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CASE STUDY 3

TITLE: HEATH AND HEALTH – AWILDLIFE HABITAT IN DORSET

ISSUE: The decline of the Dorset Heathland, their future management and protection and the consequences of development, focusing on the Alder Hills Local Nature Reserve.

RESOURCES: Historic plans of the heathland and the growth of the Bournemouth-Poole conurbation; site plan and sketches; historic and recent photographs; newspaper cuttings; and planning history.

TASKS: l Consider the role and implications of wildlife designations in urban areas.

l Assess the problems of fires, erosion; disturbance; rodents, cats and dogs and consider the future of wildlife sites in urban areas.

l Assess the potential for heathland restoration and whether it is realistic.

l Undertake a role play exercise on the future for Mitchell’s Brickyard.

ROLE: l Role play exercise involving different interest groups, e.g. landowner, local planner, developer, wildlife trust, local resident.

CONFLICTS: l Urban pressures on heathland – fire, walking, jogging, cycling, scrambling, disturbance, cats and dogs, and rodents.

l Alternative land use demands – housing, employment, retail, public open space or nature reserve?

l Landscape issues: trees V wildlife management

OPTIONS: l What is the best use for the land – housing, employment, retail, supermarket or wildlife?

l Can the site be managed in the longer term?

DECISION: l Decision making exercise reconciling conflicts of the wildlife designation, new development, the population and visitor management pressures.

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INTRODUCTION:

This case study examines the effects of population pressures on a small parcel ofremnant heathland in the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation. It examines theformer extent and subsequent decline of the heaths, their significance for wildlife,and how the development of adjoining land led to the designation of a local naturereserve. Although the case study is oriented towards the impact of population on aheathland habitat, the principles can be applied to any form of protected or scarcehabitat.

WHAT ARE HEATHLANDS:

Heathlands are areas of open landscape dominated by low growing dwarf shrubs,typically those of the Heather family, Ericaceae. Used in its widest sense, ‘heathland’ includes a variety of habitat types such as acidic grassland, scrub, scattered trees, bog and open water amongst the predominant dwarf shrub vegetation.

In Dorset this vegetation developed in a cool, moist climate on nutrient deficient,acid soils as a result of man’s removal of the natural tree cover for early agriculture.Evidence suggests that the heathlands in Dorset were established during theBronze Age, by 1000 BC. Once the tree cover had been lost and the heath takenover, the naturally acid nutrient-poor soils could only become more acid and poorer,preventing the return of woodland and maintaining the dominance of heath.

From its formation until the late 19th Century, the heath was exploited by man forrough grazing by horses, cattle and possibly some sheep. The heath was also animportant source of fuel in the form of turf, peat and gorse. From the ground underthe heath, people took small quantities of sand and gravel for their needs and claywas also dug on a small scale. These uses removed nutrients from the heathlandsoil, maintaining low fertility and preventing it from being overrun by non heathlandor woody species, so sustaining the heath. The heaths were also rejuvenated anddiversified to provide the special requirements of all the many species which cameto thrive upon them.

The accompanying maps show how the heathland in Dorset has declined. In the mid 18th Century the maps show a landscape still dominated by heathlandand broken only by the rich alluvial soils in the valleys of the rivers Frome, Piddleand Stour. It is estimated that at that time there were some 36,000 ha. However, in the last 200 years, the revolution in agricultural technology saw the heathploughed and artificially fertilised; pine trees were extensively planted and the townswhich make up south east Dorset expanded, all at the expense of the heathland. Today, less than 6,000 ha of heathland remain in the area.

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EXISTING POLICY CONTEXT

Dorset Heathlands are better protected and cared for now than ever before.The UK Biodiversity Action Plan urges an increased commitment for the care ofexisting heath and minimising further losses. A Dorset Heathland Strategy has been prepared by the planning authorities and groups including English Nature, theRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

The level of loss to Dorset Heaths occurring from development has declineddramatically over recent years. The Dorset heathlands qualify for three Europeandesignations, they are:

l Special Protection Areas (SPAs) by virtue of their importance for the Dartford Warbler, Nightjar and Woodlark, under the EU Birds Directive.

l Candidate Special Areas of Nature Conservation (SACs) with those supporting the localised Dorset Heath or merging into sand dunes being specially notedas “priority habitats”, and dependent species such as sand lizard and smooth snake being specially noted as “priority species”, under the EU Habitats Directive.

l Ramsar sites (an international designation) by virtue of supporting certain wetland habitat and species.

