Green Space Strategy Research Papers: Foreword

We are extremely fortunate to have a wealth of good quality parks and green open space across the borough. Every day, thousands of people have fun at our local play areas, stroll through our woodlands, play sports on our recreation grounds, attend one of green space activities, grow fruit and vegetables in local allotments, visit old friends and memories in cemeteries or relax around in one of our natural habitat sites.

Without green and open spaces, life for people living in our borough would be very different. As a Council we want everyone to be able to easily use and enjoy local clean, green and open spaces. We want the right facilities and we want to encourage more and more people to use them.

We know a strategic approach is needed to help nurture and enhance our green and open spaces in the right way. We want to build on the success of our first Green Space Strategy to ensure they are managed in a sustainable way, which will ensure they will still be around for future generations to enjoy.

Knowsley’s parks and green spaces offer a significant, varied and unique contribution to meeting many of the Council’s and its partners’ strategic outcomes. To help refresh our strategy a series of research papers have been written to understand how Knowsley’s parks can be utilised to address the pressing social, health and economic challenges the borough faces.

A key overarching theme for achieving the above strategic outcomes through management and development of high quality public green spaces is the care of the natural heritage that these spaces already contain or could potentially support. Knowsley Council is committed to the enhancement of our local biodiversity and geodiversity and our green spaces assets are key tools to achieve this.

Our revised Green Space Strategy will provide the direction, priorities and aspirations to enhance our biodiversity and geodiversity through our green space assets. Working in partnership with local people, our communities and partners will be key to achieving our shared vision.

Sheena Ramsey Knowsley Council Chief Executive

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CONTENTS

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1. Purpose 3

2. Recommendations 3 3. Background 4

4. Strategic Policy Context 5 5. Knowsley’s Green Space Assets 13

6. Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity and Geodiversity 17

7. Conclusion 20

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Reviewing Knowsley’s Green Space Strategy: Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity and Geodiversity

1. Purpose 1.1 Knowsley Council plays a crucial role in local natural heritage. Not only by

informing local strategic direction and planning development policy but as a significant land owner and manager. Significant proportions of this land already support a rich biodiversity and geodiversity or have potential for habitat creation.

1.2 The purpose of this research paper on biodiversity and geodiversity is to inform the review of the Council’s Green Space Strategy and in particular:

a) Describes the policy context around biodiversity and geodiversity

conservation; b) Identifies the existing biodiversity and geodiversity assets and the

habitats, important species and geological features they contain; c) Clarifies the opportunities for building and positively conserving our

biodiversity and geodiversity assets; and d) Provides recommendations for maximising Knowsley’s public green

spaces to improve biodiversity and geodiversity, in turn, supporting the wider targets and outcomes of the Knowsley Green Space Strategy.

2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the contribution of Knowsley’s green spaces to

biodiversity and geodiversity conservation/enhancement is incorporated as a key element of the review of the Knowsley Green Space Strategy.

The Green Space Strategy will:

a) Build understanding of Knowsley’s Biodiversity/Geodiversity, including collation of existing intelligence, raising standards in surveying and pro-active research;

b) Recognise Knowsley’s Biodiversity/Geodiversity by building an evidence

base for new designations of Local Sites, Local Nature Reserves and other designations;

c) Review and build capacity of positive management practice in a context

of Knowsley’s existing geological and habitat assets and species presence;

d) Identify opportunities for increasing natural/semi-natural typology coverage within our Public Green Space assets;

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e) Complement wider management of other Knowsley Council-owned land for biodiversity/geodiversity (e.g. Highways, Education, Industrial, etc.) driven by national, sub-regional and local policy;

f) Contribute to the implementation of the Liverpool City Region Ecological

Network priorities by providing biodiversity hubs and building ecological connectivity; and

g) Showcase Knowsley’s Biodiversity/Geodiversity management practice

locally, regionally, nationally and internationally 3. Background 3.1 'Biodiversity' is a term commonly used to describe the variety of life on Earth.

This encompasses the whole of the natural world and all living things with which we share the planet. It includes plants, animals, even invisible micro-organisms and bacteria which, together, interact in complex ways with the inanimate environment to create living ecosystems. Biodiversity is all around us: not just in wild places and nature reserves but also in our cities, the places we live and work, our farmland and our countryside. We are an integral part of this biodiversity and exert a major influence over it.

3.2 In simple terms, ‘geodiversity’ is the variety of rocks, minerals, fossils, soils,

landforms and natural processes. Rocks, fossils and minerals have been formed over millions of years and represent unique past environments and events. The landforms around us have been produced over hundreds of thousands of years and soils may take several thousand years to form. The information provided by geodiversity helps us to understand how our planet has changed over time and how life evolves.

3.3 The natural environment matters to us all. The beauty of our landscapes and

wildlife inspire and enrich our lives, and are an important part of our local and national identity. Although we may not readily appreciate it, biodiversity and geodiversity provides us with many of the things that sustain our lives. Protecting our species and their habitats also improves our quality of life and our standard of living.

3.4 Positive management of biodiversity and geodiversity in green spaces can

contribute to a range of public benefits including:

• Providing education, training and employment opportunities; • Supporting economic growth; • Mitigating and adapting to climate change; • Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour; • Improving mental and physical health and wellbeing; • Enhancing social value/capital

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3.5 Knowsley’s Green Space Strategy will promote parks and green spaces to achieve some of the above benefits. Biodiversity and geodiversity conservation and management will therefore be a crucial tool in maximising the social and economic benefits of our public green space resource for the Knowsley community.

