craven local plan biodiversity · 4.1 the craven biodiversity action plan process 4.2 criteria for...

Craven Local Plan

BIODIVERSITY Evidence Base

Compiled November 2019

Contents

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3

Part I: Craven Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) May 2008 ................................................................. 4

Part II: Craven BAP Action Programme .......................................................................................159

Part III: UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) ............................................................................. 192

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Introduction This document is a compilation of all biodiversity evidence underpinning the Craven Local Plan. The following table describes the document’s constituent parts.

Title Date Comments

Craven Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) (Part I)

May 2008 The Craven BAP provides information and identifies specific and positive actions that can be undertaken to conserve the District’s biodiversity. By having regard to the Craven BAP in its planning decisions, the Council will be helping to fulfil its duty to conserve biodiversity under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.

Craven BAP Action Programme (Part II)

As above The Action Programme is an appendix to the Craven BAP and provides a table of targets and actions to be delivered locally, which, if implemented, will make progress towards the Craven BAP objectives.

National Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) (Part III)

1994 The UK BAP was the Government’s response to the Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio de Janeiro, 1992). It identified national priority species and habitats, which were the most threatened and most in need of conservation, and formed the overarching strategy for local action plans, including the Craven BAP.

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Part I: Craven Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) May 2008

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Craven BiodiversityAction Plan

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Principal author: Graham Megson

Designed and produced by County Print, North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall,Northallerton, DL7 8AD

Published May 2008

Photos courtesy of:G. MegsonM. MillingtonH. FentenThe Environment AgencyW. BensonP. LythM. HunterJ. Altringham

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Contents

1. Introduction1.1 Caring for Craven’s wildlife1.2 Craven Sustainable Community Strategy

2007-131.3 What is biodiversity?1.4 Why is biodiversity important?1.5 The need to conserve biodiversity1.6 The national framework1.7 The UK Biodiversity Action Plan1.8 Local Biodiversity Action Plans1.9 Regional biodiversity

2. How the BAP fits in with otherschemes

2.1 Planning context2.2 Sustainable Development Strategy2.3 English Nature Natural Areas

3. Protected sites3.1 Special Areas of Conservation and Special

Protection Areas3.2 Sites of Special Scientific Interest3.3 Sites of Importance for Nature

Conservation

4. Creating the BAP4.1 The Craven Biodiversity Action Plan

Process4.2 Criteria for the selection of habitats4.3 Criteria for the selection of species

5. Results5.1 UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitats

occurring in the BAP area5.2 Habitats of Conservation Concern5.3 Habitat Statements5.4 UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

occurring in the BAP area5.5 Species of Conservation Concern

Table 1. Relationship between Species ofConservation Concern and Habitat ActionPlans

Table 2. Relationship between locally valuedspecies (but not Species of ConservationConcern) and Habitat Action Plans

5.6 Species Action Plans5.7 The Habitat Action Plans, Habitat

Statements and Species Action Plans

6. The next steps6.1 Biodiversity Action Plan co-ordination and

implementation6.2 Generic targets and actions6.3 Baseline information6.4 Survey and Monitoring6.5 Reporting6.6 Review6.7 Advice

7. Key Wildlife Actions7.0 Introduction7.1 Agri-environment Schemes7.2 Site protection and management7.3 Planning control and other statutory

consultations7.4 Advice and support7.5 Invasive non-native species7.6 Publicity and environmental education7.7 Good practice

Table 3. Good practice

7.8 Business involvement

8. Contacts

The Habitat Action PlansThe Habitat StatementsThe Species Action Plans

Craven Biodiversity Action Plan(outside of the Yorkshire Dales National Park)

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Appendix 1Craven Biodiversity Action Plan steering group

Appendix 2Map of Craven Biodiversity Action Plan area

Appendix 3The relationship between Craven BAP habitats,UK BAP priority habitats and SINC habitatdefinitions using the National VegetationClassification

Appendix 4Glossary of terms

Appendix 5List of acronyms

Appendix 6Useful addresses

Appendix 7Scientific and common names of speciesmentioned in the Biodiversity Action Plan

Appendix 8Bibliography.

Appendix 9Information on Special Areas of Conservation(SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA), Sites ofSpecial Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Sites ofImportance for Nature Conservation (SINC) inthe Craven BAP area

Part 2: Craven BAP Action Programme

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Introduction

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Craven Biodiversity Action Plan

1. Introduction

1.1 Caring for Craven’s wildlifeIf keeping Craven rich in wildlife is important toyou, then you can find out how it is planned tocare for our special habitats and species in thefollowing pages. It is not just the rare andthreatened wildlife that this plan seeks toprotect, commoner wildlife is important too.Around our towns, villages and homes wildlifecontributes to the quality of our lives.

1.2. Craven Community Strategy 2003-13The Government believes that the communityhas a key role in setting its own agenda and thishas led to the establishment of Local StrategicPartnerships (LSPs), which produce CommunityStrategies to promote the economic, social andenvironmental well being of the community.

The Craven Sustainable Community Strategyhas five priorities for action, one of which is‘Creating a Sustainable Future – One PlanetLiving. Under this priority the LSP wants tocreate a cleaner, greener Craven, whereeconomic growth goes hand-in-hand withreducing impact on the environment. A newgroup is currently being set up to co-ordinatethe delivery of aims within this priority. Theseaims include conserving and enhancing thedistrict’s environment.

Quality of life is important to us all, and includesaccess to a decent home, work, education andhealth. It also means a healthy environment –clean air, clean water and a rich and diversenatural world.

In the UK the destruction of the countryside andthe loss of wildlife has been such that a rich andhealthy natural environment is no longerguaranteed. For example, 98% of wildflower

meadows, and over 2 million skylarks havebeen lost in less than a lifetime. We need to haltthese declines, and put back where we canwhat has been lost - not just in protected areasor nature reserves, but in the wider countrysidetoo. In the longer term this will help to deal withthe adverse affects of climate change. Neitherthe scale of the task nor the urgency for actionshould be underestimated.

In line with Government advice, protectingbiodiversity is covered in the CommunityStrategy and producing the Craven BiodiversityAction Plan (outside of the National Park) is thestarting point to fulfilling one of the aspirationsof the community.

1.3. What is biodiversity?The term ‘biodiversity’ was coined at the RioEarth Summit in 1992. It comes from biologicaldiversity and means the whole variety of lifewithin the natural world which both surroundsand sustains us. This also includes us. It is notjust rare species of animal and plant life butcovers the entire spectrum of life. Biodiversityincludes not only all species of plants andanimals, but also their genetic variation, and thecomplex ecosystems of which they are all part.

1.4 Why is biodiversity important?Biodiversity is vital to life and, in its simplestterms, enables life to exist on the earth. Itprovides the air we breathe, the food we eat,the materials we use and the medicines wetake. These are all linked together in a complexweb with every plant and animal having its ownsmall part to play.

1.5 The need to conserve biodiversityThe world is losing biodiversity at an increasingrate, mainly as a result of human activity. TheUK alone lost 100 species in the 20th century,

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with many more species and habitats in danger.On a world scale, the rate of loss is nowrecognised to be a cause for serious concern,requiring international action. Loss ofbiodiversity impacts upon Mankind in a numberof ways:

• Ecosystems – natural systems provide ourbasic life-support structures. These provideour soil, food and oxygen.

• The natural world provides pollutioncontrol, e.g. forests to fix carbon; and floodcontrol, e.g. lakes and marshes to absorbfloodwater.

• Products – almost all of our food, fuel,medicines, cosmetics and constructionmaterials are a product of biodiversity.

• Quality of life – the natural world offersenjoyment, health, spiritual enrichment,learning, cultural diversity and artisticinspiration.

• Economic development – thousands ofjobs rely on our natural environment,including agriculture and eco-tourism. Forexample, angling is the largest participationsport in the UK. Craven’s water bodies andwater courses support fisheries for gameand coarse fish. National estimates suggestthat the annual economic activityassociated with angling is up to £2.75billion whilst around 20,000 full or part-timejobs depend upon the sport.

• Knowledge - the pursuit of scientificdiscoveries.

As climate change is felt more and more, ourplants and animals will be put under greatpressure. Linear habitats such as road verges,railway embankments, river and streamcorridors, ditches and hedgerows will becomelifelines by which species that find themselves inthe wrong place through climate change, mightbe able to shift their ranges and colonise newareas. Isolated sites, like many of our naturereserves, may become unsuitable for the plantsand animals that they were designated toconserve. Gardens may also play an importantrole as multi-habitat zones linking together

fragments and corridors of habitat, with theinvolvement of the public. Corridors and habitat‘stepping stones’ should be encouragedthroughout the landscape.

1.6 The national frameworkAs a result of the Rio Earth Summit, manycountries agreed to take action to arrest theloss of biodiversity on a worldwide scale. TheUK Government pledged to take action, and asa result the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) was published (UK BAP1).

1.7 The UK Biodiversity Action PlanThe UK BAP is the UK’s initiative to maintainand enhance biodiversity. Through this plan, theGovernment committed itself to a processdesigned to conserve and enhance:

• the range and numbers of wildlife speciesand the quality and extent of wildlifehabitats;

• species and habitats that are internationallyimportant or characteristic of local areas;

• species and habitats that have declinedsignificantly over recent decades.

Various Central Government and non-government organisations have takenresponsibility to be the lead partners for eachUK BAP priority habitat and species. Eachaction plan identifies key partners. At the locallevel, concerned organisations/individuals arewelcome to consult the lead agencies over BAPmatters.

1.8 Local Biodiversity Action PlansHowever, the Government recognised thatbiodiversity conservation would have to bedelivered on a local basis, so a suite of countyand district plans, referred to as Local BAPs(LBAPs) has been produced. The Craven BAPis one such plan and closely links toneighbouring LBAPs. These plans are beingdeveloped to help foster action for UK priorityspecies and habitats at a local level, but also todetermine and take action for wildlife of localimportance.

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The aim of the LBAP is to:• translate national guidance within the UK

BAP to action at a local level;• identify locally important habitats and

species;• develop local partnerships to help maintain

and improve biodiversity and provideguidance on how to do this;

• raise local awareness of biodiversity and itsimportance, and set up effective monitoringsystems.

The LBAP can help integrate biodiversity actioninto the decision making of statutory and non-statutory bodies at a local level. For example,planners can use LBAPs as SupplementaryPlanning Guidance, to influence planningdecisions, both to avoid harming wildlife and toencourage the restoration of habitats throughafter-use conditions.

1.9 Regional biodiversityLocal BAPs are being prepared andimplemented across the Yorkshire and TheHumber Region, based on administrativeboundaries, and the Yorkshire and HumberBiodiversity Forum is producing a RegionalBiodiversity Strategy. This strategy will identifyhow this region will deliver the EnglandBiodiversity Strategy. The Regional SpatialStrategy and other documents such as theRegional Economic Strategy will guide theapproach and will engage with keyorganisations at a senior level to ensure that theStrategy is useful and relevant to all aspects ofthe region. The document will be producedduring the financial year 2008/09.

The Regional Strategy will be relevant to Cravenby incorporating relevant priorities andidentifying potential future funding mechanismsto assist delivery of local BAP targets that aredetermined to be regionally significant.

2. How the Biodiversity Action Plan fits inwith other schemes

2.1 Planning context

Biodiversity Action Plans are not a statutoryrequirement of the Local Planning Authority(LPA), but Planning Policy Statement 9‘Biodiversity and Geodiversity Conservation’(PPS9), published August 2005, requires LPA’sto take steps to further the conservation of UKBAP and local BAP steering group habitats andspecies.

Paragraph 11 states:‘Through policies in plans, local authoritiesshould also conserve other important naturalhabitat types that have been identified in theCROW Act 2000 section 74 list. As being ofprincipal importance for the conservation ofbiodiversity in England and identify opportunitiesto enhance and add to them’, (Section 74 liststhe UK BAP priority habitats and species).

The Government circular for PPS9 says inparagraph 84:‘UK BAP priority habitats and species as well asthose selected by LBAP partnerships arecapable of being a material consideration…[extract]’.

Further, the Local Government Act 2000 placesa statutory duty on local authorities to prepareCommunity Strategies, and Biodiversity ActionPlans have been recognised as examples of‘good practice’.

The subsequent Natural Environment and RuralCommunities Act 2006 pushes themaintenance of biodiversity further into theresponsibility of public bodies through Sections40 and 41. Section 40 states ‘Every public bodymust, in exercising its functions, have regard, sofar as is consistent with the proper exercise ofthose functions, to the purpose of conservingbiodiversity’.


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Section 41 includes all the UK BAP habitats andspecies as part of this duty. This is the firstspecific statutory duty placed upon localauthorities with regard to maintenance ofspecific habitats and species.

The planning process is a statutory process,which regulates and controls land use and landuse change. As such the Local PlanningAuthority has a major role in conservingbiodiversity.

Government guidance on planning matters hasrecently been reviewed and Planning PolicyStatements, backed up by guidance, havereplaced Planning Policy Guidance.

The Government Office for Yorkshire and theHumber Region is currently preparing newplanning guidance in the form of RegionalSpatial Strategies.

Local Authority planning is currently beingrevised with the production of LocalDevelopment Frameworks.

The North Yorkshire Minerals Local Plan1997includes a nature conservation policy and anaftercare policy. A Minerals and WasteDevelopment Framework is currently beingprepared to replace the Minerals Local Plan,which is expected to contain similar policies.

The preparation and use of the Craven BAP isan important part of the planning processbecause, in addition to providing information, itidentifies specific and positive actions that canbe undertaken to conserve the District’sbiodiversity.

The BAP promotes the following planningrelated issues:

• the precautionary principle;• no net loss of habitat;• like for like mitigation as a minimum

requirement;• protection of SINCs;

• the need for good ecological surveys;• the need to work with the Local Records

Centre on baseline data, monitoring andreporting;

• the importance of green space for quality oflife;

• the identification of habitat creationopportunities through spatial mapping.

In addition to the planning system, there is awhole array of legislation that affectsbiodiversity.

2.2 Sustainable Development StrategyMany Local Authorities are preparing aSustainable Development Strategy. Biodiversityconservation has strong links with sustainabledevelopment making the Local BAP a key partof this process.

Key initiatives require Sustainability Appraisals(SA) and key policies require StrategicEnvironmental Assessment (SEA) to beundertaken.

2.3 English Nature Natural AreasIn the mid-1990s English Nature (EN, nowNatural England) divided the country intoNatural Areas, based on the distribution ofwildlife and natural features rather thanadministrative areas.

The following EN Natural Areas all include a partof the Craven BAP area:

• Yorkshire Dales;• The Forest of Bowland;• Lancashire Plain and Valleys;• Southern Pennines.

The Department for Environment, Food andRural Affairs (Defra) has used Natural Areathinking to create the very similar JointCharacter Areas (JCA). These are used forsetting area-wide targets for the DefraEnvironmental Stewardship Scheme (ESS)introduced in 2005. The JCA Targetingstatements are also used to judge the relative

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merits of non-SSSI applications and enterrequests to enter additional non-designatedland acquired by existing agreement holders.

3. Protected sites

3.1 Special Areas of Conservation andSpecial Protection Areas

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) andSpecial Protection Areas (SPA) are sites ofEuropean importance which are protectedunder European legislation (the HabitatsDirective). In UK law these habitats and speciesare protected under the Conservation (NaturalHabitats &c.) Regulations 1994. SACs andSPAs are based on designated Sites of SpecialScientific Interest (see below). SPAs aredesignated for their bird interest and SACs fortheir habitat and other wildlife interest.

There is one site in the Craven BAP area whichis both a SAC and a SPA and this is the ‘SouthPennines Moors’ (Appendix 9).

3.2 Sites of Special Scientific InterestThe best biological and geological sites arenotified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest(SSSIs) by Natural England, the governmentwildlife advisor with powers and duties toprotect and enhance the natural heritage inEngland. The SSSI series is a representativesuite of nationally important sites. SSSIs areshown on the Natural England website andassociated websites (Appendix 6).

In the Craven BAP area there are eightbiological SSSIs wholly within the area andthere are five geological SSSIs (these are listedin Appendix 9).

3.3 Sites of Importance for NatureConservation

A Site of Importance for Nature Conservation(SINC) is a non-statutory designation used toidentify wildlife sites in the county. Localauthorities have a responsibility to take accountof sites of substantive nature conservationconservation (Planning Policy Statement 9).

SINCs are shown on the Craven District LocalPlan proposals map, but they are notnecessarily sites that have public access. Theyare protected by a policy in the Craven DistrictLocal Plan and are part of the planning system,in that they require to be protected fromsignificant effects of development. Partnershipworking with SINC owners is desirable and theaspiration of the Craven BAP steering group isfor land owners to manage sites economically,while keeping them in a favourable condition forwildlife.

The Craven BAP recognises that SINCs areimportant biological units. The steering grouprecommends that all sites of natureconservation interest be surveyed (withlandowner permission) through the independentSINC panel (SINC2). The classification of SINCsis largely based on the national British PlantCommunity criteria known as the NationalVegetation Classification (NVC) system1.

4. Creating the BAP

4.1 The Craven Biodiversity Action Planprocess

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) has ledthe Craven BAP initiative, with support andfunding from Craven District Council (CDC) andNatural England. The initial task was to set up abiodiversity partnership and a steering group(Appendix 1). A wildlife audit covering knownhabitats and species formed the basis of thedecisions made by the steering group on theselection of habitat and species priorities.Individual Habitat Action Plans, Species ActionPlans and Habitat Statements were then drawnup.

The Craven BAP covers the same area as theDistrict Local Plan, a plan of which is shown inAppendix 2. It does not cover the YorkshireDales National Park, which has its own BAP,‘Nature in the Dales’ (YDNPA3). Other


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1 The NVC is a well-established national system for scientifically assessing and assigningplant communities to habitat types. The NVC tables are published in a series of bookscovering all of the main habitat types and these have been used for setting the criteria forthe designation of SINC sites. However, NVC codes have not been widely used in theHabitat Action Plans in an attempt to make the Plan available to a wide audience.

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neighbouring LBAPs include Harrogate,Cumbria, Bradford, and Lancashire.

This version is the first attempt at drawingtogether all the wildlife information available,assessing what needs the most attention andwhere we can contribute the most.

4.2 Criteria for the selection of habitatsAlthough all species of wildlife are important, theBAP concentrates on priority habitats andspecies. Priorities were selected by the steeringgroup, based on the following recognisedcriteria:

• Any habitat for which a UK BAP has beenprepared that occurs in the Craven District(excluding the National Park).

• Any semi-natural habitat that occurs in theCraven District.

• Any habitat that is characteristic of theCraven District.

• Any habitat that is locally distinctive withinthe Craven District.

• Any habitat that supports a priority speciesand occurs in the Craven District.

4.3 Criteria for the selection of speciesPriorities were selected by the steering group,based on the following recognised criteria:

• Any species (not including vagrants) thathas recently occurred in Craven, and forwhich a UK BAP has been prepared.

• Any species recognised to be ofconservation concern (such as Red DataBook listing, Nationally Scarce orred/amber listed birds) and has recentlyoccurred in Craven.

• Any species that has statutory protectionunder European Directives or the Wildlifeand Countryside Act 1981 and has recentlyoccurred in Craven.

• Any species occurring in the District that isconsidered by experts to be regionally rare.

• Any species that is considered to be locallyvalued or distinctive.

• Any species that is considered likely tomake a good flagship species forpromoting action plans.

5. Results

5.1 UK Biodiversity Action Plan priorityhabitats occurring in the BAP area

The following UK BAP priority habitats occur inthe Craven BAP area:

• Hedgerows; • Arable field margins;• Lowland meadows;• [Coastal and] floodplain grazing marsh;• Upland hay meadows;• Upland calcareous grassland;• Lowland calcareous grassland;• Eutrophic standing waters;• Ponds;• Rivers;• Fens;• Lowland raised bog;• Upland heathland;• Blanket bog;• Wood pasture and parkland;• Mesotrophic lakes;• Upland mixed ashwoods;• Upland oakwood;• Wet woodland.

5.2 Habitats of Conservation ConcernFollowing review of the UK BAP priority habitatsoccurring in the BAP area and other habitats,the following 11 Habitats of ConservationConcern were selected for the preparation ofHabitat Action Plans (HAPs):

• Woodland;• Scrub;• Parkland, ancient trees and pollarded trees;• Farmland and grassland;• Hedgerows;• Wet acidic grassland;• Upland heath and blanket bog;• Ponds;• Fens;• Lowland raised bog;• Rivers and streams.

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Appendix 3 shows the relationship betweenhabitats at the national (UK BAP) and local(Craven BAP) levels. Column 2 shows the UKBAP priority habitats. Column 1 gives theCraven BAP name for the habitat, which issometimes different where broader habitatdefinitions have been used. Column 3 gives theSINC definition (using the NVC system) thatmost closely refers to the habitat.

5.3 Habitat StatementsFour Habitat Statements have been prepared.These are for habitats that are not seencurrently to be of the highest level ofconservation concern. They give backgroundinformation and some advice on conservation.

• Unimproved Grassland• Metalliferous Grassland• Built Environment• Gardens

5.4 UK Biodiversity Action Plan priorityspecies occurring in the BAP area

Following revision of the UK BAP Species andHabitats list in 2007, there are now 1149 UKBAP priority species. The following 53 speciesare considered under threat locally:

• Water Vole• Brown Hare• Otter• Harvest Mouse• Hedgehog• Soprano Pipistrelle Bat• Brown Long-eared Bat• Noctule Bat• Curlew• Lapwing• Grey Partridge• Red Grouse• Herring Gull• Skylark• Ring Ouzel• Song Thrush• Grasshopper Warbler• Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker• Spotted Flycatcher

• House Sparrow• Tree Sparrow• Linnet• Twite• Bullfinch • Reed Bunting• European Eel• Atlantic Salmon• Brown Trout• River Lamprey• Common Toad• Adder• Slow Worm• Common Lizard• Great Crested Newt• White-clawed Crayfish• Cylindrical Whorl Snail• Depressed River Mussel• Small Heath Butterfly• Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary• White-letter Hairstreak• Wall Butterfly• Flat Sedge• Oak Polypore (probably locally extinct)• Olive Earthtongue (probably locally extinct)

5.5 Species of Conservation ConcernIn addition to the UK BAP priority species, arange of other locally important species wasselected. These have been termed Species ofConservation Concern (SoCC). Table 1 showshow these are dealt with in the BAP. Most arecatered for in the HAPs, some are marked forfurther information to be collated and some aregiven dedicated Species Action Plans (SAPs).Table 2 covers some other species that are notSoCC, but which the steering group consideredto be local priorities. See Millward4.


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Table 1: Relationship between Species of Conservation Concern and Habitat Action Plans

The UK BAP priority species are shown with an asterisk (*).

English Name Scientific Name Benefiting from Habitat Action Plan

Water Vole*Mammals

Arvicola terrestrisLepus europaeusLutra lutra

Plectorus auritusPipistrellus pipistrellusMyotis daubentoniMyotis nattereriNyctalus noctulaPipistrellus pygmaeusMyotis mystacinus/Myotis brandtiiErinaceus europaeus

Circus cyaneusPerdix perdixDendrocopos minor

Alauda arvensis

Locustella naeviaMuscicapa striata

Parus palustris

Sturnus vulgarisMotacilla flavaPasser domesticusPasser montanus

Carduelis cannabina

Carduelis flavirostrisPyrrhula pyrrhulaEmberiza schoeniclus

Rivers and StreamsBrown Hare* Farmland and GrasslandOtter* Rivers and Streams; Woodland; Wildlife

Ponds; FensBrown Long-eared Bat* Bats SAP

Bats SAPBats SAPBats SAPBats SAPBats SAPBats SAP

Common Pipistrelle BatDaubenton’s BatNatterer’s BatNoctule Bat*Soprano Pipistrelle Bat*Whiskered Bat/Brandt’sBatHedgehog* Gardens StatementBirds

Numenius arquataCurlew* Farmland and Grassland, Wet AcidicGrassland

Hen Harrier Upland Heathland and Blanket BogGrey Partridge Farmland and GrasslandLesser-SpottedWoodpecker*

Woodland; Parkland. Ancient Trees andPollarded Trees

Skylark* Farmland and Grassland; UplandHeathland and Blanket Bog; Wet AcidicGrassland

Turdus torquatusRing Ouzel* Upland Heathland and Blanket BogTurdus philomenosSong Thrush* Woodland, Gardens statement

Grasshopper Warbler* FensSpotted Flycatcher* Woodland, Parkland, Ancient Trees and

Pollarded TreesMarsh Tit* Woodland, Parkland, Ancient Trees and

Pollarded TreesStarling* WoodlandYellow Wagtail* Farmland and GrasslandHouse Sparrow* Farmland and GrasslandTree Sparrow* Farmland and Grassland; Ancient and/or

Species-rich HedgerowsLinnet* Farmland and Grassland; Scrub; Ancient

and/or species-rich HedgerowsTwite* Farmland and GrasslandBullfinch* WoodlandReed Bunting* Fens, Wildlife Ponds

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Lapwing*Birds (Cont.)

Vanellus vanellus

Salmo salarThymallus thymallusCottus gobioLampetra planeriSalmo trutta

Vipera berusAnguis fragilisLacerta vipera

Austropotamobius pallipes

Pseuanodonta complanata

Clausilla dubia

Satyrium w-album

Callophgrys rubi

Farmland and Grassland; Wet AcidicGrassland

Fishes

Atlantic Salmon*Anguilla anguillaEuropean Eel* Rivers and Streams

Rivers and StreamsRivers and StreamsRivers and StreamsRivers and StreamsRivers and Streams

Upland Heathland and Blanket Bog

GraylingBullheadBrook LampreyBrown Trout*ReptilesAdder*Slow Worm* WoodlandCommon Lizard* Upland Heathland and Blanket Bog

Bufo bufoCommon Toad* Wildlife Ponds; Garden statementAmphibians

INVERTEBRATESTriturus cristatusGreat Crested Newt* Wildlife Ponds

CrustaceaWhite-clawed Crayfish* Rivers and Streams

Crangonyx pseudogracilisFreshwater Shrimp Recorded at Dead Eye Pond nearCononley, further information on statusrequired

Mollusca - snailsDepressed River Mussel* Rivers and Streams

Sphaerium (Sphaeriastrum)rivicola

A Snail Vulnerable. Recorded in the Leeds -Liverpool Canal at Gargrave. Furtherinformation required

Truncatellina cylindricaCylindrical Whorl Snail* Endangered. Specimens in SkiptonMuseum. Assumed extinct

Vertigo (Vertigo) alpestrisA Snail Vulnerable. Recorded from Ingleton.Further information required

Craven Door Snail Said to occur in area but comment notreferenced. Further information required

Lepidoptera - butterflies and moths

White-letter Hairstreak*

Boloria selene Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary SAPSmall Pearl-borderedFritillary*

Woodland; Ancient and/or species-richHedgerows

Green Hairstreak Upland Heathland and Blanket Bog;Scrub

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Purple HairstreakLepidoptera - butterflies and moths (Cont.)

Quercusia quercus

Geophylus electricus

Archiboreolis pallidu

Blaniulus gutalatus

Dugesia lugubris

Woodland; Parks, open spaces andrailway corridors; Gardens

Chilopoda - centipedesCoenonympha pamphilusSmall Heath Farmland and GrasslandAnaitis paludataManchester Treble-Bar Manchester Treble-Bar SAP

Recorded at Giggleswick. Said to be oflocal importance. Further informationrequired

Said to be of local importance in the areabut no details. Further informationrequired

A Centipede

Diplopoda - millipedesA Millipede

A Millipede Said to be of local importance in the areabut no details. Further informationrequired

Macrosternodesmuspallicola

A Millipede Said to be of local importance in the areabut no details. Further informationrequired

Crangonyx pseudogracilisFreshwater ShrimpTricladida - freshwater flatworms

Recorded at Dead Eye Pond nearCononley, further information on statusrequired

Mollusca - snailsA Flatworm Recorded from Dead Eye Pond,

Cononley and said to be unusual. Furtherinformation on status required

Planaria torvaA Flatworm Recorded from Dead Eye Pond,Cononley and said to be unusual. Furtherinformation on status required

Dina lineataA Leech Occurs in Ellerbeck, near Skipton and isthe only record for Yorkshire. Furtherinformation on status required

Hirudinea - leeches

PLANTSVascular Plants

Eleocharis austriacaNorthern Spike-rush Rivers and Streams, Floodplain GrazingMarsh

Dactylorhiza traunsteineriNarrow-leaved MarshOrchid

Fen

Gentiana pneumonantheMarsh Gentian Wet Acidic GrasslandPrimula farinosaBird’s Eye Primrose FenRibes alpinumMountain Currant HedgerowsRibes spicatumDowny Currant Nationally scarce. Occurs in Tenley

Plantation. Further information required

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Blue Moor-GrassVascular Plants (Cont.)

Sesleria caerulea Unimproved Grassland statementLesser Tussock Sedge Carex diandra Fen

Lower Plants

Populus nigra spp.betulifolia

Black Poplar Unverified claim from Skipton area in2003. Further information required

Parkland, Ancient Trees and PollardedTrees.UK BAP species. Pre-1960 records.Presumed extinct.

FungiPiptoporus quercinusOak Polypore*

Microglossum olivaceumOlive Earthtongue*

Table 2: Relationship between locally valued species (but not Species of ConservationConcern) and Habitat Action Plans.