Virtually all of the remaining heathland is also designated as Sites of SpecialScientific Interest (SSSIs). SSSIs are a UK designation to protect areas importantfor their nature conservation under the Wildlife and Countryside Act legislation. SSSI’s are designated by English Nature, central government’s nature conservationadvisor in England. (Note similar bodies exist for Scotland, Wales and NorthernIreland.) National planning advice on nature conservation matters can be found inPlanning Policy Guidance Note 9, Nature Conservation (PPG9). Those parts of the heathland not covered by the SSSI designation are recognised by the local designation of Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI).

Planning policy for Dorset is contained in the Dorset County Structure Plan. This plan provides a broad framework for development in Dorset. Although it doesnot specify individual parcels of land, it does contain strong policies relating to theprotection of the valuable heathlands. The policies are based on a hierarchy of protection; the degree of protection is related to the value of the habitat, with thoseof international value having greatest protection.

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Source: ‘Dorset’s Purple Patch’ Greenlink Partnership

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Source: ‘Dorset’s Purple Patch’ Greenlink Partnership

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DORSET HEATHLANDS CASE STUDY

It is recorded elsewhere that the extent of heathland in Dorset has disappeared dramatically over the last 200 years. One of the reasons for this has been the rapidgrowth of the small settlements of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, whichhave expanded and merged to form one of the country’s largest conurbations andlargely at the expense of heathland. For example, in the case of Bournemouth, thetown has grown dramatically. At the beginning of the 19th Century, the populationwas less than 1,000, scattered throughout the area in a handful of hamlets, buttoday it is over 160,000.

It is only in the last 15 years that the nature conservation value has been given significant recognition for the planning authorities to end development on the heath.But that does not mean that the pressures to build additional houses and otherdevelopment; factories, offices, shops, roads, etc. have gone away. Nor does itmean that the surviving heaths are protected from the damaging influences of urban development existing around them.

It is against this background that this case study has been developed. It concentrates on a small parcel of heathland within the south east Dorset conurbation. Alder Hills is in the Borough of Poole and is part of the larger Bourne Bottom SSSI. It is also a SPA and candidate SAC. However, it has beenreduced and isolated by urban development of all kinds so that despite its protection from any further direct loss to development, it still suffers from negativepressures (fire, erosion, disturbance, etc.) which threatens its long term value towildlife.

HISTORY OF ALDER HILLS

Alder Hills was originally the site of Mitchell’s Brickworks, and sand and clay wereexcavated from the site and bricks made. The brickworks covered an area of nearly15 ha. Around Alder Road a thriving local pottery grew up to supply pipes and fittings to the town’s builders. Clay dug from many local pits was taken by steamtrain to the Sharp Jones Pottery at the southern end of Alder Road.

Clay was last extracted from this pit in 1948. The old steam trains were sold forscrap and the water pump, essential to keep the site dry, was shut down. Soon, alarge pond developed and heather reclothed its slopes and wider surrounds.Although part of the site, around Sharp Road, was soon filled and used for industry,the remainder of the old workings survived as a rich haven for wildlife enclosed within a rapidly developing conurbation. (See plans and photographs).

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In 1971, the owners of the land applied for permission to build houses on all thatremained of the old works. Poole Borough Council, in 1977, refused the proposal forresidential development but did grant planning permission for industrialdevelopment over the same area. The consequences would have been to totallyinfill of the pond and the loss of all of the surrounding heath. Despite increasingprotest from local residents and conservation groups, the 1979 the ‘District Plan forPoole, Corfe Mullen and Upton’ proposed that part of the site (approximately 4.6 ha)be used for housing, with the remainder, the southern part, used for industry.

However, opposition to development was supported when, in 1984, the NatureConservancy Council (now called English Nature) designated part of the site, thepond and its immediate slopes where heathland was best established, as a Site ofSpecial Scientific Interest (SSSI); at 3.5 ha one of Dorset’s smallest!

By 1987 however, the Borough Council , anxious to protect the remaining heathland,were promoting a ‘compromise plan’ approving development for housing on the landoutside the SSSI and a nature reserve on that within it. However, the presence ofanother 90 houses immediately adjoining the SSSI and nature reserve would haveadded considerably to the many urban pressures, which arise on urban heaths.Alternatively, industrial use was seen as a way of minimising the chances ofdamage from these pressures. Although there could be an increased possibility ofpollution, because relatively few people would occupy the site, the other threatswould be minimised.

