Countryside and Biodiversity

This page provides information about what the Countryside and Biodiversity Service is doing to protect and conserve the countryside and biodiversity throughout the Council's development needs. The service provides an input into the Forward Plans team and specifically into the emerging Local Development Framework.

This is being achieved through various strategic documents, including:-

• the Oadby and Wigston Green Wedge Management Strategy,
• the Landscape Character Assessment,
• the Phase One Habitat Survey,
• the Biodiversity Audit,
• the Biodiversity Action Plan,
• the Nature Conservation Strategy and
• the Green Infrastructure Plan.

Countryside and biodiversity

The Countryside has many functions. These range from being the place of work for our farmers, to acting as a sink for flood water, providing the underlying ecosystems which will enable landscape to change and adapt as climate change occurs, and at a habitat level, ensures that specific species of flora and fauna can continue to thrive with the right management.

Biodiversity underpins everything we do. Short for biological diversity, biodiversity refers to all living things on earth which can range from a tiny ant to a giant redwood and which includes human beings. For biodiversity to continue and thrive, an understanding is required of how mankind impacts on plants, animals, habitats and ecosystems. Without this understanding and ensuring that habitats are managed appropriately to support the functions that society needs and to ensure species continue to survive, we cannot truly achieve sustainable development and ensure that quality of life is met.

Landscape character assessment

The Landscape Character Assessment is a document used to assist in planning and managing landscape change.

Landscape Character Assessment

Green wedge management strategy

This study examines the landscape character, recreational use, land use and ecology of the Oadby and Wigston Green Wedge.

Green Wedge Management Strategy

Green infrastructure plan

The concept of green infrastructure planning is based on a strategic approach to ensuring that environmental assets of natural and cultural value are integrated with land development and built infrastructure planning at the earliest stage.

Green Infrastructure Plan 2010 (PDF Document, 998.22 Kb)

Phase one habitat survey and biodiversity audit

The phase one habitat survey is a national methodology used to categorise and assess the condition of habitats. This can be repeated over a timescale to understand how habitats are increasing or decreasing in area and therefore the impact on species which rely on these habitats.

Phase 1 Part 1 (PDF Document, 1.14 Mb)
Phase 1 Part 2 (PDF Document, 1.14 Mb)
Phase 1 Part 3 (PDF Document, 1.44 Mb)

Nature conservation strategy

The Nature Conservation Strategy (PDF Document, 234.74 Kb) is a method of focussing our commitment to safeguarding the environment of Oadby and Wigston. It sets out our policies and plans in partnership with other organisations for the management of nature conservation over the next ten years.

Volunteering

There are several opportunities for residents to become involved in practical conservation to ensure management of habitats are carried out effectively in the long term.

Volunteering

Fludes lane woodland

Fludes Lane, which acts as a link between the A6 in Oadby to the wider countryside, offers local residents a chance to experience an urban woodland.

Fludes Lane Woodland