MerlinBirds

Falco columbarius Upland Heathland and Blanket BogBarn Owl Tyto alba Farmland and Grassland

Tringa totanusRedshank Farmland and Grassland; Wet AcidicGrassland

Gallinago gallinagoSnipe Farmland and grassland; Wet acidicgrasslandBuilt Environment statement

Built Environment statement

Apus apusSwiftBuilt Environment statementHirundo rusticaSwallow

Delichon urbicaHouse Martin

Farmland and Grassland; UnimprovedGrassland statement; Gardens statement

Bombus sppBumblebeesInvertebrates

WoodlandHyacinthoides non-scriptaBluebellVascular Plants

Former UK BAP species. Pre-1960records. Presumed extinct

Boletus satanusDevil’s Bolete*Vascular Plants

Former UK BAP species. Recorded fromthe lawn of a Skipton garden. Covered inthe Parkland, Ancient Trees and PollardedTrees and Gardens statement

Hygrocybe calyptriformesPink Waxcap*

Built Environment statement-Lichens

Unimproved Grassland statementMinuartia vernaSpring Sandwort

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5.6 Species Action PlansIndividual Action Plans have been prepared forone species group and two species:

• Bats• Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Butterfly• Manchester Treble-Bar Moth

5.7 The Habitat Action Plans, HabitatStatements and Species Action Plans

Each plan has been prepared by experts on thesteering group and provides information on thecurrent status, the reasons for decline,examines the national and regional response ifappropriate and sets objectives, targets andactions which can be monitored over a five-yearperiod.

The Craven BAP aims to achieve conservationthrough targets based upon protection,enhancement and re-creation:

• The key means of protecting habitats andspecies are by protecting the existingresource at sites, often using designationssuch as: Special Areas of Conservation(SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA),Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI),Sites of Importance for NatureConservation (SINC), Local NatureReserves (LNR) and Nature Reserves (NR).Such sites require favourable management,often through Management Agreementswith the owners.

• Enhancement seeks to improve existingdegraded habitat to a state of favourablecondition for wildlife.

• Re-creation seeks to expand the resource.

6. Next steps

6.1 Biodiversity Action Plan co-ordinationand implementation

The most important part of the BAP process, isthe co-ordination and delivery of projects basedaround the published actions, to achieve theaction plan targets. This will require a high levelof commitment from the partners. The co-

ordination of BAP projects will require a degreeof fund-raising to initiate local projects.

6.2 Generic targets and actionsIn addition to the specific targets and actions foreach Habitat Action Plan and Species ActionPlan, there is also a set of generic targets andactions, which will ensure implementation of theBAP. Some of these relate to the delivery,reporting and reviewing of the Craven BAP, andsome relate to Section 6 ‘Next steps’ andSection 7 ‘Key wildlife actions’.

All of the BAP targets and actions are given inpart 2 of the Craven BAP ~ The Craven BAPAction Programme.

6.3 Baseline informationEnglish Nature (now Natural England)commissioned a Phase 1 habitat report ofCraven outside the National Park in 1990-91(Allinson5). This habitat data was then used toidentify second tier wildlife sites (SINCs).However, information is still relatively patchy,notably with species. The steering group hasidentified a lack of baseline data for some of thepriority habitats and species. Where baselinedata is patchy or absent, a true picture has notbeen established and without addressing this,the task of monitoring progress against targetsis difficult. To assist in overcoming this problemit is hoped that a partnership will be set upbetween Craven District Council and the Northand East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre tohold relevant information and make it availablefor work involved with the BAP.

NEYEDC has prepared species distributionmaps for each priority species, based uponcurrent data it holds. Maps can be viewed onthe North Yorkshire BAPs page of the website(NEYEDC6), with an on-line recording form toencourage members of the public to add to thedatabase.

The action plan is afive-year programme.

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6.4 Survey and MonitoringThe need for on-going survey work has beenidentified, to enable the biodiversity partnershipto establish and monitor the status of bothhabitats and species. Although the Craven BAPsets out to monitor biodiversity gain, there is nomechanism for measuring and recordingbiodiversity losses.

6.5 ReportingBAP progress requires monitoring and reportingto the public, the BAP Steering Group and tothe UK BAP. This will form a large part of thework of the steering group. Targets and actionsfor the individual action plans have been writtenso that they fit the national Biodiversity ActionReporting System (BARS), which is theapproved system for reporting -www.ukbap-reporting.org.uk/.

6.6 ReviewThe BAP will need to be reviewed in the light ofmonitoring information. Whilst the plan willinitially cover a period of five years it can beupdated at any time.

6.7 AdviceIf required, advice and expertise is availablefrom local organisations such as NaturalEngland (NE), Farming and Wildlife AdvisoryGroup (FWAG), Linking Environment AndFarming (LEAF), Forestry Commission (FC),Environment Agency (EA), Craven DistrictCouncil (CDC), North Yorkshire County Council(NYCC), Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union (YNU),Yorkshire Gardens Trust (YGT) and YorkshireWildlife Trust (YWT) amongst others. Forcontact details, see Appendix 6.

7. Key wildlife actions

7.0 IntroductionThere is a series of actions that can be appliedacross the whole district that will benefit wildlife.The suggestions below give some ideas onwhat can be done.

7.1 Agri-environment SchemesAgri-environment schemes are a major deliverymechanism for biodiversity on agricultural land.DEFRA launched the EnvironmentalStewardship Scheme (ESS) in 2005, which hasbuilt on the success of earlier schemes such asCountryside Stewardship. The five main aims ofthe ESS are to:

• Conserve wildlife (biodiversity).• Maintain and enhance landscape quality

and character.• Protect the historic environment.• Protect natural resources.• Promote public access and understanding

of the countryside.

Two secondary aims are:

• Genetic conservation.• Flood management.

The ESS has three parts - an Entry LevelScheme (ELS), an Organic Entry Level Scheme(OELS) and a Higher Level Scheme (HLS).Further information is given in the Farmland andgrassland HAP.

The year 2005 also saw the launch of theEngland Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS). Thishas been designed to function as a linkedscheme to the ESS Higher Level Scheme. It isadministered by the Forestry Commission.

7.2 Site protection and managementThe South Pennine Moors SAC and SPA is ofEuropean importance and this site, of whichonly a small part falls within Craven, as well asall of the SSSIs need to be protected byplanning policy and managing in a favourableway for wildlife. Much of this work will fall toNatural England which has a statutory duty tomaintain SSSIs in a favourable or recoveringcondition.

SINCs form a second tier of nature conservationsites, which enhance the ecological networkand where many of the district’s priority habitats


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are found. A partnership called the NorthYorkshire SINC Panel is responsible forsurveying and assessing sites for SINC status. Itis the responsibility of Craven District Council toratify these sites and show them in the LocalDevelopment Framework.

The BAP steering group recommends:

• landowners are fully informed of SINCs ontheir land;

• landowners have access to good advice;• a rolling programme of SINC survey and

monitoring is supported;• landowners are encouraged to manage

SINCs in a favourable way for wildlife.

7.3 Planning control and other statutoryconsultations

There are a number of application types which,under the planning system or relevantlegislation, require a period of publicconsultation. These include planningapplications, the Environmental ImpactRegulations (EIA), felling licences, TreePreservation Orders, hedgerow removal notices,England Woodland Grant Schemes andregulations relating to protected species. Eachof these has the potential to impact uponbiodiversity. Planning Policy Statement 9 alsostates, ‘planning decisions should aim tomaintain, and enhance, restore or add tobiodiversity’. There is also scope for usingSection 106 money for environmentalimprovements.

7.4 Advice and supportMuch of Craven’s biodiversity is outsideprotected sites and therefore it is vital thatfarmers and landowners have access to goodadvice and support. There are good examplesof how wildlife management has beensuccessfully integrated with economicopportunities and there are a number ofsupportive schemes which can help withfunding.

7.5 Invasive non-native speciesInvasive non-native species can have a serious

adverse impact upon native ecosystems. Thereare alarming examples from both aquatic andterrestrial environments. For example, theintroduced New Zealand Pygmy Weed cangrow up to 1m a day and soon chokes ponds.It was brought to the UK as an exotic pondplant. Similarly the Water Fern can rapidlyblanket whole ponds. On land, the worst plantoffenders are Japanese Knotweed andHimalayan Balsam with the latter beingparticularly associated with river and streamcorridors.

Introduced mammals too, can be a problem,with Grey Squirrels damaging trees andpredating nests, American Mink predatingWater Voles and the North American SignalCrayfish affecting populations of our nativeWhite-clawed Crayfish. Survey, monitoring andcontrol of these species may need to beundertaken where there is a direct natureconservation benefit. Some species such as theRabbit were introduced so long ago that theirimpacts on the natural environment have to beaccepted.

7.6 Publicity and environmental educationPublic support is essential if the Craven BAP isto succeed. Whilst only a small number ofpeople will want to be actively involved, there isconsiderable interest in the natural environmentof Craven amongst residents and visitors.Therefore opportunities should be taken topromote and celebrate this natural heritage andto support environmental education.

7.7 Good practiceWhile the individual action plans have specifictargets and actions, the following table gives anumber of areas of good practice, which couldapply to anyone.

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7.8 Business involvementBusiness and industry can use the BAP toidentify wildlife priorities to be taken intoaccount in their environmental managementsystems, such as ISO 14001. This is an auditthat businesses can be accredited with, todemonstrate good environmental practice.

8. ContactsIf you believe you have something to contribute,we would be pleased to hear from you. Formore information please contact:

Biodiversity OfficerCountryside ServiceNorth Yorkshire County CouncilCounty HallNorthallertonNorth Yorkshire

DL7 8AHTelephone: (01609) 533240E-mail: [email protected]

or

Planning OfficerCraven District CouncilGranville StreetSkiptonNorth YorkshireBD23 1PSTelephone: (01756) 706212Fax: (01756) 700658


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Table 3: Good practice

Good practice Rationale

Reduceddisturbance

Wild animals require freedom from disturbance, so that they canconcentrate resources on breeding, foraging or resting. Care shouldbe taken to minimise disturbance, for example when exercising dogsclose to a concentration of birds (e.g. at a roost or where ground-nesting birds may be present).

Resist picking fungi andflowers

Leave flowers to set seed and for others to enjoy and so that they canfunction as part of the food web. Picking and collecting can damagepopulations and for some species is an offence.

Environmentaleducation

Support the teaching of natural history, which is poorly represented inthe National Curriculum. Young people also need to becomestakeholders in the BAP process – understanding and takingresponsibility for wildlife.

Submit biologicalrecords

Species records can be passed to Vice-County Recorders. For moredetails see www.ynu.org.uk.Alternatively, NEYEDC manages biological records for the region andwelcomes data. See www.neyedc.co.uk

Careful siting ofhabitat creation schemes

The creation of habitats, such as a pond or a wood, should not beundertaken until the site has been checked for existing wildlife interest.This ensures a better habitat is not unintentionally lost.

Protection ofmigrating birds insouthern Europe

Summer visitors, including the Craven priority bird species YellowWagtail, pass through the Mediterranean region where illegal birdshooting and trapping is a serious issue. Support could be given toorganisations such as the RSPB who are fighting this.

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Habitat Action PlansWoodlandScrub Parkland, Ancient Trees andPollarded Trees

Farmland and GrasslandHedgerowsWet Acidic GrasslandUpland Heathland & Blanket Bog

PondsFensLowland Raised BogRivers and Streams

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Woodland

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Our objectives for Woodland are:

➣ To protect the ancient woodlandresource.

➣ To restore degraded ancient woodlandsites and increase the number underfavourable management.

➣ To increase the amount of woodland inthe District with new planting.

➣ To promote the value of woods fornature conservation.

IntroductionThis Habitat Action Plan covers Britishwoodland - both ancient native woodland andrecent woodland. Ancient woods are those thathave had continuous woodland cover since1600. Some of these have a long history andhave stood for many hundreds, if not thousandsof years. Older woods are more valuable forwildlife because they have had longer to gainspecies of plant and animal. These are ourancient semi-natural woodlands and those ofgreater than 2 ha are recorded on the AncientWoodland Inventory (AWI), (Carter7). Theirconservation is the highest priority.

Recent woodland is woodland, which hasdeveloped for whatever reason, since 1600.The planting of new semi-natural woods is alower priority. In some situations exotic treespecies, including Beech, have been planted inearlier centuries as part of designedlandscapes, and these should be taken intoaccount.

The Forestry Commission’s England WoodlandGrant Scheme (EWGS) prioritises woodlandconservation as follows:

• Ancient woods are effectively anirreplaceable resource and the absolutepriority is to protect them.

• The restoration of Plantation on AncientWoodland Sites (PAWS).

• The planting of new semi-naturalwoodland.

The UK does not have many large tracts ofwoodland, and is therefore missing someclassic forest species such as wild boar andwolf. British woods are fragmented and theproportion of woodland edge is quite high.

Management has had a strong influence on thecharacter of woodland. Previously muchwoodland would have been managed ascoppice for both timber and for charcoal. In thepast century the requirement for these productshas lessened and fast-growing conifer speciesgrown for their straight stems and easier millingqualities have been preferred.

A wood though is not just a group of trees;there are many types, each with a range ofplants and animals suited to particularconditions. Associated with all semi-naturalwoodland types are rich fungi, invertebrate andbird communities, and this is by far the greatestin ancient woods. The structure of woodland isimportant and features that are especiallyvaluable are the age range, the number of post-mature trees, the amount of dead and decayingtimber, clearings, flushes and streams. Thewoodland floor, woodland streams and old treesare valuable for their ferns, mosses and lichens.

Of key importance is the amount of woodlandedge in favourable wildlife condition and woodsare better where they have adjoining habitatssuch as scrub, hedgerows, grassland andwetland. One of the Government’s nationalindicators of health is the woodland bird index,which monitors woodland bird populations.

WoodlandHabitat Action Plan

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Very little of the BAP area is wooded andinformation given in the habitat audit (Megson8)does not provide detail on woodland types.

This plan covers three UK BAP prioritywoodland habitat types – ‘Upland MixedAshwoods’, ‘Upland Oakwood’ and ‘WetWoodland’. Under ‘Recent woodland’ otherwoodland types are also covered, but notrecent coniferous plantations.

Oak WoodlandOak Woodland is the principal woodlandcommunity on moist, neutral to slightly acidsoils. The vegetation corresponds to the SessileOak – Bracken - Bramble community (W10 inthe National Vegetation Classification or NVC).This can extend into the upland fringes wheresemi-natural stands are most likely to belocated, as a Sycamore – Wood Sorrelcommunity (W10e). This woodland type is oftenplanted with conifers and Sycamore can befrequent. Where a native understorey of Hazel,Holly, Rowan and Birches is present thewoodlands are considered to be semi-natural.The Upland Oakwoods of higher ground are aUK BAP priority habitat.

Heathy Oak-Birch woodland with Wavy-hairGrass (W16) is characteristic of acid, sandysoils and drier, shallower peat. It can regenerateon suitable ‘neglected’ land but it most typicallysurvives or develops on the upland fringes ofthe Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland.These acid woodlands are often dominated bySilver Birch, but older stands are oftendominated by Sessile oak with Holly and Rowanpresent in less grazed stands.

Vascular plant diversity is generally low in thesewoodland types, but suitable situations cansupport rich bryophyte (mosses and liverworts)communities and distinctive fern floras. Theground flora is often dominated by Bluebell,Bramble, Honeysuckle and Wood Anemone.

Ash WoodlandThe principal NVC woodland community

dominated by Ash (but with a variety of othertree and shrub species) is the Ash – Field Maple– Dog’s Mercury community (W8), known asLowland Mixed Ashwoods. These areconcentrated in limestone areas, and oncalcareous and neutral drift where it occurs invalleys. The majority of W8 woodland is locatedwithin ancient woodland sites, but secondaryAshwoods readily colonise calcareous andneutral ground.

Ancient lowland mixed Ash is the richestwoodland vegetation in terms of plant diversityand many ancient woodland indicators arepresent. They support a rich ground flora oftendominated by Dog’s Mercury, with CommonDog Violet, Early Purple Orchid, Giant Bellflowerand Primrose. Normally, ancient W8 woodshave an understorey of Hazel and Wych Elm butthe most pristine examples also have a higherfrequency of southern shrubs, such as FieldMaple, Dogwood, Spindle and PurgingBuckthorn. Many ancient ashwoods areprobably secondary regeneration from post-warfelling, as they are relatively young, even agedand their canopies Ash-dominated. Oaks wouldnaturally have been more frequent in suchwoods but have regenerated badly. There isalso usually very little over-mature wood.

Upland Mixed Ashwood is the other type of Ashwoodland and corresponds to the Ash – Rowan– Dog’s Mercury (W9) community. Stands of thiswoodland type, however, are rare andfragmentary. This is a UK BAP priority habitat.

Wet WoodlandAs the name suggests, these are the very wetwoodlands found where soils are waterlogged.They are often scrubby in character withsmaller, multi-stemmed trees, rather than tallwoodland. They can also have a complex andrich assemblage of plants and animals.Because of their nature, Wet woodland mainlyoccurs as small patches within other woodlandtypes, for instance around springs and flushesor along stream sides. They are a UK BAPpriority habitat and the UK HAP describes wet

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woodland as including NVC community typesW1 to W7. These woodlands are found onpoorly drained and/or seasonally wet soils withAlder, Willow and Birch species dominating thewoodland canopy and understorey. The W1,W5, W6 and W7 communities are thought tooccur in the Craven BAP area.

The Sallow – Marsh Bedstraw woodlandcommunity (W1) is widespread, usually smalland fragmentary in damp hollows and alongsidestanding or slow-moving water.

The Alder – Greater Tussock Sedge NVCwoodland (W5) is scarce and are mainlyassociated with waterlogged floodplains.Known W5 sites are all believed to be ancientwoodland and are usually semi-natural.

The Alder – Stinging Nettle (W6) woodland isoften dominated by Willow species and isgenerally uncommon and often associated withseasonally wet lowland flood plains. It mayoccur in the Ribble valley.

The Alder – Ash – Yellow Pimpernel (W7)community has a localised distribution, typicallysituated on upland fringes and around flushes inlowland woods. Often such stands consist oflinear fragments within other woodlandvegetation or are relicts of larger woods withinupland pastures.

Wet woodland is a UK BAP priority habitat.

Recent woodlandThis category includes deciduous plantations,Lowland Ash woodland and other naturally re-generating woodland such as Birch.

National statusThousands of years ago the ‘wild wood’covered most of the country, but today lessthan 0.1% of our remaining woodland isancient. Woodland cover of all types is 11.6% inGreat Britain (8.4% in England), compared tothe European average of 30% (Selman9).

Regional statusWoodland cover in the Region is 5.8% (some92,000 ha) (The National Inventory of Woodlandand Trees 2002). This Region has 6,000 haancient woodland (some 6.7% of the Englandand Wales resource) (Selman9).Upland Mixed Ashwoods - 2,338 ha in theRegion.Upland Oakwood - 2,946 ha in the Region.Wet Woodland - 343 ha in the Region.

Local statusThe Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland Inventorygives 239 ha for Craven spread over 46 woods.These range in size from 0.6 ha to 30.7 ha(Lawkland Hall Wood). All of this is eligible forSINC status under the SINC guidelines,however, the 37 SINC sites that include semi-natural broad-leaved woodland, cover an areaof only 89 ha.

Oak woodland – no detailed information. A fewsmall woods, especially on the millstone grit, forexample in the Forest of Bowland.

Upland Mixed Ashwoods - no detailedinformation. A few small woods likely to occur inareas of calcareous geology.

Wet Woodland - rare in the District and locallydistributed, especially along river edges and onthe fringes of Bogs and Fens, such as at HesleyMoss SSSI and Austwick Moss SSSI.

Recent woodland - no detailed information.Only a small amount of woodland has been planted, including small projects funded by theCouncil for the Protection of Rural England(CPRE) and the Skipton Civic Society. Somewoodland planting has been grant aided by theForestry Commission (FC).


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Legal status• Forestry Act 1967 (as amended). • Felling licences required from FC under

Forestry Regulations.• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Determination required from FC for newwoodland planting.

Threats• Clearance of woodland for other uses.• Invasion by non-native plants, such as

Rhododendron and Himalayan Balsam.• Increasing Rabbit and Roe Deer numbers,

Grey Squirrels, grazing farm animals andhigh numbers of Pheasant.

• Woods becoming isolated as habitatcorridors between them are broken.

• Decline in woodland edge and adjoininghabitats such as scrub, which are infavourable condition for wildlife.

• Neglect of previously managed woods, forexample coppiced woodland.

• Inappropriate management.

Requirements• Ancient woodland is irreplaceable, so none

should be lost.• Management to maintain and improve the

wildlife value of woodland.• Reduction or removal of non-native species

where appropriate, particularlyRhododendron.

• Traditional management, such ascoppicing, where appropriate.

• Decaying wood of all sizes is important ashabitats, notably for invertebrates andfungi.

• Protection from damage by Sheep, Rabbit,Roe Deer and Grey Squirrel.

• Increase of woodland resource by ‘halo-planting’ around existing ancient woods.

Recent woodland can be enhanced forwildlife by undertaking the following:• Management to encourage a diverse age

structure. • Leaving some over mature and dying trees

after forestry operations. • Creating diversity of habitat by leaving fallen

and standing dead wood, managing rides,maintaining wet hollows, ditches etc.

• Maintaining or creating undisturbed denseshrub layers.

• Providing bat boxes/bird boxes if nosuitable sites are available.

• Re-establishing coppicing where there is apotential benefit to wildlife.

• Fencing against Rabbits and grazing stock.• Protecting regenerating trees and planting

native trees with tree guards.

Current local action• The Forestry Commission (FC) is preparing

a Delivery Plan for the Forestry Strategy forEngland ('England’s Trees, Woods andForests') for early 2008.

• The Regional Forest Strategy for Yorkshireand The Humber Region, ‘The value oftrees in our changing region’ was launchedin 2005. This has been adopted by theYorkshire and Humber Assembly as thewoodland element of the Regional Spatialstrategy (RSS), and the Delivery Plan waslaunched in November 2007.

Local examples with public access:

- Greta Woods at Burton in Lonsdale – entrance at SD651719. A very good quality woodlandwith a large patch of Herb Paris. Managed by the Woodland Trust.

- A public footpath runs through the wood at Park Foot, between Ingleton and High Benthamat SD672717.

- Skipton Woods, north of the town – entrance for public access at SD 993522.- Both Hesley Moss SSSI and Austwick Moss SSSI have areas that can be accessed on public

footpaths and through Open Access.

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• The FC regulates all tree felling throughfelling licences.

• The FC has produced Forest PracticeGuides for different woodland types.

• FC National Inventory of Woodland andTrees published in 2001.

• Data collected as part of the WoodlandGrant Scheme (WGS) documentation.

• Yorwoods has an advisor to assist ownersof woodlands with free advice.

• Yorwoods maintains a database onwoodlands in the District.

Opportunities:• The new English Woodland Grant Scheme

(EWGS) prioritises woodland managementas follows - protection of ancient woods,restoration of degraded ancient woods andincreasing woodland through new nativespecies planting.

• Reversion of PAWS to semi-naturalwoodland. N.B. This should be undertakenover a number of years to avoid moistureloss and the impact of increased lightlevels.

• The new EWGS will encourage woodlandmanagement planning, planting native andbroadleaf mixtures and pay managementgrant to those satisfying the necessarycriteria.

• NE works closely with the FC in respect ofwoodland management and planting underagri-environment schemes. In particularHLS has more potential to manage largersites and somewhat larger areas of plantingthan past schemes. For example, KeasdenWoods SINC and adjoining woodland areunder HLS agreements on two farms.

What you can do to help:Enjoy wild flowers in their natural place,without picking them.Leave fallen timber to decay rather thanburning it.


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Scrub

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Our objective for Scrub is:

➣ To maintain a good distribution ofScrub around the District.

IntroductionScrub communities are a natural component ofmany habitat types often where pastmanagement has lapsed or been reduced. Insome circumstances, such as high altitude,Scrub can be the climax vegetation community.More often Scrub is seen as a threat and insome circumstances Scrub invasion does needto be controlled in order to protect grassland,heathland or wetland communities, such asSilver Birch on Lowland Raised Bog SSSIs.However, Scrub can be of significant natureconservation in its own right, for example,species-rich Scrub on limestone soils.Depending on its stage of development Scrubcan form dense single-species stands orscattered open stands.

The presence of Scrub provides valuablestructural variety for a range of animals thatwould not otherwise occur on a site. This isparticularly the case in relation to invertebratefaunas. As a consequence the maintenance ofa balance between open habitats and Scrubcan be important in maintaining the ecologicalinterest of a site.

Scrub as a climax vegetation is dominated bylocally native shrub species, usually less than5m tall, occasionally with a few scattered trees.Scrub type is therefore dependent on localspecies and may be dominated by Gorse,Juniper, Bramble, Dog Rose, Willow, Elder,Hawthorn or Blackthorn. Some Scrub habitats,particularly those where Willows occur, can bewet.

Of the non UK BAP woodland types, Scrub isone of the most valuable, but is often perceivedin a negative way. It is important for someSpecies of Conservation Concern (SoCC) suchas Song Thrush, Linnet, Whitethroat andYellowhammer. As well as cover for nesting,Scrub provides roosting and winter food in theform of berries. Many species provide anabundant nectar resource, including Blackthorn,Hawthorn, Elder and Gorse. The ground florabeneath Scrub is generally poor due to a highdegree of dryness and shade.

This plan does not cover any UK BAP priorityhabitat types.

National statusWidespread but no baseline data.

Regional statusWidespread but no baseline data.

Local statusWidespread but no baseline data. Scrub typesin the BAP area include Gorse, Hawthorn andBlackthorn. Scattered Scrub occurs on 28SINC sites, amounting to a total of 15 ha. Thelargest concentration is just over 2 ha onFarnhill Moor SINC.

ScrubHabitat Action Plan

Local examples:- Gorse Scrub beside the road from

Clapham Station, running parallel to therailway at SD733676 to 738671.

- Scrub is developing on areas of NewbyMoor SSSI, which is on Open Accessland.

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Threats• Grubbing up and removal.

Requirements• Management or reduction to be

undertaken out of the bird breedingseason.

Current local action• None known.

Opportunities• Increased areas under Environmental

Stewardship Scheme (ESS) agreements.

Song Thrush

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Parkland, Ancient Trees &Pollarded Trees

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Our objectives for Parkland, Ancient Treesand Pollarded Trees are:

➣ To increase the extent of Parklandunder nature conservationmanagement, while managing forlandscape and historic interest.

➣ To protect and conserve Ancient Trees.➣ To protect and conserve Pollarded

Trees.

IntroductionParkland sites are best expressed as countryestates and should not be confused with themore familiar town parks. They have existed forcenturies and are the result of particular types oflandscaping, planting and subsequentmanagement. Exotic tree and shrub speciessuch as Rododendron, were often part of theoriginal designed landscape. Parklandmanagement usually involves grazing beneathlarge, well-spaced trees.

A common feature of the medieval landscape ofNorth Yorkshire was the deer park, which was astatus symbol for the gentry. There were 67 inthe North Riding, each between 40-80 ha insize, usually developed on unimproved pastureand woodland and enclosed by boundaries.However, they were also economicallyimportant, used for hunting, pannage (pigs),rabbiting, grazing for horses, the location of dogkennels and a source of local materials such astimber and Holly. Deer parks had their peak inthe fourteenth century and many havedisappeared in the intervening centuries, leavingonly their outlines visible as hedge lines andboundary ditches.

Parkland sites are of archaeological, historic,cultural and landscape importance. Many arereferred to as deer parks because of theirprevious long history of managing deer.

Key characteristics are a long-establishedtradition of grazing, which may include deer,cattle or sheep and the continuity ofgenerations of trees, with at least some ancienttrees in the ancient stage of their life, known asAncient or Veteran Trees. Ancient Trees areoften trees whose lives have been artificiallyextended through the management of man,usually a history of pollarding. Pollarded treeshave been cut back to a point on the trunkabove grazing height. From this point the tree ismulti-stemmed.

Ancient and Pollarded Trees contain anabundance of dead or decaying wood andprovide a range of cavities, hollows and rotholes which are colonised by fungi, includingthe UK BAP species Oak Polypore, andinvertebrates, as well as bats and birds. As thecreation of country estates and designedlandscapes are from a past era, we are left withan ageing resource and one of the chiefconservation challenges is to ensure acontinuation of trees that can be managed tobecome future Ancient Trees.

Unimproved, grazed grassland in parkland isimportant for fungi, including in Craven thelikelihood of the species Pink Waxcap, which islikely to have been overlooked.

Important parkland and designed landscapes ofnational importance are recorded on the EnglishHeritage (EH) ‘Register of Parks and Gardens ofSpecial Historic Interest in England’. RegionalEH offices can provide advice on theconservation of parks and may offer grants forthe repair of grade 1 and 2 sites.

This Plan also covers Ancient Trees that occurin other habitats, such as hedgerows, woodlandand fields. These Ancient Trees do not need tobe native species to qualify.

Parkland, Ancient Trees and PollardedTrees Habitat Action Plan

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There may be good examples of Sycamore, Beech and others.

This plan covers the Wood Pasture and Parkland UK BAP priority habitat.

The following diagram illustrates the main features of an Ancient Tree.

development pressure or golf courses since1918.

Local statusThere is currently little available information onParkland and Ancient Trees and it will beimportant for the BAP to address this. Sitestend to be private and include Coniston Halland Broughton Hall.

National statusParkland of countryside estates is important inthe European context. The figure of 10,000 -20,000 ha is given in the UK BAP. However arecent study has shown that nearly half ofEngland's pre-1918 parkland has been lost.

