Campaign issues

Uttlesford still has some remarkable sites for wildlife, but like the rest of the UK it has suffered from loss of species and habitats. Woodlands that were once managed as coppice became disused and many were converted to conifer plantations. This led to local extinction of several Fritillery butterfly species. Hazel Dormouse, once widespread in woodlands is now very rare, as is the Nightingale. Meadows and grasslands now hardly exist, having been 'improved' for arable farming, with the main remnants being on roadside verges.

Some projects have been started to try to reverse these declines. The 'Living Landscapes' initiative is a joint project of Essex Wildlife Trust, Essex Biodiversity Project and Essex County Council and the District Councils, which is setting out to create and restore linked habitats that run through the countryside as spaces for wildlife and for a multipurpose living countryside. Read more about it at www.essexbiodiversity.org.uk/livinglandscapes.aspx

The Local Wildlife Sites project focuses on designated sites which are mainly in private ownership, and encourages owners to adopt management plans to improve the quality of those sites for wildlife. More information is available at www.localwildlifesites.org.uk

But there is a real shortage of what is now known as "accessible natural greenspace" in Uttlesford; places like parks, country parks and other green spaces that the public have the right to visit, close to where they live, for recreation and to experience wildlife. Uttlesford District Council has recognised the existing shortfall of open space to serve the towns and villages in the district, compared to accepted national standards, but has no strategy in place to increase the amount of greenspace available for people to visit. Neither does it operate a countryside service nor have a countryside officer. If you feel that the District Council should be providing more greenspace and more action for wildlife and biodiversity in Uttlesford then submit comments to the Local Development Framework Consultation, or write to your local Councillor or the Leader of the Council at Uttlesford District Council, Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4ER.