Local Wildlife Sites
Local Wildlife Sites are areas of land that are especially important for their wildlife and are some of our most valuable wildlife areas.
They are identified and selected locally using scientifically-determined criteria and surveys.
Local Wildlife Sites are corridors for wildlife, forming key components of ecological networks and are identified and selected locally using robust, scientifically-determined criteria and detailed ecological surveys.
MEAS works with local authorities, statutory agencies, landowners and other local partners to establish effective systems for identifying, managing and monitoring Local Wildlife Sites..
The Wildlife Trust also plays an important role in advising and supporting site owners as they are often privately owned and rely on the commitment of the landowners, farmers and volunteers who are prepared to carry out sensitive habitat management. to ensure the site does not decline.
A copy of their short guide to Local Wildlife Sites can be found on the Wildlife Trusts website
MEAS co-ordinates the status of Local Sites and provides this information to the Districts for incorporation in their annual monitoring reports.
In North Merseyside (Knowsley, Liverpool, St. Helens and Sefton) Local Wildlife Sites are designated using the North Merseyside Local Sites designation guidelines. Wirral and Halton are covered by the Cheshire Region Local Sites guidelines.
What state are they in ?
One of the main problems is we just don't know what condition most Local Wildlife Sites are in.
The latest report from the Wildlife Trust shows 12% had been lost or damaged - this could be anything from the destruction of the whole site to a decline in habitat or loss of species.
Development can be a threat to Local Wildlife Sites and the latest report considers lack of management the greatest threat.
In most cases this is due to a lack of resources. Sites are designated for special features, and with the wrong management (or none at all) these features can easily be lost.
MEAS is working with various partnerships across the Liverpool City Region to monitor the condition of LWS sites to maintain an overview of the condition of the site and identify management actions.
For North Merseyside MEAS has worked with the Local Site Partnership to produce an annual monitoring report , which includes methods used to survey each site, results and discussion on any trends observed. A copy of the report can be found on the North Merseyside LSP website.
Local Nature Recovery Strategies
Local nature recovery strategies are a system of spatial strategies for nature and environmental improvement required by law . Each strategy must:
• agree priorities for nature’s recovery
• map the most valuable existing areas for nature
• map specific proposals for creating or improving habitat for nature and wider environmental goals.
The main purpose of the strategies is to identify locations to create or improve habitat most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.
The strategies do not force the owners and managers of the land identified to make any changes. Instead, the government is encouraging action through, for example, opportunities for funding and investment.
Section106(5) of the Environment Act 2012 explains what a responsible authority should include in their local nature recovery strategy
The DEFRA Local Nature Recovery Strategy Statutory Guidance document March 2023 sets out the procedure in preparing contents for a local nature recovery strategy.
Local Wildlife Sites and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy
In addition to local planning policies, there is also Government guidance on protected species and how they should be addressed during the planning process. This comprises:
- Biodiversity and geological conservation: circular 06/2005; and
- Protected species and development: advice for local planning authorities.
In addition to the above guidance, there is also the British Standard BS42020:2013 Biodiversity: Code of Practice for Planning and Development which encompasses protected species surveys. This can be purchased from the British Standards Institute website.
It is important to note that the presence of protected species does not necessarily prohibit planning permission from being granted, however it will require developers to ensure that adequate surveys have been undertaken and that suitable mitigation measures have produced which will ensure that harm is avoided, and that the status of protected species will not be adversely affected.
Roosting bats are commonly encountered within the LCR, particularly in relation to proposals affecting the roofs of buildings (or cellars) and mature trees. MEAS has produced guidance for developers, planning officers and ecological consultants on Bats and Planning which can be found in the document library of the MEAS website