United Utilties Biodiversity Strategy

"We will fulfil our obligations for responsibly managing our land, balancing access, recreation and conserving natural and built heritage." (United Utilities Sustainable Development Policy, 2002)

We produced our first biodiversity strategy in 1999, 'From Rio to Rivington" detailing our approach to biodiversity. We have a long established commitment to integrated land management and take advice from our independent conservation, access and recreation advisory committee, in existence since 1989. Our investment over the last 12 years in improving sewage treatment has resulted in the best river water quality since the industrial revolution. Assessment of local wildlife forms an integral part of our capital project planning process. We have partnerships with many local wildlife and environmental organisations, supporting and working with them to protect and enhance nature, and taking advice on the management of protected sites on our land.

Our approach to supporting biodiversity in the northwest of England encompasses the following:

Direct land management

Working with others / Support for partnerships

Minimising impacts of our operations and seeking opportunities for enhancement

Taking account of biodiversity in planning and development

Management actions

Addressing our wider impacts

In addition to these generic commitments, we have identified a number of species and habitats that are of particular significance to UU and where we can make a significant contribution. These meet one or more of the following criteria:

Occur on our land / water holdings

Are impacted by our core activities

Are included on the UK biodiversity priority list

Are of local significance

Are in a local BAP

We are developing company plans, identifying what detailed actions we will take to promote and protect these habitats and species. These accompany this strategy. Wherever possible we have tried to integrate the requirements and targets of local plans for these into our plans. In the Cheshire region our BAP actions include work for otters, brown hare, water vole, standing open waters, boundary features and upland heathland. However, our biodiversity efforts will not be limited to these species and habitats alone. These are the ones for which we are developing specific detailed plans, those to whose conservation we consider we can make a significant contribution. But there are others where we will also play a part through undertaking identified actions in LBAPs and liaising with local conservation groups.

For further information on United Utilities biodiversity activities contact: CR Team, United Utilities North West, Thirlmere House Lingley Mere Great Sankey Warrington WA5 3LP