Page 11 - Ickford NP Background Evidence

ICKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN : BACKGROUND EVIDENCE REPORT 11

Review of Evidence Local level designations

Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna Ickford and the surrounding area provides a habitat for a range
Plans and programmes at all levels focus on the conservation of flora and fauna. The characteristics of the habitat are
of biological diversity (including a reduction in the current meadowland, river and ditches, well established hedgerows
rate of biodiversity loss), and the protection and monitoring and some woodland. Historically annual flooding in the vicinity
of endangered and vulnerable species and habitats. Emphasis enables, particularly in winter and spring, important migratory
is also placed on the ecological importance of brownfield sites, bird species to prosper.
geodiversity, and enhancing areas of woodland and other The Fauna recorded includes 21 species of butterfly, 36
important habitats. The integration of biodiversity bird species and more than 12 different mammals. The local
considerations into all environmental and socio-economic habitat also supports a range of moths and other insect and
planning is strongly advocated. reptile species. Predominately these recordings are verified
by wildlife specialists including BBONT, British Butterfly
National Designations Conservation Trust and others who survey the locality on an
There are no national nature designations within the Parish ongoing basis.
area. Within the Aylesbury Vale District there are several The Flora of the area is typical of a meadow and riverside
national designations including Sites of Special Scientific environment though modern day agricultural practices have
Interest and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, however impacted the range of wildflowers recordable. The surrounding
none of these lie close to the Ickford Neighbourhood Area so area once had extensive numbers of Elm trees but now Oaks,
development in Ickford is unlikely to have a negative impact Willow, Lime trees and Black Poplar are notable. In the
upon these designations. churchyard and Rectory there are examples of a number of
The “appropriate assessment” for Aylesbury Vale has scoped different specimen trees with ancient Yew and Lime trees being
out any impact on European designated sites close to Ickford. fine examples.
A Survey has been carried out as part of the Neighbourhood
(Extract From Ickford Fact Pack) Plan process and the results are appended at Appendix A.

VISION FOR ICKFORD – NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
www.visionforickford.co.uk