The group is responsible for overseeing the county wildlife
site system in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. They
meet annually to network, share information, plan and
monitor the groups activities. In conjunction with
the Wildlife Trust and Cambridgeshire County Council we take the
strategic lead with respect to the management of the County
Wildlife Sites system.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Biological Records Centre are
responsible for making information and data available on
county wildlife sites accessible to all those who need to use it.
The success of the county wildlife site system largely depends on
the support of the organisations involved and the involvement of
land owners and managers who influence the protection and
enhancement of sites.
For further information
please contact our wildlife officer
County wildlife site handbook
A
handbook and
leaflet describing the operation of the County Wildlife
Site system (CWS) in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is available
which contains more information on CWS. Locally a CWS system has
been in existence for some years through partnership working
between Peterborough City Council and the Cambridgeshire Wildlife
Trust. Guidance on these systems, known generically as Local
Sites Systems, was published by Defra in April 2006. Taking on
board Defra's recommendations a Biodiversity Partnership
working group consisting of representatives from local
authorities, statutory bodies and voluntary
organisations has been reviewing the CWS
system.
The working group has produced a handbook which is
intended to be a comprehensive document detailing how the CWS
system operates in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. It is not a
significant departure from the current situation, however it does
help to formalise current activity in a robust and transparent way.
CWS are areas of land important for their wildlife. They include
valuable semi-natural habitats such as ancient woodland,
species-rich grasslands, wetlands, roadside verges and hedgerows.
The habitats and species that live there flourish because of past
management and many sites provide a refuge for rare or threatened
plants and animals.
What are county wildlife sites?
County Wildlife Site is a non-statutory designation used
to identify high quality wildlife habitats in a county
context. Together with statutory sites such as Sites of
Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), County Wildlife Sites form an
important part of the wildlife resource in the wider countryside
helping to link and buffer sites.
Why are they important?
Habitats of special importance for wildlife such as species rich
grassland, rivers, wetlands and ancient woods account for
approximately 7% of the county area. Sympathetic management by
farmers and landowners helps to preserve these special habitats and
the species associated with them for present and future generations
to enjoy.
How are county wildlife sites selected?
Survey data is gathered and sites are selected by assessing
their wildlife importance in a county context against carefully
constructed selection criteria. Those meeting the thresholds
contained within the guidelines are then selected for designation.
The County Wildlife Site system is intended to be flexible, so that
newly discovered sites that meet the selection guidelines can be
added, whilst those that are known to have deteriorated can be
removed.
How many county wildlife sites are there?
There are 461 CWSs in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. These are
distributed as follows:
- Peterborough 107
- Cambridge City 15
- South Cambridgeshire 102
- Huntingdonshire 125
- East Cambridgeshire 81
- Fenland 31
This figure is subject to change as survey data is continually
gathered and the complement of sites amended.
Protection of county wildlife sites
People need to be aware of where these sites are and why they
are important. Given information about where sites are and why they
are important, owners, planners and conservation bodies can work
together to make informed decisions about the future of these
sites. Local Authorities have a responsibility as part of their
planning function to take account of sites of substantial nature
conservation value and to consider them alongside other material
planning considerations. The location of County Wildlife
Sites will be included in Local Plans and Development
Documents.
Implications for landowners
Owning a County Wildlife Site does not mean that there will be
open public access to your land. Existing public rights of way
remain unaffected and no rights of access are created. The majority
of ordinary land management and agricultural operations remain
unaffected. Identification of a County Wildlife Site does not give
anyone other than the landowner or manager control over land
management. However, following recent new regulations, some
operations on County Wildlife Sites may require an Environmental
Impact Assessment. Further information on the Regulations, or for
an application form can be obtained from Defra, call the freephone
EIA helpline on 0800 028 2140 or email eia.england@naturalengland.org.uk
If your proposal involves afforestation, deforestation, forest
roads or forest quarries further information and advice is
available from the East of England Forestry Commission
Conservancy Office based at Santon Downham, Suffolk Tel 01842
815544 or email mailto:east.fce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. . The
recognition of a County Wildlife Site could assist you in
attracting grant aid money such as environmental stewardship and
woodland grants. Sympathetic management is encouraged and there are
people able to assist you by providing further information and
advice.
Other information
Locations
of county wildlife sites
Please note that many of these sites are not publicly accessible
without the landowners permission. For detailed survey information
on a CWS please contact the Biological Records Centre Tel 01954
713570. If you would like some advice on management please
contact the Wildlife Sites Officer at the local Wildlife Trust Tel
01954 713500.