Regional statusThis is a rich resource in the region, with famousexamples such as the World Heritage site,Studley Royal. The English Heritage Register ofParks and gardens (2003) lists 45 sites in NorthYorkshire, many of which have a historic park.However 15,600 hectares (or 47%) of historicparkland has been lost to agricultural change,

Local examples:- Broughton Hall (private but with an annual

open day).

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Legal status• Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) can be

placed on important trees by CravenDistrict Council.

• Trees are subject to felling licenceregulations under the provision of theForestry Act 1991.

Threats• Changes to traditional levels of grazing.• Felling of Ancient Trees, due to public

safety fears.• Skewed age structure leading to a break in

the continuity of old trees.• Unskilled and inappropriate tree surgery.• Renovation of parkland using native

species, where exotics are an originalfeature of the design.

Requirements• A continuity of ageing trees.• Grazing in Parklands.• Guidelines on species selection for

renovation schemes for sites where exoticspecies are appropriate.

Current local action• English Heritage has a register of parks and

gardens and a conservation programme.• The Ancient Tree Forum (run by the

Woodland Trust) has a national register ofancient trees.

• The Tree Council provides coloured ties formarking hedgerow trees to be left to growinto standards.

• EH distributes a leaflet called ‘Farming thehistoric landscape, caring for historicparkland’.

• The Yorkshire Gardens Trust works topromote the interest, education andinvolvement of the public with Yorkshire'sgardens, parks, designed ornamentallandscapes and urban open spaces. TheYGT actively encourages the protectionand conservation of such places.

Opportunities:• There may be opportunities under the

Environmental Stewardship Scheme (ESS)run by DEFRA; Parkland, especiallydesignated sites, are targeted by HLS. Thishabitat is targeted in the local JointCharacter Areas (JCA).


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What you can do to help:- Report details and location of old trees.

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Farmland and Grassland

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Our objectives for Farmland and Grasslandare:

➣ To improve farmland for wildlife.➣ To protect and manage surviving

unimproved grasslands for wildlife.➣ To enhance semi-improved grasslands

for wildlife.

IntroductionFarmland is a working environment, whichconsists of many different and importanthabitats. Together these create the elements ofthe countryside which give Craven itscharacteristic landscape. Two main types offarming occur and these are arable farming andlivestock farming. Farming in Craven (both inand out of the National Park) is primarily forgrassland and livestock, with only small arableareas. In-field habitats such as arable fieldmargins and beetle banks are associated witharable production and grassland types withpasture. Ancient and/or species-richHedgerows and dry stone walls are commonfeatures within Craven.

This plan covers four UK BAP priority habitattypes:• Lowland Meadows;• Upland Hay Meadows;• Floodplain Grazing Marsh;• Arable Field Margins.

Since 1945 farming has undergone manychanges, and the technological advances andthe move towards production-orientatedfarming practices since this time have played amajor role in the losses of natural habitat andthe decline of some of the species in farmlandhabitats. These include arable weeds,bumblebees and farmland birds, which have allsuffered serious national and local declinesdeclines (UK BAP1, Gregory10). However, a few

farmers manage their land not just for cropproduction, but also for its wildlife interest.There has been a reduction in the use ofchemicals on farmland and recently the net lossof hedgerows in England has been reversed.

Many farms include areas of good wildlifehabitat, the best of which are designated asSites of Important Nature Conservation (SINC),which form important refuges for species.These can be managed positively for theirwildlife value. SINCs form islands of wildlifehabitat from which restored and re-createdhabitats can be colonised. They may need to bebuffered to safeguard them from adverse effectssuch as spray drift.

Good work was delivered through the long-running DEFRA Countryside Stewardshipagri-environment Schemes.

Some significant changes in farming policy arecurrently being implemented. ThroughEuropean Union changes to the CommonAgricultural Policy (CAP) in June 2003, therewas a move to de-couple crop production fromsubsidies, which is generally agreed will benefitthe natural environment on farms and marks asignificant change in agricultural policy. SinceJanuary 2005 a Single Farm Payment is madeto farmers and is dependent on a reasonabledegree of environmental cross compliancedetailed under Good Environmental andAgricultural Condition (GEAC).

A new agri-environment scheme, called theEnvironmental Stewardship Scheme (ESS) waslaunched in 2005. This is made up of threelevels of environmental good practice – an EntryLevel Scheme (ELS), an Organic Entry LevelScheme (OELS) and a Higher Level Scheme(HLS).

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The ELS and OELS applications will beautomatically accepted providing they meet anarea based points threshold and will be self-assessed. Examples include buffers aroundwaterways and in-field trees, hedge and fieldmargin management, winter stubbles and lownutrient input grasslands. The two entry-levelparts of Environmental Stewardship represent amajor change in agricultural policy with theintention of bringing about widespread andmore wildlife friendly management practices onfarmland in order to bring about biodiversity

gains on a landscape scale. It is intended thatthe schemes should achieve at least 70%uptake across the country.

The HLS is competitive with more advancedconservation options and applications will bescored. A Defra targeting statement will set thecriteria for scoring. The existing ten-year CSSagreements will run their course and some maybe transferred to the new scheme at the five-year CSS break.

winter and then left to grow over the summerbefore being cut late in the summer. Nutrientinput is low, being reduced to occasionaldressings of manure and lime. The hay is storedand used as winter-feed for stock. Due to theoverall decline in traditional farming, the UplandHay Meadows have greatly declined in numberand it is now a very scarce resource. They arerecognised as being of very high biodiversityimportance.

Typical species are Meadow Cranesbill andWood Cranesbill, with Sweet Vernal Grass,Yorkshire Fog, Quaking Grass, Pignut, MeadowButtercup and a variety of other herbs. HayMeadows are used by Lapwing and Curlew,and historically were well-known for supportingbreeding Corncrake (now locally extinct). This isalso a key breeding habitat for Yellow Wagtail.

National statusUpland Hay Meadow - a recent report gave atotal of 610 ha of good quality habitat inEngland (all in the Northern Pennines) (Selman9).

Nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZ) come under theNitrates Directive. Member States of theEuropean Union have to protect watercoursesfrom the effects of agricultural nitrogen andfarmers are obliged to introduce ‘actionprogrammes’ on agricultural land limitingfertiliser inputs to 170 kg/ha/yr of inorganicnitrogen, on all arable land. DEFRA is to phasein reductions on other land, mostly grassland.The Ribble Valley from the Giggleswick andHellifield area south to the border withLancashire is an NVZ.

Arable field margins have become commonplace under agri-environment schemes,allowing margins of wild bird cover, arableflowers and semi-improved grassland toproliferate.

Farmed Grasslands

Upland Hay MeadowsUpland Hay Meadows are colourful, flower-richmeadows on neutral soils. They are a traditionalpart of the upland farm, being grazed in the

Floristically enhanced grassmargin

Enhanced wild bird seed mixplots (rotational or non-rotational)

Unharvested, fertilizer-freeconservation headlands(rotational)

Fodder crop management toretain or re-create an arablemosaic (rotational)

Species-rich, semi-naturalgrassland

Wet grassland for breedingwaders

Wet grassland for winteringwaders & wildfowl

Enhanced buffer strips onintensive grassland

Semi-improved or roughgrassland for target species

Examples of agri-environment options

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Regional statusUpland Hay Meadow is restricted toRichmondshire, Craven and the Yorkshire DalesNational Park. With 96 ha in the Region thequantity is very small (Selman9) and most sitesare less than 2 ha in size.

Local statusUpland Hay Meadow – two sites in CSSagreements. No further information. Some willoccur on SINC sites, but vegetation reports areambiguous.

Floodplain Grazing MarshFloodplain Grazing Marsh is defined asperiodically inundated pasture or meadow andincludes types in the following situations:

• Semi-natural floodplain grassland wherefloodplains are subjected to seasonalflooding.

• Wet grassland around the margins of lakesand ponds which may be temporarilyinundated owing to seasonal water levelincreases.

• Washlands, which are embanked areascreated for the purpose of flood storage.

• Wet grassland with intensive water levelmanagement.

These wet grasslands have high natureconservation interest: they provide fish withimportant spawning and nursery habitats. Fishactively move out onto floodplains during floodevents, to shelter from high flows and to exploitfood resources that can be found there.However, fish can become stranded if floodbanks prevent their return to the river following aflood. Floodplain Grazing Marsh is also animportant habitat for breeding and over-wintering birds, many of which are scarce andor declining. Breeding, however, can be affectedby agricultural disturbance, therefore, FloodplainGrazing Marsh sites should be 10 ha or greater,of open aspect and not crossed by hedges,power lines or busy rights of way.

The key to habitat conservation is appropriate(generally traditional) management, whichincludes low levels of nutrient input and grazing.Most individual pieces of unimprovedgrasslands are now small but there may be thepotential to restore quite large areas.

National statusFloodplain Grazing Marsh – a 1994 estimateassessed 300,000 ha in the UK with 200,000 inEngland, but only 10,000 ha is semi-natural(Selman9).

Regional statusFloodplain Grazing Marsh – key areas are theHumberhead levels and the Derwent Valley. Thenearest Floodplain Grazing Marsh parcels onthe Dargie (1995) Lowland Wet Grasslandresource survey map are just over the border onthe Lune, plus smaller blocks in Lancashire andin the Aire valley in West Yorkshire (Dargie11).

Local statusFloodplain Grazing Marsh – the RiverRibble/Long Preston Deeps SSSI is some 158ha of which at least 136 ha is extensive andperiodically flooded enough to meet the criteriafor Floodplain Grazing Marsh.

The River Aire to the west of Skipton nearCononley includes flood storage washlands ongrazing land that is important for post-breedingwading birds. The Environment Agencymanages the flood embankments andstructures to reduce flood risk downstream. Thegrazing land and associated drainage ismanaged by the landowners and farmers.

Lowland MeadowsLowland Meadow comprises most forms ofunimproved neutral grassland across thelowland landscapes of the UK, includinggrasslands managed for a hay crop and forgrazing.

The richest Hay Meadows are traditionallycleared of stock at the beginning of the growingseason and are cut, usually in July, for hay


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which is used as winter feed for stock. Theyreceive only light dressings of manure andoccasional liming and are characterised byPignut, Great Burnet, Bird’s-foot Trefoil,Common Knapweed, Lesser Stitchwort andBetony, along with grasses such as CommonBent, Red Fescue, Sweet Vernal Grass andCrested Dog’s-Tail.

Although these grasslands form part of thefarmed landscape, a few occur on sites withother land use, such as road verges andchurchyards. The way in which the majority ofthis habitat is managed as working farmland iscrucial for its conservation.

National statusLowland Meadow - as a result of changingfarming practices, agriculturally unimprovedmeadows and pastures are now a rare resourcein lowland Britain. Between 1930 and 1984,some 98% of all old wildflower meadows havebeen lost either to arable conversion or throughimprovement. Further losses to the remaining200,000 ha have occurred (Selman9).

Regional statusLowland Meadow - many neutral grasslands arein mosaics, often as remnants within othergrassland types and Scrub. The resource issmall and declining.

Local statusLowland Meadow – this habitat is classified as‘Unimproved Neutral Grassland’ and ‘Semi-Improved Neutral Grassland’ in the SINCsurvey. Some will occur on SINC sites, butvegetation reports are ambiguous.

Taken together, these three habitats occur on41 SINC sites where they are recorded asUnimproved Neutral Grassland covering 71 ha,and on 33 SINC sites where they are recordedas Semi-Improved Grassland covering 104 ha.None occurs on SSSIs.

Threats• Habitat degradation through inappropriate

management, including drainage, re-seeding, conversion to silage, fertiliserinput, herbicide use and poor grazingregimes.

• Inappropriate cutting of road verges.• Un-contained road salt piles on verges.• Loss of habitat and habitat fragmentation

due to land take, development, agriculturalintensification and road building.

Wildlife-friendly farmingNatural England and the National Farmers’Union have produced a useful leaflet called the‘Five Point Plan for Wildlife-friendly Farming’.This covers the following five steps:

1. Take stock of natural assets on the farm.2. Look after your natural assets.3. Manage your inputs and farm waste

carefully.4. Consider new opportunities for wildlife.5. Join a scheme under the England Rural

Development Programme.

The EN booklet ‘Farmland Wildlife, Past,Present and Future’, gives the following top tipsfrom farmers and wildlife experts:

1. Manage wildlife habitats as part of anoverall farm plan and seek advice whereneeded.

2. Provide the mixture of habitats that wildanimals need throughout their lives.

3. Avoid spreading organic manure and otherfertilisers on non-crop habitats.

4. Manage fallow land, such as set-aside, tobenefit wildlife.

5. Minimise the impact of pest and weedcontrol on non-target plants and animals.

6. Restore existing wildlife habitats.

Local examples:- River Ribble floodplain near Long Preston,

can be viewed from the Ribble Way(access from Cow Bridge).

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7. Create new wildlife habitats.8. Take advantage of financial incentives to

farm less intensively within fields.

Current local action• A joint NE, RSPB led project – the Long

Preston Deeps project (Floodplain GrazingMarsh).

• Yorkshire Pennine Local Seeds Project, ledby AB Consultancy (covering both Uplandand Lowland Meadows).

• Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Living ChurchyardProject.


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• Countywide Special Interest Road VergeProject (NYCC, YDNP, YWT led in theCraven area), with a number of SI vergesmanaged in the Craven area.

Opportunities:• Increased areas under Environmental

Stewardship Scheme (ESS) agreements.

What you can do to help:- Leave some rough grass and plant wild

flowers for bumblebees.- Adopt a species-rich road verge and

manage for wildlife.

Brown Hare

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Hedgerows

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Our objectives for Hedgerows are:

➣ To increase the resource.➣ To manage the resource for wildlife.

IntroductionThis is a UK BAP habitat. Ancient Hedgerows,which tend to be those that support thegreatest diversity of plants and animals, aredefined as those that were in existence beforethe Enclosure Acts of 1720 to 1840. Some ofthe most valuable derive from early woodlandclearance that left a narrow strip of ‘wildwood’between adjacent woodland clearances.

Hedgerows are a complex of habitats and caninclude Woodland, Scrub, Grassland, Streamsand Ditches. Mature and Veteran Trees areimportant components of Hedgerows.

Under the Hedgerow Regulations (1997)'important' species-rich Hedgerows are definedas containing five or more native woodyspecies, on average, in selected 30m lengths(four or more in northern England). Recentspecies-rich hedges, less than 30-years-old, arenot included. Many of the straight Hawthornhedges that characterise later parliamentaryenclosures and single species hedges of gardenPrivet, Yew, Beech or non-native species areexcluded, as are garden hedges.

Hedges have farming, landscape, cultural andarchaeological importance. Ancient Hedgerowsare best considered as being irreplaceable. Thereplanting of Hedgerows to the same speciesmix as Ancient Hedgerows cannot be regardedas 're-creation' as there is more to re-creatingthe conditions found in Ancient Hedgerows thanplanting species typical of such Hedgerows.

Hedgerows form a significant wildlife habitat.They are a refuge for many animal species andcan act as wildlife corridors allowing migrationand dispersal and provide feeding opportunitiesfor a variety of animals including small mammalsand birds.

Between 1947 and 1985 about 22%, or300,000 km, of Hedgerows were lost inEngland and Wales. Between 1984 and 1990there was an estimated loss of 21% of Englishhedges. Prior to the 1997 HedgerowRegulations the net loss of hedges was 1.7%through removal and 3.5% through neglect perannum. The 1997 Hedgerow Regulations makeit an offence to remove a hedge withoutpermission from the local planning authority.The key threats are therefore neglect, overmanagement, inappropriate timing andinappropriate management (UK BAP1).

The value of a Hedgerow lies in its:• history and origins;• plant and animal species it contains;• structure and management of the

Hedgerow components and;• landscape, aesthetic and recreational

aspect.

The most valuable examples are those that areold and have retained, or have acquired, avariety of plant and animal species. They willtend to be those that are less intensivelytrimmed and are relatively large, tall and bushy.A lack of damage by fertiliser or spray drift willcontribute to the development of retention of aspecies-rich ground-flora.

National statusIn 1995 the UK total for all hedges wasestimated at 450,000 km. Analysis of data from1978 and 1990 indicates that about 42%, or

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154,000 km, of British hedges are ancientand/or species-rich. These are concentratedmainly in south-west England and south Wales.About 33%, or 41,000 km, of hedges inNorthern Ireland are ancient and/or species-rich, giving a combined UK total resource of195,000 km (UK BAP1).

Regional statusThe Countryside Agency (CA) estimated in 1990that the region had 10% of England’sHedgerows and gave the North Yorkshire stockas 18,000 km (all types).

Between 1991 and 1998 123.5 km of nativespecies hedge was planted in North Yorkshirewith aid from the Countryside StewardshipScheme (CSS).

Local statusNo data, but thought to be widespread and welldistributed across the BAP area.

RequirementsHedgerows benefit from:• Cutting at the right time of year for wildlife –

avoiding the nesting season and avoidingthe fruiting period.

• Agri-environment schemes – one of thebest mechanisms for delivering targets forhedges.

• The retention and sympatheticmanagement of hedgerow trees.

• Planted trees should be native and be oflocal provenance and be typical for thearea.

• Sympathetic hedge management, includinglaying or coppicing, in keeping with localcustom and to prevent degradation byallowing hedges to become tall andoutgrown.

• Hedges to be cut to promote branchingand the development of a wide, shadecasting base as is achieved by cutting toan A-shape in profile.

• Hedges to be cut infrequently e.g.: everysecond or third year.

• Protection from agricultural spray drift,particularly the hedge bottom flora.

Current local action• Craven District Council implements the

Hedgerow Regulations.• LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

demonstration farms in the region.• Hedgerows are a habitat targeted by the

ESS.• Advice is available from FWAG and Natural

England.• Traditional hedge management courses are

available, e.g.: organised by FWAG andBTCV.

Threats• Preference for alternative methods of stock

control. The use of fences for stock-proofing weakens the need for goodhedges.

• The illegal removal of hedges.• Neglect of hedge-cutting or laying changes

hedges into a line of trees with gaps.• Frequent or badly-timed cutting leads to a

build-up of woody material, creates gaps,discourages certain shrub species andaffects berry-producing capability.

• Regularly flailing of hedges can lead toinstability through the development ofwoody growth below the point of cutting.

• Fragmentation of the hedgerow network,reducing the overall resource and affectingspecies like bats that fly along hedge lines.

• Felling of hedgerow trees andunsympathetic branch pruning (particularlyash as a safety measure).

• Agricultural spray drifts killing hedgecomponents, particularly the sensitiveground-flora.

• Fertiliser application enriching the soil andfavouring weed species.

• Cultivation too close to the hedge line,damaging root systems and hedge stability.

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What you can do to help:- Map the ancient/species-rich hedges in

your parish.- Farmers can leave hedges unmanaged

for two to three years (assuming no healthand safety issues such as visibility alongcountry lanes).

- Attend a hedge management trainingcourse.

- Manage hedges traditionally rather thanby flailing.

- Cut hedges only when necessary andonly during the months of January toFebruary.

Goldfinch

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Wet Acidic Grassland

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Our objectives for Wet Acidic Grasslandare:

➣ To establish a complete inventory ofWet Acidic Grasslands.

➣ To maintain Wet Acidic Grassland sitesin a favourable wildlife condition.

IntroductionWet Acidic Grassland covers the Mire, RushPasture and Purple Moor Grass grasslands inthe District. Some have high plant diversity andare consequently of regional conservation value.Purple Moor Grass habitat is of Europeanimportance. The plants Lesser Skullcap andMarsh Gentian is known from this habitat in theBAP area. They are also important forinvertebrates, particularly the Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary. Breeding waders such asCurlew, Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe areimportant components.

Wet Acidic Grasslands include NationalVegetation Classification (NVC) vegetation typeM23 and some small areas of M6/M23/M25mosaic vegetation, as well as the wetter ends ofU5 and U6 plant communities.

This habitat is not a UK BAP priority habitat.The plan overlaps with the Fens HAP. Thefloristic description of this habitat is as follows:

Mire (M23)NVC community M23 is the Soft Rush, Sharp-Flowered Rush and Marsh Bedstraw pasture.These are meadows and pastures of moistmineral and peaty soils with flushes or impededdrainage. This community is closely related toM6, with the transition from Sedge to Rushdominance related to a combination of grazing,drainage and burning. A characteristic suite ofplants are found in common in thesecommunities, including Star Sedge, Purple

Moor Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Brown Bent,Devil’s-Bit Scabious, Lesser Spearwort, MarshWillowherb and Lady’s Smock.

Mire (M25)NVC community M25 is the Purple Moor Grass,Tormentil habitat, which also contains Sharp-Flowered Rush and Soft Rush in more acidichabitats. Heather is present with Cross-LeavedHeath on wetter ground. M25 is a very variablevegetation type which also includes transitionsto Blanket Mire, Rush Pasture and Tall HerbFen.

Acidic and Montane (Upland) Grassland(U5 and U6)The wetter ends of the U5 and U6 NVCcommunities are best considered as ‘WetAcidic Grassland’. The U5 grassland is the Mat-Grass – Heath Bedstraw Grassland communityand the U6 community is the heath Rush –Sheep’s Fescue Grassland.

National statusNot known.

Regional statusNot known.

Local statusSites are usually small areas of less than 0.5 hawithin larger blocks of rough grazing. Some ofthe larger patches are on Sites of SpecialScientific Interest (SSSI), but many are in areasinaccessible for farming and being small haveno protection and are generally disregarded.

Some of the largest of these habitat patches areon Newby Moor SSSI and other smallerpatches are on other SSSIs - Keasden Moor,Lawkland & Austwick Mosses, Hesley Moss,and Cocket Moss.

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The area between Wigglesworth and Tossidecontains severable notable examples includingan unnamed mire near Whelpstones at(SD771591) which is at least 5 ha in extent butbadly damaged by recent drainage. Theseexamples are generally unprotected.

As the habitat includes sub-sites within largerhabitat complexes, better knowledge of theresource is required.

Current local action• Many of the sites are SSSIs and so Site

Management Statements under the WildlifeEnhancement Scheme (WES) have beenprepared, which include elements of theabove.

Opportunities• NE directed management to get SSSIs into

a recovering or favourable wildlife status,using the DEFRA ESS.

• Promotion of ESS options to conservesmall, wet corners of farms. For example,one of the farms at Long Preston Deepshas a block of Wet Acid Grasslandmanaged for breeding waders, with somehedgerow restoration planned for futureyears on this holding.

• More extensive management of sites.

Threats• Drainage.• Habitat fragmentation.• Reduction in available grazing stock due to

changes in farming.

RequirementsManagement plans and local agreements withlandowners, possibly using agri-environmentscheme money should be explored. In general,management should be aimed at the following,but with a focus on encouraging violets, thefood plant of the Small Pearl-Bordered FritillaryButterfly. This is the only habitat used by thebutterfly in Craven. See also the Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary SAP.

• Rotational regimes to control rankvegetation, bracken and encroachingScrub.

• Prevention of shading of areas of violethabitat.

• Prevention of drainage of mire sites.• Prevention of damaging agricultural

operations such as:o Application of any fertilisers, lime or

insecticides.o Inappropriate grazing regimes;

especially grazing by sheep during thegrowing season.

o Abandonment (Long-term lack ofgrazing or mowing).

o Intensive mowing.• Light cattle grazing during late summer and

winter is likely to be beneficial.

Local examples:- Newby Moor SSSI, which has Open

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Upland Heathland andBlanket Bog

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Our Objectives for Upland Heathland andBlanket Bog are:

➣ To maintain Upland Heathland andBlanket Bog in a favourable wildlifecondition.

➣ To restore Upland Heathland andBlanket Bog which is not in favourablewildlife condition.

➣ To establish viable populations of all ofthe priority species.

The two upland habitats Upland Heathland andBlanket Bog are dealt with together as theyoccur close together and complement eachother, to produce the large tracts of landcommonly referred to as moorland. Both are UKBAP priority habitats.

Actively growing Blanket Bogs are included inthe EC Habitats Directive and nesting birds areprotected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act1981, with Hen Harrier and Merlin havingspecial protection as Schedule 1 species.

With regard to Open Access, under the CROWAct 2000, it is possible for local restrictions tobe imposed through the introduction of byelawswhere appropriate. These could be used toprotect the biodiversity interest. Further,between 1st March and 31st July, or at any timein the vicinity of livestock, the legislation requiresdogs to be on a fixed lead of no more than twometres.

Introduction – Upland HeathlandUpland Heathland tends to be found above thelevel of field enclosure (usually 250-300 m),where the rainfall is above 1,000 mm/year. Itforms on shallow peat of less than 50 cm depthor on peaty podsol soils and is dominated bydwarf shrubs such as Heather. An importantassemblage of birds such as Meadow Pipits,

Wheatears, breeding waders, Red Grouse,Merlin and Hen Harrier, and a diverse range ofinvertebrates, is associated with UplandHeathland.

Extensive areas of wet or dry Upland Heathlandcan occur, or the habitat can be found in amosaic with Acid Grassland, Blanket Bog,flushes, rocky outcrops and acid scree -supporting bracken, scattered trees and scrub.

The structure and composition of UplandHeathland is strongly influenced by climate,topography and soil moisture conditions andalso by management practices, especiallygrazing and burning. A history of over-grazinghas eliminated Heather from some Heathlandsand species-poor, upland Acidic Grasslandshave become widespread.

National statusOf the UK resource of Upland Heathland(estimated 2.9 m ha), about 269,000 ha is inEngland, much of which is designated SSSI (forits national importance) and SAC (for itsEuropean importance) (Selman9).

Regional statusThe Yorkshire and The Humber region holdsabout 76,000 ha of Upland Heathland, which is28% of the resource occurring in England(Selman9). There are a number of extensiveareas.

Local statusCraven district contains roughly 720 ha ofUpland Dry Heathland (R. Goodison, Pers.Comm.). Upland Wet Heathland is included withBlanket Bog as these habitats often form amosaic. Some Dry Heathland lies within theSSSI series, with no SINCs containing thishabitat type.

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Introduction – Blanket BogBlanket Bog comprises a layer of Peat morethan 50 cm deep, covering the hill tops in areasof high, regular rainfall on slopes of up to 30%.Both actively growing and degraded Bogs areincluded in this plan because of theirinternational significance. Post-war drainagethrough the digging of grips has dried out anddamaged many bogs, as well as contributing toflooding problems in the lowlands. Subsidiaryhabitats include bog pools.

Specialised plants occur, including SphagnumMosses, Sundews, Common Butterwort andboth Cotton-Grasses (Common and Harestail).A variety of insects are associated with thishabitat. It is important for breeding birds and isoften managed for Red Grouse (as well assheep). A key breeding species is Hen Harrier,with the Bowland Fells (largely in Lancashire)being the only regular, current English breedingarea. Many other suitable areas exist butevidence gathered by the RSPB shows that thisspecies is heavily persecuted.

National statusThere is an estimated 1.5 million ha in the UK,with most found in Scotland (Selman9).

Regional statusThe Yorkshire and The Humber region hasapproximately 53,000 ha, which is 3.5% of theestimated UK amount (Selman9).

Local statusBlanket Bog and Upland Wet Heathland coverroughly 1830 ha of Craven District (R.Goodison, Pers. Comm.).

Blanket Bog occurs on one SINC, where it istermed Blanket Sphagnum Bog. This is MossBottom SINC which covers 1 ha. A number of

small areas may occur on the higher ground ofthe Bowland Fells (SINC Panel2).

Threats• Inappropriate grazing levels – both under-

grazing and overgrazing.• Spread of Bracken.• Inappropriate burning regimes, including

too-frequent burning and a lack of burningin some areas.

• Drainage.• Direct threats from clearance and conversion

to other land uses, notably forestry.• Other damaging activities such as arson.• Atmospheric pollution, such as nitrate

deposition.• Climate change is a potential future threat

to this habitat.• Recreational pressures, including erosion

and disturbance, particularly in OpenAccess areas.

• Fragmentation, particularly of activelygrowing Bogs, isolates species.

• Illegal persecution of birds of prey,especially Hen Harrier.

Requirements• Appropriate management, including good

structural diversity of Heather.• Range of micro-habitats including bare

ground, Scrub, Bogs and open water.• Fire control, including control of accidental

fires, arson and managed burns.• Control of invasive plants where

appropriate. Plants such as Bracken,Gorse and Silver Birch can becomedominant.

• Light grazing to control invasive species.• Good working relationships with moorland

managers, gamekeepers and users.

Current local action• Most of the resource protected within

SSSIs.• Condition statements on favourable wildlife

status are prepared for SSSIs by NE.• Many moors are managed and keepered

for Red Grouse shoots.

Local examples:- Farnhill Moor- Elslack Moor- Skipton Moor- Burn Moor

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• Research by Leeds University onidentification of active as opposed to non-active moorland drainage grips.

• The Moorland Association representslandowners.

• ‘Operation Artemis’ Hen Harrier project.

Opportunities• Support of the Police Wildlife Liaison Officer

(WLO) ‘Operation Artemis’, to tackle HenHarrier persecution in the UK.

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What you can do to help:- Keep dogs on leads when crossing open

country during the bird-nesting season.- Avoid fire risk.

Common Lizard

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Ponds

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Our objectives for Ponds are:

➣ To maintain Wildlife-rich Ponds andencourage sympathetic and well-informed management of surroundinghabitat, including creation of bufferzones around ponds.

