New byelaws in place to protect local nature reserves

Byelaws covering Local Nature Reserves in Hastings were confirmed by Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), on behalf of the Secretary of State on the 8 January 2021. They will become effective from 9 February 2021.

Hastings Borough Council takes pride in the beautiful and unique environments the local nature reserves have to offer and want to do all they can to protect these precious areas.

The council has designated additional Local Nature Reserves over recent years, recognising the important role they play in encouraging biodiversity and quality of the local environment. The new byelaws are now consistent across all our nature reserves and follow DEFRA's national guidelines. DEFRA encourage local authorities to adopt a consistent national approach to byelaws to help protect nature reserves from damage and protect wildlife.

The byelaws were made by Hastings Borough Council's Full Council in February 2020 and cover the Local Nature Reserves of Filsham Reedbeds Nature, Marline Valley, Hastings Country Park, St Helens Wood, Churchwood and Robsack, Summerfields Woods and Old Roar Gill.  Until this year, byelaws were in place for Marline Valley, Filsham Reedbeds and St Helens Woods only, and those byelaws were out of date.

The nature reserve byelaws and Evidence of Byelaws will be available to view on the council's website at: https://www.hastings.gov.uk/countryside-nature/naturereserves/byelaws/. Copies are also held at the council's main offices at Muriel Matters House.
Previous byelaws for these nature reserves are now revoked.