THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT ACTION PLAN
Lead Agencies: Public Sector: Local Authorities
Voluntary
Sector: Wildlife Trust
1 INTRODUCTION
The built environment can play an important
role in the preservation of flora and fauna of the British Isles. A few
organisms have adapted to a lifestyle in or on buildings. To some species these
urban sites are the key to their preservation.
2 CURRENT STATUS
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Habitats included in this plan: Brown Field Sites Churches and Churchyards Farm Buildings Residential and Commercial Buildings Walls |
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Associated Plans: Quarries and Gullets Urban Forest and Greenspace |
2.1 Definitions
2.1.1 Built Environment
The built environment is considered to comprise
both structures and land associated with them and serving a related
purpose. It may thus include substantial
areas with potential in terms of biodiversity although not readily accessible
as public amenity space and largely unmanaged.
2.1.2 Brown Field Sites
Brown field sites are areas of redundant urban
land which once served a use, e.g. industry, but have now become derelict,
allowing natural processes, once again, to take place.
Example One: Corby Steel Works. Grid Ref: approx. SP905895.
The large
industrial complexes, particularly around Corby, built in the last 20 years on
the former steelworks site, are home to a number of unexpected species. Jack
Snipe are regularly recorded during the winter in the wetter areas on the
undeveloped parts of the Willowbrook Industrial Estate and as recently as 1995
the Northamptonshire Bird Report records that “at least two and possibly three
pairs” of Black Redstart (Phoenicurus
ochruros) “ bred successfully at a large industrial site in the north of
the county where they have been breeding for at least 3 years”.
2.1.3 Churches and Churchyards
Churches are long established structures
throughout Britain. Inspiring the spiritual side in humans, they were designed
to be the most obvious structure in an area, towering over other contemporary
constructions.
Recent developments in building design mean
that they are often dwarfed in comparison to surrounding structures. However,
their reverence as places of worship has prevented dramatic changes or
disturbances. Together with the longevity of the buildings, churches and
churchyards provide a quiet haven for organisms such as bats and lichens.
Churches and churchyards provide an excellent
habitat mixture of open rock and grassland. Consistency of management over a
long period of time has granted them a level of stability.
Eight national Red Data Book species can be
found in Northamptonshire churchyards, three of which were discovered in a
recent survey. Some species, such as Lecanora
pannonica are better developed in Northamptonshire churches than elsewhere
in Britain.
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Example Two: Gayton Church. Grid Ref: SP
706548 Gayton churchyard is home to the nationally
rare Tower Cress (Arabis turrita).
Like other churchyards, the stonework is a haven for lichens. |
Example Three: Mears Ashby Churchyard, Nr Wellingborough.
Grid Ref: SP838667
Mears Ashby churchyard
supports a variety of species, including Meadow Saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata), which is uncommon in Northamptonshire.
Example Four: Everdon Church, Nr Daventry. Grid Ref:
SP595570
Both veteran
trees and church buildings are ideal for roosting bats. However, renovation
work to churches is removing these sites and failing to provide an alternative
in the process. One recent example is Everdon church, which is home to a large
roost of Natterer’s Bat (Myotis
nattereri). The porch, which provides the roost site, is in need of
renovation, in conflict with the interest of the bats due to the disturbance
that would be caused.
2.1.4 Farm Buildings
Farm Buildings cover a variety of constructions
from cattle sheds to barns. Being situated in the countryside, they provide the
ideal shelter and breeding site for a number species, such as Barn Owls (Tyto alba). A recent improvement in the
hygiene and re-structuring of these buildings is believed to have an adverse
affect on Barn Owls, resulting in a lack of suitable nest sites and reduced
food supply in the form of small mammals.
Barns also play a very important role. The loss
of the nesting sites found in old-style barns is thought to contribute towards
the current decline of Swallows (Hirundo
rustica).
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Example Five: Lings House. Grid Ref: SP
802638 An old farmhouse situated within Lings Wood,
owned by Northampton Borough Council and used currently as the office of the
Wildlife Trust. The attic of the building is a long established roost site
for a colony of brown Long-eared Bats
(Plecotus auritus). |
2.1.5 Residential and Commercial Buildings
Encompassing most other buildings found in
cities, towns and villages, their biodiversity is relatively low. Nonetheless
the structure and design of these buildings is essential in the continued
success of a number of species. Houses provide the stability required by Thermophilus species of spiders, which
at present are unable to survive outdoors. Commercial buildings are increasingly
used by birds, varying from House Sparrows (Passer
domesticus) to Kestrels (Falco
tinnunculus).
2.1.6 Walls and Other Extraneous Constructions
This section covers the miscellaneous
structures in Northamptonshire that provide either a niche or complete habitat
for wildlife. These include undisturbed dry boundary walls, bridges and
historic or ancient monuments.
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Example Six: Brampton Valley Way. Grid Ref:
SP740861 The Brampton Valley Way is a stretch of
disused railway. The tunnels found along this stretch provide extremely
stable conditions ideal for a roost site. One survey found a mixed roost with
at least three species of bat using this site: Brandt’s Bat (Myotis mystacinus); Brown long-eared
Bat (Plecotus auritus) and
Pippistrelle Bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus). |
2.2 International /
National Status
As a developed nation that underwent the
industrial revolution from the 1750’s, the ensuing urbanisation of the United
Kingdom was quite extensive. This was probably catalysed by the country’s
relatively small size. Although many places remain rural, all of the
countryside has felt the impact of man over the past 4,000 years. Subsequently,
we have left our mark in many forms across the country, and in the process,
created new habitats in the process that could be exploited by wildlife where
it is able.