➣ To encourage the restoration ofWildlife-rich Ponds, where these havedeteriorated due to natural succession,hydrological changes, drying-out ordense shading.

➣ To create, conserve and enhance pondclusters.

IntroductionThe Craven BAP area contains many Ponds ofvarying origins including Field Ponds, Spring-fedPonds, Oxbow Ponds, Dew Ponds, VillagePonds, Garden Ponds and Fish Ponds. Thesevary greatly in their wildlife interest, for examplefish ponds are top heavy with predators, whilevillage ponds fouled by feral ducks are nutrient-rich and affected by algal growth. However,many ponds support a good diversity of wildlife.

‘Ponds’ is a UK BAP priority habitat. Thisincludes various aquatic, Swamp and fFncommunities, including OV28 – OV35 in theNational Vegetation Classification. Ponds ofhigh ecological quality could be eitherpermanent or seasonal bodies of water up to 2ha in extent. They would be of highconservation importance based on HabitatsDirective criteria, hold species of highconservation importance (listed species) orcontain exceptional assemblages of key bioticgroups. The 1996 Lowland Pond Surveyundertaken by DEFRA suggested that between2 – 5% of ponds would fall into the abovecategory. This survey showed 50% of ponds inthe wider countryside to be degraded, with

seasonal ponds being particularly affected.Pond numbers in the UK are thought to be at ahistoric low, with the loss of 70% of pondsexisting in 1880. In recent years there has beena reversal of the loss of ponds, with many newponds created in farmland, gardens andamenity areas, although these are often isolatedand will mainly benefit common and mobilespecies. There is also a high turnover of pondsand the modern trend is for ponds to becreated as recreational fishing lakes. Theresource therefore includes relatively few oldponds.

In general, wildlife-rich ponds have extensivevegetation cover, shallow water and are long-established. Most are relatively isolated frompollution. Clusters of ponds are particularlyvaluable for some species, especiallyamphibians. Amphibians, as well as speciessuch as dragonflies, require good qualityterrestrial habitat adjacent to open water,especially other semi-natural habitat types.Semi-natural habitat also buffers the effects ofmore intensive land use. Features such asrichly-vegetated margins should be consideredfor their biodiversity contribution. Seasonal,fluctuating or periodically dry ponds can be veryvaluable for biodiversity, for example byremoving natural predators for a short time.Wildlife-rich ponds are mostly located amongstother semi-natural habitats such as wetland,native woodland or herb-rich grassland.

A pond at Cononley Lead Mines (SD981460)was created as part of the mineral extractionprocess and was known to support smoothnewt in 1982.

This HAP covers wildlife ponds up to 2 ha insize and larger water bodies such as ChelkerReservoir, Whinney Ghyll Reservoir (Skipton),

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Hellifield Flash and the lake in the grounds ofConiston Hall, which may be important forwildfowl, fishes, invertebrates and aquaticplants.

National statusFrequent and well-distributed, but no nationaldata.

Regional statusFrequent and well-distributed, but no nationaldata.

Local statusSix ponds covering a total of 0.8 ha lie withinSites of Importance for Nature Conservation(SINC). The Craven Conservation Group hasidentified 60 ponds on private land.

Hellifield Flash is a candidate SINC for its birdinterest. It is an important wetland along the‘Aire gap’ used by waders, wildfowl and gullsmigrating across country from the Humberestuary to the west coast. Around 120 speciesof bird have been recorded including breedingShelduck and Little Ringed Plover. The Flashnever completely dries out. The land around thelake is currently being developed and this mayhave some adverse impacts, such as increasedrecreational disturbance. However the planningpermission included a condition on thedeveloper to prepare and implement a wildlifemanagement plan.

Coniston Lake in the grounds of the Hall covers10 ha of open water.

Threats• Very rare species recorded from only a few

wildlife-rich ponds may be vulnerable tolocal extinction if these sites are lost ordegraded.

• Deliberate or accidental introduction ofexotic water plants is a threat to ponds,with highly invasive ornamental species likeParrot’s Feather, Curly Waterweed, WaterFern and New Zealand Pygmy Weedbecoming a nation-wide problem.

• Conversion of wildlife-rich ponds to anglingponds is always likely to be detrimental,both directly by deepening and re-profilingand indirectly by introducing high densitiesof predatory fish.

• Unconsented introductions of fish. Beforestocking with fish, written consent must beobtained from the Environment Agency(under Section 30 of the Salmon andFreshwater Fisheries Act 1975). This is toprevent the spread of fish diseases and tominimise damage to fisheries or theenvironment that may be caused byunregulated or inappropriate fishmovements.

• Release of ornamental fish into wildlifeponds. This not only affects amphibiansand invertebrates, but also native fish suchas the Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius),which interbreed easily with Goldfish(Carassius auratus) and Common Carp(Cyprinus carpio)

• Seasonal, fluctuating or periodically dryponds can be very valuable for biodiversity,so that ‘improvement’ by deepening or re-profiling may be damaging.

• Many field ponds are believed to have beenlost due to infilling, land drainage,conversion to arable and urbandevelopment.

• Nutrient enrichment.• Increased concern amongst the public and

officials regarding the health and safetydangers of open water.

Local examples:- Ponds on Newby Moor at grid reference

SD 707701 and SD 727683.- Hellifield Flash at SD 845573. - Dead Eye Pond near Cononley, a small

pond at SD 991481.- A pond at Cononley lead mine at SD

981460.

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Requirements• Funding - pond creation, management and

restoration is popular amongst landmanagers. On farm holdings, grants willoften be available through the agri-environment schemes but elsewherefunding is limited.

• Management of wildlife-rich ponds andtheir banks needs to be assessed on asite-by-site basis, using detailed ecologicalsurveys where possible. ‘Overgrown’ponds, for example, can be very rich inbiodiversity and drastic management maybe inappropriate. In other cases, activemanagement may be essential.

• Minimal disturbance from people and dogs.• Buffering from pollution, including fertilisers.• New ponds should not be created on sites

of existing wildlife interest.

Current local action• A number of wildlife-rich ponds are

managed through the DEFRA CountrysideStewardship Scheme (CSS).

• NE organised a BTCV workforce to clearout Keasden Pond, with wildlife in mindand with the permission of IngleboroughEstate.

• For Fisheries Management Advice, contactthe Environment Agency Fisheries andRecreation Team (Appendix 6).

Opportunities:• Options available in the Environmental

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What you can do to help:- Create a pond for wildlife, rather than for

Goldfish.- Organise supervised pond dipping events

for children and adults.- Gather up discarded fishing tackle and

dispose of carefully.- Report sightings of Water Vole and Great

Crested Newt to the North and EastYorkshire Ecological Data Centre(NEYEDC).

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Fen

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Our objective for Fen is:

➣ To increase the Fen resource throughhabitat creation, while maintaining allsites in a favourable ecologicalcondition.

IntroductionFens are areas of wet ground lying on top ofpeat, which receive water and nutrients fromground water as well as from rainfall. They aredominated by sedges and tall herbs. Wet Scrub(carr woodland) can be a component of Fenand this can become the dominant habitat type.In natural terms, Fen is a habitat that is veryclose to the Wet Acidic Grassland (Mire) habitat.It is balanced between the wetter Reedbed andSwamp and the drier Grazing Marsh and WetWoodland and these often form a mosaic ofhabitats. Changes in water levels or inmanagement such as grazing can change Fenhabitat one way or the other. This Habitat ActionPlan (HAP) also covers the other types of wetSwamp, of which drier examples are referred toas Tall-herb Fens.

This HAP covers all types of Fen - such asBasin and Floodplain Fens, Valley Mires, UplandAcid Flushes and Base-rich Flushes associatedwith springs and rills.

Fens can be described as ‘poor-fens’ or ‘rich-fens’. Poor-fens occur mainly in the uplands orwithin lowland heaths. They are characterisedby short vegetation with a high proportion ofmosses. Rich-fens are mainly confined to thelowlands.

Fen habitats support a diversity of plant andanimal communities, including a higherproportion of UK BAP species than any otherwetland habitat. Some Fens can contain up to

550 species of plant and several thousandinsect species, including dragonflies andaquatic beetles (UK BAP1). Many of the plantspecies require waterlogged conditions and thishabitat is also good for amphibians, and birdsincluding Reed Bunting, Water Rail, Snipe andGrasshopper Warbler. Such conditions are alsoideal for the Water Shrew, a species ofincreasing conservation concern.

Most Fens date from the last Ice Age, some10,000 years ago, when much of the NorthYorkshire lowlands were covered with extensivewetlands including Lakes, Fens and Reedbeds.

Fen and other aquatic habitats have lostsignificantly more plant species than terrestrialhabitats, which shows that Fen is one of thehabitats least resilient to change in thelandscape. Fens are one of the mostproblematic habitats to restore, because of theneed for two components – a layer of peat anda spring.

The floristic description of Fens follows that ofthe Yorkshire Dales National Park BAP ‘Naturein the Dales’ (YDNPA3):

Mire 6 NVC community M6, is the Star Sedge –Sphagnum Moss Mire. It is a mire communitytypical of peat and peaty, waterlogged soils innorth-west Britain. These mires are irrigated bybase-poor water and are essentially poor-fentypes where either small sedges or rushesdominate over a carpet of Sphagnum mosses,often with ferns.

Mire 9 NVC community M9, is the Bottle Sedge– Calliergon Moss community, which ischaracteristic of soft, spongy peats keptpermanently moist. It is commonest in thewetter parts of topogenous mires and in naturalhollows.

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Mire 10 NVC community M10, is the Separate-headed Sedge – Common Butterwortvegetation community. This is a typicallysoligenous mire of mineral soils and shallowpeats kept very wet by base-rich waters.

Mire 26 NVC vegetation type M26 is the PurpleMoor Grass – Marsh Hawksbeard Fen. This is only present in small areas of the district.M26 mire is a very local community of moist,moderately base-rich and calcareous peatymineral soils in the sub-montane NorthernPennines. With agricultural improvement orcareless management, marked changes occur.Heavy grazing on impeded soils, enrichment byfertiliser or dunging can alter the generally stableand floristically rich M26 vegetation causingrushes to become more abundant and helpeffect a shift towards M23 Soft Rush/Sharp-flowered Rush - Marsh Bedstraw Rush Pasturewhich is more widespread. Consequently, theclose monitoring of grazing is essential.

National statusPrior to the expansion of the European Union(EU), the UK was said to hold a large proportionof the European fen resource. This has beenlessened by the expansion of the EU to includeeastern European countries. Fen vegetation hasdeclined dramatically in the UK in the pastcentury.

Regional statusThe regional audit (Selman7) only has data forFen vegetation on SSSIs. It lists 78 sitesdistributed across the region withconcentrations in the Yorkshire Dales, the NorthYork Moors and the Humberhead Levels.

Local statusThe regional audit has no records for CravenDistrict. However, Fen occurs within the SINCseries (SINC Panel2), listed under four sub-habitat types:

Basic Fen Mire - 1 site - 0.07 haFloodplain Mire – 0Swamp – 6 sites – 2.6 ha

Valley Mire – 0Total - 2.67 ha.

Fen habitat also occurs within a number ofSSSIs, including Newby Moor SSSI and PanBeck Fen SSSI.

The area is likely to contain numerous tiny andun-mapped examples.

Local examples:- Fen areas on Newby Moor SSSI, where

there is Open Access.- Pan Beck Fen SSSI.

Threats• Loss of area by drainage and conversion to

agriculture or forestry. • Small total area of habitat, fragmented

resource and critically small populationsizes of key species.

• Drainage or abstraction of water from Fensor the surrounding area.

• Pollution, particularly nutrient enrichmentleading to vegetation change. Valley Fenssusceptible to agricultural run-off.

• Lack of sustainable management allowsdrying and Scrub encroachment.

Requirements• Water level management to keep the soil

surface wet.• Light grazing of Fen plants to prevent tree

incursion.• Creation of new areas of open water within

drying Fen systems.

Current action• Water Level Management Plans and local

water quality is monitored by EnvironmentAgency (EA).

• Advice to Fen owners on management,extension and creation is available from theUK BAP working group.

• The UK BAP working group monitors thepopulation size and productivity of key Fenspecies.

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• The EA has been encouraged toincorporate Fen protection, managementor creation in its Catchment FloodManagement Plans.

Opportunities• Conservation options in agri-environment

schemes.• EA, RSPB and NE have produced a

Wetland Feasibility Study for NorthYorkshire to identify opportunities for thecreation of Wetland. There is anopportunity to deliver actions identified bythis study.


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Bird’s Eye Primrose

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Lowland Raised Bog

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Our objectives for Lowland Raised Bog are:

➣ To maintain the distribution of LowlandRaised Bogs.

➣ To maintain Lowland Raised Bogs in afavourable condition for wildlife.

IntroductionLowland Raised Bogs are peatland ecosystemswhich develop primarily, but not exclusively, inlowland areas such as along river floodplainsand in topographic depressions. In suchlocations drainage may be impeded. Theresultant water-logging provides anaerobicconditions which slow down the decompositionof plant material which in turn leads to anaccumulation of peat. Continued accrual of peatelevates the bog surface above regionalgroundwater levels to form a gently-curvingdome from which the term 'raised' Bog isderived. The thickness of the peat mantle variesconsiderably but can exceed 12 metres.

Accumulation of peat separates the Bogsurface from the influence of groundwater, sothat it becomes exclusively 'rain-fed' byprecipitation. Consequently, the surface of a'natural' Lowland Raised Bog is typicallywaterlogged, acidic and deficient in plantnutrients. This gives rise to a distinctive suite ofvegetation types, which although low in overalldiversity, support specialised plant assemblagesdominated by a colourful range of mosses ofthe genus Sphagnum. A number of higherplants have become increasingly scarce in thelowlands including Bog Rosemary, GreatSundew and Cranberry.

Sphagnum mosses are the principal peatforming species on natural UK Lowland RaisedPeat Bogs and their dominance in the livingvegetation layer gives a Bog its characteristically'spongy' surface. The ability of this layer to

store water is thought to be important inkeeping the Bog surface wet during thesummer.

A number of plant communities defined by theNational Vegetation Classification can be foundon Raised Bogs. Plant communities that aretypical of natural raised bogs include the Bogpool communities M4 and M5.

Peat accumulation preserves a unique andirreplaceable record of plant and animal remainsand some atmospheric deposits from which it ispossible to assess historical patterns ofvegetation and climate change and human landuse.

As elsewhere across north-west Europe therehas been a dramatic decline in the area ofLowland Raised Bog habitat since around thestart of the nineteenth century.

Future decline is most likely to be the result ofthe gradual desiccation of Bogs damaged by arange of drainage activities and/or a generallowering of groundwater tables.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) published areport in 1996 called ‘An Inventory of LowlandRaised Bogs in Great Britain’. The inventory ismaintained by SNH and provides anassessment of the condition and conservationof Lowland Raised Peat Bog sites and anestimate of the area of land covered by thishabitat. It also records the status of sites interms of SSSI or NNR designations.

Primary Raised Bogs present an unbrokenprofile of peat, undisturbed by peat cutting oragricultural tillage, and range from Bogssupporting natural or near-natural vegetation toBogs exhibiting varying degrees of degradationas a consequence of fire, drainage and Scrubencroachment.

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Secondary Bogs are those which have beensubject to partial peat removal, usually throughpeat cutting for fuel or horticultural usage.

The third main condition class includes landwhich has been claimed for agriculturalcropping or built development.

Lowland Raised Bog is a UK BAP priorityhabitat.

National statusThe area of Lowland Raised Bog in the UKretaining a largely undisturbed surface isestimated to have diminished by around 94%from an original c95,000 ha to c6,000 ha at thepresent day (England 37,500 ha reduced to 500ha, Scotland 28,000 ha to 2,500 ha, Wales4,000 ha to 800 ha, Northern Ireland 25,000 hato 2,000 ha). Historically, the greatest declinehas occurred through agricultural intensification,afforestation, and commercial peat extraction(UK BAP1).

Regional statusThe region has 2,121 ha with majorconcentrations in the Thorne, Goole and CrowleMoor complex (Selman9).

Local statusThe district has two important Lowland RaisedBogs – Austwick and Lawkland Mosses (10 ha)and Hesley Moss (7 ha). Newby Moor SSSI andCocket Moss SSSI may also contain elementsof Lowland Raised Bog. Two SINC sites mayalso be relevant – Hall Moss/ Hurder Moss (6ha) and Badger Moss (1.4 ha). Around 25 ha intotal (Megson8).

ThreatsFactors which either disrupt the balance ofthese conditions, or which lead moreimmediately to the destruction of Raised Boghabitats and their remnants, include:

• Landfill development.• Regional drainage pressures.• Pollution.• Scrub encroachment.• Livestock and game management (such as

Pheasant rearing and rough grazing)frequently accompanied by drainage,trampling, burning and surfacecontamination with feed and droppings.

• Atmospheric nitrogen deposition andclimate change could have managementimplications for Lowland Raised Peat Bogs.

Requirements• There are three key conditions which have

to be maintained if Lowland Raised Bogsare to retain their characteristic features.Firstly, they must remain waterlogged.Secondly, maintain water input fromprecipitation, which is low in solutes.Thirdly, the living layer of vegetation acts asa 'natural' regulator for water loss and mustremain undamaged.

• Establish appropriate hydrological andmanagement regimes to achieve favourablecondition of sites that have been damagedbut still retain nature conservation interest(i.e.: ‘primary’ degraded and ‘secondary’drained sites).

• Identify areas, timescales and targets forrestoration or improvement of significantlyaltered Raised Bog areas, including thoseused for agriculture and woodlands.

• Use national methods for defining andassessing the condition of Lowland RaisedBogs and monitor the effectiveness ofconservation management.

• Promote the use of sustainable alternativesto peat to speed up reduction of peat usedin both amateur and professional markets.

Local examples:- Hesley Moor SSSI, accessed from public

rights of way and Open Access land.

Legal statusAnnex 1 of the EC Habitats Directive includestwo Lowland Raised Bog habitats: the activeRaised Bog category and degraded RaisedBogs.

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Current local action• SSSI management plans in place.• NE is monitoring the condition of SSSIs,

according to the agreed process ofCommon Standards Monitoring.

OpportunitiesConservation management options under theGovernment’s Environmental StewardshipScheme (ESS).


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Sundew

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Rivers and Streams

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Our objective for Rivers and Streams is:

➣ Maintain and enhance the biologicaldiversity of Rivers and Streams inCraven.

IntroductionThis broad Habitat Action Plan covers theriparian corridors of flowing water, includingrivers and streams. It includes the UK BAPPriority Habitat ‘Rivers’. In their naturalunmodified condition rivers are dynamicsystems that are continually creating,maintaining and eroding a complex of habitats,including both aquatic and bank-side ones. Dueto the geology and landscape of Craven, thereis a good variety of river types.

The mosaic of features found in rivers andstreams supports a diverse range of plants andanimals, including mammals, birds, fishes andinvertebrates. For example, riffles and poolssupport aquatic species, and eroding banks,shingle beds and sandbars are important forinvertebrates - notably ground beetles, spidersand craneflies. Marginal and bank-sidevegetation is included in the HAP; this habitatsupports an array of plants and animals, as wellas providing cover for fish, controlling bankerosion and acting to reduce the amount ofdiffuse pollution entering watercourses. Riversand streams often provide a wildlife corridor linkbetween fragmented habitats in intensivelyfarmed or urbanised areas. Many rivers havegreatly changed through engineering works tocontrol water flow and river catchments havebeen affected by changing land use.

Waterways are dynamic features and themanagement of river systems is best viewedholistically, including the river corridor togetherwith its tributaries, ditches, and associatedwetlands.

In the 1970s-1980s, gripping in moorland areaswas grant-aided and these drainage initiativesled to a change in the speed at which rainwaterleft catchments, sometimes increasing floodproblems downstream. There are now someinitiatives to reverse this by blocking the mostactive grips.

Since the privatisation of water companies in1990 there has been a dramatic improvement inthe quality of water in rivers, with fish returningto areas where they had been absent for over ahundred years. However, new European Unionstandards will mean that new ways of managingrivers will need to be adopted. This is becauseinstead of just using chemical content anddissolved oxygen as a way of measuring thehealth of rivers, the Water Framework Directivedemands much higher standards of rivermanagement, including maintaining water flowsand diversity of life, and the removal of hormonedisrupting substances. The Directive alsoapplies to lakes, estuaries and ground watersthat were previously not measured.

Key species include a number of fishes, such asBrown Trout and Grayling, and typical birdsinclude Kingfisher, Dipper, Sand Martin andGrey Wagtail. The European Eel is now ofconservation concern due to severe declinesreported across the species’ range – theInternational Council for the Exploration of theSeas (ICES) has declared that ‘the populationas a whole has declined in most of thedistribution area, that the stock is outside safebiological limits and that the current fisheries arenot sustainable. Recruitment is at a historicallow and most recent observations do notindicate recovery (Anon.13).

Stoneworts are important and are goodindicators of water quality, but require moreresearch and a number of specialist invertebrate

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communities are associated with rivers and theirdeposits. Crustaceans and molluscs are valuedand include our native Crayfish and theDepressed River Mussel.

National statusThis habitat is widespread across the UK. Whilstrivers in general are important habitats for arange of wildlife, only substantially unmodifiedexamples or particular types of river areregarded as worthy of special status, such asSSSI designation.

Regional statusThis habitat is widespread in the region.

Local statusThere are a number of key rivers, with a goodvariety of river types in Craven district, resultingfrom different geological strata. The BAP areahas examples of fast flowing, upland, cobble-bedded streams as well as larger rivers withslower flows, meandering through theirfloodplains. The eastern part of the area is thecatchment of the River Ribble and its tributaries.The main game fish of interest on the RiverRibble are Atlantic Salmon, Sea Trout, BrownTrout and Grayling. There are also coarse fishspecies such as Chub and Barbel, the former inthe slower moving waters near Rathmellbottoms. European Eels have also been caughtrecently.

Legal status• Under the Water Resource Act 1991, the

Environment Agency (EA) has the powersto maintain and improve main rivers inorder to ensure the efficient passage offlood flow and to manage water levels.Their powers to carry out flood defencework apply to main rivers only, but theirother duties and functions extend to allwatercourses including the promotion ofconservation of the aquatic environment.The Internal Drainage Boards (IDB) andlocal authorities are also responsible forcertain watercourses.

• All freshwater fish are protected under theSalmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.

• Under the Water Resources Act 1991 andassociated byelaws, works in, over, underor adjacent to main rivers require theconsent of the EA. This is to ensure thatthey neither interfere with the Agency’swork nor adversely affect the environment,fisheries, wildlife and flood defence in thelocality. The Yorkshire byelaws state thatthis ‘protected bank-side land’ is any landlying within 8m of a river bank or flood bankor wall.

• Both White-clawed Crayfish and Otter arelegally protected.

• The habitat of Water Vole is legallyprotected and the Joint NatureConservation Committee hasrecommended full protection from 2005.

Threats• Wildlife interest may be adversely affected

by land drainage or flood defence worksand erosion control if this is not carried outappropriately.

• Artificial barriers such as weirs preventingaquatic organisms to move freely alongwatercourses. These break up longitudinalconnectivity, blocking natural migrationpaths of many species. Reduced lateralconnectivity with the floodplain alsoimpacts upon aquatic organisms as theseareas are actively sought out during floodevents.

Local examples:- There are riverside walks along all the

major rivers.- River Greta west of Ingleton, along the

north bank from the A65 at New Bridge atSD689727 to woodland near Lund Farmat 677727.

- River Greta west of Burton-in-Lonsdale,along the south bank from Greta Woodsat SD648717 to 642719.

- River Wenning, both banks from HighBentham to Low Bentham. North bankfrom SD663689 to 653691; south bankfrom 667687 to road at 650691.

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• Pollution from agricultural, industrial anddomestic sources.

• Water abstraction direct from rivers andfrom groundwater – low flows adverselyaffect wildlife.

• Damage or disturbance caused byrecreational use, such as trampling ofbank-side vegetation.

• Invasive, non-native species. Problemsinclude American Mink (throughout), SignalCrayfish, Giant Hogweed, JapaneseKnotweed and Himalayan Balsam.

• Conflict between anglers and fish-eatingpredators, such as Otter, Goosander,Cormorant and Grey Heron.

• Stocking of fish into water courses affectingthe natural ecosystem. Before stockingwith fish, written consent must be obtainedfrom the Environment Agency (underSection 30 of the Salmon and FreshwaterFisheries Act 1975). This is to prevent thespread of fish diseases and to minimisedamage to fisheries or the environment thatmay be caused by unregulated orinappropriate fish movements.

• Overgrazing or high stock densities cancause poaching and erosion of riverbank.

• Development within the floodplain.

Requirements• Buffer zones between arable land and

watercourses, especially for higher risksoils, and appropriate crops and cultivationmethods to the site.

• Reduction of grazing adjacent to riverbanksto prevent erosion.

• Fencing to exclude stock from key banks.• Delivery of wetland restoration and

creation, for sites identified by the NE, EAand RSPB study.

• Production and implementation ofCatchment Flood Management Plans (EAstatutory duty), to incorporateenhancement for biodiversity.

• Identification of areas suitable for floodwater storage. The needs of wildlife shouldbe taken into account at the design stage;

poor design of washlands can lead tofishbecoming stranded after flood events.

• Undertake sympathetic management ofriparian trees and woodlands.

• Greater use of Sustainable DrainageSystems (SUDS) in new developments.

• Compliance with and enforcement of FarmWaste Regulations 2004.

• Compliance with and enforcement ofNitrate Vulnerable Zones.

• Detection and remedy of point sources ofpollution (EA statutory duty).

• Evaluation of river abstractions and groundwater abstractions (EA statutory duty).

• Review and continue invertebratemonitoring.

• Surveying and research of gravel shoals forinvertebrates, fish and breeding birds, andriparian woodlands for birds.

• Investigate and devise control programmesfor invasive species.

• Assessment of levels of fish re-stockingand impacts upon wildlife.

• Assessment of abundance of key insectand plant species associated with fish.

• Survey of all fish species and their accessto required sub-habitats.

• Eliminate barriers to migration in order torestore longitudinal and lateral connectivity.Restored connectivity would allowfreshwater and freshwater/marine species(e.g. Salmon, Sea Trout, Eels) to movefreely within the river system.

• Appropriate habitat improvements takingnatural processes into account.

• Research, surveys and management tobenefit Otter, Water Vole, Water Shrew andBats.

• Monitor water quality (used inGovernment’s State of the EnvironmentReport) (EA statutory duty).

• Identification and conflict resolution ofadverse recreational impacts.

• Promotion of the EA leaflet ‘Best FarmingPractice’.

• Identification of honey pot sites andcollation of all projects planned in the rivercorridor.


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• Dissemination of information and partnerworking.

• Promote management that allows fornatural river processes, including erosionand meanders and allows the re-establishment of a natural floodplain.Also see UIMG12.

Current local action• Research and monitoring is undertaken

and funded by the EA, for example surveysfor White-Clawed Crayfish in the AireCatchment.

• Water abstraction is licensed by the EA.The EA completed a CatchmentAbstraction Management Strategy (CAMS)for the River Aire in May 2007, and ispreparing a CAMS for the River Ribble.

• The EA has published the IntegratedCatchment Management Plan for theRibble (June 2007), which includesbiodiversity objectives for a number ofhabitats.

• The EA is currently preparing a CatchmentFlood Management Plan and a Flood RiskManagement Strategy for the River Airecatchment which will include Biodiversityaims.

• The EA is currently preparing the RiverRibble Catchment Flood ManagementPlan, which includes opportunities forbiodiversity benefits.

• The EA undertakes annual invertebrate andfisheries monitoring programmes.

• The Ribble Catchment Conservation Trustis delivering a project to fence stretches ofriver bank.

• Some stretches of river are activelymanaged by angling clubs, where they ownthe fishing rights.

• Fish introductions need to be consented bythe EA.

Opportunities• Opportunities for habitat restoration may

arise through Flood Risk ManagementPlans.

• EA, RSPB and NE have produced aWetland Feasibility Study for NorthYorkshire to identify opportunities for thecreation of Wetland. There is anopportunity to deliver actions identified bythis study.

• Options under the ESS. These includeresource management, which includesdrawing up soil management plans.

• The planning process offers potential fordelivering ecological improvements,particularly with regard to millredevelopments. Fish passage easementscan often be made whilst a redevelopmentis taking place, and is in line with PPS9guidelines on maintaining networks.

What you can do to help:- Keep dogs under control.- Dispose of discarded fishing tackle safely.- Avoid pouring car engine oil, paint, etc

down the drain.- Report pollution incidents.

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Habitat StatementsUnimproved GrasslandMetalliferous GrasslandBuilt EnvironmentGardens

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Unimproved Grassland

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Our objective for Unimproved Grassland is:

➣ To expand Unimproved Grasslandhabitats in parks and open spaces.

Unimproved GrasslandGrasslands included under this set of habitatguidelines include traditionally-managedmeadows and pastures of lowland and uplandsituations on neutral, acid and calcareous soils.Meadows, pastures, road verges andchurchyards are included.

Neutral grasslandUnimproved Neutral Grassland habitatunderwent a major decline in the 20th Century.It was estimated in 1994 that less than 15,000ha of Species-rich Neutral Grassland remainedwithin the UK (both upland and lowland). InEngland there is significantly less than 10,000ha of Species-rich Neutral Grassland (UK BAP1).As a result this habitat now remains throughoutmuch of the UK in small sites with a localisedand fragmented distribution.