Therefore when Sainsbury’s proposed to develop a superstore in combination with anature reserve, it was perceived by the Borough Council and other interested partiesas being much less damaging. As part of the agreement between Poole BoroughCouncil and the retailer, the SSSI was donated to the Council, together with funds tothe Dorset Wildlife Trust to manage the land. In August 1994, the Trust formallyopened the Alder Hills Nature Reserve.

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KEY

SSSIAlder Hills NRSainsburys

Reproduced with the kind permission of Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright NC/1308/00

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Aerial view before construction of Sainsburys Store taken in 1987

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Aerial view after construction of Sainsburys Store taken in 1992

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WILDLIFE OF ALDER HILLS

Alder Hills is of modest size, separated from other heaths, surrounded by urbandevelopment and includes no wet heath or bog. This places limitations on the rangeof species which it can support but it is still of outstanding importance for wildlife.

The use of the site for mineral extraction has left a very irregular terrain, now largelyrecolonised by dry heath but still with extensive sandy exposures. This is idealhabitat for the prolific population of sand lizards - believed to be the strongest colonysurviving within the Bournemouth-Poole conurbation. The rare smooth snake is alsopresent and a pair of Dartford warblers usually breed on the gorse thickets. The other special rarity whose requirements are met on the reserve is the heathgrasshopper. Overall the invertebrate fauna (insect life) is very rich and includes thegrayling butterfly and numerous spiders, while the sandy banks are pitted with theburrows of solitary bees and wasps.

The lake is larger and less acid than water bodies typically associated with heathland, enabling it to support a strong population of newts, frogs and toads.Thirteen species of dragonfly and damselfly have been recorded there. Remarkably water voles are regularly seen round its shores. Between these twospecial habitats lies a band of woodland and scrub which adds to the diversity ofhabitat and provides food and shelter for more commonplace species - including theurban fox.

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PRESSURES ON THE URBAN HEATHS

The heathlands within the extreme south-east of Dorset face a particular problem asa result of being within, or on the edge of, one of the most densely populated partsof the country. They are accessible to and actively used by, the public on a significant scale. This can and does have effects upon the wildlife and its habitat.

Two fundamental problems arise from heather being a "dwarf shrub":

l Because it is low growing yet woody, it easily snaps and dies when trampled byfoot, hoof or vehicle. Therefore, walking. jogging, horse riding, mountain biking and motor scrambling, all to varying degrees promote vegetation death and soil erosion. Species which might be attracted to the resulting bare ground, such as the sand lizard, are vulnerable to future destruction.

l Heather is highly flammable. Fires are easily started by the careless discard of a cigarette, by dumped cars being fired, or by making camp fires. All too often fires are started deliberately.

As the table below illustrates, urban heaths are far more likely to be damaged byfire than rural ones.

Fires on Urban Heaths

Site Setting Size (Ha.) No. of Fires since 1990

Canford Heath Urban 412 179

Hartland Moor Rural 254 2

Alder Hills Urban 5 12

Woolsbarrow Rural 6 0

Carefully controlled burning (small scale, lightly burning and infrequent) was, andstill can be, a useful management tool for heathland, encouraging diversity of habitatand species. However the uncontrolled burning (extensive, deeply burning and oftenrepeated), which now occurs on the urban heaths is very damaging. Many animalsare killed while the habitat loses diversity and may even change altogether intograssland or scrub.

Other problems for urban heaths include disturbance of wildlife by humans and theirdogs - there is particular concern for the nightjar and woodlark (SPA species) bothof which nest on the ground. Dog faeces additionally cause localised, but significantnutrient enrichment alongside heathland paths, while the domestic cat, straying fromgardens is a ferocious predator of the ground nesting birds and reptiles. Predationby rats is also a problem.

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PRESSURES ON ALDER HILLS.

Alder Hills is entirely enclosed within the urban area and is affected by some ofthese pressures. Visitors come to the reserve - or cut through it to reach Sainsbury’s- on foot, and occasionally on bikes and it is also used by joggers. Guiding this useby maintaining clear paths, providing steps and, when necessary, erecting barriershelps to control the trampling and erosion which would otherwise occur. Paths andpermanent or temporary fire breaks are all used to reduce the extent of fires, whilefirebeaters are always to hand. Water is available from a nearby hydrant – andfrom the lake. Nevertheless, few years pass without any fire and some have beenextensive. The provision of dog bins to reduce the serious problem of enrichmenthas been partially successful. There is little which can be practically done aboutcats, but rats are controlled regularly.