4. Strategic Policy Context

There is a wealth of national, sub-regional and local strategic and policy focus on biodiversity and geodiversity, as well as a significant further range of priorities in which our natural heritage can play a key role. Knowsley’s Green Space Strategy will be crucial in building the potential of our public green space assets to maximise out biodiversity and geodiversity for social and economic benefit, as well as meeting our statutory Biodiversity Duty and strategic commitments.

4.1 National

National Planning Policy Framework The National Planning Policy Framework is a key part of the DCLG reforms to make the planning system less complex and more accessible whilst protecting the environment and promoting sustainable growth. Balancing these priorities is DCLG’s aim and through the Framework seeks to strengthen local participation and help achieve sustainable development through:

• Strengthening the plan-led system to deliver sustainable development

locally; • Handing power back from national and regional bureaucracies to local

communities to shape development in their area; and • Improving clarity and certainty for communities, Councils and developers,

reducing bureaucracy for councils and businesses, and improving efficiency in processes.

Knowsley’s Green Space Strategy will be crucial to act as a driver for environmental protection and economic growth for Knowsley and the wider City Region whilst also reflecting local views for development through the neighbourhood planning regime.

Making Space for Nature: A Review of England’s Wildlife Sites and Ecological Network The Making Space for Nature: A review of England’s Wildlife Sites and Ecological Network (September 2010) chaired by Professor Sir John Lawton found that nature in England is highly fragmented and unable to respond effectively to new pressures such as climate and demographic change. It stated that having a coherent and resilient ecological network is important, it

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is fundamental to society’s well-being, health and economy. Lawton identified that the natural environment provides communities with a range of essential requirements with such ecosystem services including food, water, materials, flood defences, carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

Ecological networks have become widely recognised as an effective response to conserve wildlife in environments that have become fragmented by human activities. An ecological network comprises a suite of high quality sites, which collectively contain the diversity and area of habitat that are needed to support species and which have ecological connections between them that enable species, or at least their genes, to move.

Therefore Lawton proposed that the overarching aim for England’s ecological network should be to deliver a natural environment where compared to the situation in 2000, biodiversity is enhanced and the diversity, functioning and resilience of ecosystems are re-established. In light of this there is a need for a step-change in the approach to wildlife conservation, from trying to preserve what there is, to one of large-scale habitat restoration and recreation under-pinned by the re-establishment of ecological processes and ecosystem services; for the benefits of both people and wildlife. It is a long-term vision, which will only be realised if it is undertaken in partnership with local people, local authorities, the voluntary sector, farmers, other land-managers, statutory agencies, and other stakeholders.

DEFRA Environment White Paper: The Natural Choice Defra responded to the ‘Making Space for Nature’ report through the Environment White Paper: The Natural Choice, which supports the natural environment through:

• Supporting Local Nature Partnerships, to strengthen local action; • Identifying new Nature Improvement Areas to enhance and reconnect

nature on a significant scale; • Retaining the protection and improvement of the natural environment as

core objectives of the planning system and ensure ecologically coherent planning; and

• Pilot biodiversity offsets, to make requirements to reduce the impacts of development on biodiversity simpler and more consistent.

Local authorities have an important role in addressing this agenda by facilitating coherent and resilient ecological networks through their statutory duty to take account of conservation of biodiversity; the White Paper raises the profile of this duty. The White Paper also commits to provide new tools and guidance for key groups of public bodies, including local authorities, to support local action for nature and a new Biodiversity Strategy for England will set a new strategic direction for biodiversity policy in England for the next decade.

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The Council has made great progress in supporting biodiversity across a number of sites; the review of the Green Space Strategy will consider the linkages between sites to determine opportunities for a network to support migration of species and ecological conservation. Thus the review must consider how it will contribute to the outcomes of the Environment White Paper: The Natural Choice through the re-establishment of ecological processes and ecosystem services for the benefits of both society and wildlife.

Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services Replacing the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, Biodiversity 2020 is a new, ambitious biodiversity strategy for England, building on the Natural Environment White Paper and provides a comprehensive picture of how we are implementing our international and EU commitments. Its priorities are informed by the recommendations from the ‘Making Space for Nature Report’.

Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act 2006 (Natural England) The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act came into force on 1st Oct 2006. Section 40 of the Act requires all public bodies to have regard to biodiversity conservation when carrying out their functions. This is commonly referred to as the ‘Biodiversity duty’

This duty extends to all public bodies the biodiversity duty of section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW), which placed a duty on Government and Ministers.

The aim of the biodiversity duty is to raise the profile of biodiversity in England and Wales, so that the conservation of biodiversity becomes properly embedded in all relevant policies and decisions made by public authorities. Guidance has been produced for Local Authorities setting out how the duty relates to:

• Local policies and strategies; • Management of local authority controlled land and buildings; • Planning, infrastructure and development; and • Education, advice and awareness

4.2 Regional

Liverpool City Region Local Nature Partnership (Nature Connected) The Liverpool City Region Local Nature Partnership (LNP) promotes the green environment influences and green economic drivers through close working with the Local Economic Partnership (LEP). The role of the LNP is to manage and value the natural environment to achieve environmental, economic and social benefits and should be defined through the opportunities it faces, the

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added value it can bring and the services it can provide. The LNP see these as falling into three main areas:

• Promoting and valuing the natural environment; • Consolidating and coordinating existing groups; and • Developing, maintaining and using a robust evidence base.

