COUNTDOWN 2002 - Cheshire region Biodiversity Programme

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The government (through DEFRA), funds a variety of 'agri-environment' schemes which are available to farmers and other landowners who wish to manage their land for environmental benefit. The schemes have aims such as:

• sustaining the beauty and diversity of the landscape
  
• improving and extending wildlife habitats
  
• conserving archaeological sites and historic features
  
• improving the opportunities for countryside enjoyment through access
  
• restoring neglected land and features
  
• creating new habitats and landscape

The agri-environment schemes are a very important delivery mechanism for achieving national, regional and local biodiversity targets as set out in publications such as 'Countdown'. Through the schemes habitats of biodiversity importance can be maintained, restored or created using appropriate management techniques. Good habitat management in turn, gives plant and animal species opportunities to thrive thus realising the aspirations of biodiversity action plan species targets.

Within Cheshire the main agri-environment scheme available to landowners is 'Countryside Stewardship'. All land which can be managed according to the scheme for 10 years and is not already subject to management plans, is eligible to join the scheme. Another scheme, 'Environmentally Sensitive Areas' is only available in part of the county - namely the eastern fringe from east of Bollington south to the area around Wincle. This latter scheme designates particular areas around England where protection of the environment (landscape, wildlife and historic) is of national importance and similarly requires land to be entered into 10 year agreements.

The Countryside Stewardship Scheme has county-based targets which enable the scheme to be used in the most effective way within a county. In Cheshire the following areas are targeted - the Cheshire Pain and sandstone ridge, S.W.Peak ESA fringe, the Wirral and the Mersey Forest. Within these areas a variety of habitats are targeted for inclusion into the scheme:

• wetlands and waterside land (Meres & Mosses)
  
• traditional unimproved grassland
  
• heathland
  
• grass margins
  
• field boundaries
  
• arable/ley grass reversion to extensively managed grassland
  
• ponds
  
• reed bed creation
  
• scrape creation
  
• the improvement of habitat for BAP species such as the Grey Partridge, Brown Hare, Otter, Water Vole, Tree Sparrow and Corn Bunting.

The number of Countryside Stewardship Agreements within Cheshire is currently in excess of 244. These agreements are protecting many different habitats and cover an area in excess of 3,459 ha.

DEFRA is committed to biodiversity at a national, regional and local level. Nationally within the UK BAP, DEFRA is lead agency for Upland Hay Meadows, Ancient species-rich hedgerows and Arable Field Margins. DEFRA is also a national 'contact point' for Farmland Birds, Allis Shad and Twaite Shad. At a regional level, DEFRA is involved in regional biodiversity groups such as the North-West Biodiversity Forum which includes Cheshire. Locally, at county level, DEFRA aims:

• to be an active partner in the promotion of biodiversity within Cheshire
  
• to assist in the delivery of biodiversity targets within Cheshire through the 'agri-environment' schemes
  
• to assist with the production of the Cheshire BAP as delivered through the 'Countdown' programme

Within the Rural Development Service of DEFRA, the regional biodiversity co-ordinator for Cheshire is:
Chris Kaighin
RDS Preston
The Annexe
Barton Hall
Preston
Tel: 01772 865007

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