It is very important to teach the public about the nature of heathland and its specialqualities and problems. With this understanding, they can be encouraged to followthe “Heathland Code” which encourages keeping to paths, not starting fires, usingdog bins and so on. Promoting the code can be achieved through wardening (thereare up to 20 volunteer wardens active at Alder Hills), production of printed and on-site information and guided visits.

Overall, Alder Hills Reserve is very valuable, but also very vulnerable. It demands a good deal of attention, and significant financial resources to maintain its specialwildlife and amenity value.

MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

The following measures could reduce the pressures:

l Path definition and maintenance - to control the trampling and erosion

l Signposting – so that visitors keep to paths

l Interpretation boards – to provide information on the reserve, to identify paths

and the wildlife present; also to publicise the “Heathland Code”.

l Mown fire breaks – to control the spread of fires

l Fire beaters – as a first line to help put out fires

l Litter bins – to protect the wildlife from the dangers of discarded waste

l Dog bins – to reduce the enrichment caused by dog faeces

l Permanent and volunteer warden - for on-site management and education

l Printed literature – to interpret the reserve and inform visitors

These solutions have been provided at Alder Hills through a joint arrangementbetween the Poole Borough Council, Dorset Wildlife Trust and J Sainsbury’s plc.

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PROMOTE THE HEATHLAND CODE OF CONDUCT

PRESSURES

PROVIDE

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TRAMPLING & FIRES DOGS RATS CATS

EROSION

BY WARDENS, DISPLAYS, LEAFLETS AND GUIDED VISITS

PATHS, BEATERS BINS PEST NO

STEPS & BREAKS CONTROL SOLUTION

BARRIERS WATER

*

*

*See Photographs

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Paths,steps and barriers

Supermarket under construction

Paths and barriers Firebreaks

Fire damage 1990

Natural regeneration of fire damaged area 1999

New Sainsbury Store built adjacent to Nature Reserve

Workers in Alderhills claypit - circa 1920’s

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THE FUTURE FOR ALDER HILLS

Alder Hills has been separated from the heathland of Bourne Bottom and TalbotHeath by the Sainsbury’s development. However the opportunity to relink the twostill exists by re-establishing heathland on the narrow band of existing planting tothe rear of the superstore. This will both extend the total of the reserve and end itsisolation from other heath.

European funding is being sought to finance a warden/education officer based atAlder Hills who will be responsible for managing the site and actively encouragingthe local community, and its younger members in particular, to better understandand value the reserve.

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ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISITING ALDER HILLS

Alder Hills Nature Reserve may be visited at any time, but if you wish a guide to be in attendance, please book through the Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.Parking is available in the Community Centre Car park opposite Sainsbury’s, immediately adjoining the Reserve. Access from here to the Reserve is via a flight ofwide brick steps. The Reserve is not suited to disabled access, but, with guidance, it can be viewed from certain vantage points. Toilets are available in the Community Centre (which is normally unlocked during office hours) and inSainsbury’s. Please follow the Heathland Code and be aware that the lake has very steep sides.

THE HEATHLAND CODE:

The Heathland Code was devised by the Dorset Heathland Forum to help safeguard local heathland. Please respect this and follow the guidelines below so that the heath and its wildlife are there for you and future generations to enjoy.

1. Walkers – please keep to the main tracks and paths. Walking on the heathland plants damages them and disturbs wildlife.

2. Cyclists and horseriders – please keep to the bridleways or specially marked routes. Cycles and horses can cause serious soil erosion as well as disturb wildlife.

3. Dog owners – please keep your pets under close control. Dogs can disturb birds, especially during spring and summer when many nest on the ground.

4. Dog owners – please encourage your dog to use toilet areas, or use dog litter bins where provided. Dog faeces enrich the soil, killing heathland plants, and are a nuisance and health risk to other heathland users.

5. Please reduce the risk of fire. If you see a fire, notify the fire brigade immediately giving the exact location. Do not light fires or discard spent matches or cigarettes.

6. Please take litter home. Litter is unsightly and animals may be trapped and die in drinks cans and bottles.

7. Please do not pick up or remove plants and animals. In some cases it is an offence to do so.

8. Please shut gates behind you. Stock may be grazing on the heathland.

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ALDER HILLS NATURE RESERVE:

How would you best involve the public and other interests in managing anurban nature reserve?

Like many environmental issues, there are a wide range of views and objectives.Many are possible to resolve through discussion, others will be impossible to solve.Summarised below are the main issues surrounding the management of an urbannature reserve. A role-play exercise has been devised for you to explore theseissues.

