Biodiversity and Wildlife

The Borough contains a rich variety of wildlife habitats which reflect its varying geology from the pre-Cambrian outcrops of the Charnwood Forest to the flood plains of the Rivers Soar and Wreake and the rolling farmland of the Wolds. There are a large number of sites of ecological/geological importance in the Borough.

• 17 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) ranging in size from just under 400 ha to over 1 ha and covering over 4 % of the Borough. Sites of Special Scientific Interest are the best wildlife and geological sites in the country. They include habitats such as ancient woodland, flower-rich meadows, wetlands as well as disused quarries and support plant and animal species which are not often seen in the wider countryside. SSSI are statutorily protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000). Natural England has responsibility for identifying, notifying and protecting SSSI.
• 218 Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) also previously known as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) as in October 2007. LWS cover just over 4 % of the Borough and include over 1,000 ha and 100 km of linear habitats. Local Wildlife Sites are the best places for wildlife outside SSSI and are not statutorily protected. Many comprise irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodlands and flower-rich meadows and their conservation is crucial to the future and health of wildlife. The identification of LWS is an on-going process which relies on up-to-date survey information and follows clear selection guidelines. It is likely that more LWS will be identified in the Borough in the future.
• 3 Local Nature Reserves (LNR) covering about 27 ha. LNR are designated by local authorities under the Natural Parks & Access to the Countryside Act 1949. They are places which support a rich variety of wildlife or geological features and which are important to local people, by enabling contact with the natural world. The 3 LNR in the Borough are all owned by Charnwood Borough Council and are managed with the conservation of wildlife as the top priority. They are located in Loughborough, Mountsorrel and Shepshed and range from species-rich meadows to a disused quarry
• 5 Regionally Important Geological & Geomorphological Sites (RIGS). RIGS do not have any formal statutory protection, but are taken into consideration by local planning authorities. They are the best local geological sites outside Sites of Special Scientific Interest. They are selected by the local RIGS group which comes under the umbrella of the County Council and the UKRIGS which oversees the scheme on a national basis. In the Borough, the RIGS are all former quarries.

In addition, many wildlife species are legally protected under a range of legislative provisions. The section liaises closely with Natural England, the national organisation with statutory responsibilities for SSSI and protected species. The Borough Council must notify Natural England of any planning application which is likely to affect Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Furthermore Natural England must be notified separately of any proposals that may affect protected species.

Biodiversity

The Government has identified UK Biodiversity Action Plan habitats and species of principal importance which are listed under Section 74 of the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 and require conservation action. These habitats and species form the basis of the environmental characteristics of the Borough. Up-to-date information provides a valuable snap shot of the Borough’s biodiversity resource.

Under the Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act 2006, the Borough Council has a duty to have regard to biodiversity in exercising its functions and this is particularly relevant to the Council’s responsibilities in respect of the Local Development Framework and Development Control. Biodiversity is a core component of sustainable development, underpinning economic development and prosperity, and has an important role to play in developing locally distinctive and sustainable communities. The conservation and enhancement of biodiversity is vital in our response to climate change and in the delivery of key ecosystem services such as food, flood management, pollination and provision of clean air and water.

The Borough Council contributes to the implementation of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan LBAP (the Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Biodiversity Action Plan). The LBAP has identified 18 priority habitats and 9 groups of species which are relevant to the Borough. The Plan sets targets for their conservation and outlines mechanisms for achieving these targets. More details can be found at Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife trust.

Also see the Frequently Asked Questions below.