The geographical remit of the LNP is at the level of the City Region covering Liverpool, Knowsley, Halton, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. The LCR LNP also has strong links with the Cheshire, Lancashire and Manchester LNPs as clearly nature does not adhere to administrative boundaries.

The LNP includes all natural areas, environments and landscapes including the marine and coastal environment, rivers and estuaries, inland watercourses (canals and park lakes), grasslands and heaths, woodlands, agricultural land, urban parks, green spaces and public realm.

Knowsley is represented on the LNP and has the opportunity to link with a number of partners. The review of the Green Space Strategy will assist and inform LNP discussions to ensure the role and benefits of Knowsley’s high quality accessible green space deliver against the LEPs priorities for economic development and business growth. It will also ensure that the LNPs priorities for ecologically significant areas and ecological networks complement the needs of the Council to respond to significant social, educational and health inequalities.

Liverpool City Region Ecological Network and Strategic Overview (October 2011) The Ecological Network links closely with the England Biodiversity 2020 Strategy. The Framework considers how the City Region is ideally placed to:

• Make a significant contribution to achieving economic growth and

helping adaptation to climate change; • Identify the strategic assets and opportunities for improving biodiversity

and resilience; • Integrate the multiple and varied natural environment directives,

legislation, guidance and best practice advice; and • Deliver a coherent and consistent response for safeguarding and

improving the natural environment secure delivery of a step-change in biodiversity.

The Liverpool City Region is uniquely located and provides us with a wealth of hugely important and often undervalued natural assets that underpin our economy wealth-being, support our health and well-being and provide us with significant economic and health opportunities. These include our estuarine and coastal habitats and species; inland our water courses and associated wet habitats such as ponds, bogs and mosses are crucial in linking

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habitats and species populations; drier habitats such as lowland heath (on sandstone in Wirral and Halton, and sand in Sefton), ancient semi-natural woodlands (mainly in Wirral and St. Helens), together with acidic and neutral grasslands (mainly in small patches, often highly fragmented). These Strategic Ecological Assets are based on information on habitat type and extent from the Core Biodiversity Area data set.

In relation to its influence on Knowsley, the strategic opportunity areas within and crossing Knowsley are:

• The River Alt, Kirkby Brook, Knowsley Brook, Croxteth Brook and Croxteth

Park Corridor; • Simonswood Moss, Kirkby Moss, Kings Moss & Holiday Moss; and • Netherley Brook and Ditton Brook Corridor.

Knowsley’s Green Space Strategy will seek to put in place support for healthy functioning ecosystems as informed by the implementation of the LCR Ecological Framework. Where green spaces exist it will identify potential opportunity for collaborative working to protect and improve the listed opportunity areas.

Liverpool City Region Green Infrastructure Framework Green infrastructure (GI) planning has emerged in the last four years as potentially an effective way to comprehensively manage the natural environment to safeguard landscape and vital ecosystem services providing a wide range of benefits to society. Green infrastructure has been defined as the City Region's life support system – the network of natural environmental components and green and blue spaces that lies within and between the North West's cities, towns and villages which provides multiple social, economic and environmental benefits.

Key principles of green infrastructure planning include:

• Engage diverse people and organisations from a range of sectors; • Design green infrastructure systems that function at different scales and

across boundaries; • Green infrastructure activity must be grounded in good science and

planning practice; and • Emphasise green infrastructure is multifunctional and benefits are

afforded to all: to nature and people.

The Green Infrastructure Framework for Liverpool City Region covers the whole of Merseyside, Warrington and Halton providing a City Region level of strategic green infrastructure assessment that can assist in the development of:

• Local Development Frameworks;

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• Liverpool City Region priorities such as the Multi Area Agreement and emerging strategic framework;

• Local investment in green infrastructure as one of the city region's 'critical Infrastructures' alongside waste, water, transport and energy; and

• Sustainable Community Strategies.

In line with the Green Infrastructure Framework for the Liverpool City Region the Council will continue to promote biodiversity through the review of the Green Space Strategy and will explore opportunities to create new habitats and enhance existing green space assets to protect natural environments and encourage the migration of species.

Mersey Forest Plan The Mersey Forest is a core partnership made up of seven local authorities, Natural England, the Forestry Commission plus the Environment Agency. The Forest was established in the early 1990s, when twelve areas of England were chosen to be the focus of long-term tree planting programmes to improve the local environment for the benefit of people, wildlife and the economy. The largest of these designated community forest areas covers more than 500 square miles of Merseyside and North Cheshire and was named The Mersey Forest.

The Mersey Forest Plan is the main strategic document which guides the work of the Mersey Forest Partners and the Forest Team. Governance to the Plan is provided through a Steering Group on which the Cabinet Member represents the Council. The new 2013 Mersey Forest Plan replaces the version of the Plan issued in 2001 to ensure it remains relevant to current issues and policies.

