Countryside Officers

West Pennine Moors

Current Work Initiatives {Based on the WPM Statement of Intent a ten year management plan}

Access;

• Development of a bridleway feeder route terminating at Smithills/Rivington and linking into the National Pennine Bridleway in East Lancs
• Upgrading sections of the Rossendale Way in line with survey recommendations, utilising land fill tax grant and recycled aggregates
• Re-surfacing of local bridleway and popular footpath networks in consultation with user groups
• Part of a team testing aspects of the CroW Act in Lancashire on behalf of the CoAg

• Surveys of our most threatened species and habitats to begin the Biodiversity Action Plan process in an effort to quantify resource, stabilise, prevent further decline and manage effectively;
  
  • Moorlands
  • Twite
  • Species Rich Grasslands
  • Moorland Fringe Birds
  
  

• A survey of Traditional Boundaries {Dry stone walls and hedgerows} based on biodiversity, historic and landscape criteria, targeting key boundaries suitable for restoration throughout the WPM. A substantial bid for Heritage Lottery Funding will follow

Parish, Community & Farming

• Responding to community & landowner requests to effect small scale environmental/access improvements
• Assisting farmers/landowners to set up Countryside Stewardship Schemes, creating a more sustainable balance between agriculture & conservation.
• Partnering local Parish Councils in the employment of a Parish Lengthsman, working on behalf of the community to improve local environments.

Stone pitching restoration work to Moor Bottom Road Bridleway, Holcombe

Email: Ian.Hart@env.lancscc.gov.uk