Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member: Visitor Economy, Historic & Natural Environment and Climate Change presented the report of the Director: Prosperity & Investment.

This report set out proposals for Cabinet to approve the declaration of The Cockshutt Local Nature Reserve (LNR) under Sections 19 and 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

The declaration of The Cockshutt as a local nature reserve formed part of a wider program of works being delivered by the Council to protect, care and invest in the Borough’s natural environment. To date, the program had protected over 1000ha of locally important green spaces valued by local communities, protecting 200 Green Guarantee sites and 16 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs).

The declaration of The Cockshutt would bring the number of LNRs in the Borough to 17 and complete the Cabinet process for those LNRs identified within the adopted Telford and Wrekin Local Plan (2011- 2031). The Local Plan was under review and the recent Issues and Options consultation had identified the designation of further LNRs as a key driver in the delivery of an enhanced and better protected natural environment within the Borough and therefore it was envisaged that further sites would be brought forward for declaration in due course.

The proposals to declare the site as a Local Nature Reserve would recognise the site’s local importance for people and for wildlife nationally. These proposals were strongly supported by ward members, three local parish councils and a number of local groups, in particular the Friends of the Cockshutt, part of the Telford Green Space Partnership.

Cabinet Members expressed their delight that the space was being protected; this was compounded by the increased importance of green spaces over the preceding twelve months. Thanks were offered to the Friends of the Cockshutt group for their work.

The Leaders of the Conservative and the Liberal Democrat / Independent Groups both expressed their support for the declaration noting the importance of protecting green space.

The Leader of the Council stated that with more green flag parks than ever before, the delivery of 17 local nature reserves, more country park designations, and hundreds of green guarantee sites Telford & Wrekin’s unique green-urban blend was protected and enhanced by the Council. Residents were never far from green space and the Council’s message was that residents should get out and enjoy them. Such fantastic resources had to be celebrated.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The declaration of the Cockshutt Local Nature Reserve be approved.

b)   Authority to complete the declaration process be delegated to the Director for Prosperity and Investment and the Associate Director for Policy and Governance in consultation with the Cabinet member for Visitor Economy, Historic & Natural Environment and Climate Change.