The new Mersey Forest Plan will be used by the Mersey Forest Partners and Mersey Forest Team to: • Guide their work to implement the policies and achieve the new

Strategy’s ‘More from Trees’ vision; • Advocate and demonstrate the importance of trees and woodlands to

different agendas, and encourage a wide range of partners to better align objectives, funding and resource to achieve a greater whole;

• Guide cross boundary working, especially in relation to local authorities Duty to Co-operate;

• Develop funding bids for woodland improvement activity; • Be used as a material consideration in planning under the National Policy

Framework and to help strengthen cases at planning appeal, public inquiry and Examination in Public; and

• Be used alongside Green Infrastructure Frameworks, Strategies and Plans to guide the delivery of actions that specifically relate to trees and woodland, or the functions that they can provide.

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In support of the Mersey Forest Plan the review of the Strategy will consider how Knowsley can make the most of the existing resources and strengthen the connections between its green assets within the borough and into the wider Liverpool City Region. Increasing access to this resource will help to provide local recreation and tourism, sustainable travel routes, and increase health and wellbeing. The reclamation of Cronton Colliery is highlighted as a priority as it provides a strategic opportunity to connect to and extend the Bold Forest Park chain from St.Helens. Whilst in urban areas street tree planting should be considered to make these areas more attractive and resilient to climate change.

North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan The North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan aims to help local people become more aware of the area's natural environment and the issues facing it. The Plan is not a single published document, but instead comprises a number of individual Species & Habitat Action Plans and a Business Plan to prioritise work for conservation over the next few years.

The North Merseyside area consists of Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens and Sefton. There are a total of 44 habitat and species action plans; each one describing the current status of the habitat or species, issues affecting its wellbeing, conservation objectives & targets and actions to meet them.

This Plan is now overseen by the Local Nature Partnership and will be informed by the recommendations of the England Biodiversity 2020 Strategy.

4.2 Local

Knowsley Sustainable Communities Strategy The Knowsley Partnership’s Sustainable Community Strategy (2008) provides a 15-year vision for residents, businesses and agencies working in Knowsley; as the overarching strategy for Knowsley it influences the plans of all partners. The vision is that by the year 2023, Knowsley will have:

• Attractive, sustainable neighbourhoods with a wide choice of housing and

excellent community facilities; • Vibrant and welcoming town centres; • Residents and local communities who are able to make positive lifestyle

choices; • High quality employment areas which help to drive economic growth in

the Liverpool City Region; and • Narrowed the gap in deprivation levels, both between different parts of

the borough and between Knowsley and elsewhere. Climate change and environmental protection issues are becoming increasingly important in the way that people live their lives and earn their living. A local performance indicator has been set to improve the quality of

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the local environment by reducing the gap in aspects of liveability: There is a need to spread good practice, building on the Green Flag Award status of our parks to improve all our public green spaces for all residents and visitors to Knowsley. Safeguarding the local natural heritage held within our green space assets is a key contributor to achieving this goal.

The seven drivers of the Sustainable Community Strategy carried forward into the Council’s Corporate Plan are:

a) A diverse and prosperous economy; b) Increasing economic activity; c) Raising attainment and skills; d) A well connected Knowsley; e) Unlocking the potential and raising aspirations; f) Safer more cohesive communities; and g) Improving the offer and quality of place.

Knowsley Council Corporate Plan To deliver the seven key drivers of the Sustainable Communities Strategy the Corporate Plan is structured around the following three headings:

a) Improving Knowsley the place; b) Creating more jobs in the Liverpool City Region for Knowsley people to

get into; c) Narrowing the inequality gap. Under these headings, the Council has identified ten outcomes that it wants to ensure are delivered for the borough:

a) Empowered, resilient, cohesive communities; b) Safe, attractive, sustainable neighbourhoods; c) Quality infrastructure and environment; d) More people appropriately skilled and able to work; e) More Knowsley residents get into and are able to progress in work; f) Children get the best possible start in life and have opportunities to reach

their potential; g) Improved outcomes for our most vulnerable young people; h) Everybody has the opportunity to have the best health and wellbeing

throughout their life; i) People are protected from risks that can affect their health and wellbeing;

and j) More people look after themselves and support others to do the same. The corporate plan recognises the need to use our assets and our strengths (including Knowsley’s parks, green spaces and natural environments) to support Knowsley’s communities with our partners. Therefore in reviewing the Strategy the role that Knowsley’s green space assets can play in delivering

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against the Knowsley Sustainable Communities Strategy and Council Corporate Plan outcomes in will be clearly identified.

The Knowsley Local Plan/Core Strategy The Core Strategy is the key overarching document for the Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF); it will, therefore, heavily influence subsequent LDF documents including the Site Allocations and Development Policies Plan Document.

Strategic Objective 8 (Green Infrastructure and Rural Areas) focuses on the role of Knowsley's green and open spaces, in both rural and urban areas. The objective seeks to maintain and enhance the most valuable aspects of these areas, including recognising their value to local flora, fauna and geology, and their positive effect on health and wellbeing through leisure and recreational use.

The following policies form part of Knowsley’s emerging Local Plan: Core Strategy and are of importance in managing greenspace assets:

• Policy CS 8: Green Infrastructure – this policy promotes the protection,

management and/or enhancement for GI (including sites of biological and/or geological value), identifies ‘strategic green links’ in Knowsley and outlines the approach to GI in new development.

• Policy CS 21 Green Spaces and Trees – this policy supports the maintenance and delivery of an appropriate quantity of diverse, accessible and high quality open and green spaces.

The policies above have been subject to examination and are therefore afforded weight as a material consideration in determining planning applications for land falling within or likely to influence areas of green space and/or ecological value.