2.3 Local Status
With a population increase of 13.5% between
1981 and 1996, Northamptonshire is currently the fastest growing county in the
East Midlands, whose average increase was only 7.5%. Currently, approximately
12.5% of Northamptonshire has been built upon. This is a high proportion and
will increase further with the rise in population. Particularly as only 35% of
the 73,000 new houses set for development between 1996 and 2021 will be built
on previously developed land. This figure is 10% lower than the East Midlands
level and the lowest of the region.
3.1 National Priority
Species
Barn Owl (Tyto
alba), Black Redstart (Phoenicurus
ochruros ), Daubenton’s Bat (Myotis daubentonii),
Noctule Bat (Nyctalus noctula) and
Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus).
3.2 Locally Characteristic
Species
Natterer’s Bat (Myotis nattereri), Noctule Bat
(Nyctalus noctula), Barn Owl (Tyto
alba), Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus),
Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Lecanora pannonica (a lichen), Rinodina calcarea (a lichen)
See Appendix 5 Towns and
Villages Priority Species for full list.
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Disturbance of old buildings by demolition and
renovation.
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Deterioration of dry-stone walls due to lack of
maintenance.
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Improvements in the hygiene of farm buildings.
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Changes in the structural design of new
buildings.
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Use of unsuitable herbicides.
5.1.1
Legal Status
5.1.1 International
and National
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Protection of species under the Countryside and
Wildlife Act 1981.
5.1.2 Local
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A Nature Conservation Strategy for
Northamptonshire.
5.2.1 National
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Advice on the preservation of the different
species found in the built environment can be acquired from specialist consultants
and voluntary organisations.
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The British Lichen Society has published a
number of information leaflets on lichens, their links with churchyards and the
conservation of both.
5.2.2 Local
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Ownership of man-made structures is variable,
depending upon type and location. However, the vast majority are either held
under local authority control, business ownership or privately owned.
THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS
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OBJECTIVE
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ACTION |
LEAD AGENCY |
PARTNERS |
TARGET
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6.1
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Policy and Legislation
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Objective One: Minimise the adverse effects on priority
species associated with buildings |
Ensure that there are local plan policies
that require the thorough biological assessment of brown field land prior to
development and safeguard urban sites that are of value to wildlife. Include
urban County Wildlife Sites in Local Plans |
Local Authorities |
Wildlife Trust |
By 2003 |
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Incorporate good design practises into
development plans. Develop and publish design guidance to provide
alternatives where habitats will be lost for example by installing bat bricks |
Local Authorities |
Wildlife Trust, English Nature, Building contractors, Landowners |
Building Design and Biodiversity guidance to
be published by 2004 |
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Assess the impact renovation will have to
wildlife before any work is undertaken. Adopt biodiversity related building
control regulations |
Local Authorities |
Wildlife Trust |
Throughout the Action Plan Period |
6.2
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Site Safeguard and Management
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Objective Two Enhance churchyard biodiversity |
Encourage a less frequent mowing regime in
areas of churchyards that are infrequently visited |
Wildlife Trust |
Parochial Church Councils, Local Authorities |
Produce a churchyard management guide by 2003 |
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Areas rarely visited and distant from the
church can be set-aside as “conservation sites”. These areas can be managed as hay meadows include cutting and
raking once or twice a year |
Wildlife Trust |
Parochial Church Councils, Local Authorities |
Produce a churchyard management guide by 2003 |
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Objective Three: Maintain church walls and stonework |
Prevent the removal of, or disruption to,
lichens and mosses as much as possible |
Wildlife Trust |
Parochial Church Councils, Local Authorities |
Produce a churchyard management guide by 2003 |
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Objective Four: Seek opportunities to enhance the native
biodiversity within the built environment |
Provide information leaflets for the general
public to highlight opportunities for enhancing urban wildlife, in particular
the value of wildlife gardening |
Wildlife Trust |
Local Authorities |
Produce literature by 2002 |
6.3
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Advisory
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Objective Five: Provide farmers and landowners with
information and encouragement to manage their building stock in a wildlife
friendly manner |
Provide information leaflets highlighting
opportunities |
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group |
Local Authorities, Dept. of Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs |
Produce literature by 2004 |
6.4
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Monitoring and Research
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Objective Six: Record the locations of national and local
priority important species associated with the built environment |
Develop a priority species database and
undertake regular monitoring |
Wildlife Trust |
County Recorders, Local Authorities |
Commence by 2002 with recording throughout
the plan period |
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Assess all brown field land against County
Wildlife Site criteria and define qualifying sites in local plans |
Wildlife Trust |
Local Authorities |
By 2003 |
6.5
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Communications and Publicity
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Objective Seven: Establish an urban wildlife recording scheme |
Encourage the general public to record and
report species found in and around their homes |
Wildlife Trust |
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Commence 2002 |
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Objective Eight: Publicise the progress made in delivering
this Action Plan in a BAP Annual Report |
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BAP Partners |
Annual |