Neutral Grasslands support a high proportion ofbroad-leaved herbaceous species relative tograsses. Commoner characteristic speciesinclude Meadow Crane’s-Bill, Yellow Rattle,Pignut and Red Clover. Characteristic speciesof this habitat that are now scarce includeGreen-Winged Orchid, Pepper Saxifrage, Dyer’sGreenweed and Adder’s-Tongue Fern.

Semi-natural Neutral Grasslands occur in arange of circumstances in upland and lowlandlocations. The UK BAP priorities Upland HayMeadows, Floodplain Grazing Marsh andLowland Meadows are covered in the Farmlandand Grassland HAP.

Acid GrasslandThis statement deals with the Dry AcidicGrasslands. Wet Acidic Grassland has its ownHAP. Acid Grasslands typically occur onnutrient-poor acid substrates situated on acidicrocks, sands or gravels. Acid Grassland canalso occur on wetter substrates such as peatthat can mask the nature of the underlyingrocks. These grasslands occur in a range ofcircumstances in Upland and Lowland locationsand are often associated with other habitatssuch as Upland and Lowland Heathland,Parkland, Flushes, Blanket Bogs and other miretypes. In most circumstances they are managedas grazing pasture whether in upland or lowlandsituations.

Acid Grasslands are typically botanicallyspecies-poor. In the uplands they can formlarge expanses of uniform habitat, but in othercircumstances where there are differences inrainfall, altitude, and hydrology a range ofcommunities can develop.

In the UK BAP there is a separate HAP forLowland Dry Acid Grassland. This habitatoccurs on free-draining acidic soils oftenassociated with acidic rocks, sands or gravels.Characteristic plant species include HeathBedstraw, Sheep’s Fescue, Sheep’s Sorrel,Common Bent Grass, Wavy Hair-Grass,Tormentil and Heather species at lowabundance. In the UK there is estimated to beonly 30,000 ha of Lowland Dry Acid Grasslandwith only approximately 50 ha or less in NorthYorkshire (Selman9). Only a tiny amount, if any,occurs in the Craven BAP area.

Upland Acid Grasslands have not been selectedas a priority habitat. Estimated coverage ofUpland Acid Grassland in the UK, however, isover 1,200,000 ha (UK BAP1). In the Uplands

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Acid Grassland is often of low botanical interestand can develop as a result of managementsuch as, overgrazing, and drainage of otherhabitats including Upland Heathland.

Calcareous GrasslandCalcareous Grassland occurs on shallow lime-rich soils usually derived from limestone rocks.There are two UK BAP plans for CalcareousGrassland – Upland Calcareous Grassland (ofNVC communities CG9 to CG14) and LowlandCalcareous Grassland (of NVC communitiesCG1 to CG9). The community CG9 straddlesboth the uplands and the lowlands.

It is estimated that 55-66,000 ha of CalcareousGrassland occurs in the UK of which 33,000 -41,000 ha lies within the lowlands and 22,000 -25,000 ha occurs within the uplands (UK BAP1).The bulk of the Lowland Calcareous Grasslandresource lies on chalk. Approximately 10,000 haof the UK’s Upland Calcareous Grasslandresource is found in England.

Calcareous Grasslands support a very rich floraincluding many locally and nationally rarespecies. Invertebrate faunas can also be veryrich including nationally scarce species.Carboniferous limestone grassland of theCraven Pennines in the Yorkshire Dales is asignificant component of the upland resource.

In Craven, Calcareous Grasslands areassociated with shallow lime-rich soils overlyingthe Carboniferous limestone. They typicallyoccur as components of habitat mosaics, whichare generally managed as rough grazing land fordomestic livestock.

Road verges and churchyardsRoad verges and churchyards constitute animportant grassland resource.

Local statusThe SINC system categorises grassland asMarshy Grassland, Semi-improved NeutralGrassland, Unimproved Acidic Grassland,Unimproved Calcareous Grassland and

Unimproved Neutral Grassland. MarshyGrassland is assumed to refer to the floodplaingrazing marsh and lowland meadow habitatscovered in the Farmland and Grassland HAP.Most of the Semi-improved Neutral Grasslandand the Unimproved Neutral Grassland will becovered by the Upland Hay Meadows HAP. Anunknown amount will refer to the NeutralGrassland referred to in this habitat statement.The Unimproved Acidic Grassland andUnimproved Calcareous Grassland SINCcategories also refer to the habitat covered bythis statement.

Acid Grassland – some 76 ha scattered oneleven SINC sites, the two largest areas being22 ha at Hall Moss – Hurder moss and 28 ha atHuntworth common (SINC2).

Calcareous Grassland - 30 ha is given in theRegional audit (Selman9), 8 ha of which occurson four SINC sites (7 ha likely to be UplandCalcareous and 1 ha Lowland Calcareous). Therest may be on SSSIs or on undesignated sites.

Neutral Grassland – an unknown amount onroad verges, in churchyards and on SINC sites.

RequirementsThe way in which the majority of this habitat ismanaged as working farmland is crucial for itsconservation. The uptake of DEFRA’sEnvironmental Stewardship Scheme by farmerswill be critical to the conservation of these raregrasslands.

Conservation action is required for UnimprovedGrassland road verges. These should besurveyed and any qualifying for SINC status beassessed by the SINC Panel. The best of thenon-qualifying verges should be termed SpecialInterest Verges and managed favourably forwildlife by those responsible, which may beNorth Yorkshire County Council, Craven DistrictCouncil, parish councils or individuallandowners. The management of verges isrequired to maintain those in good wildlifecondition and to enhance those that have thepotential to be richer.

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Patches of Unimproved Grassland surviving inchurchyards have largely survived by luck, dueto a long history of traditional and non-intensivemanagement. Interested parties need to beadvised, good practice shared and goodexamples of what has been referred to as‘God’s acre’ celebrated.

Opportunities• ESS agreements.• Changes in Highways Authority verge

cutting management, to benefit verges ofspecial interest.

• Expansion of Unimproved Grasslandhabitats into parks and open spaces,through changes to policies andmanagement practices of local authorities.


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Sand Leek

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Metalliferous Grassland

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Our objective for Metalliferous Grasslandis:

➣ To maintain the existing resource,enabling it to develop naturally.

IntroductionMetalliferous Grasslands may be species-richand are of conservation interest because thespecies are extremely specialised and examplesare rare. These are communities that havedeveloped on toxic mining spoil from earlierlead, silver, zinc, barium and fluorspar mining,and on river shingle bars where waste fromhistoric ore dressing plants was released intorivers. Contamination levels vary dependingupon the age and mineral content of the waste.This grassland type is also called CalaminarianGrassland. It is likely to include at least someOV37 Sheep's Fescue - Spring Sandwort NVCcommunity if it is well-developed.

Metalliferous Grassland is typically rabbit-grazedand the most contaminated sites are sparselyvegetated, with metal-tolerant species and richlichen communities. Over time heavy metals areleached out allowing less tolerant species toseed in, eventually forming a closed canopy ofgrasses and later shrubs and woodland. Thisprocess is increased in areas of high rainfall andwhere grazing is absent.

Indicator lists are usually developed from lesscommon species occurring in the appropriateNational Vegetation Communities. These maybe either widely geographically spread orextremely localised on exceptionally goodexamples. Characteristic plants include SpringSandwort, Alpine Penny-Cress, Sheep’sFescue, Mountain Pansy, Common ScurvyGrass, Wild Thyme, Thrift and Moonwort.Sparsely vegetated sites are important forinvertebrates.

Regional statusThis habitat is scarce but widespread, closelylinked to former mining areas especially in theuplands.

Local statusThis unique vegetation community occurs atCononley lead mine at grid reference SD980458, where it is still in a stage of ecologicaldevelopment and does not yet show the fullsuite of typical species.

Scrutiny of the individual SINC citations hasrevealed that Metalliferous Grassland does notoccur on any SINC.

RequirementsThese grasslands are mostly in areas of sheepgrazing, so their current management tends tobe one of grazing both by sheep and rabbits.The re-working of spoil for minerals re-activatestoxins and can take sites back to an earlysuccessional stage. These sites are littlethreatened and are best managed by thecurrent regime of sheep grazing.

Opportunities• ESS agreements.

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Built Environment

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Our objective for the Built Environment is:

➣ To promote wildlife and natureconservation management across theBuilt Environment.

IntroductionThe Built Environment of the Craven BAP areaconsists of market towns and villages, withsmall hamlets and some isolated farm buildings,connected by a network of roads and lanes.Some good examples of flower-rich road vergesoccur in the area and these provide relictpatches of Unimproved Grassland habitat.

Both active and disused railway lines occur withengineered cuttings, embankments andbridges. The development of transportation isfurther demonstrated by the Leeds andLiverpool Canal, with its associated tow paths,aqueducts and tunnels.

Dry stone walls are a common landscapefeature. Built with local stone they aregeologically and therefore biologically diverse.Minor features such as stone cattle creepsprovide further built diversity and further wildlifeopportunities.

Farmland is drained by a network of ditcheswhich may be dry, slow flowing or standingwater. Exploited by wildlife they are currentlymanaged by the Internal Drainage Board (IDB)or individual landowners.

The area’s legacy of winning raw material fromthe ground has left features such as old mines,shafts, spoil heaps and quarries. As thesefeatures are reclaimed by nature they providegood habitat.

Within towns and villages, examples of green

space abound, and these include private areassuch as factory grounds as well as public openspace such as parks.

Urban green space, such as parks,churchyards, village greens, allotments andschools grounds provide a home and foodsource to a whole range of species, includingsome declining species, for example SongThrush and Bullfinch. Some stonework,brickwork and gravestones are important forflowering plants, ferns, mosses and lichens, aswell as insects and spiders.

Taken together, these wild spaces provide asignificant habitat resource for species living inour towns and villages as well as those that usethem as corridors linking areas of more openlandscape. With careful thought, the value ofthese important spaces to wildlife can beenhanced without affecting their economic orsocial value, whilst allowing residents to deriveconsiderable pleasure from watching urbanwildlife thrive.

Many of these habitats link to gardens and inturn to semi-natural habitats. Because many ofthem are accessible to the general public, theyare ideal candidates for public involvement inconservation.

Elements of the Built Environment withexisting or potential wildlife value:

Built EnvironmentHabitat Statement

ParksSchool groundsChurchyardsRoad vergesRailway corridors(including disused)Disused quarriesMinesTunnelsCattle creeps

Amenity fieldsGolf courses‘Waste ground’CanalsDitchesDry stone wallsWildlife-friendlycaravan sitesBuildings

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Current issues, threats and opportunitiesBuildings harbour wildlife, from nesting birdsand roosting bats to tiny ferns and lichens.However, conversions and repairs often excludewildlife, partly due to the widespread belief thatwildlife is always damaging to property.Conservation organisations have theopportunity through the BAP to reassure andadvise on these matters. Planning officers mustask for appropriate surveys (protected species,such as Bats, are a material consideration in theplanning process) and can introduce mitigationin to planning decisions.

Most of the very best species-rich road vergesare threatened by mismanagement,uncontained salt piles or neglect. It would berelatively easy to work with the HighwaysAuthority, parish councils and verge owners toconserve the best examples.

The long-term maintenance of dry stone walls isimportant as these landscape features arevulnerable over time to collapse andabandonment. Key communities of mosses andlichens occur, as well as stone walls providingnesting and invertebrate hibernation sites. Therarer lichens are so sensitive to chemicals thatthey are damaged by atmospheric pollution andeven by the high zinc content in drips fallingfrom wall-top wiring.

Urban green space includes both greenfield andbrownfield sites. Brownfield sites are on landthat has been previously used but are currentlyabandoned or derelict. These then developpioneer vegetation communities and as they getolder, natural succession leads to wildlife-richhabitats. There is a turnover of brownfield sitesas some with well-established habitats are lostto new development and existing plots areabandoned.

Government policy favours the re-use ofbrownfield sites for development, so these arebest seen as temporary wildlife assets. There isalso likely to be a net loss of such sites overtime. However, careful planning can lead to the

better parts of sites being retained for theirbiodiversity interest upon re-development. It istherefore important that brownfield habitats aresurveyed and recorded.

Sensitive ditch management helps ditchcommunities. Approved methods of clearingditches include doing alternate sides and notdumping the dredgings immediately onto thebank top.

Various open spaces can be positivelymanaged for wildlife, such as council parks,shelter belts, school grounds, churchyards andprivate grounds such as caravan parks, golfcourses and hospitals. Many well-maintainedsites could be both wildlife-friendly andattractive for the public, while saving onmaintenance costs. Again there is a role forinterested parties to lobby and advise managersand the public, and to present a case for havinga mixture of these habitats along with moreformal ones.

Targets• To offer good conservation advice to

appropriate decision-makers.• To lobby decision-makers as appropriate,

to conserve good wildlife habitat andwildlife corridors.

• To promote wilder areas within currentlyformal settings.

• To promote environmental education withinschools and clubs.

• To celebrate wildlife in the BuiltEnvironment.

Opportunities• Nature conservation gains through the

planning process. • Partnerships with community groups.• ESS agreements to include dry-stone wall

conservation.• Agreed wildlife-friendly after use for former

mineral sites.

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Gardens

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Our objective for Gardens is:

➣ To promote wildlife gardening and theresponsible use of resources such aswater, peat and soil.

IntroductionGardens and gardeners can play an importantrole in caring for the wildlife of Craven. Thishabitat statement covers private gardens, but itlinks with much of the open green spacecovered in the Built Environment habitatstatement. Different gardening techniques leadto a great diversity of gardens - from those thatare managed intensively, to those wheregardeners find pleasure in allowing a degree ofwildness into the garden. There is no doubt thatgardens are important for people and with over25 million in the UK they also provide animportant wildlife resource. Indeed, each is likea pocket nature reserve and the variety of plantsand animals is enormous.

Gardens are part of the network of corridorsformed by hedgerows, streams, ditches,wooded shelter belts, road verges and railwaycorridors. These wildlife corridors and steppingstones are important for the dispersal of plantsand animals. As the adverse impacts of climatechange increase, the importance of amechanism by which wildlife can migrate tomore suitable conditions will become critical.Nature Reserves are static in the landscape, butparks and gardens have a greater degree offlexibility, which may allow habitats to ‘migrate’with changing environmental conditions.

The decline in familiar plants and animals hasbeen highlighted by the inclusion of a number of“common” species into the revised UK BAPhabitats and species list (2007). These includeHedgehogs, Song Thrush, Bullfinch and the

Common Toad. Gardens are a valuableresource for these species, and are importanthabitats for invertebrates as well, includingmany scarce species.

Responsible gardening - protected speciesSome species have special protection, a few ofwhich such as Bats and Badgers, use gardens.It is a legal requirement to consult NaturalEngland if a protected species is to be affected- disturbing or causing harm to them is illegal.NE staff are available to give advice. It is alsoillegal to knowingly disturb nesting birds, socare needs to be taken when, for example,cutting hedges or removing shrubs and trees.The best time to undertake such work is mid-August to mid-March.

Current issues, threats and opportunitiesMany gardening decisions depend upon soiltype and it is worth knowing the type of soil youare working with. Although popular, theexcessive use of chemicals including pesticidesand fertilisers can damage the environment ifthey get into watercourses and can killbeneficial wildlife as well as target pest species.There is an opportunity for reducing chemicaluse by organically gardening.

Understandably gardens are often full of exotic,non-native species, some of which providevaluable food and cover. However some non-native species are invasive and once in the wildbecome a problem. Examples includeRhododendron, Japanese Knotweed,Himalayan Balsam and a variety of exotic pondplants, the worst being New Zealand PygmyWeed, which can grow up to 1m a day! Someother plants have become naturalised and needmonitoring in case they become problematic.These include Lupins and Shasta Daisy.Buddleias are now widespread, due to their role

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as colonisers of dry habitats such as railwaysidings and brickwork.

A serious issue and one with internationalconsequences is the use of peat products.Using peat is poor environmental practicebecause it is a non-renewable resource that isdug from peatlands that are of internationalwildlife value, destroying them in the process.Although many British peatlands are nowprotected by our robust legislation, largeamounts are being imported from EasternEurope. As the debate continues about thegardening qualities of peat alternatives,gardeners can try other products for themselvesand boycott the use of peat.

Similarly, ‘water worn’ limestone is a natural andirreplaceable resource that forms our nationallyimportant limestone pavements, including oneswithin the Craven portion of the Yorkshire DalesNational Park. Although British pavements arewell-protected by legislation those in Ireland andelsewhere are being exploited and destroyed forthe garden industry. Gardeners can make astand by not buying rockery limestone.

The issue of provenance has recently come tothe fore. Many seeds, for example tree seedsused to produce trees at nurseries, are sourcedfrom the continent. There is some evidence toshow that native British species such as insectsfare better on varieties that have a long historyof growing in their area.

Targets• Promote the benefits and joys of wildlife

gardening.• Monitor the spread of naturalised non-

native species and control if appropriate.• Encourage the development of peat

alternatives by supporting garden centresthat are investing in non-peat products.

• Where possible buy native provenancevarieties.

Some suggestions on what you can do tohelp.

Good gardening practice to benefit wildlife:• Buy and use only peat-free compost or

make your own compost from kitchenpeelings and garden cuttings. Recyclingmeasures such as composters and waterbutts are readily available. Avoid buyingrockery limestone that may have comefrom limestone pavements, which areirreplaceable.

• Reduce the use of pesticides, includingslug pellets, to a minimum - try alternativemethods of pest control.

• Maintain lawns that have never hadchemicals put on them (e.g. fertiliser orweed killer). These can be rich in fungi,including in one case, Pink Waxcap, andinvertebrates.

• Avoid introducing garden plant material(tubers, roots, seeds), including pondplants into the wild – some are veryinvasive.

• Fit your cat with a collar and bell.• Feed the birds and provide fresh water.• Avoid cutting hedges during the bird-

nesting season from March to August.• Leave seed-bearing flower heads to mature

and provide food for birds before winterpruning.

Build a wildlife garden• Set aside a small part of the garden to

become ‘wild’ with less intensivemanagement. Allow an area of lawn todevelop into a wildflower meadow forplants and insects.

• Plant fruit trees, berry bushes and soft fruitand leave windfall fruit for foraging birdsand insects.

• Use varieties and a mix of flowers, shrubsand trees (native ones where possible) thatprovide a continuous supply of nectar, fruitand berries.

• Grow native climbers such as Ivy as shelterand nest-sites for birds and insects.

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• Leave fallen timber to decay so that fungican grow, and make log piles forhibernating Toads, Frogs and Newts indamp corners of your garden.

• Provide nest boxes for birds, includingHouse Martins, Bumble Bees and Bats orperhaps create a nesting site for the MasonBee using special bee bricks. Leaveopenings in barns and outhouses to giveentry to nesting Swallows.

• Water is important for wildlife so considercreating a wildlife pond - without Goldfish –advice on the design of wildlife ponds isreadily available.


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Wildlife gardening information is readilyavailable including the following freeEnglish Nature pamphlets (Visit the NaturalEngland website):

• Plants for wildlife-friendly gardening.• Reptiles in your garden.• Mini-beasts in the garden.• Amphibians in your garden.• Dragonflies and damselflies in your garden.• Gardens and biodiversity.• Composting and peat-free gardening.• Focus on bats.• EN Gardening for Wildlife CD.

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Species Action PlansBatsSmall Pearl-Bordered FritillaryButterflyManchester Treble-Bar Moth

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Bats

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Our objectives for Bats are:

➣ To ensure the maintenance of the fullrange of species at natural populationlevels within the District.

➣ To improve the habitats available toBats.

IntroductionThere are 16 species of Bat in Britain, eight ofwhich can be found locally. Each species has itsown particular requirements, but as a groupthey may be found in all habitats. Most speciesdo use buildings, so Bats have a specialconnection with humans.

During the past century most species arethought to have declined, although there is nowsome evidence from the National BatMonitoring Programme that some species arebeginning to recover. However, anecdotalevidence suggests that Bats are not ascommon as they used to be. The secretivenature of Bats and the difficulties this presentedfor their study prior to the development ofsophisticated technology makes it hard toquantify the losses.

Bats feed on insects and in summer can oftenbe seen hunting along rivers and woodlandedges where insects are numerous. In winter,when insects are difficult to find, Bats hibernate.Although summer roosts are mainly in warmlocations, hibernacula are usually in cold placeswith stable temperatures, such as caves. Thishelps minimise energy loss, an importantconsideration for small mammals. Being long-lived animals they return to the same placesyear after year.

National statusSixteen species of Bat breed regularly in the UKwith the greatest range of species in the south.

Regional statusNine species occur within Yorkshire and theHumber Region, eight of which have beenconfirmed in North Yorkshire. These areWhiskered, Brandt's, Daubenton's, Natterer's,Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle,Noctule, Brown Long-Eared and Leisler's Bats.There are historic records of Lesser Horseshoeand Barbastelle Bats and a few records ofNathusius' Pipistrelle.

Local statusIn Craven there are no records of Leisler's Bat,but the other eight Yorkshire species have beenrecorded. There are relatively few records in theDistrict outside of the National Park, but this islikely to be due to under-recording.

Legal statusAll Bats and their roosting places are fullyprotected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act1981 (as amended). Protection applies to roostseven when the Bats are absent. Bats are alsoprotected under Conservation (Natural Habitats,&c.) Regulations 1994.

Conservation statusWhiskered bat &/or Brandt's Bat – few roostsknown.Daubenton's Bat – widespread but restricted toareas near water.Natterer's Bat – few roosts known, probablyunder-recorded.Common Pipistrelle Bat – common andwidespread.Soprano Pipistrelle Bat – probably widespread,especially near water.Noctule Bat – few roosts known.Brown Long-Eared Bat – widespread, thirdcommonest species.

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Threats• Loss of roost sites and hibernacula, both

accidental and deliberate.• Reduction of food sources through the

widespread use of insecticides.• Habitat removal and fragmentation of the

landscape leading to disruption ofcommuting routes.

Requirements• A variety of maternity and hibernation sites

including houses, bridges, hollow trees,caves and tunnels.

• A mosaic of habitats to provide goodsources of insects on which to feed,especially trees, hedges, unimprovedgrassland and freshwater.

• A network of wildlife corridors and habitatsto allow Bats to move between feeding,roosting and hibernation sites.

• Building works to be planned and timed toavoid disturbing Bats and destroying orobstructing roosting places.

• Better understanding of Bats and theirrequirements.

• Monitoring of Bats - ideally each roostowner to count their own Bats and passthe information to the North Yorkshire BatGroup (NYBG).

• Continuing public relations work.

Current local action• NYBG holds records of all known Bat

roosts within the county and providesadvice to householders, landowners andothers in conjunction with Natural England.

• The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), with thesupport of Government agencies andvolunteers, runs the National BatMonitoring Programme to monitor changesin populations of various species.

• NYBG organises public events to foster apublic understanding of Bats and theirconservation.

• Developers wishing to carry out workswhich would impact on Bat roosts arerequired to obtain a licence for such worksand to provide suitable mitigation measures

to enable bat populations to be maintained.The Local Planning Authority is required toconsider Bats as part of the planningprocess.

• North Yorkshire County Council surveys allbridges prior to maintenance work.

What you can do to help:- Report roosts, including date and time of

emergence to NYBG.- Include Bat-friendly features when

carrying out repairs to buildings.- Plant night scented garden plants to

attract insects on which Bats feed.

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Manchester Treble-BarMoth

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Our objectives for the Manchester Treble-Bar are:

➣ Protect and manage the existing site.➣ Maintain a viable, self-sustaining

population through good habitatmanagement and speciesmanagement.

IntroductionThe UK conservation status of the ManchesterTreble-Bar is notable / Nb. This means that thespecies is restricted to 31-100 of the 10kmsquares of Great Britain.

The Manchester Treble-Bar is an attractiveGeometrid moth up to 30mm across its wings.These are of a pale grey ground cover barredwith brown with a bright rusty reddish flush. Theadult is readily disturbed from the vegetationand flies on warm days during August. Theeggs over-winter and the larvae emerge in thespring. The caterpillars are reddish with ayellowish-green stripe. They feed on the flowersand leaves of Bilberry, Cowberry and Cranberry.However, details of the life history are poorlyknown (Sutton and Beaumont14), and details ofexact habitat requirements are unknown (P.Marsh, pers. comm.).

National statusIt has a predominately northern distribution,being widespread and probably under-recordedin northern and central Scotland. It is foundwidely in upland Northumberland but otherwiserather scarce south of the Scottish border. It isfound on a very few bogs and mosses inwestern England from Cumbria to Shropshire(Waring15).

Regional statusRegionally it has been recorded from only four1km squares within Watsonian Yorkshire and

two in Watsonian Lancashire (Vice County 60).Few breeding sites are known in northwestEngland. Lately it has been found on CatonMoor (Lancashire VC60) and it is found on a fewsites in the Lake District.

Local statusThe Manchester Treble-Bar is a recent re-discovery in both Yorkshire and Lancashire.The first two Yorkshire records since lists in1883-6 and 1904 (Porritt16,17) are at Ribblehead(VC64 in the Yorkshire Dales National Park) on3/8/97 and at Low Bentham (VC64 Cravendistrict) on 12/8/97 (Beaumont18).

This species was located on Burn Moor, nearHigh Bentham in 2003, (VC64 Craven district,18/7/03), (Whitaker pers com). In 2004 it wasconfirmed as locally common in early August onpart of this site straddling the border withLancashire (VC60) (Marsh pers com).

This currently leaves the Craven BAP area withone site:• Burn Moor, ‘Great Stone of Fourstones’

near High Bentham, on an area of wetheath at SD 670.664, straddling the borderwith Lancashire. In 2004 it was confirmedas locally abundant on this site.

ThreatsThe Burn Moor site, the only known breedinglocation in Yorkshire, is a particularly vulnerablehabitat of wet heath/rush pasture and wetmosses. Habitat deterioration before theecological requirements of the species areresearched and understood is therefore aconcern. There is a potential problem that stockmay congregate in bad weather or if fed,causing localised damage to the vegetation, onlower lying parts of the site such as near GreatStone of Fourstones.

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Requirements• The status and local distribution of the

moth on and around Burn Moor is not fullyunderstood and requires further attention.

• Further work is needed on the extent anddistribution of these habitat types on andaround the site.

• Further work is needed on the habitatrequirements of the moth, of which little isknown.

• Owners and land managers of the two sitesto be contacted with the aim of positivelymanaging the sites for the moth.

Due to this lack of knowledge, no detailedrecommendations can currently be made.

Current local action• Burn Moor (Bentham) is under a 2001

Upland Countryside Stewardshipagreement (for commons), which arosefollowing a situation where overgrazing wasan issue.

• Ad hoc survey of suitable sites by ButterflyConservation volunteers.

Opportunities• Survey and research by the charity Butterfly

Conservation, especially for the LowBentham site where the species was lastreported in 1997.

• The formation of management advice andland management agreements under theDEFRA ESS.

• Identification and management ofconnected wet grassland sites, whichcould be managed to support the recoveryand expansion of the known meta-populations.

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Small Pearl-BorderedFritillary

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Our objectives for the Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary are:

➣ Maintain viable self-sustainingpopulations of Small Pearl-BorderedFritillary through good habitatmanagement and speciesmanagement.

➣ Protect populations threatened bysmall size and lack of connectivity withother populations.

➣ Increase the distribution of the speciesby expanding the population to newand former sites.

IntroductionIn the uplands, especially the north and west,the Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary occurs onopen moors and marshy pastures with thelarvae using Marsh Violet. This is now the mostcommon location for Small Pearl-BorderedFritillary, reflecting the disappearance of suitablelowland habitat in the south and east ofEngland. The lowland habitat is the early stagesof woodland, where Common Dog Violet is thelarval food plant used. Historically the butterflyoccurred in suitable habitats over much ofEngland, Wales and Scotland, but over the last150 years the bulk populations of the two Pearl-Bordered Fritillary species have been graduallyrestricted to the west of mainland Britain.

The Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary is a UK BAPpriority species. In Craven it is one of only twospecies of butterfly identified as 'high priority' byButterfly Conservation's North East RegionalAction Plan. Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary wasincluded in the first tranche of species in ‘Naturein the Dales’, the Yorkshire Dales National ParkBAP (YDNPA3) requiring a SAP in addition toactions listed in relevant habitat action plans.

National statusThe majority of the British Small Pearl-BorderedFritillary sites are now found in Scotlandalthough the species is still locally common inparts of the English Lake District.

Regional statusIn Yorkshire, the Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillaryoccurred widely in the eastern and centrallowlands at the start of 20th century (Porritt20,21). However, the species has disappeared fromsouth, south-east and central Yorkshire. In thefirst summary of Yorkshire Lepidopteradistribution since 1904, the LepidopteraCommittee of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union(YNU22) noted Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary asbeing locally common on sites in vice-countiesVC61 (York, Selby, East Yorkshire andHumberside) & VC62 (North York Moors area)but the only VC64 locality was Austwick Mossin Craven. It is highly likely that the markedcounty-wide decline in the first half of the 20th

century can be attributed to the end ofcoppicing and the subsequent decline of theirfood plant.

Local statusIn 1989 Sutton & Beaumont23 listed four sites inVC64 (Austwick Moss SSSI, near Clapham,Newby Moor SSSI, Lawkland Moss SSSI andCocket Moss SSSI and one site near Aysgarthin VC65 (Richmondshire area). It is probablethat this summary did not adequately reflect thedistribution of the species due to under-recording.

