Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
County Wildlife Site Group
The CWS Group is responsible for overseeing the CWS system in
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. They meet annually to
network, share information, plan and monitor CWS activities.
The Wildlife Trust in conjunction with Peterborough City
Council and Cambridgeshire County Council takes 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 CWS
accessible to all those who need to use it.
The success of the CWS system largely depends on the support of the organisations above and the involvement of land owners and managers who influence on the protection and enhancement of sites.
For further information please contact the Wildlife Officer:
The success of the CWS system largely depends on the support of the organisations above and the involvement of land owners and managers who influence on the protection and enhancement of sites.
For further information please contact the Wildlife Officer:
Tel: 01733 453400
County Wildlife Site Handbook
A handbook and leaflet describing the operation of
the County Wildlife Site system (CWS) in Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough has been produced:
Handbook:
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C9B9369E-7F2A-4AAE-8BDD-2FB061C688A4/0/CWSleaflet.pdf
Locally a CWS system has been in existence for some years
through partnership working between Peterborough City Council and
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 will be available to download shortly using the link to the right. The handbook 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.
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 will be available to download shortly using the link to the right. The handbook 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.
County Wildlife Sites (CWSs) 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 Sites are non-statutory designations 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 guidelines. 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 may be removed.
How many County Wildlife Sites are there?
There are 463 CWSs in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. These are distributed as follows
Peterborough 109
County Wildlife Sites are non-statutory designations 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 guidelines. 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 may be removed.
How many County Wildlife Sites are there?
There are 463 CWSs in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. These are distributed as follows
Peterborough 109
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
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 across 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 e-mail 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.
The locations of County Wildlife Sites can be found on the
City Councils website: http://hawkeye.peterborough.gov.uk/hawkeye/default.aspx. P
lease 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 Record 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.
If you would like some advice on management please contact the Wildlife Sites Officer at the local Wildlife Trust Tel 01954 713500.