FOREWORD
‘A Biodiversity Action Plan for
Northamptonshire’ has been developed by the Northamptonshire Nature
Conservation and Landscape Forum as the local response the UK Biodiversity
Action Plan. It sets out a framework through which the people of
Northamptonshire can ensure that our threatened natural heritage is conserved
and enhanced for future generations.
It takes a strategic approach to the management
and enhancement of Northamptonshire’s biodiversity by co-ordinating the actions
of the variety of organisations concerned, both directly and indirectly, with
wildlife conservation, maximising the effective use of limited resources and
avoiding duplication of effort.
It is designed to stimulate and sign-post
action in areas such as local policy development, site and species protection
and management, provision of advice, research, monitoring and wide
participation by individuals, communities and organisations. Collectively this
will lead to a county more rich in its diversity of wildlife than it is today
and make a significant contribution to the quality of life of every individual.
This is not a policy document, but it is
intended to guide future local policy development. National legislation and
guidance and county statutory policy, contained in the County Structure Plan
and various local plans, already affords some protection to Northamptonshire’s
biodiversity. Several local authorities have also adopted supplementary
planning guidance, eg A Nature Conservation Strategy for Northamptonshire
(1993) to promote the conservation of habitats and species. ‘A Biodiversity
Action Plan for Northamptonshire’ is intended as a companion document to be read
in conjunction with existing plans and policy documents. Its unique function is
to outline and integrate specific strategic actions for a range of
organisations who, through their duties, powers, aims and objectives, can
ensure that statutory controls and more general aspirations are turned in to
positive action for wildlife.
The initial action plan will be implemented
over a 10-year period up to the end of 2010, however implementation will be a
rolling programme. Annual reviews will monitor progress and assigned lead
agencies will ensure that the Plan is on track. Where slippage is identified or
new information comes to light plans will be revised to reflect these
circumstances. This means that actions can be brought forward as well as put
back, but at any given time the plan will still have a 10-year implementation
period.
There are five initial priorities.
·
To map the extent and distribution of priority
habitats and species across the county.
·
To appoint a Biodiversity Action Plan
Co-ordinator to ensure that implement is effectively co-ordinated.
·
To prepare individual action plans for each of
the plan partners.
·
To ensure that the implementation of the
initial actions is adequately funded.
·
To develop a Local Biological Records Centre to
ensure that progress on individual habitat and species action plans can be
effectively monitored.
If they are achieved ‘A Biodiversity Action
Plan for Northamptonshire’ will realise its full potential.