In 1996, Whitaker24,25,26 set out to relocate andinvestigate the species on these five WestYorkshire sites and to look for the specieselsewhere in VC64 & 65. This resulted in theidentification of seven sites in the YDNP and sixin the Craven lowlands and Gisburn Forest in

Small Pearl-Bordered FritillarySpecies Action Plan

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Lancashire. One of all these sites (Newby MoorSSSI) was found to be a complex of small localhabitat patches which supports a true meta-population of the butterfly. Subsequently thespecies has become extinct on at least four ofthese sites including that long established onAustwick Moss (Whitaker pers com. 2005).

This currently leaves the Craven BAP area withfour sites:• Newby Moor SSSI.• Austwick and Lawkland Moss SSSI (2

sites).• Cocket Moss SSSI.

These should be considered as integral to thewider group of sites that extend into thesouthern YDNP and the mid-Ribble Valley areaof Lancashire close to Craven (Whitaker27).

Threats• Loss of populations through habitat

degradation.• Isolation of fragmented populations.• Heavy grazing, especially by sheep, during

the growing period is likely to bedetrimental.

Requirements• Good management of the appropriate

habitats is desirable (Whitaker26, Ellis28,29,30).In Craven the butterfly is usually found onmire sites and is dependent on MarshViolet on parts of the site which are usuallya mosaic of the following NVCcommunities:

M6 - Star Sedge - Sphagnumrecurvum/ Sphagnum auriculatummire,M23 - Soft Rush / Sharp-FloweredRush - Marsh Bedstraw Rush Pasture, M25 - Purple Moor Grass - TormentilMire.

• In general, management should be aimedat encouraging Violets (the larval foodplants) and preserving adjacent areas ofnectar plants which are important to theadults. The M23 vegetation community islikely to be the most important part of the

habitat mosaic and the most likely tosupport the Marsh Violet and therefore thebutterfly. During the growing season MarshViolet needs a prolonged period free fromcompetition with rank vegetation, droughtand grazing. However, light cattle grazingduring late summer and winter is likely tobe beneficial. The following arerequirements:1) Rotational regimes to control rank

vegetation, Bracken and encroachingScrub.

2) Prevention of shading of areas of Violethabitat.

3) Prevention of drainage of Mire sites.4) Prevention of damaging agricultural

operations such as:a) Application of any fertilisers, lime

or insecticides.b) Inappropriate grazing regimes;

especially grazing by sheep duringthe growing season.

c) Abandonment (long-term lack ofgrazing or mowing).

d) Intensive mowing.5) Light cattle grazing during late summer

and winter is likely to be beneficial.6) Formal notification of the local

statutory planning authorities andNatural England with accurate locationand the significance of all breedingsites.

Current local actionAd hoc surveys by Butterfly Conservationvolunteers.

Opportunities• Survey and research by the charity Butterfly

Conservation (BC).• Identify suitable habitats and the status of

the species on those sites (BC). Identifysites that are potentially suitable andconsider protection of the habitat.

• The formation of management advice andland management agreements under theDEFRA ESS. The species would beconsidered for HLS with appropriatehabitats included in any application.

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Appendices

Appendix 1 - Craven Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group

Appendix 2 - Map of Craven Biodiversity Action Plan area

Appendix 3 - Major Landscape Features of Craven outside the Yorkshire DalesNational Park

Appendix 4 - Area Measurements for Phase 1 Habitat Categories in Craven outsideYDNP 1990-1991

Appendix 5 - The relationship between Craven BAP habitats, UK BAP priority habitatsand SINC habitat definitions using the National Vegetation Classification

Appendix 6 - Glossary of terms

Appendix 7 - List of acronyms

Appendix 8 - Useful addresses

Appendix 9 - Scientific and common names of species mentioned in the CravenBiodiversity Action Plan

Appendix 10 - Bibliography

Appendix 11 - Information on Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special ProtectionAreas (SPA), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Sites ofImportance for Nature Conservation (SINC) in the Craven BAP area

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Appendix 1Craven Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group

Name

Phyll AbbottJudith AllinsonAmanda BestJulia BirkinshawAnn BlackburnDr Mike CanawayIan CourtJeremy DickJohn DrewettPhil EckersleySam EllisHilary FentenMartin FullerDavid FullwoodRobert GoodisonMick HobanJean KendrewPhil LythGraham MegsonMatthew MillingtonLiz NealeRoger Neale Simon PicklesBen ScottingHelen SergeantKate SeniorBrian ShorrockElizabeth ShorrockBrian Slater Terry SmithsonRobert StarlingTim ThomAnne TupholmeDr Terry WhitakerTim Youngs

Appendices

Organisation (if any)

Botanical Society Of The British IslesCraven Conservation GroupEnvironment AgencyNorth Yorkshire County CouncilAB Consultancy and Yorkshire Pennine Local SeedsCraven Conservation GroupYorkshire Dales National Park AuthorityForestry CommissionNorth Yorkshire Bat GroupNatural EnglandButterfly ConservationCPREEnvironment AgencyInternal Drainage BoardNatural EnglandForestry CommissionCross Hills Naturalists’ SocietyFWAGNorth Yorkshire County CouncilNorth Yorkshire County Council Craven Conservation GroupCraven Conservation GroupNEYEDCYorwoodsCraven Conservation GroupCraven District CouncilCraven Conservation GroupCraven Conservation GroupIndividual Yorkshire Wildlife TrustCraven Conservation GroupYorkshire Dales National Park AuthorityYorkshire Gardens TrustButterfly ConservationRSPB

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Appendix 2Map of Craven Biodiversity Action Plan area

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Appendix 3Major Landscape Features of Craven outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park


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Habitat Area (ha) Area (%)Woodland & Scrub 378 (1.0) Broadleaved semi-natural

239 (0.6) Broadleaved - plantation471 (1.3) Coniferous - Plantation188 (0.5) Mixed - Plantation69 (0.18) Scrub – Crataegus monogyna23 (0.06) Scrub – Ulex europaeus

Grassland & Marsh 63 (0.71) Agrostis-Festuca-acetosella

Acid 1883 ha (5.1%) 438 (1.2) Agrostis-Festuca876 (2.4) Nardus stricta506 (1.4) Juncus squarrosus

Neutral 1008 ha (2.7%) 61 (0.16) 5 hay meadow indicators (HMI)947 (2.6) 1 hay meadow indicator

Calcareous 30 ha (0.08%) 30 (0.08) Calcareous grassland1599 (4.31) Rush pasture

Marshy & Rushes 31 (0.08) Marshy grassland1630 ha (4.4%)

Of no conservation 13238 (35.7) Improved, no HMIInterest 25272 ha (68%) 487 (1.3) Improved, no HMI; ridge & furrow

4281 (11.5) Very improved or re-seeded3760 (10.1) Re-seeded

Of no conservation 3272 (8.8) Newly re-seeded. Arable/ley31 (0.08) Arable203 (0.5) Amenity

Of no conservation 231 (0.6) BrackenInterest 9 (0.02) Tall ruderal including Urtica dioica

Heathland 1655 (0.71) Calluna vulgaris1857 ha (5%) 65 (0.2) Vaccinium myrtillus

102 (0.3) Empertrum nigrum32 (0.08) Erica tetralix

Appendix 4Area Measurements for Phase 1 Habitat Categories in Craven outside YDNP 1990-1991(Allinson5)

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Habitat Area (ha) Area (%)Mire 1231 ha (3.3%) 104 (0.3) E. angustifolium; S recurvum; Drosera;

Water456 (1.2) Molinia Caerulea wet or dry635 (1.7) E. vaginatum11 (0.03) Acid flush. NVC M618 (0.04) Basic flush. NVC M107 (0.02) Fen. NVC M27

Swamp 31 (0.08) All NVC swamp communities

Water 270 (0.7) Running or still open water

Rock exposures & 109 (0.3) QuarryWaste 4 (0.01) Mine spoil

33 (0.08) Boulders

Miscellaneous 23 (0.06) Sewage beds1903 (5.1) Buildings, roads & verges224 (0.06) Railways5 (0.01) Mud motor cycle track


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Craven Local BAP Habitat UK BAPSINC Panel Habitat Types (including NVCtypes where known

1. Woodland(Wet woodland & ripariancorridors) (Upland mixed ashwoods) (Oak woodland)

Wet woodland

Upland mixed ash woodlandUpland oakwood

Wet woodland (W1 -W7)

Upland mixed ash woodland (W9). Also W7especially 7c, and some of the W8 sub-communities particularly d, e and g butoccasionally a, b and c (which also cover LowlandAsh woodland)Upland oakwood (W10, W11, W16, W17)Lowland mixed ash woodlands (W7, W8)Lowland oak/birch rowan woodlands (acid, W10,W16)

2. Scrub Scrub (W21-W25)3. Parkland, ancient trees &pollarded trees

Wood pasture and parkland Parkland (MG6, MG7, W10 + more see UK BAP)

4. Farmland and grassland(arable)

Arable field margins Cereal field margins Arable weed communities (OV1-OV17)

4. Farmland and grassland(Floodplain grazing marsh)

Coastal and floodplaingrazing marsh

Unimproved and semi-improved neutral grassland(species-rich) (MG8) Also MG9-11 and MG13 withbits of more improved MG6/7

4. Farmland and grassland(Lowland meadows)4. Farmland and grassland(Upland hay meadow)

Lowland hay meadow

Upland hay meadow

Unimproved and semi-improved neutral grassland(species-rich) (MG1, MG3 - MG6)

5. Hedgerows Hedgerows Ancient and/or species-rich hedgerows (W8, W10,W21-W25)Dry ditches and banks (see NVC for relevantvegetation types)

6. Wet acidic grassland Acid grassland U5, U6. Mires M23, M25 7. Upland heathland andBlanket bog

Upland heathlandBlanket bog

Upland heathland (H9, H10, H12, M16)Blanket bog (M3, M19, M20)

8. Ponds PondsEutrophic standing watersMesotrophic lakes

Standing water (includes reservoirs) (A2, A5, A7,A8-A13, A14?, A15, A16, A19, A20, A24)

9. Fens FensReedbedsPurple moor-grass meadows

Fen, carr (W1-W6) and reedbed (S1, S3, S4)marsh and swamp (S5-S10, S12, S14, S15, S17-S23, S25-S28; M1/2 unlikely, M3, M10, M13, M16M21-M23, M25-M27, M36)

10. Lowland raised bog Lowland raised bog. Raised and blanket mire (M1-M3 and M18), wetheath (M15), blanket mire (M19), blanket andraised mire (M20), mire (M25) and woodland (W4)

11. Rivers and streams Rivers Rivers and streams (A2, A5, A8-A12, A15-A18,S14, S22, S23 & S26)

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Craven Local BAP Habitat UK BAPSINC Panel Habitat Types (including NVCtypes where known

Habitat statementsLowland calcareousgrasslandUpland calcareous grassland

1. Unimproved grassland(Calcareous grassland)

Calcareous grassland(CG2, CG9 & CG10)

2. Metalliferous grassland Calcareous grassland (CG9, CG10, OV37)3. Built environment Improved grassland (includes species-poor semi-

improved grassland) (MG6, MG7, MG9, MG10)Urban/industrial (communities on unnatural/mixedstrata)

4. Gardens

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Appendix 6Glossary of terms

AnimalAny species belonging to the Animal Kingdom,including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles,amphibians, insects, etc.

Arable weedsWild flowers, often annuals, that grow inregularly disturbed soil in an arable environment.This does not include pernicious weeds such asthistles and Goosegrass.

BiodiversityThe variety of life. The term embraces the fullrange of habitats, species, and the variationfound within species (including geneticvariation).

Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)A plan to conserve or re-create biodiversity. Theterm may be used to describe the wholeprocess by which this happens, or sometimes adocument that sets out how this is to beachieved.

Craven Biodiversity Action PlanThe Craven Biodiversity Action Plan is the planthat leads the process by which action is takenlocally to conserve wildlife. It includes thosehabitats and species for which organisations inCraven have a special responsibility under theUK BAP.

DistributionThe extent of a species’ range.

EcosystemA community of inter-related organisms.

Eco-tourismThe generation of income through ‘green’tourism, e.g. wildlife holidays, bird watching.

HabitatA type of landscape (e.g. Wet Woodland)characterised by particular communities ofvegetation and animals.

Habitat Action Plan (HAP)One of two sorts of plans contained within theBAP document (see also Species Action Plan).A plan geared towards the conservation or re-creation of a particular habitat.

Habitat RegulationsThe Conservation (Natural Habitats &c)Regulations 1994, known as ‘The HabitatRegulations’, are UK regulations passed todeliver the EC Council Directive ‘The Habitatsand Species Directive’. They refer to planning,land use, land management and environmentalregulation, with emphasis on the roles of LocalAuthorities (called Competent Authorities). TheRegulations are the basis of the Natura 2000network of sites known as SPAs, SACs andcSACs. The Habitats Regulations aim to protectsite of European Community (EC) importance.

Invertebrate Any animal lacking a backbone. This groupinclude insects (e.g. butterflies, moths, flies,bees, wasps, beetles) and non-insectinvertebrates (e.g. worms, molluscs,crustaceans such as Crayfish).

LNRLocal Nature Reserve. A site designated by theLocal Authority under the 1949 National Parksand Access to the Countryside Act. A LocalNature Reserve has an educational as well as awildlife remit.

Meta-populationThe stronghold of a population. New sites maybe colonised by individuals spreading from thiscore.

National Vegetation Classification (NVC)A system for surveying habitats and allocatingthem to a recognised scientific type. The NVC isa nationally accepted system.

Phase 2 habitat surveyMore detailed habitat survey than phase 1,based on individual sites.

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Range The area across which a species can be found.

RiparianConcerned with rivers e.g.; the corridor ofhabitat along a water course.

SINCSite of Importance for Nature Conservation. Anon-statutory site recognised by the LocalAuthority for its nature conservation interest.

SSSISite of Special Scientific Interest. Nationallyimportant site given legal protection by theWildlife and Countryside Act (1981), asamended. SSSIs are notified by NaturalEngland.

SpeciesA taxonomic group into which a genus isdivided, the members of which are capable ofinterbreeding. For example, the Blackbird(Turdus merula) and Song Thrush (Turdusphilomelos) are related. They are in the samegenus so share the genus name Turdus.However, they are different species and so havespecific second names.

Species Action Plan (SAP)One of two sorts of plans contained within theBAP document (see also Habitat Action Plan). Aplan geared toward the conservation of aparticular species.

Sustainable developmentActions to be taken to promote sustainability.Sustainability has been described as "the abilityto meet our needs without compromising theneeds of our children".

UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP)The BAP for the United Kingdom. The UKGovernment has produced 391 SAPs and 45HAPs, which detail actions necessary for a widerange of the country's habitats and mostthreatened plants and animals.


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Appendix 7List of abbreviations and acronyms

AP Action PlanBAP Biodiversity Action PlanBARS Biodiversity Action Reporting

SystemBBS Breeding Bird SurveyBCT Bat Conservation TrustBC Butterfly ConservationBTCV BTCVBTO British Trust for OrnithologyCA Countryside AgencyCAP Common Agricultural PolicyCAMS Catchment Abstraction

Management StrategyCBC Common Bird Census CDC Craven District CouncilCFMP Catchment Flood Management

PlansCPRE Council for the Protection of Rural

EnglandCSS Countryside Stewardship

SchemeDEFRA Department for Environment,

Food and Rural AffairsEA Environment AgencyEC European CommunityEH English HeritageEIA Environmental Impact

AssessmentELS Entry Level Scheme (ESS)EN English NatureESS Environmental Stewardship

SchemeEU European UnionEWGS England Woodland Grant

SchemeFC Forestry CommissionFE Forest EnterpriseFEP Farm Environment PlanFWAG Farming and Wildlife Advisory

GroupGCT Game Conservancy TrustGEAC Good Environmental and

Agricultural Conditionha HectareHAP Habitat Action Plan

HLS Higher Level Scheme (ESS)IACS Integrated Administration and

Control SystemIAW Inventory of Ancient WoodlandICT Invertebrate Conservation TrustIDB Internal Drainage BoardsIUCN International Union for the

Conservation of NatureJCA Joint Character AreaJNCC Joint Nature Conservation

Committeekm KilometreLBAP Local Biodiversity Action PlanLDF Local Development FrameworkLEAF Linking Environment And FarmingLNR Local Nature ReserveLPA Local Planning AuthorityLSP Local Strategic PartnershipLUCT Lower Ure Conservation TrustNCC Nature Conservancy CouncilNE Natural EnglandNEYEDC North & East Yorkshire Ecological

Data CentreNR Nature ReserveNS Nationally ScarceNT National TrustNVZ Nitrate Vulnerable Zones NYBG North Yorkshire Bat GroupNYCC North Yorkshire County CouncilOELS Organic Entry Level Scheme

(ESS)OS Ordnance SurveyPAT Partnership and Task Group (see

LSP)PAWS Plantation on Ancient Woodland

SitePPS Planning Policy StatementRDB Red Data Book RDS (DEFRA) Rural Development ServiceRSPB Royal Society for the Protection

of BirdsRSS Regional Spatial StrategySAP Species Action PlanSD Sustainable DevelopmentSEA Strategic Environmental

AssessmentSEPA Scottish Environment Protection

Agency

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SINC Site of Importance for NatureConservation

SAC Special Areas of ConservationSoCC Species of Conservation ConcernSPA Special Protection Areaspp SpeciesSSSI Site of Special Scientific InterestSUDS Sustainable Urban Drainage

SchemesTPO Tree Preservation OrderUK United KingdomUK BAP UK Biodiversity Action PlanVC Vice CountyWES Wildlife Enhancement SchemeWIGS Woodland Improvement Grant

SchemeWGS Woodland Grant SchemeWLO Wildlife Liaison Officer (Police)WT Woodland TrustWTs Wildlife TrustsWWP Water for Wildlife ProjectYDRT Yorkshire Dales Rivers TrustYGT Yorkshire Gardens TrustYHBF Yorkshire and Humber

Biodiversity ForumYNU Yorkshire Naturalists’ UnionYOARP Yorkshire Otters And Rivers

ProjectYW Yorkshire Water Services LtdYWT Yorkshire Wildlife Trust


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Appendix 8Useful addresses

Useful websites for SSSI data:http://www.naturalengland.org.ukhttp://www.natureonthemap.org.uk http://www.magic.gov.uk

Websites for biological recording information:http://www.nfbr.org.uk (National Federation forBiological Recorders)http://www.brc.ac.uk (Biological RecordsCentre)http://www.nbn.org.uk (National BiodiversityNetwork)

AB Consultancy, Ann Blackburn,6 Victoria Street, Cullingworth, Bradford, WestYorkshire BD13 5AETel: (01535) 271462Mob: 07801 593433E-mail: [email protected]://www.ABC-aquila.com

Ancient Tree Forum c/o Woodland TrustAutumn Park, Dysart Road, Grantham,Lincolnshire, NG32 6LLTel: (01476) 581111Fax: (01476) 590808http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/ancient-tree-forum/

British Trust for OrnithologyBTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PUTel: (01842) 750050Fax: (01842) 750030 http://www.bto.org

BTCV3, 5 & 7 Leake Street, off Lawrence Street,York, YO10 3BRTel: (01904) 644300Fax: (01904) 644302http://www.btcv.org/

Buglife -The Invertebrate Conservation Trust170A Park Road, Peterborough, CAMBS, PE12UFTel: (01733) 760881Fax: (01733) 760884http://www.buglife.org.uk/

Butterfly ConservationManor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset,BH20 5QPTel: 0870 7744309Fax: (01929) 400210E-mail: [email protected]://www.butterfly-conservation.org/index.shtml

Botanical Society of the British IslesBotany Department, The Natural HistoryMuseum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BDE-mail: [email protected]://www.bsbi.org.uk Craven District CouncilGranville Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD231PSTelephone: (01756) 706212Fax: (01756) 700658www.cravendc.gov.uk

Natural EnglandLeyburn Office, Asquith House, LeyburnBusiness Park, Harmby Road Leyburn, DL8 5QATel: (01969) 623447Fax: (01969) 621298E-mail:[email protected]://www.naturalengland.org.uk

Environment AgencyCoverdale House, Aviator Court, Amy JohnsonWay, Clifton Moor, YORK, YO3 4UZTel: (01904) 822565Fax: (01904) 693748E-mail: [email protected]://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

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Environment Agency Fisheries and RecreationTeamPhoenix House, Global Avenue, Leeds, LS118PGTel: (01132) 134848

Farming and Wildlife Advisory GroupRacecourse Lane, Northallerton, NorthYorkshire, DL7 8BRTel: (01609) 783632E-mail: [email protected]

Flora localeDenford Manor, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG170UNTel: (01488) 680457E-mail: [email protected]://www.floralocale.org

Forestry CommissionWheldrake Lane, Crockey Hill, York, NorthYorkshire, YO19 4FFTel: (01904) 448778http://www.forestry.gov.uk/

The Limestone Pavement Action Groupc/o Cumbria Wildlife TrustPlumgarths, Crook Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA88LXTel: (01539) 816300Fax: (01539) 816301E-mail: [email protected]://www.limestone-pavements.org.uk/

The Mammal Society2b Inworth Street, London SW11 3EPTel: (020) 7350 2200 Fax: (020) 7350 2211 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mammal/

North and East Yorkshire Ecological DataCentre (NEYEDC)5 College Street, York, YO1 7JFTel: (01904) 641631Fax: (01904) 557236E-mail: [email protected]://www.neyedc.co.uk/

North Yorkshire Bat Group3 Victoria Row, Eppleby, Richmond, NorthYorkshire, DL11 7BETel. (01325) 718133E-mail: [email protected]

North Yorkshire County CouncilHeritage & Environment Section, Development& Countryside Service, County Hall,Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8AHTel: (01609) 533240Fax: (01609) 532558E-mail: [email protected]

PLACE (People, Landscape and CulturalEnvironment of Yorkshire)York St John College, Lord Mayor’s Walk, York,YO31 7EXTel: (01904) 716753http://www.place.uk.com/

Plantlife International 14 Rollestone Street, Salisbury,Wiltshire, SP11DXTel: (01722) 342730Fax: (01722) 329035E-mail:[email protected]

The RSPBThe Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL Tel: (01767) 680551E-mail: [email protected]

The Vincent Wildlife Trust3&4 Bronsil Courtyard, Eastnor, Ledbury,Herefordshire, HR8 1EPTel: (01531) 636441Fax: (01531) 636442E-mail: [email protected] http://www.vwt.org.uk/


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Wildlife Crime OfficerPC1038 Mark RasbearyLeyburn Police Office, The High Street,Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5AQTel: 0845 6060247Mob: 07980 988287Fax: (01969) 625044E-mail:[email protected]

The Wildlife TrustsThe Kiln, Waterside, Mather Road, Newark,Nottinghamshire, NG24 1WTTel: 08700 367711Fax: 08700 360101http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/

The Woodland TrustAutumn Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG316LLTel: (01476) 581135http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/

Yorkshire Gardens TrustValerie Hepworth, Vice Chairman, The ManorHouse, Skeeby, Richmond, North Yorkshire,DL10 5DX

Yorkshire Naturalists’ UnionMr J A Newbould, Stonecroft, 3 BrookmeadClose, Sutton Poyntz, Weymouth, Dorset, DT36RSE-mail: [email protected]://www.ynu.org.uk/

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust1 St George's Place, York, YO24 1GN Tel: (01904) 659570E-mail: [email protected]://www.yorkshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk/

YorwoodsUnit 9, Sycamore Business Park, DishforthRoad, Copt Hewick, RiponNorth Yorkshire, HG4 5DFTel: (01765) 609355Fax: (01765) 607616E-mail: [email protected]://www.yorwoods.org.uk

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Appendix 9Scientific names of plants and animals(Given in order of appearance in the Craven BAP)


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Species referred to in the introduction

Skylark Alauda arvensisWater Vole Arvicola terrestrisBrown Hare Lepus europaeusOtter Lutra LutraPipistrelle Bat Pipistrellus pipistrellusGrey Partridge Perdix perdixSong Thrush Turdus philomenosSpotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striataTree Sparrow Passer montanusLinnet Carduelis cannabinaBullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhulaReed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclusGreat Crested Newt Triturus cristatusWhite-clawed Crayfish Austropotamobius pallipesDepressed River Mussel Pseudanodonta complanataOak Polypore Piptoporus quercinusDevil’s Bolete Boletus satanusPink Waxcap Hygrocybe calyptriiformesOlive Earthtongue Microglossum olivaceumBrown Long-Eared Bat Plectorus auritusDaubenton’s Bat Myotis daubentoniNatterer’s Bat Myotis nattereriNoctule Bat Nyctalus noctulaSoprano Pipistrelle Bat Pipistrellus pygmaeusWhiskered Bat/Brandt’s Bat Myotis mystacinus/Myotis brandtiiHen Harrier Circus cyaneusLesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minorRing Ouzel Turdus torquatusGrasshopper Warbler Locustella naeviaMarsh Tit Parus palustrisStarling Sturnus vulgarisHouse Sparrow Passer domesticusTwite Carduelis flavirostrisAtlantic Salmon Salmo salarGrayling Thymallus thymallusBullhead Cottus gobioBrook Lamprey Lampetra planeriBrown Trout Salmo truttaAdder Vipera berusSlow Worm Anguis fragilisCommon Lizard Lacerta viperaA Freshwater Shrimp Crangonyx pseudogracilisA Snail Sphaerium (Sphaeriastrum) rivicola

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Species referred to in the introduction

Cylindrical Whorl Snail Truncatellina cylindricaA Snail Vertigo (Vertigo) alpestrisCraven Door Snail Clausilla dubiaSmall Pearl-Bordered Fritillary Boloria seleneWhite-Letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-albumGreen Hairstreak Quercusia quercusPurple Hairstreak Callophrys rubiManchester Treble-Bar Anaitis paludataA Centipede Geophylus electricusA Millipede Archiboreolis palliduA Millipede Blaniulus gutalatusA Millipede Macrosternodesmus pallicolaA Flatworm Dugesia lugubrisA Flatworm Planaria torvaA Leech Dina lineataNorthern Spike-Rush Eleocharis austriacaNarrow-leaved Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza traunsteineriMarsh Gentian Gentiana pneumonantheBird’s Eye Primrose Primula farinosaMountain Currant Ribes alpinumDowny Currant Ribes spicatumBlue Moor-Grass Sesleria caeruleaLesser Tussock Sedge Carex diandraBlack Poplar Populus nigra spp. betulifoliaNew Zealand Pygmy Weed Crassula helmsiiWater Fern Azolla filiculoidesJapanese Knotweed Fallopia japonicaHimalayan (or Indian) Balsam Impatiens glanduliferaGrey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensisAmerican Mink Mustela visonSignal Crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus

Species referred to in the Action Plans

Sessile Oak Quercus petraeaBracken Pteridium aquilinumBramble Rubus fruticosus agg.Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanusWood Sorrel Oxalis acetosellaHazel Corylus avellanaHolly Ilex aquifoliumRowan Sorbus aucupariaWavy-hair Grass Deschampsia flexuosaSilver Birch Betula pendulaBluebell Hyacinthoides non-scriptaHoneysuckle Lonicera periclymeumWood Anemone Anemone nemorosaAsh Fraxinus excelsior

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Field Maple Acer campestreDog’s Mercury Mercuralis perennisCommon Dog Violet Viola rivinianaEarly Purple Orchid Orchis masculaGiant Bellflower Campanula latifoliaPrimrose Primula vulgarisWych Elm Ulmus glabraA Millipede Blaniulus gutalatusDogwood Cornus sanguineaSpindle Euonymus europaeusPurging Buckthorn Rhamnus catharticusAlder Alnus glutinosaSallow Generally applied to Salix caprea and S. cinerea and

their hybrids.