In addition the above policies, Policies ENV 9: Protection of Designated Sites and ENV 10: Protection of Species currently form part of the Knowsley Replacement Unitary Development Plan (UDP), 2006, until they are replaced by the above mentioned policies within the Local Plan: Core Strategy. Until such time these policies are also a material consideration in determining planning applications.

5. Knowsley’s Green Space Assets

The below extract from the LCR Framework is a profile of Knowsley’s notable Biodiversity and Geodiversity, providing a context to the role our public green space resource plays in safeguarding our natural heritage. Knowsley Council-owned sites feature heavily in this profile, signifying the importance of the positive management of our green spaces to local natural heritage:

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Topography & Geology

The Borough of Knowsley covers approximately 86 km2. The underlying geology in the north of Knowsley is typified by a carboniferous rock, which forms part of the southern edge of the Lancashire Coalfield. Sandstone is found beneath the landscape in large areas of the Borough, together with Boulder Clay. There are a number of Local Geological Sites, some of which have been created through quarrying for sandstone including: Pex Hill Quarry. More natural geological sites can be found along the river system such as Kirkby Brook Waterfall.

Wetlands

Wetlands in Knowsley are of strategic importance within the Ecological Framework. This wetland resource is made up of different habitats such as a section of the River Alt catchment, including Simonswood Brook and Kirkby Brook. There are a number of small bogs and mires to the north east of the borough such as, Acornfield Plantation. The wetland resource covers approximately 55.4 ha. These wetlands are significant for a number of important species, such as Water Vole, Daubenton’s Bat and Dragonflies.

Woodlands

Knowsley Borough has approximately 831 ha of broad-leaved woodland. Strategically there is only a small pocket of ancient semi-natural woodland at Old Wood. The other woodland is made up of semi-natural woodland, plantations, newly created woods and parklands, sites include, Halewood Triangle, Little Wood and Knowsley Park. These areas are important for a number of Biodiversity species such as English Bluebell, Bats and breeding birds.

Grassland

The grasslands across Knowsley cover approximately 359 ha and are dominated by large areas of neutral grassland such as Stadt Moers Park, which is largely unimproved. However there are areas of semi-improved and improved grassland that have varying levels of management, such as Knowsley Park, Court Hey Park and Millbrook Park Millennium Green. This combination of grasslands is important for species such as Skylark and high numbers of invertebrates and small mammals.

Strategic Assets

The significant natural and semi-natural spaces within Knowsley are considered to include Stadt Moers Park, Carr Lane Woods, Charlotte’s Pagsy, Huyton Wetland, Mercer’s Dell, and Millbrook Park Millennium Green. Areas of Strategic importance within the Ecological Network are the River Alt Catchment comprising of Simonswood and Kirkby Brooks; the small area of Ancient Semi-natural Woodland at Old Wood, and the mossland area around Simonswood Moss and Kirkby Moss.

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Knowsley Council manages a range of green spaces including Parks and Gardens (28), Play Areas (39), Allotments (9), Cemeteries (4) and Green Corridors (4), as well as a host of sports facilities and amenity areas. Knowlsey Council also manages 27 dedicated natural and semi-natural sites.

Across this public green space resource, Knowsley Council manages over 200 hectares of broadleaf woodland habitat (46 sites), as well as over 87 hectares of meadowland (38 sites). Our public green spaces also house significant stretches of natural watercourse, as well as standing water habitats and wetland areas (including most notably a lowland basin mire habitat in Acornfield Plantation Local Nature Reserve. Crucially, these public green spaces have excellent potential for habitat expansion and creation and most recently, research by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust has identified potential for over 44 hectares (25 sites) for meadowland creation through our public green spaces.

Notably, our public green spaces encompass 28 of 65 formally designated Local Wildlife Sites across the borough (43%) and 4 out of 6 Local Geological Sites. These are non-statutory areas of local importance for nature conservation that complement nationally and internationally designated geological and wildlife sites. Knowsley’s only designated Local Nature Reserve, Acornfield Plantation is also Council-owned. A wider designation of 22 Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) also exist, of which Knowsley Council owns 10.

The following tables showcase Knowsley Council’s ownership of formally designated Local Sites within the borough:

Knowsley Council Owned Local Wildlife Sites

KMBC Public Green Space Local Wildlife Site Name LWS No Acornfield Plantation Acornfield Plantation, Kirkby# 38 Bowring Park & Golf Course Bowring Park Golf Course, south of M62 64 Carr Lane Woods Carr Lane Lake, Prescot 11 Charlotte's Pagsy Simonswood Brook, Kirkby* 61 Court Hey Park Court Hey Park, Huyton 56 Halewood Park Triangle Halewood Triangle 27 Howard's Pits Howard's Pits, Huyton 43 Huyton Wetlands Huyton Lane Wetland, Huyton 12 Lime Tree Woods River Alt, Kirkby* 67 Little Wood Little Wood, Stockbridge Village 8 Meakin's Pits Meakin's Pits, Huyton 53 Mill Dam Park Kirkby Brook, includes Mill Brook 50 Mill Dam Park Mill Brook, Westvale 69 Millbrook Park Millennium Green Kirkby Brook, includes Mill Brook 50 Northwood Forest Hills Northwood Forest Hills 84 Our Lady's Catholic Primary School (not public green space) Copse, South of A58, Prescot* 54