For this exercise, imagine you are attending a public meeting called by the localWildlife Trust to seek views on the future management of the Alder Hills heathlandsite. The immediate threat from residential development may have been removed - a major national supermarket chain is considering the purchase of the site and isprepared to donate it to the local council. In addition, the company is prepared to set aside money from its own charitable funds to enable the Wildlife Trust toundertake the management of the site as a nature reserve.

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TAKE ON THE ROLE OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Chair - a well-known local individual who has been asked to chair themeeting because of her/his impartiality. The chair should ensure thatthe meeting is conducted in an orderly manner. She/he should allow all interested people to make their views known. At the end of themeeting she/he should seek to achieve a consensus on the way forward.“I am here representing everyone in the local community. I hope that at the end of this meeting we can agree a way forward which meets all our different hopes and desires”

Representative of the Wildlife Trust - this person has been instrumental in protecting the site. He/she will explain the value of thesite for nature conservation.

The site is an important heathland site. Despite it being surrounded by development, the Trust is keen to protect the site from any damaging further development and manage the site as a nature reserve. The Trust wishes to work with local people.”

First Local resident - who has lived in the area for many years andremembers when the brickyard was still working. This person wantsthings to stay ‘just as they have always been’ and is worried that thenature reserve status will bring lots of visitors to the area, causingdamage and disruption.

“I just want to say that I have lived near this site all my life. I hope things stay the same. We don’t want lots of people coming here; what will happen to the cars?”

Second Local resident - who has lived in the area for many yearsand anxious that the site is looked after as a nature reserve. Keen tovolunteer as a voluntary warden.

“Alder Hills needs to be looked after by the Trust. I for one would like to help them.”

Third Local resident - has family who are in need of a house locally.

“Houses here are very expensive in this area. My children cannotafford to buy a new house in this area and building houses here willgive them a better chance.”

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Fisherman - who has fished the pond for many years and is concerned that the nature reserve status will stop him from doing so.

“This is the only place where I can fish in this area. I have fished thepond since I was a child and want to carry on. I would be opposed tothe nature reserve if it mean’t I couldn’t fish any more.“

School teacher - who sees the creation of a nature reserve close tothe school as a major benefit to reinforce a number of elements of theNational Curriculum.

“A nature reserve on our doorstop will be very beneficial to the children. The reserve will allow the children to study science andgeography, and use their studies to link with english and maths andother elements of the National Curriculum.”

Local school children - they (there may be more than one) use thesite presently for cycling, fishing and generally playing.

“We want to ride our bikes / fish / play here. It is the only placewhere we can.

Local Ward Councillor - wishes to see that the local communitygets what it wants.

“I represent this area on Poole Borough Council. I can reassure all ofyou here that nothing will be done without the full support of local people. After all they are the ones who will benefit/suffer from anyuse of the site. On the one hand a nature reserve will be very nice, butwe should not forget that people need jobs, homes and play areas.”

Council Fire Officer - is anxious that no further fires are started on the reserve. The close proximity of houses and factories to the site causes him concern that a fire if it got out of hand could cause significant damage to these properties. The supermarket is anotherpotential cause for concern.

“Any development which reduces the potential for fires will benefit my service. It is a site where there have been a number of fires inthe past and although not too serious so far, the proximity of housesand considerable numbers of people is worrying. A fire involving the supermarket could be very serious indeed.”

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Developer/housebuilder - would still like to build houses on the sitebut the planning permission for a supermarket makes it more unlikely.

“I had hoped to build houses on this rather scruffy bit of land and I still hope to. There is a demand for more houses in the area and I feel we should put the needs of people before animals.”

Supermarket Company representative - wants the local people to see how generous and environmentally friendly the company is.

“I am here representing the supermarket company. We have been indiscussions with the Council and I can announce that if we do obtainplanning consent for a new store, we will donate the site of the naturereserve to the Council and we will be willing to provide money from ourcharitable funds to a responsible body to undertake management ofthe site. My company is very pleased to be involved in this project andis willing to help in any way.”

Local planning officer - explains the council’s thinking behind thejoint food store and nature reserve scheme. Wishes to hear local viewson how to best promote the nature conservation of the site.

“As an officer of the Council I am here for two reasons. First, I wouldlike to explain what the Council would like to do in this area and thediscussions which have taken place with both the supermarket company and others. Second, I want to listen to the views of the public and report those back to the appropriate committees of the Council.”