Marsh Bedstraw Galium palustreGreater Tussock Sedge Carex paniculataStinging Nettle Urtica dioicaYellow Pimpernel Lysmachia nemorumRhododendron Rhododendron ponticumRabbit Oryctolagus cuniculusRoe Deer Capreolus capreolusPheasant Phasianus colchicusGorse Ulex europaeusJuniper Juniperus communis ssp. communisDog Rose Rosa canina agg.Elder Sambucus nigraHawthorn Crataegus monogynaBlackthorn Prunus spinosaMeadow Crane’s-bill Geranium pratenseWood Crane’s-bill Geranium sylvaticumSweet Vernal Grass Anthoxanthum odoratumYorkshire Fog Holcus lanatusMeadow Buttercup Ranunculus acrisPignut Conopodium majusCorncrake Crex crexGreat Burnet Sanguisorba officinalisBird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatusCommon Knapweed Centaurea nigraLesser Stitchwort Stellaria gramineaBetony Stachys officinalisCommon Bent Agrostis capillarisRed Fescue Festuca rubraCrested Dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatusGarden Privet Ligustrum ovalifoliumYew Taxus baccataBeech Fagus sylvaticaPurple Moor Grass Molinia caerulea

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Soft Rush Juncus effususSharp-flowered Rush Juncus acutiflorusStar Sedge Carex echinataBrown Bent Agrostis caninaDevil’s-Bit Scabious Succisa pratensisLesser Spearwort Ranunculus flammulaMarsh Willowherb Epilobium palustreLady’s Smock Cardamine pratensisTormentil Potentilla erectaHeather Calluna vulgarisCross-leaved Heath Erica tetralixMat Grass Nardus strictaHeath Bedstraw Galium saxatile

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensisWheatear Oenanthe oenantheRed Grouse Lagopus lagopus ssp. scoticusCommon Cotton-grass Eriophorum angustifoliumHare’s-tail Cotton-grass Eriophorum vaginatumSmooth Newt Triturus helveticusShelduck Tadorna tadornaLittle Ringed Plover Charadrius dubiusParrot’s Feather Myriophyllum aquaticumCurly Waterweed Lagarosiphon majusGoldfish Carassius auratusReed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclusWater Rail Rallus aquaticusSnipe Gallinago gallinagoGrasshopper Warbler Locustella naeviaWater Shrew Neomys fodiensBottle Sedge Carex rostrataCalliergon Moss Calliergonella cuspidata formerly Calliergon

cuspudatum and historically Acrocladium cuspidatum

Separate-headed or Dioecious Sedge Carex dioicaCommon Butterwort Pinguicula vulgarisMarsh Hawksbeard Crepis paludosaMarsh Bedstraw Galium palustreBog Rosemary Andromeda polifoliaGreat Sundew Drosera anglica

Heath Rush Juncus squarrosus

Cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccusKingfisher Alcedo atthisDipper Cinclus cinclusSand Martin Riparia ripariaGrey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Sea Trout(same sp. As Brown Trout - migratory form)

Salmo trutta

Chubb Leuciscus cephalus

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Barbel Barbus barbusGiant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianumGoosander Mergus merganserCormorant Phalacrocorax carboGrey Heron Ardea cinereaAdder’s-Tongue Fern Ophioglossum vulgatumSpring Sandwort Minuartia vernaAlpine Penny-Cress Thlaspi caerulescensMountain Pansy Viola luteaCommon Scurvy Grass Cochlearia officinalis agg.Wild Thyme Thymus polytrichus formerly known as T. praecoxThrift Armeria maritimaMoonwort Botychium lunaria

Common Toad Bufo bufoBadger Meles melesLupin Lupinus polyphyllusShasta Daisy Leucanthemum lacustre x L. maximum or L. x

superbum

Buddleia Buddleja davidiiIvy Hedera helixHouse Martin Delichon urbicaMason Bee Osmia species (several)Leisler’s Bat Nyctalus leisleriBilberry Vaccinium myrtillusCowberry Vaccinium vitis-idaeaCranberry Vaccinium oxycoccusCommon Violet Viola rivinianaMarsh Violet Viola palustrisSheep’s Fescue Festuca ovinaSpring Sandwort Minuartia vernaMarsh Bedstraw Galium palustre

Molinia caeruleaPurple Moor GrassManchester Treble-Bar Carsia sororiata anglicaSharp-flowered Rush Juncus acutiflorusSoft Rush Juncus effususSphagnum Sphagnum fallax, formerly known as S. recurvum for

NVC purposes

Sphagnum Sphagnum denticulatum, fomerly known as S.auriculatum for NVC purposes

Common Frog Rana temporia

Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus minorRed Clover Trifolium pratenseGreen-Winged Orchid Orchis morioPepper Saxifrage Silaum silausDyer’s Greenweed Genista tinctoriaCrucian Carp Carassius carassiusCommon Carp Common Carp

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Appendix 10Bibliography

1. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan comprisesof the following documents:

Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan, 1994(UKBSG), HMSO, London.Biodiversity: the U.K. Steering GroupReport Volume 1: Meeting the RioChallenge, 1995 (UKBSG).Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group ReportVolume 2 (UKBSG),UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 ActionPlans, Volumes 1 to 6, referred to as theUK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP)(UKBSG).UK Biodiversity Group: Index to theSteering Group Reports and Tranche 2Action Plans (UKBSG).

See http://www.ukbap.org.uk/ andhttp://www.ukbap-reporting.org.uk/

2. SINC Panel. Ed. Baker, Shepherd andGillespie, 2001, Sites of Importance forNature Conservation in North Yorkshire, pvtreport.

3. YDNPA, Court I. (Ed) (2000), Nature in theDales; A biodiversity action plan for theYorkshire Dales National Park, YorkshireDales National Park Authority, Grassington,Yorkshire.

4. Millward D, 2004, ‘A Species Audit ofCraven’, private report to NYCC.

5. Allinson JD 1991 ‘Craven (outside YDNP)phase 1 survey 1990-1991’, internal reportof North East Region of English Nature.

6. North and East Yorkshire Ecological DataCentre website – www.neyedc.co.uk

7. Carter A, 1987, ‘North Yorkshire Inventoryof Ancient Woodland’ Part 1: Craven andCraven, English Nature.

Appendix 10Bibliography

1. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan comprisesof the following documents:

Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan, 1994(UKBSG), HMSO, London.Biodiversity: the U.K. Steering GroupReport Volume 1: Meeting the RioChallenge, 1995 (UKBSG).Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group ReportVolume 2 (UKBSG),UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 ActionPlans, Volumes 1 to 6, referred to as theUK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP)(UKBSG).UK Biodiversity Group: Index to theSteering Group Reports and Tranche 2Action Plans (UKBSG).

See http://www.ukbap.org.uk/ andhttp://www.ukbap-reporting.org.uk/

2. SINC Panel. Ed. Baker, Shepherd andGillespie, 2001, Sites of Importance forNature Conservation in North Yorkshire, pvtreport.

3. YDNPA, Court I. (Ed) (2000), Nature in theDales; A biodiversity action plan for theYorkshire Dales National Park, YorkshireDales National Park Authority, Grassington,Yorkshire.

4. Millward D, 2004, ‘A Species Audit ofCraven’, private report to NYCC.

5. Allinson JD 1991 ‘Craven (outside YDNP)phase 1 survey 1990-1991’, internal reportof North East Region of English Nature.

6. North and East Yorkshire Ecological DataCentre website – www.neyedc.co.uk

7. Carter A, 1987, ‘North Yorkshire Inventoryof Ancient Woodland’ Part 1: Craven andCraven, English Nature.

152 of 194

18. BEAUMONT, H.B. (ed) (2002) Butterfliesand Moths of Yorkshire A MillenniumReview. Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union,Sutton Poynz, Weymouth, Dorset.

19. BARNETT, L.K. & WARREN, M.S. (1995)Species Action Plan, Small Pearl-borderedFritillary, Boloria selene. ButterflyConservation, Wareham.

20. PORRITT, G.T. (1883) List of YorkshireLepidoptera. Ent. Trans. Nat. Un. 2: 1-158.

21. PORRITT, G.T. (1904) List of YorkshireLepidoptera (YNU Supplement). Ent. Trans.Yorks. Nat. Un., Ser D 2 Part 30, i-xvi 193-269.

22. YNU Lepidoptera Committee (1967) TheLepidoptera of Yorkshire. Butterflies.Naturalist 92: 55-62.

23. SUTTON, S.L. AND BEAUMONT, H.B.(eds.) (1989) The Butterflies and Moths ofYorkshire. Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union,Doncaster Museum, Doncaster.

24. WHITAKER, T.M. (2002a) The status of theSmall Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Boloriaselene, in Western Yorkshire. Naturalist127, 3-17.

25. WHITAKER T. M. (2002b unpubl.)Boloria selene (Denis & Schiffermüller)(Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) The SmallPearl-bordered Fritillary in the YorkshireDales National Park.Private report to the YDNPA (Ref. No.3802/A400/ Project A4Ecol) & EnglishNature, Biodiversity Grant Scheme (Ref.Number 03/BGNT/211), 36pp + maps.

26. WHITAKER, T.M. (2003) The distribution ofthe Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly,Boloria selene, in Yorkshire VC65,Naturalist 128, 59-65.

27 WHITAKER, T.M. (2004) Fritillary Butterfliesof the Yorkshire Dales National Park, YNUBulletin Supplement 42, 55-73 +4pl.

28. ELLIS, S. (1999) Butterfly ConservationNorth East Regional Action Plan. ButterflyConservation, Colchester.

29. ELLIS, S. (2000a unpubl.) The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene in CountyDurham. Contract report to English Nature,Durham County Council & NorthumbrianWater.

30. ELLIS, S. (2000b) Butterfly ConservationNorth West Regional Action Plan ButterflyConservation, Colchester.


149

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150

Appendix 11Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA), Sites of SpecialScientific Interest (SSSI) and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) in theCraven BAP area.

Within Craven district there are a number of recognised nature conservation sites ranging fromthose of European importance to those of local importance, as shown in the following table.

SAC sites in Craven district1. South Pennine Moors (partly in Craven)

SPA sites in Craven district1. South Pennine Moors (partly in Craven)

Designation European Status National Status Local Status (non-statutory)

Special Protection Area (SPA)Special Area of Conservation (SAC)Ramsar site

110

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 12National Nature Reserve (NNR) 0

Site of Importance for NatureConservation (SINC)

82 + 6 candidate

Local Nature Reserve (LNR) 0Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve 0

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151

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155 of 194


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156 of 194


153

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157 of 194

158 of 194

Part II: Craven BAP Action Programme

159 of 194

Part 2: Craven BAPAction Programme

160 of 194

161 of 194

This document is the second part of the CravenBAP programme.

The complete BAP consists of the following twoparts:

Part 1. The Action Plan: This gives ourobjectives for the priority habitats and species inCraven and provides information on currentstatus and reasons for decline.

Part 2. The Action Programme: This gives atable of quantifiable targets and actions to bedelivered locally. These tables form an appendixto the published BAP. They provide a broadmenu of targets and actions that will be initiatedwhen opportunities, funding and partnerleadership is identified. Active targets aretargets and their actions, which have been orare likely to be initiated in the current twelve-month reporting period. Each ‘live’ target andaction will be input into the on-line BiodiversityAction Reporting System (BARS). The BARSsoftware has been designed so that it canautomatically communicate with the partnersthat have agreed action delivery, to promptthem to report progress. The current activetargets can be viewed on the websitehttp://www.ukbap-reporting.org.uk/

The Action Programme provides a menu oftargets and actions for each priority, which ifimplemented, will make progress towards theobjectives set out in each action plan. The BAPSteering Group will meet annually to reviewprogress and to add new targets and actions ordelete obsolete ones. Actions where partners,funding and a delivery mechanism have beenidentified will become active and be entered intoBARS.

Part 2:Craven BAP Action Programme

The action plan is afive-year programme.

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163 of 194

Priority Habitat & SpeciesTarget & Action Tables

HabitatsWoodlandScrub Parkland, Ancient Trees andPollarded TreesFarmland and GrasslandHedgerowsWet Acidic GrasslandUpland Heathland and BlanketBog

PondsFensLowland Raised BogRivers

Habitat StatementsUnimproved GrasslandMetalliferous GrasslandBuilt EnvironmentGardens

SpeciesBatsManchester Treble-Bar MothSmall Pearl-Bordered FritillaryButterfly

Generic targets and actions

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Habitats

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163

Wo

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n th

e A

WI.

Car

ry o

ut 1

sur

vey

NY

CC

, NE

YE

DC

W-T

2M

anag

e w

oodl

and

in fa

vour

able

con

ditio

n fo

r w

ildlif

e.E

nhan

ce th

e qu

ality

of 2

5 ha

.FC

W-T

3E

xpan

d th

e se

mi-n

atur

al w

oodl

and

reso

urce

, whi

lst n

ot a

ffect

ing

othe

r ar

eas

ofhi

gh n

atur

e co

nser

vatio

n va

lue,

whe

re p

ossi

ble

adja

cent

to a

ncie

nt w

oods

.C

reat

e 15

ha

of w

oodl

and

FC, Y

orw

oods

Targ

et G

oal

s

Wo

od

land

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

W-A

1S

urve

y th

e w

oodl

and

reso

urce

pos

sibl

y in

volv

ing

mem

bers

of t

hepu

blic

.W

-T1

Yorw

oods

, FC

, NE

,N

EY

ED

CC

arry

out

1 s

urve

y

Ass

ess

3 si

tes

for

SIN

C s

tatu

sW

-A2

Woo

ds o

n th

e A

WI t

o be

sur

veye

d an

d te

sted

for

SIN

C s

tatu

s(e

xcep

ting

SS

SIs

), w

hich

will

impr

ove

thei

r pr

otec

tion

thro

ugh

the

plan

ning

sys

tem

.

W-T

1N

YC

C

Enh

ance

qua

lity

of 2

5 ha

of

esta

blis

hed

woo

dlan

dW

-A3

Iden

tify

woo

dlan

d (o

f all

type

s) w

here

adv

ice

may

be

offe

red

to o

wne

rs,

and

impr

ovem

ents

mad

e. F

acilit

ate

the

man

agem

ent o

f exi

stin

gw

oods

, inc

ludi

ng s

tock

-pro

ofin

g an

d co

ntro

lling

non-

nativ

e sp

ecie

s,us

ing

the

EW

GS

and

oth

er in

cent

ives

.

W-T

2Yo

rwoo

ds, F

C, N

E

Cre

ate

15 h

aW

-A4

Iden

tify

suita

ble

area

s an

d fa

cilit

ate

halo

-pla

ntin

g or

the

plan

ting

and/

orse

edin

g of

sem

i-nat

ural

woo

dlan

d us

ing

spec

ies

of lo

cal p

rove

nanc

e.W

-T3

Yorw

oods

, FC

, NE

Act

ion

Go

al

168 of 194


164

Scr

ub -

BA

P T

arg

ets

and

Act

ions

Scr

ub

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

S-T

1E

xpan

d th

e re

sour

ce, w

hils

t not

affe

ctin

g ot

her

area

s of

hig

h na

ture

con

serv

atio

nva

lue,

whe

re p

ossi

ble

adja

cent

to s

emi-n

atur

al h

abita

ts.

Cre

ate

10 h

aN

E

S-T

2P

rom

ote

natu

re c

onse

rvat

ion

man

agem

ent o

f Scr

ub to

land

owne

rs.

Enh

ance

10

ha.

Del

iver

1 g

uida

nce

docu

men

tN

E

Targ

et G

oal

s

Scr

ub

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

S-A

1Fa

cilit

ate

the

man

agem

ent o

f exi

stin

g S

crub

. Ide

ntify

site

s w

here

advi

ce m

ay b

e of

fere

d to

ow

ners

.S

-T1

NE

Cre

ate

10 h

a

Enh

ance

10

haS

-A2

Faci

litat

e th

e cr

eatio

n of

Scr

ub. I

dent

ify s

ites

whe

re a

dvic

e m

ay b

eof

fere

d to

ow

ners

.S

-T2

NE

Del

iver

1 g

uida

nce

note

S-A

3P

repa

re a

dvic

e no

te o

n m

anag

ing

Scr

ub fo

r w

ildlif

e.S

-T1,

T2

NY

CC

169 of 194


165

Par

klan

d, A

ncie

nt T

rees

and

Po

llard

ed T

rees

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

P-T

1R

aise

aw

aren

ess

of th

e im

port

ance

of P

arkl

and,

anc

ient

and

pol

lard

ed tr

ees

and

prov

ide

man

agem

ent a

dvic

e.D

elliv

er 4

set

s of

adv

ice

NY

CC

P-T

2Iin

crea

se k

now

ledg

e of

the

reso

urce

of V

eter

an T

rees

.C

ondu

ct 1

sur

vey

NE

YE

DC

P-T

3P

rom

ote

the

natu

re c

onse

rvat

ion

valu

e of

Vet

eran

Tre

es, o

utsi

de P

arkl

and

site

s,th

roug

h th

e m

edia

.D

eliv

er 1

med

ia p

rom

otio

nN

YC

C

Targ

et G

oal

s

Par

klan

d, A

ncie

nt T

rees

and

Po

llard

ed T

rees

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

P-A

1E

stab

lish

owne

rshi

p, a

nd u

nder

take

con

ditio

n su

rvey

s of

Par

klan

d,su

bjec

t to

land

owne

r pe

rmis

sion

.P

-T1

NE

YE

DC

, NY

CC

Set

up

1 re

gist

er

Sur

vey

3 si

tes

P-A

2O

rgan

ise

the

surv

ey o

f Par

klan

d si

tes

for

dead

woo

d in

vert

ebra

tes,

with

YN

U re

cord

ers.

P-T

2N

EY

ED

C

Sur

vey

3 si

tes

P-A

3O

rgan

ise

the

surv

ey o

f Par

klan

d si

tes

for

fung

i of V

eter

an T

rees

and

asso

ciat

ed p

astu

re, w

ith Y

NU

reco

rder

s.P

-T2

NE

YE

DC

Del

iver

3 s

ets

of a

dvic

eP

-A4

Giv

e ad

vice

on

Par

klan

d an

d tr

ees

to in

tere

sted

par

ties

onm

anag

emen

t and

gra

nts.

P-T

1N

E, F

WA

G, Y

orw

oods

Pub

lish

1 ar

ticle

P-A

5P

ublis

h in

form

atio

n pr

omot

ing

Par

klan

d an

d ce

lebr

atin

g Ve

tera

n Tr

ees.

P-T

3N

YC

C

Mai

ntai

n qu

ality

and

ext

ent o

f2

site

sP

-A6

Enc

oura

ge m

anag

emen

t or

rest

orat

ion

of P

arkl

and

unde

r th

eE

nviro

nmen

tal S

tew

ards

hip

Sch

eme.

P-T

1N

E, F

WA

G

Con

duct

1 s

urve

yP

-A7

Org

anis

e an

d un

dert

ake

a su

rvey

of V

eter

an T

rees

in a

num

ber

ofpa

rishe

s an

d se

t up

a da

taba

se.

P-T

2N

EY

ED

C

Del

iver

2 s

ets

of a

dvic

eP

-A8

YG

T to

giv

e sp

ecifi

c ad

vice

on

a ca

se-b

y-ca

se b

asis

.P

-T1

YG

T

Par

klan

d, A

ncie

nt T

rees

and

Po

llard

ed T

rees

- B

AP

Tar

get

s an

d A

ctio

ns

170 of 194


166

Farm

land

and

Gra

ssla

nd -

BA

P T

arg

ets

and

Act

ions

Farm

land

and

Gra

ssla

nd

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

FG-T

1H

igh

leve

l of f

arm

er a

nd la

ndow

ner

part

icip

atio

n in

the

ES

S H

ighe

r Le

vel S

chem

e.E

stab

lish

10 H

LS a

gree

men

ts.

NE

FG-T

2In

crea

se o

ur k

now

ledg

e of

the

reso

urce

of F

lood

plai

n G

rass

land

, Low

land

Mea

dow

and

Upl

and

Hay

Mea

dow

and

est

ablis

h a

base

line.

Sur

vey

21 p

aris

hes

NE

YE

DC

FG-T

3C

reat

e Fl

oodp

lain

Gra

ssla

nd, L

owla

nd M

eado

w a

nd U

plan

d H

ay M

eado

w.

Cre

ate

30 h

a to

tal

NE

FG-T

4R

esto

re F

lood

plai

n G

rass

land

, Low

land

Mea

dow

and

Upl

and

Hay

Mea

dow

tofa

vour

able

wild

life

stat

us.

Res

tore

100

ha

tota

lN

E

FG-T

5M

aint

ain

the

qual

ity a

nd e

xten

t of F

lood

plai

n G

rass

land

, Low

land

Mea

dow

and

Upl

and

Hay

Mea

dow

to fa

vour

able

wild

life

stat

us.

Mai

ntai

n qu

ality

and

ext

ent o

f 20

haN

E

FG-T

6M

anag

e th

e S

INC

sys

tem

.S

urve

y 25

site

sN

YC

C

FG-T

7M

aint

ain

the

serie

s of

SIN

Cs

and

enco

urag

e ow

ners

to a

gree

and

impl

emen

tm

anag

emen

t pla

ns.

Est

ablis

h 5

SIN

C m

anag

emen

t pla

nsN

YC

C

Targ

et G

oal

s

Farm

land

and

Gra

ssla

nd

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

FG-A

1Li

aise

with

land

owne

rs a

nd fa

cilit

ate

the

prep

arat

ion

of F

arm

Env

ironm

ent P

lans

(FE

P) a

nd E

SS

Hig

her

Leve

l Sch

eme

agre

emen

ts,

targ

etin

g Fl

oodp

lain

Gra

ssla

nd, L

owla

nd M

eado

w a

nd U

plan

d H

ayM

eado

w.

FG-T

1N

E, F

WA

GE

stab

lish

10 H

LS a

gree

men

tsw

ith g

rass

land

opt

ions

.

FG-A

2C

reat

e Fl

oodp

lain

Gra

ssla

nd, L

owla

nd M

eado

w a

nd U

plan

d H

ayM

eado

w th

roug

h E

SS

agr

eem

ents

.FG

-T3

NE

, FW

AG

Cre

ate

30 h

a to

tal

FG-A

3R

esto

re F

lood

plai

n G

rass

land

, Low

land

Mea

dow

and

Upl

and

Hay

Mea

dow

to fa

vour

able

wild

life

stat

us th

roug

h E

SS

agr

eem

ents

.FG

-T4

NE

, FW

AG

Res

tore

100

ha

tota

l

FG-A

4M

aint

ain

Floo

dpla

in G

rass

land

, Low

land

Mea

dow

and

Upl

and

Hay

Mea

dow

to fa

vour

able

wild

life

stat

us th

roug

h E

SS

agr

eem

ents

.FG

-T5

NE

, FW

AG

Mai

ntai

n qu

ality

and

ext

ent o

f20

ha

FG-A

5E

ncou

rage

pos

itive

wild

life

man

agem

ent o

f SIN

C s

ites,

thro

ugh

advi

ceon

man

agem

ent,

trai

ning

, gra

nts

and

part

icip

atio

n in

the

ES

S.

FG-T

3, T

4, T

5, T

7N

YC

C, F

WA

GE

stab

lish

5 S

INC

man

agem

ent p

lans

.

FG-A

6S

urve

y th

e Fl

oodp

lain

Gra

ssla

nd, L

owla

nd M

eado

w a

nd U

plan

d H

ayM

eado

w re

sour

ce to

ens

ure

that

all

site

s ar

e re

cord

ed a

nd r

atify

all

site

s fit

ting

SIN

C c

riter

ia.

FG-T

2N

EY

ED

CS

urve

y si

tes

in 2

1 pa

rishe

s

FG-A

7S

urve

y ne

w s

ites

and

re-s

urve

y S

INC

site

s.FG

-T6

NY

CC

Sur

vey

25 s

ites

171 of 194


167

Farm

land

and

Gra

ssla

nd -

BA

P T

arg

ets

and

Act

ions

Farm

land

and

Gra

ssla

nd

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

FG-A

8Li

aise

with

land

owne

rs a

nd fa

cilit

ate

the

prep

arat

ion

of S

INC

man

agem

ent p

lans

.FG

-T7

NY

CC

, NE

, FW

AG

, CD

CE

stab

lish

5 S

INC

man

agem

ent p

lans

FG-A

9R

efin

e S

INC

crit

eria

for

bird

s.FG

-T6,

T7

NY

CC

Agr

ee 1

set

of b

ird g

uide

lines

FG-A

10C

olle

ct b

ird d

ata,

ass

ess

site

s an

d ra

tify

new

site

s if

crite

ria a

re m

et.

FG-T

6, T

7N

YC

CR

atify

5 S

INC

s

172 of 194


168

Hed

ger

ow

s -

BA

P T

arg

ets

and

Act

ions

Hed

ger

ow

s

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

H-T

1In

crea

se th

e nu

mbe

r of

Anc

ient

/Spe

cies

-ric

h H

edge

row

s.C

reat

e 2

km.

Enh

ance

3 k

m.

NE

H-T

2Im

plem

ent a

pla

n to

incr

ease

the

num

ber

of m

atur

e he

dger

ow tr

ees.

1 ad

vice

not

e.Ta

g 50

tree

s.N

YC

C

Targ

et G

oal

s

Hed

ger

ow

s

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

H-A

1P

rom

ote

the

Env

ironm

enta

l Ste

war

dshi

p S

chem

e by

liai

sing

with

, and

offe

ring

advi

ce to

land

owne

rs.

H-T

1N

E, F

WA

GC

reat

e 2

km h

edge

row

.E

nhan

ce 3

km

hed

gero

w.

H-A

2P

repa

re a

nd d

istr

ibut

e an

adv

ice

note

on

the

role

of h

edge

row

tree

san

d en

cour

age

thei

r co

nser

vatio

n. P

rom

ote

the

ES

S a

nd th

e Tr

eeC

ounc

il tr

ee-t

aggi

ng s

chem

e to

iden

tify

tree

s th

at s

houl

d no

t be

cut

durin

g he

dge-

cutt

ing

oper

atio

ns.

H-T

2N

YC

C, F

WA

G, N

ED

eliv

er 1

adv

ice

note

.Ta

g 50

tree

s.

173 of 194


169

Wet

Aci

dic

Gra

ssla

nd -

BA

P T

arg

ets

and

Act

ions

Wet

Aci

dic

Gra

ssla

nd

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

WAG

-T1

Pre

pare

an

inve

ntor

y of

site

sC

reat

e 1

inve

ntor

yN

YC

C

WAG

-T2

Incr

ease

d la

ndow

ner

entr

y in

to th

e E

S S

chem

e.E

nhan

ce 5

ha

NE

Targ

et G

oal

s

Wet

Aci

dic

Gra

ssla

nd

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

WAG

-T1

Col

late

info

rmat

ion

from

aer

ial p

hoto

grap

hs, S

INC

dat

a an

d si

te s

urve

yan

d cr

eate

an

inve

ntor

y of

site

s.W

AG

-T1

NY

CC

, CD

C, N

EY

ED

CD

eliv

er 1

inve

ntor

y

WAG

-T2

Liai

se w

ith la

ndow

ners

to a

dvis

e on

ES

S, a

nd to

pre

pare

man

agem

ent

agre

emen

ts.

WA

G-T

1N

E, F

WA

GE

nhan

ce 1

ha

WAG

-T3

Asc

erta

in o

wne

rshi

p of

Whe

lpst

ones

Mire

and

liai

se w

ith la

ndow

ners

toad

vise

on

ES

S, a

nd to

pre

pare

man

agem

ent a

gree

men

ts.

WA

G-T

1N

EE

nhan

ce 4

ha

174 of 194


170

Up

land

Hea

thla

nd &

Bla

nket

Bo

g -

BA

P T

arg

ets

and

Act

ions

Up

land

Hea

thla

nd a

nd B

lank

et B

og

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

UH

&B

-T1

Iden

tify

and

fill i

n ac

tive

moo

rland

dra

inag

e gr

ips

affe

ctin

g S

SS

Is.

Enh

ance

50

haN

E

UH

&B

-T2

90%

of B

lank

et B

og (1

0 ha

) on

SS

SIs

to m

eet E

N c

riter

ia fo

r fa

vour

able

cond

ition

for

wild

life.

Enh

ance

9 h

aN

E

UH

&B

-T3

90%

of U

plan

d H

eath

land

(510

ha)

on

SS

SIs

to m

eet E

N c

riter

ia fo

r fa

vour

able

cond

ition

for

wild

life.

Enh

ance

460

ha

NE

UH

&B

-T4

Res

tore

deg

rade

d U

plan

d H

eath

land

on

SS

SIs

.E

nhan

ce 5

0 ha

NE

UH

&B

-T5

Pro

vide

exp

ert a

dvic

e to

SS

SI l

ando

wne

rs a

nd la

nd m

anag

ers.

Org

anis

e 5

piec

es o

f adv

ice

NE

UH

&B

-T6

Incr

ease

our

kno

wle

dge

of th

e di

strib

utio

n an

d br

eedi

ng p

opul

atio

n of

the

prio

rity

spec

ies.

Org

anis

e 1

reco

rdin

g sc

hem

eN

EY

ED

C

UH

&B

-T7

Allo

w a

ny n

atur

ally

retu

rnin

g he

n ha

rrie

rs to

bre

ed s

ucce

ssfu

lly, b

y cr

eatin

gsu

itabl

e co

nditi

ons

incl

udin

g re

mov

ing

hum

an p

erse

cutio

n.In

crea

se p

opul

atio

n by

1 b

reed

ing

pair

Pol

ice,

WLO

, NE

Targ

et G

oal

s

Up

land

Hea

thla

nd a

nd B

lank

et B

og

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

UH

&B

-A1

Red

uce

shee

p st

ocki

ng r

ates

whe

re n

eces

sary

for

wild

life

cons

erva

tion.

U

H&

B-T

2, T

3, T

4N

E, F

WA

GE

nhan

ce 5

0 ha

UH

&B

-A2

Enc

oura

ge la

ndow

ners

to m

aint

ain

a lo

w b

urni

ng in

tens

ity o

n so

me

area

s of

Upl

and

Hea

thla

nd a

nd to

leav

e it

unbu

rned

on

som

e ar

eas

of U

plan

d H

eath

land

.

UH

&B

-T2,

T3,

T4

NE

, FW

AG

Enh

ance

100

ha

UH

&B

-A3

From

aer

ial p

hoto

grap

hs a

nd fi

eldw

ork,

iden

tify

activ

e dr

aina

gegr

ips

that

are

cau

sing

unf

avou

rabl

e dr

aina

ge o

r an

adv

erse

impa

ctup

on w

ildlif

e an

d ad

vise

land

owne

rs/b

lock

grip

s.

UH

&B

-T1

NE

, FW

AG

Enh

ance

10

ha

UH

&B

-A4

Pre

pare

man

agem

ent g

uida

nce

for

land

owne

rs.