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Penny Wood Lickers Lane Wood, Whiston 13 Simonswood Playing Fields Kirkby Brook, Northwood* 68 Stadt Moers Park 'Tushingham Quadrant' Tushingham's Quarry Pond, Stadt Moers 15 Stadt Moers Park 'Tushingham Quadrant' Stadt Moers Q2 and visitor centre, Whiston 44 Stadt Moers Park 'Tushingham Quadrant' Stadt Moers Q4, Whiston 46 Stadt Moers Park 'West View Quadrant' Stadt Moers Q3, Huyton 82 Ten Acre Pits Ten Acre Pits, Huyton 65

Valley Park Meadow, Kirkby (Mill) Brook, south of Old Hall Lane 63

Valley Park Kirkby Brook* 77 Willow Bed Plantation Knowsley Brook* 70 Woolfall Heath Meadow River Alt, Seth Powell Way 78 Woolfall Heath Meadow Grassland, west of Seth Powell Way, Huyton 83 * = Local Wildlife Site only partially within Knowsley Council ownership

# = also a designated Local Nature Reserve

Knowsley Council-Owned Regionally Important Geological Sites KMBC Public Green Space RIGS / LGS Name Ref No Description Bowring Park & Golf Course Carr Lane, Roby K16 road cutting Charlotte's Pagsy Simonswood Brook, Kirkby K2 Quarry along brook Halewood Park Triangle

Halewood Triangle, Halewood Country Park K9 railway cutting

Mercer's Dell Mercers Delf K10 quarry

Mercer's Dell Kirkby Brook Waterfall* K11 river/stream section

Mill Dam Park Bank's Brook, Kirkby K1 Stream section

St. Michael's Church Community Centre Grounds (adj. St Michael's Church) K17 road cutting

Stadt Moers Park 'Tushingham Quadrant' Stadt Moers Park* K12 quarry

Valley Park Little Brook, Kirkby* K14 river/stream section

Willow Bed Plantation Willowbed Plantation, Kirkby* K3 Active stream section

* = Additionally designated as a Local Geological Site

Knowsley Council will influence the protection and positive management of Local Sites designated across the borough that fall outside of Knowsley Council ownership through our Planning and Development Policy work. All Local Sites are monitored for their biodiversity/geodiversity value on a periodic basis by Merseyside Environmental Advisory Services, though it is recognised that further resourcing of survey work is needed to support this. The Council has also supported the designation of new Local Sites where appropriate including, most recently the designation of Northwood Forest Hills as a Local Wildlife Site in 2011. Further sites within the public green

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space resource are also being considered for designation in recognition of their significant biodiversity value.

The accompanying research document ‘Progress Against Green Space Standards’ outlines a general overview of the condition of public green space assets, positive management of the natural environment forms part of this assessment. Natural and Semi-Natural typology sites, in particular, show a significant range in quality from high scoring sites such as Millbrook Park Millennium Green and Acornfield Plantation, through to ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ scoring sites such as Mercer’s Dell, Oak Plantation and Willow Bed Plantation. Coupled with records showing that some formally designated Local Sites need to be brought into positive management, this indicates that significant work is still to be done to positively conserve our natural habitats.

Key steps have already been made that have brought about a significant change in the management of our biodiversity and geodiversity. Key milestones have included:

• Formation of a woodland management programme in 2009 with support

from The Mersey Forest and Forestry Commission, including full survey of all our community woodlands and creation of long-term woodland management plans.

• Formation of a meadowland management programme in 2014 with support from Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Natural England, which involved surveying existing meadowland sites, plus identifying potential meadowland creation sites, plus the formulation of meadowland management plans for all relevant sites.

• Establishment of a dedicated Parks Maintenance Team focusing on our public green spaces, providing a dedicated resource for managing our natural and semi-natural sites as part of our wider public green space network.

• Significant partnership links made with the community and specialist environmental bodies to drive investment and positive management, including ‘Friends’ Groups for particular green spaces, local Community Associations, Town and Parish Councils and specialist partners such as Landlife, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Groundwork, 2020 Knowsley and TCV.

• Targeted habitat restoration/creation projects carried out on a variety of key sites (including woodland, meadowland, watercourse, pond, wetlands) to safeguard notable important hubs for biodiversity and build a model of good practice for positive management of similar sites across the borough.

6. Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity and Geodiversity

With a rich biodiversity and notable geodiversity Knowsley benefits from an excellent resource that can safeguard our natural heritage whilst also

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bringing about a range of social and economic benefits to the Knowsley community.

Knowsley Council is keen to explore sustainable approaches with our partners to further enhance our natural heritage and local people’s interaction with their natural environment; thus generating measureable benefits to local quality of life and sustainability. Key considerations for the new Green Space Strategy are detailed in the following sections.

6.1 Outcomes for Biodiversity & Geodiversity Conservation & Enhancement

Greater understanding and recognition of the biodiversity and geodiversity A rich record of evidence already exists regarding the biodiversity and geodiversity of Knowsley. This is primarily held with Merseyside Biobank as the Local Record Centre for the Liverpool City Region, with further information held by other specialist partners. Periodic surveying of local biodiversity is also carried out through Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and other specialist partners and volunteer naturalists. This is supplemented by site-specific ecological survey work commissioned from time to time by various bodies including Knowsley Council.

