastings Country Park. These sites represent the most important and diverse habitats within the Borough. SSSI's are designated by English Nature as valuable and important examples of wildlife habitats, geological features and landforms on a national perspective. SSSI's are designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and are protected in statute.
Local Authorities also have powers under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 to designate and protect through the planning process, areas of important nature conservation interest, Local Nature Reserves (LNR's). Hastings currently has designated part of the Marline Valley, the Filsham Reed Beds and St Helens Wood as Local Nature Reserves.
Part of the implementation of the strategy will be to continually assess and evaluate the natural resource of the Borough. Through this process, areas at Glyne Gap and South Saxons will be evaluated for LNR status.
Areas known as Sites of Nature Conservation Importance, SNCI's, are areas that do not have a statutory designation but represent valuable wildlife areas within the urban environment. SNCI's are now nationally recognised, particularly within urban areas as fulfilling a number of objectives. SNCI's may be defined as;
semi-natural habitat which contributes to the overall natural resource and green network of the Borough, through species and/or habitat importance and fulfils an important passive, informal, recreation and/or educational role for residents and visitors, therefore contributing to an enhanced quality of the environment and quality of life within the Borough.
Whilst there is no statutory legislation to protect SNCI's, a degree of protection is afforded through the planning process by alerting both planners and potential developers of the importance of sites in terms of nature conservation and their importance within the green network of the Borough.
Many SNCI's develop on privately owned land where no habitat management has taken place or is indeed likely to. This lack of management may not always be detrimental as many urban sites have developed a rich mosaic of habitat structure through a lack of management intervention. It is however, essential to offer encouragement and advice wherever possible to private landowners to improve the nature conservation value of any SNCI.
There is intense competition within urban areas for different land uses. Issues relating to the natural environment and nature conservation have therefore to be viewed within this context. There are however, opportunities within most developmental activities or decisions to incorporate the needs of the natural environment and so constantly promote an ethic of environmental thinking in order to consistently improve the natural environment of the Borough. It is these opportunities which are addressed by the strategy.
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This page last updated: 27/03/2003