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QUESTIONS

l Why is it important to reserve small areas in towns and cities for wildlife?

l What are the pressures and threats to the conservation of urban heathlands such as those at Alder Hills? Set your answers out in a table.

l How can nature conservation areas be included within developed areas and which types of development are likely to cause most problems?

l What steps can be taken to manage human pressures and threats to nature conservation on heathland areas?

l How can the planning process be used to help secure and protect nature conservation sites?

l Using the views expressed in the role-play exercise as a basis, prepare a report for the Council’s Planning Committee highlighting the arguments for and against the proposal for a supermarket and nature reserve?

l Take on the role of one of the different interests/individuals in the role-play exercise and write a letter to the Chairman after the meeting expressing your views and comment on some of the other views expressed at the meeting?

l Compare this area with a managed reserve in your local area. What are the similarities and differences and what other management solutions can be adopted to help protect a nature reserve? Could the process which resulted in the designation of Alder Hills as a nature reserve be used in your local area?

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THE ROLE OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNER

In this case study, the Town and Country Planners, representing both the BoroughCouncil and the developers, have had the following roles:

l Prepared the Local Plan and allocated the site for housing development;

l Considered the objections raised locally and by interested parties;

l Represented the local council at the Local Plan public Inquiry;

l Prepared the final Local Plan following the public inquiry

l Through the Development Control process, which involves the consideration of planning applications, negotiated with the local people, interest groups, the landowners and their agents (planning and development consultants) and with major companies (housebuilders and supermarket companies) to obtain the nature reserve as part of a package of development proposals.

l As planning consultants, have represented landowners and developers in discussions with the local Council.

l Helped develop the final proposals for a combined nature reserve and superstore.

l Developed the strong working relationship between the Borough Council, the Dorset Wildlife Trust and other interested parties.

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PRESS CUTTINGS

Greenlink

Bill Oddie at Alder Hills

Birdman Bill Oddie likes to keep himself up to date with Dorset’s achievements inthe world of conservation.

On his latest visit to the County he was delighted to learn that a wildlife haven indeepest Poole has been officially declared by Poole Borough Council as a LocalNature Reserve, (LNR).

Wildlife sanctuary

Alder Hills Nature Reserve is run by the Dorset Wildlife Trust, but the LNR title givesthe site added protection and recognises the special value that the land has forwildlife and for people. It is only a few yards from the Sainsbury’s store, yet visitorsare often rewarded by a Kingfisher flashing round the lake, or a Stonechat singingfrom the surrounding heath.

Encourage youngsters

Bill’s says “Alder Hills is clearly a great little reserve with so much to offer, be youinterested in birds or reptiles or just the beauty of the place. It is good that theBorough Council and the Dorset Trust are doing so much to care for it for everyoneto enjoy.”

Evening Echo, Bournemouth

Nature haven’s official statusOnly a few yards behind the massive Sainsbury’s store, a Stonechat can be heardsinging from the top of a golden gorse bush and a Kingfisher’s colours flash roundthe lake.

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Alder Hills wildlife sanctuary has now been declared an official nature reserve. The new designation, applauded by birdman Bill Oddie, gives the site added protection and recognises the special value of the land forwildlife and people.

Bill’s interest in birds began as a child and he is a great believer in having local siteslike this to encourage youngsters to develop an interest in all types of wildlife.

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Poole Advertiser

Heath on the move

Threatened sites shifted to a new homeCondemned Canford Heath nature spots are enjoying a new lease of life - inParkstone - thanks to a massive heath moving operation.

The unique experiment involved uprooting two sites earmarked for development and moving them to a site near the new Sainsbury’s superstore in Alder road toescape the bulldozer. It’s a commercial venture being run by a conservation mindedfarmer for Sainsbury’s. “It is nowhere near as good as leaving heathland where it is but it is far better than tipping it into a dump,” he said.

It is a chance to test a theory under research at the Institute of Terrestial Ecology in Furzebrook near Wareham. The studies showed that the transfer of heathlandoffered advantages over regrowing it through replanting and top soil laying. As wellas being cheaper it provided an attractive instant thick covering with its own readymade ecosystem. Insects and other small animals remain in the soil feeding off thevegetation continuing a process which would otherwise take years to create.

If the transferred heathland thrives, larger animals could be moved onto the site -providing a safe haven for some of the area’s displaced wildlife. The logistics of theoperation were staggering and involved digging up 3,000 tonnes of turf and movingthem by lorry to the new one and a half acre site where an excavator was used tolower each turf weighing up to a tonne into place.

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