However, increased capacity is needed to support the management of records and ongoing survey work in order to fully understand the biodiversity value of sites, their condition and the species that they contain. Furthermore, there is limited information associated with RIGS and Local Geological Sites, limiting their public profile and management. This will be the foundation for informing future positive management, protection/conservation and expansion of our natural heritage.

With a more comprehensive record of the value of key sites and locations, it will be increasingly possible for Knowsley Council to designate more sites in recognition of their value. Indeed, numerous natural and semi-natural sites under our management have been identified as being candidates for Local Wildlife Site designation (e.g. The Sanctuary, Court Farm Woods, Lime Tree Woods, Knowsley Expressway). Furthermore, some sites have been indicated to be suitable for Local Nature Reserve status (e.g. Northwood Forest Hills, Woolfall Heath Meadow, Huyton Wetlands, Stadt Moers Park, Halewood Park Triangle). Work will be needed to bring together a case for these sites to be put forward for designation.

This recognition of the natural value of our sites will then be a tool for raising the public profile of Knowsley’s Green Spaces and their natural heritage. General marketing work, coupled with facilitated activities and even educational work and volunteer engagement will help to build public understanding, appreciation and direct benefit for their local natural environment.

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Positive management of Knowsley’s Green Spaces Significant steps have already been made in enhancing capacity to positively manage natural habitats for biodiversity/geodiversity, including woodland and meadowland management planning and procedures, plus investment in staff training and equipment. This work has made in-roads to ensure the sustainable management of habitats on an ongoing basis.

However, further investment is needed in building a wider understanding of habitat management within the Council based on the range of natural heritage assets Knowsley Council is responsible for managing. For example, pond, wetland and watercourse management planning and training work will be important, building on similar activity already completed for woodland and meadowland. Understanding the needs of our geodiversity sites is also important.

The role of partners in enhancing management capacity also needs to be considered, including enlisting the support of specialist partners with expertise in habitat management in advising on Council practice, through to direct partner delivery of tailored operations or specialist habitat management. Volunteer and community group engagement also needs to be furthered, as significant impact has already resulted from regular voluntary intervention on specific sites within Knowsley.

Extent of natural habitat coverage is increased within the Knowsley public green space offer The potential of public green spaces for habitat creation has already been exploited to create woodland, meadowland, ponds and wetland across the borough in recent years. Coupled with a sustainable habitat management model, this expansion of natural habitats could easily be set to continue, balancing the wider public uses and benefits associated with our public green spaces.

Further habitat creation must, however, be done with an appreciation of management capacity to sustain habitats once created. For example, woodland creation work was delivered extensively on Council land in the 1990s with support from the Mersey Forest. The Council’s commitment is now to sustain these woodlands before any significant further planting is carried out. Meadowland creation is also being reviewed in a context of the implications this would have on the structure of existing maintenance resources.

Informed by an understanding of the biodiversity potential for a site and its connectivity with other natural habitats, Knowsley Council will be able to factor in the most appropriate habitat development opportunities as part of wider master planning work for specific public green spaces. This will ensure successful investment in biodiversity and geodiversity as part of a wider public green space improvement agenda.

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Influences wider management within Knowsley Council Beyond Knowsley Council’s own management of our public green spaces and designated Local Sites, we have a key role in safeguarding and developing the biodiversity value of other land not under our responsibility for public green space (e.g. Council land designated for other uses or land not owned by Knowsley Council).

Through engagement in planning and development proposals, as well as the shaping of local policy in relation to biodiversity and geodiversity, Knowsley Council is ideally placed to safeguard our natural heritage in a context of wider strategic influences. The Local Nature Partnership (Nature Connected) and the associated Ecological Network, Green Infrastructure and North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plans will all assist in shaping the influence of wider land management across the borough and recognising the need for protecting connectivity between hubs of natural value.

Drawing on our own learning of land management for biodiversity and geodiversity, Knowsley Council will also be in a position to showcase our good practice to a local, sub-regional, national and inter-national network, with the support of our various partners engaged in the positive management of our natural environment.

7. Conclusion

Knowsley Council has a statutory commitment to conserving and enhancing the biodiversity and geodiversity of our borough. Shaped by national, sub-regional and local policy, we are in a key position to maximise our resources for this purpose. Our public green space resource is perhaps one of our main assets to achieve this, and with support from partnerships, positive engagement of the community and the instilling of positive understanding and management practice, we will be able to achieve a long-term sustainability, connectivity and resilience for our local natural heritage.

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JOHN FLAHERTY Director of Neighbourhood Delivery

Contact officers: Rupert Casey, Head of Environmental Services Tel: 0151 443 2411 Caroline Davies, Public Open Spaces Manager Tel: 0151 443 2829 Philip Hurst, Green Space Development Officer Tel: 0151 443 2482 Appendices: Appendix A Case Study: Landlife and The Old Rough Wildflower Project

(Diversifying Public Green Spaces) Appendix B Case Study: Knowsley Woodland and Meadowland Management

Programmes (Instilling Positive Habitat Management) Appendix C Case Study: Woolfall Heath Meadow (Celebrating Knowsley’s

Biodiversity) Appendix D Case Study: Little Wood (Communities Championing Biodiversity) Appendix E Case Study: Acornfield Plantation (Safeguarding Knowsley’s Natural

Heritage) Appendix F Case Study: Northwood Forest Hills (Uncovering Knowsley’s

Biodiversity)