UH

&B

-T5

NE

, FW

AG

Del

iver

1 s

et o

f adv

ice

UH

&B

-A5

Enc

oura

ge re

port

ing

of p

riorit

y sp

ecie

s re

cord

s fro

m p

ublic

,Yo

rksh

ire D

ales

Upl

and

Bird

Stu

dy G

roup

and

oth

er o

rgan

isat

ions

.U

H&

B-T

6N

EY

ED

CD

eliv

er 1

reco

rdin

g sc

hem

e

UH

&B

-A6

Wor

k w

ith th

e po

lice

Wild

life

Liai

son

Offi

cer,

land

owne

rs a

ndga

mek

eepe

rs to

saf

egua

rd b

reed

ing

Hen

Har

riers

.U

H&

B-T

7N

E, F

WA

GIn

crea

se p

opul

atio

n by

1br

eedi

ng p

air.

175 of 194


171

Po

nds

- B

AP

Tar

get

s an

d A

ctio

ns

Po

nds

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

P-T

1In

crea

se th

e nu

mbe

r of

Wild

life

Pon

ds, w

hile

not

affe

ctin

g ex

istin

g ar

eas

of h

igh

wild

life

valu

e.C

reat

e 15

pon

dsN

E

P-T

2P

repa

re a

nd im

plem

ent a

man

agem

ent p

lan

for

Hel

lifie

ld fl

ash.

Enh

ance

qua

lity

of 1

site

CD

C, N

YC

C

P-T

3In

crea

se o

ur k

now

ledg

e of

the

Wild

life

Pon

d re

sour

ce.

Set

up

1 da

taba

seC

DC

, NE

YE

DC

Targ

et G

oal

s

Po

nds

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

P-A

1W

ork

with

land

owne

rs to

cre

ate

Wild

life

Pon

ds.

WP

-T1

NE

, FW

AG

Cre

ate

5 po

nds

P-A

2W

ork

with

dev

elop

ers

to c

reat

e P

onds

as

part

of d

evel

opm

ent

sche

mes

, inc

ludi

ng S

usta

inab

le U

rban

Dra

inag

e S

chem

es.

WP

-T1

CD

C, N

YC

C

CD

C, N

YC

C

Cre

ate

5 po

nds

P-A

3Li

aise

, adv

ise

and

wor

k w

ith o

wne

r of

Hel

lifie

ld F

lash

to u

nder

take

surv

eys

and

prep

are

a m

anag

emen

t pla

n.W

P-T

2E

nhan

ce q

ualit

y of

1 s

ite

CD

C, N

EY

ED

CP

-A4

Est

ablis

h a

proj

ect t

o su

rvey

and

reco

rd W

ildlif

e P

onds

.W

P-T

3S

urve

y 1

paris

h

NE

, FW

AG

P-A

5E

ncou

rage

upt

ake

of g

rant

-aid

ed s

chem

es w

hich

hel

p to

cre

ate

and

prot

ect W

ildlif

e-ric

h P

onds

, e.g

. by

crea

ting

buffe

r zo

nes.

WP

-T1

Set

up

1 da

taba

se

NY

CC

, CD

CP

-A6

Enc

oura

ge th

e cr

eatio

n of

Wild

life

Pon

ds in

gar

dens

and

par

ks.

WP

-T1

Cre

ate

5 po

nds

176 of 194


172

Fen

- B

AP

Tar

get

s an

d A

ctio

ns

FenN

o.

Long

Ter

m T

arg

etLe

ad o

rgan

isat

ion

F-T1

Mea

sure

the

exte

nt, a

sses

s co

nditi

on, a

nd h

ave

man

agem

ent a

gree

men

ts in

plac

e fo

r kn

own

Fen

site

s on

SS

SIs

.E

nhan

ce q

ualit

y of

0.5

ha.

NE

F-T2

Ass

ess

cond

ition

, and

hav

e m

anag

emen

t agr

eem

ents

in p

lace

for

know

n Fe

nsi

tes

on S

INC

s.E

nhan

ce q

ualit

y of

2.6

ha

CD

C, N

YC

C

F-T3

Pro

mot

e th

e up

take

of t

he E

LS a

nd th

e H

LS (E

SS

), w

ith a

ccom

pany

ing

FEP

sw

hich

pla

n na

ture

con

serv

atio

n m

anag

emen

t, su

ch a

s th

roug

h th

e Lo

ngP

rest

on D

eeps

Pro

ject

.

5 E

LS E

SS

agr

eem

ents

2 H

LS E

SS

agr

eem

ents

Res

tore

15

ha

NE

Targ

et G

oal

s

FenN

o.

Act

ion

Link

to

Tar

get

No

.R

esp

ons

ibili

tyA

ctio

n G

oal

F-A

1Li

aise

with

SS

SI o

wne

rs, p

rovi

de e

xper

t adv

ice

on F

enm

anag

emen

t and

agr

ee m

anag

emen

t pla

ns.

F-T1

NE

Enh

ance

qua

lity

of 0

.5 h

a

F-A

2Li

aise

with

SIN

C o

wne

rs, p

rovi

de e

xper

t adv

ice

on F

enm

anag

emen

t and

gra

nts,

and

enc

oura

ge th

e es

tabl

ishm

ent o

fm

anag

emen

t pla

ns fo

r S

INC

site

s.

F-T2

NE

, NY

CC

Enh

ance

2.6

ha.

Del

iver

adv

ice

to 1

0 S

INC

owne

rs.

F-A

3E

ncou

rage

the

upta

ke o

f ES

S, s

uch

as th

roug

h th

e Lo

ng P

rest

onD

eeps

Pro

ject

.F-

T3N

E5

ELS

ES

S a

gree

men

ts.

2 H

LS E

SS

agr

eem

ents

.R

esto

re 1

5 ha

.

177 of 194


173

Low

land

Rai

sed

Bo

g -

BA

P T

arg

ets

and

Act

ions

Low

land

Rai

sed

Bo

g

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

LRB

-T1

Mai

ntai

n th

e cu

rren

t dis

trib

utio

n an

d ex

tent

of L

owla

nd R

aise

d P

eat B

og.

Mai

ntai

n ex

tent

of 7

5 ha

.N

E

LRB

-T2

Ens

ure

that

the

cond

ition

of t

he c

urre

nt re

sour

ce is

mai

ntai

ned

whe

refa

vour

able

, or

enha

nced

whe

re u

nfav

oura

ble,

thro

ugh

appr

opria

tem

anag

emen

t.

Mai

ntai

n qu

ality

of 6

7 ha

.E

nhan

ce q

ualit

y of

8 h

a.N

E

Targ

et G

oal

s

Low

land

Rai

sed

Bo

g

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

LRB

-A1

Asc

erta

in th

e co

nditi

on o

f exi

stin

g si

tes

– us

ing

the

SN

H re

port

‘An

inve

ntor

y of

Low

land

Rai

sed

Bog

s in

Gre

at B

ritai

n’.

LRB

-T1,

T2

NE

Cat

egor

ise

6 si

tes

LRB

-A2

Impl

emen

t SS

SI m

anag

emen

t pla

ns.

LRB

-T1,

T2

NE

Mai

ntai

n qu

ality

of 6

7 ha

.M

aint

ain

exte

nt o

f 67

ha.

LRB

-A3

For

SIN

C s

ites,

liai

se w

ith la

ndow

ners

and

pro

mot

e th

e E

SS

.P

rom

ote

the

favo

urab

le w

ildlif

e m

anag

emen

t of s

ites,

thro

ugh

reha

bilit

atio

n or

man

agem

ent p

lans

.

LRB

-T2

NE

Mai

ntai

n ex

tent

of 8

ha.

Enh

ance

qua

lity

of 8

ha.

178 of 194


174

Riv

ers

- B

AP

Tar

get

s an

d A

ctio

ns

Riv

ers

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

R-T

1To

mai

ntai

n riv

er a

nd s

trea

m h

abita

t, in

clud

ing

ripar

ian

corr

idor

s, in

a fa

vour

able

cond

ition

for

wild

life.

Mai

ntai

n ex

tent

of 5

0 km

EA

R-T

2To

enh

ance

riv

er a

nd s

trea

m h

abita

t, in

clud

ing

ripar

ian

corr

idor

s, w

here

it h

asbe

en lo

st o

r m

odifi

ed.

Enh

ance

qua

lity

of 2

0 km

.E

A

R-T

3C

onse

rve

popu

latio

ns o

f prio

rity

fishe

s, E

els,

Whi

te-C

law

ed C

rayf

ish

and

Ott

er.

Car

ry o

ut 8

sur

veys

EA

R-T

4Id

entif

y an

d el

imin

ate

barr

iers

to fi

sh m

igra

tion

Del

iver

1 p

roje

ctE

A

Targ

et G

oal

s

Riv

ers

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

R-A

1Im

plem

ent A

ire a

nd C

alde

r C

AM

S to

ens

ure

sust

aina

ble

wat

erab

stra

ctio

n.R

-T1

EA

Mai

ntai

n ex

tent

of 5

0km

.

R-A

2R

aise

aw

aren

ess

of p

robl

ems

asso

ciat

ed w

ith n

on-n

ativ

e in

vasi

vesp

ecie

s an

d en

cour

age

thei

r co

ntro

l by

ripar

ian

owne

rs.

R-T

2E

A, F

WA

GE

nhan

ce 5

km

.

R-A

3Im

plem

ent a

sys

tem

, whi

ch p

rom

otes

cha

nges

to r

ural

land

man

agem

ent,

to re

stor

e w

ater

reta

inin

g ca

paci

ty o

f cat

chm

ents

and

redu

ce a

dver

se a

ffect

s of

diff

use

pollu

tion

R-T

1, T

2E

A, N

EE

nhan

ce 5

km

.

R-A

4P

rom

ote

appr

opria

te m

anag

emen

t of r

ipar

ian

land

and

gra

ntsc

hem

es a

vaila

ble

to a

ssis

t thi

s, s

uch

as w

ith th

e Lo

ng P

rest

onD

eeps

Pro

ject

R-T

2N

E, F

WA

GE

nhan

ce 5

km

.

R-A

5C

arry

out

sur

veys

and

mai

ntai

n re

cord

s of

Whi

te-C

law

ed C

rayf

ish,

Ott

er, A

tlant

ic S

alm

on, G

rayl

ing,

Bul

lhea

d, B

rook

Lam

prey

,E

urop

ean

Eel

, and

Bro

wn

Trou

t

R-T

3E

AC

arry

out

8 s

urve

ys

179 of 194

Species

180 of 194

181 of 194


177

Bat

s -

BA

P T

arg

ets

and

Act

ions

Bat

sNo

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

B-T

1In

crea

se o

ur k

now

ledg

e of

the

know

n re

sour

ce o

f all

spec

ies

of B

at.

Incr

ease

the

num

ber

of d

istr

ict

reco

rds

to 1

000

NY

BG

B-T

2P

rom

ote

the

natu

re c

onse

rvat

ion

valu

e of

Bat

s to

spe

cial

ist s

taff

(e.g

. arc

hite

cts,

engi

neer

s, tr

ee o

ffice

rs, e

tc)

Org

anis

e 2

even

tsN

YB

G, C

DC

, NY

CC

B-T

3P

rom

ote

the

natu

re c

onse

rvat

ion

of B

ats

to th

e pu

blic

and

land

owne

rs.

Org

anis

e 1

artic

leN

YB

G

B-T

4D

evel

op a

pol

icy

or s

yste

m, t

o en

sure

that

Bat

sur

veys

are

car

ried

out o

n al

lC

ounc

il pr

oper

ties

prio

r to

bui

ldin

g w

ork.

Org

anis

e 1

inte

rnal

pol

icy

or s

yste

m.

Mai

ntai

n 10

occ

upie

d si

tes.

CD

C

B-T

5R

evie

w C

DC

pro

cedu

res

for

info

rmin

g de

velo

pers

and

hou

se o

wne

rs a

bout

thei

r le

gal r

espo

nsib

ilitie

s w

ith re

gard

to B

ats,

and

the

need

to s

uppl

y ro

ost

info

rmat

ion

with

pla

nnin

g ap

plic

atio

ns.

Rev

iew

1 p

roce

dure

.C

DC

B-T

5R

evie

w C

DC

pro

cedu

res

for

info

rmin

g de

velo

pers

and

hou

se o

wne

rs a

bout

thei

r le

gal r

espo

nsib

ilitie

s w

ith re

gard

to B

ats,

and

the

need

to s

uppl

y ro

ost

info

rmat

ion

with

pla

nnin

g ap

plic

atio

ns.

Rev

iew

1 p

roce

dure

.C

DC

Targ

et G

oal

s

Bat

sNo

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

B-A

1O

rgan

ise

a su

rvey

for

Bat

s.B

-T1

NY

BG

Sur

vey

2 pa

rishe

s

B-A

2Li

aise

with

the

Bat

Con

serv

atio

n Tr

ust a

nd p

rom

ote

part

icip

atio

n in

the

Nat

iona

l Bat

Mon

itorin

g P

rogr

amm

e to

hou

seho

lder

s.B

-T1

NY

BG

Sur

vey

10 ro

osts

B-A

3P

rom

ote

the

impo

rtan

ce a

nd m

anag

emen

t of m

atur

e tr

ees

for

roos

ting

Bat

s, to

arb

oric

ultu

ralis

ts, c

ontr

acto

rs a

nd c

ounc

il st

aff,

and

the

impo

rtan

ce o

f bui

ldin

gs fo

r B

ats,

to a

rchi

tect

s, e

ngin

eers

,pl

anne

rs a

nd d

evel

oper

s.

B-T

2, T

5, T

6N

YB

G, C

DC

, NY

CC

Org

anis

e 1

even

t.C

reat

e 10

occ

upie

d si

tes.

Cre

ate

10 n

ew ro

ost s

ites

B-A

4O

rgan

ise

the

prod

uctio

n of

a m

edia

art

icle

on

the

natu

reco

nser

vatio

n im

port

ance

of B

ats.

B-T

3N

YB

GD

eliv

er 1

art

icle

B-A

5D

evel

op a

pol

icy

or s

yste

m, t

o en

sure

that

Bat

sur

veys

are

car

ried

out o

n al

l Cou

ncil

prop

ertie

s pr

ior

to b

uild

ing

wor

k. T

his

shou

ld b

ein

acc

orda

nce

with

Bat

Sur

veys

Goo

d P

ract

ice

Gui

delin

es (B

CT,

2007

)

B-T

4C

DC

Org

anis

e 1

polic

y or

sys

tem

182 of 194


178

Bat

s -

BA

P T

arg

ets

and

Act

ions

Bat

sNo

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

B-A

6S

urve

y lo

cal a

utho

rity

build

ings

and

brid

ges

for

Bat

s pr

ior

tobu

ildin

g w

ork

and

then

pro

tect

any

Bat

inte

rest

.B

-T4

NY

BG

, NY

CC

, CD

CS

urve

y 10

site

s

B-A

7D

evel

op a

nd im

plem

ent e

ffect

ive

polic

y to

requ

est s

urve

ys in

conn

ectio

n w

ith D

evel

opm

ent C

ontr

ol, i

n or

der

to m

inim

ise

the

risk

of ro

ost l

oss

durin

g de

velo

pmen

t. Th

is s

houl

d be

in a

ccor

danc

ew

ith B

at S

urve

ys G

ood

Pra

ctic

e G

uide

lines

(BC

T, 2

007)

B-T

5N

E, N

YB

G, N

YC

C, C

DC

Del

iver

1 p

olic

y

183 of 194


179

Man

ches

ter

Treb

le-B

ar -

BA

P T

arg

ets

and

Act

ions

Man

ches

ter

Treb

le-B

ar

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

MT-

T1S

urve

y th

e ex

istin

g po

pula

tions

and

iden

tify

the

spec

ies’

loca

l dis

trib

utio

n an

dst

atus

.S

urve

y 1

site

BC

MT-

T2Id

entif

y th

reat

s an

d pl

an to

alle

viat

e th

em, b

y w

orki

ng w

ith la

ndow

ners

,pr

omot

ing

the

ES

S, e

stab

lishi

ng a

nd im

plem

entin

g m

anag

emen

t agr

eem

ents

.M

aint

ain

2 po

pula

tions

BC

Targ

et G

oal

s

Man

ches

ter

Treb

le-B

ar

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

MT-

A1

Und

erta

ke a

n ap

prai

sal a

nd s

urve

y of

the

Bur

n M

oor

popu

latio

n.M

T-T1

BC

, CC

GR

epor

t on

1 po

pula

tion

MT-

A2

Iden

tify

the

char

acte

ristic

of t

he h

abita

t on

Bur

n M

oor,

thro

ugh

vege

tatio

n su

rvey

s an

d ha

bita

t map

ping

.M

T-T1

BC

, NE

Sur

vey

1 si

te

MT-

A3

Wor

k w

ith la

ndow

ners

and

land

man

ager

s to

pro

duce

site

bas

edm

anag

emen

t pla

ns to

alle

viat

e th

reat

s to

the

loca

l pop

ulat

ions

of

the

spec

ies.

MT-

T2B

C, N

E, C

CG

Mai

ntai

n 2

popu

latio

ns

MT-

A4

Inco

rpor

ate

the

exta

nt p

opul

atio

ns in

to c

onse

rvat

ion

man

agem

ent

and

prot

ectio

n re

gim

es, s

uch

as S

INC

site

s.M

T-T2

NY

CC

App

ly S

INC

gui

delin

es to

2si

tes.

184 of 194


180

Sm

all P

earl

-Bo

rder

ed F

riti

llary

- B

AP

Tar

get

s an

d A

ctio

ns

Sm

all P

earl

-Bo

rder

ed F

riti

llary

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

SP

F-T1

Sur

vey

exis

ting

popu

latio

ns a

nd id

entif

y th

eir

exac

t loc

atio

n an

d st

atus

.S

urve

y 3

site

sB

C

SP

F-T2

Iden

tify

thre

ats

and

plan

to a

llevi

ate

them

, by

wor

king

with

land

owne

rs,

prom

otin

g th

e E

SS

, est

ablis

hing

and

impl

emen

ting

man

agem

ent a

gree

men

ts.

Enh

ance

3 s

ites

BC

SP

F-T3

Re-

esta

blis

h or

pro

mot

e po

pula

tion

expa

nsio

n ou

tsid

e of

ext

ant s

ites

byid

entif

ying

app

ropr

iate

site

s, w

orki

ng w

ith la

ndow

ners

and

impl

emen

ting

habi

tat

impr

ovem

ent a

ctio

ns.

Incr

ease

geo

grap

hica

l ran

ge b

y 2

popu

latio

ns.

BC

SP

F-T4

Rai

se lo

cal a

war

enes

s of

the

cons

erva

tion

valu

e of

the

spec

ies.

Del

iver

5 p

iece

s of

pub

licity

.C

DC

SP

F-T5

Ens

ure

on-g

oing

mon

itorin

g of

the

cons

erva

tion

stat

us o

f the

loca

l pop

ulat

ions

and

habi

tats

.M

onito

r 4

site

sB

C

Targ

et G

oal

s

Sm

all P

earl

-Bo

rder

ed F

riti

llary

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

SP

F-A

1U

nder

take

an

appr

aisa

l and

sur

vey

of a

ll S

mal

l Pea

rl-B

orde

red

Friti

llary

pop

ulat

ions

.S

PF-

T1B

C, N

E, C

CG

Sur

vey

3 si

tes

SP

F-A

2W

ork

with

land

owne

rs a

nd la

nd m

anag

ers

to p

rodu

ce s

ite-b

ased

man

agem

ent p

lans

to a

llevi

ate

thre

ats

to th

e lo

cal p

opul

atio

ns o

fth

e sp

ecie

s.

SP

F-T2

BC

, NE

, CC

GE

nhan

ce 3

site

s

SP

F-A

3In

corp

orat

e al

l ext

ant p

opul

atio

ns in

to e

xist

ing

cons

erva

tion

man

agem

ent a

nd p

rote

ctio

n re

gim

es, s

uch

as S

SS

I man

agem

ent

plan

s.

SP

F-T2

NE

Mai

ntai

n si

ze o

f 3po

pula

tions

.

SP

F-A

4In

vest

igat

e la

nd o

wne

rshi

p an

d w

ork

with

land

owne

rs to

rese

arch

,su

rvey

and

iden

tify

area

s of

hab

itat w

here

pop

ulat

ions

may

esta

blis

h na

tura

lly, r

e-es

tabl

ish

or b

e in

trod

uced

(inc

ludi

ng c

oppi

cew

oodl

and

habi

tats

).

SP

F-T3

BC

, CC

GId

entif

y 2

site

s

SP

F-A

5W

ork

with

land

owne

rs to

allo

w n

atur

al p

opul

atio

n ex

pans

ion

onex

tant

site

s an

d in

to a

djac

ent a

reas

, by

deve

lopi

ng a

ndim

plem

entin

g m

anag

emen

t agr

eem

ents

that

lead

to h

abita

tim

prov

emen

t sch

emes

on

site

s.

SP

F-T3

NE

, BC

Incr

ease

geo

grap

hica

l ran

geby

2 p

opul

atio

ns.

185 of 194


181

Sm

all P

earl

-Bo

rder

ed F

riti

llary

- B

AP

Tar

get

s an

d A

ctio

ns

Sm

all P

earl

-Bo

rder

ed F

riti

llary

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

SP

F-A

6P

repa

re a

nd d

eliv

er a

rtic

les,

talk

s, p

ress

rele

ases

, etc

pro

mot

ing

cons

erva

tion

of th

e sp

ecie

s.S

PF-

T4N

YC

C, C

DC

, NE

, BC

Del

iver

5 a

rtic

les

SP

F-A

7D

esig

n an

d im

plem

ent a

per

iodi

c m

onito

ring

proc

ess,

to in

clud

evo

lunt

eers

. Ide

ntify

a le

ad p

artn

er to

impl

emen

t the

mon

itorin

gpr

oced

ure.

SP

F-T5

BC

, NE

YE

DC

, CC

GM

onito

r 4

site

s

186 of 194

187 of 194

Generic Targets andActions

188 of 194

189 of 194


185

Gen

eric

Tar

get

s an

d A

ctio

nsTh

ese

incl

ude

targ

ets

and

actio

ns li

sted

that

are

gen

eral

to th

e de

liver

y of

the

Cra

ven

BA

P.

No

.Lo

ng T

erm

Tar

get

Lead

org

anis

atio

n

G-T

1W

ides

prea

d up

take

of E

SS

.50

agr

eem

ents

NE

G-T

2R

elev

ant s

trat

egie

s to

hav

e ap

prop

riate

bio

dive

rsity

pol

icie

s.1

polic

yA

ll

G-T

3M

aint

ain

the

SIN

C s

yste

m.

Ann

ual s

urve

y pr

ogra

mm

eN

YC

C

G-T

4O

ffer

advi

ce a

nd g

rant

s in

ord

er to

app

ropr

iate

ly m

anag

e la

nd fo

r bi

odiv

ersi

ty.

100

sets

of a

dvic

eN

YC

C

G-T

5M

onito

r an

d co

ntro

l inv

asiv

e sp

ecie

s.1

prog

ram

me

All

G-T

6S

et u

p a

Ser

vice

Lev

el A

gree

men

t for

the

man

agem

ent o

f bio

logi

cal d

ata,

with

NE

YE

DC

.2

SLA

sC

DC

, NY

CC

G-T

7S

uppo

rt th

e pr

epar

atio

n of

a G

eodi

vers

ity A

ctio

n P

lan

to c

over

the

area

.1

GA

P p

ublis

hed

All

G-T

8P

rom

ote

biod

iver

sity

to th

e m

edia

, pub

lic, b

usin

esse

s an

d ed

ucat

iona

les

tabl

ishm

ents

.10

eve

nts

All

G-T

9S

eek

part

ners

hip

proj

ects

at a

sub

-reg

iona

l lev

el.

1 pr

ojec

tA

ll

G-T

10S

eek

fund

ing

for

BA

P im

plem

enta

tion.

3 fu

ndin

g aw

ards

All

G-T

11C

ontr

ibut

e B

AP

info

rmat

ion

to th

e na

tiona

l rep

ortin

g le

vel.

Pop

ulat

e B

AR

S w

ith d

ata

NY

CC

, NE

YE

DC

Targ

et G

oal

s

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

G-A

1P

rom

ote

and

supp

ort t

ake-

up o

f the

ES

S a

nd E

WG

S.

G-T

1N

E, F

C, F

WA

G,

Yorw

oods

50 a

gree

men

ts

G-A

2In

clud

e pr

otec

tion

polic

ies

for

key

habi

tats

and

spe

cies

in C

rave

n in

all r

elev

ant s

trat

egic

and

sta

tuto

ry p

lans

suc

h as

the

Cra

ven

Loca

lP

lan

and

orga

nisa

tions

’ cor

e st

rate

gies

.

G-T

2A

ll1

rele

vant

pol

icy

per

plan

G-A

3S

uppo

rt a

rollin

g pr

ogra

mm

e of

sur

veys

on

SIN

Cs.

G-T

3A

ll1

prog

ram

me

of s

urve

y

G-A

4E

ncou

rage

all

SIN

C s

ites

to b

e in

‘fav

oura

ble

cons

erva

tion

man

agem

ent’.

G-T

4A

ll10

0 S

INC

s

G-A

5E

nsur

e fa

rmer

s an

d la

ndow

ners

are

aw

are

of th

e ex

iste

nce

and

impo

rtan

ce o

f site

s on

thei

r la

nd.

G-T

4A

ll10

0 S

INC

s

190 of 194


186

Gen

eric

Tar

get

s an

d A

ctio

ns

No

.A

ctio

nLi

nk t

o T

arg

etN

o.

Res

po

nsib

ility

Act

ion

Go

al

G-A

6P

rovi

de s

uppo

rt a

nd a

dvic

e fo

r fa

rmer

s an

d la

ndow

ners

on

the

wild

life

cons

erva

tion

valu

e of

thei

r la

nd a

nd h

ow b

est t

o m

aint

ain

and

enha

nce

it.

G-T

4A

ll10

0 S

INC

ow

ners

G-A

7C

arry

out

wor

k to

ben

efit

spec

ies

and

habi

tats

whi

ch d

o no

t hav

eth

eir

own

indi

vidu

al a

ctio

n pl

an, b

ut w

hich

are

con

nect

ed to

habi

tats

and

spe

cies

iden

tifie

d w

ithin

the

BA

P.

G-T

4A

lln/

a

G-A

8C

ontr

ol in

vasi

ve s

peci

es a

t prio

rity

site

s w

here

app

ropr

iate

.G

-T5

CD

C5

site

s

G-A

9In

vest

igat

e a

Ser

vice

Lev

el A

gree

men

t with

the

NE

YE

DC

.G

-T6

CD

C1

SLA

G-A

10S

uppo

rt th

e pr

oduc

tion

of a

Loc

al G

eodi

vers

ity A

ctio

n P

lan

cove

ring

the

Cra

ven

area

.G

-T7

All

1 LG

AP

pro

duce

d

G-A

11P

rom

ote

med

ia in

tere

st in

bio

dive

rsity

in C

rave

n.G

-T8

All

5 pr

ess

artic

les

G-A

12S

uppo

rt e

duca

tion

proj

ects

, as

and

whe

n ap

prop

riate

.G

-T8

CD

C5

scho

ol e

vent

s

G-A

13E

xplo

re s

cope

for

part

ners

hip

proj

ects

bas

ed o

n pa

rtic

ular

them

esan

d/or

geo

grap

hica

l are

as (s

uch

as p

roje

cts

with

nei

ghbo

urin

g lo

cal

auth

oriti

es a

nd th

e Yo

rksh

ire D

ales

Nat

iona

l Par

k).

G-T

9C

DC

, NY

CC

1 pr

ojec

t

G-A

14S

eek

way

s of

incl

udin

g lo

cal b

usin

ess

in im

plem

entin

g bi

odiv

ersi

tyac

tions

.G

-T8

CD

C, N

YC

C5

busi

ness

es

G-A

15E

xplo

re w

ays

of w

orki

ng w

ith lo

cal c

omm

uniti

es to

iden

tify

and

prot

ect k

ey s

peci

es a

nd h

abita

ts.

G-T

8C

DC

5 co

mm

uniti

es

G-A

16U

se e

xist

ing

volu

ntee

r gr

oups

to d

eliv

er b

iodi

vers

ity ta

rget

s fo

r ke

ysp

ecie

s an

d ha

bita

ts a

nd s

eek

new

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r w

orki

ng w

ithvo

lunt

eers

.

G-T

8C

DC

, NY

CC

5 vo

lunt

eer

grou

ps

G-A

17W

ork

with

loca

l int

eres

t gro

ups

to fo

cus

on p

artic

ular

bio

dive

rsity

targ

ets.

G-T

8C

DC

5 sp

ecia

list p

roje

cts

G-A

18E

xplo

re o

ppor

tuni

ties

for

exte

rnal

fund

ing

and

spon

sors

hip

for

actio

ns, k

ey s

peci

es a

nd h

abita

ts w

here

app

ropr

iate

.G

-T10

All

5 fu

ndin

g bi

ds

G-A

19S

et u

p a

syst

em to

pas

s on

info

rmat

ion

to B

AR

S.

G-T

11C

DC

, NE

YE

DC

1 sy

stem

191 of 194

Part III: UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP)

192 of 194

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) was published in 1994, and was the UK Government’s response to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which the UK signed up to in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. The CBD called for the development and enforcement of national strategies and associated action plans to identify, conserve and protect existing biological diversity, and to enhance it wherever possible.

Information about the UK BAP is available, via the link below, from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), which is the public body that advises the UK Government and devolved administrations on UK-wide and international nature conservation.

https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/uk-bap/

193 of 194

https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/uk-bap/

craven local plan biodiversity · 4.1 the craven biodiversity action plan process 4.2 criteria for...

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