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Appendix A Case Study: Landlife and The Old Rough Wildflower Project (Diversifying Public Green Spaces)

Knowsley is proud to be home to the internationally important and respected environmental charity, Landlife, and their National Wildflower Centre in Knowsley. The Old Rough Wildflower project is a landmark project for Landlife showing how creative conservation improves the quality of our landscape and our lives. Old Rough restored wildflowers to the heart of a new townscape and was given the UK-MAB Urban Wildlife Award for Excellence for providing a high quality landscape of wildflowers that bring nature to the people of Northwood. It is a community landscape project, delivering creative conservation skills and landscapes in the Northwood area of Kirkby, near Liverpool, at an open space known as the Old Rough. The area contains clumps of remnant woodland, but was previously largely mown grass between tower blocks built in the 1970s. The project was undertaken to train members of the Community Environment task team in Creative conservation skills to enable them to deliver high quality wildflower landscapes for the Northwood community. The work has resulted in over 2 hectares of dramatic wildflower landscapes amid a thirty-year old public housing area where many people are highly deprived and have low expectations in terms of public landscape. The areas of flowers, close to the summit of a slight rise in the local terrain, appear as a surprise to the visitor. They are much admired and appreciated by local residents and by people who come to visit friends in the neighbourhood. People readily express how delighted they are with the wildflower landscape. It is said to get people out of their flats to walk around the patches of flowers. Local church people have organised litter removal and tidying of the area to ensure it remains attractive.

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The Old Rough site is developing a demonstration value for both local people and visitors from other areas. Over 600 children from Northwood schools are taking part in special themed days at the National Wildflower Centre.

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APPENDIX C Case Study: Knowsley Woodland and Meadowland Management Programmes (Instilling Positive Habitat Management)

Woodland and meadowland habitats characterise Knowsley’s natural environment. Knowsley Council’s public green spaces contain over 200 ha and 87 ha of these habitats respectively. In 2008/9 a review of the woodland habitats contained within our public green spaces was carried out. This identified 46 sites with significant woodland habitat in line with Forestry Commission guidance. Woodlands ranged from mature woodlands that form part of the historic landscape of Knowsley (some being former country estate woodlands), whilst others were young plantations originating from the 1990s through extensive tree planting schemes spearheaded by the Mersey Forest. Some sites are purely community woodland, whilst others are wider parkland landscapes containing woodland blocks. Management of these woodland habitats wholesale was being carried out on a reactive and ad hoc basis, without specific expertise and good practice principles. As a result the condition of many of these habitats was poor, impacting on biodiversity, but also generating a range of social issues such as poor public use, anti-social activity, fly-tipping, fire damage and at worst, organised criminal activity. In partnership with the Mersey Forest, Knowsley Council commissioned a full arboricultural survey of all the community woodland sites across the borough, with a view to establishing individual woodland management plans that together would

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shape a pro-active long-term programme of woodland management across the borough. Planning of this programme took into consideration the financial and staff resources that were available to Knowsley Council in order to implement these works. However, the plans proved invaluable for securing external fundraising, the crucial source being the Forestry Commission ‘English Woodland Grant Scheme’, coupled with Big Lottery Fund, Landfill Communities Fund and a range of other sources. Working in partnership with specialist environmental bodies, such as Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Landlife, Groundwork, The Mersey Forest and 2020 Knowsley, as well as a host of site specific Friends Groups and Community Associations, Knowsley Council has successfully secured investment for a significant proportion of our community woodland sites, bringing about major transformation in the biodiversity and public value of some of Knowsley’s poorest woodland sites. Building on this success, Knowsley Council secured funding from Natural England in 2013 to deliver a Meadowland Development Project that would aim to establish a similar pro-active management programme for meadowland management, additionally incorporating a review of potential meadowland creation opportunities across the borough. Lancashire Wildlife Trust were commissioned to carry out the survey work of the existing meadowland sites and potential creation sites identified. This work linked closely with their ‘Forever Meadows – Plan Bee’ project that covers Knowsley in its remit. Rapid Condition Assessment Surveys have now set a brief for management of individual meadowland sites, with the feasibility of creation sites also graded. A full set of meadowland management plans are now being formulated to showcase the programme of meadowland management operations that will be needed. This work has informed the re-shaping of our Parks Grounds Maintenance programme to accommodate this revised management practice. In order to achieve this, trials needed to be carried out utilising different cutting equipment in order to achieve the desired result within our staffing resources. New cutting and collecting equipment was purchased and staff are being mentored by Lancashire Wildlife Trust on meadowland management practice. For both woodland and meadowland management, a long-term process of habitat restoration and ongoing management has now been established. This has brought about major improvements to the biodiversity and public value of many of our natural & semi-natural sites, though crucially, it will mean that all of our natural woodland and meadowland habitats will see an increase in positive management in the future.

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APPENDIX D Case Study: Woolfall Heath Meadow (Celebrating Knowsley’s Biodiversity)

(Image supplied by Landlife) Woolfall Heath Meadow stands as a ‘jewel in the crown’ of Knowsley’s natural heritage. Containing two Local Wildlife Site designations, it was also uniquely awarded a UNESCO endorsed UK MAB (Man & Biosphere) award for excellence. The site has been the focus of two innovative creative conservation initiatives that created Knowsley’s most diverse meadowland habitat, as well as an important reedbed habitat through the de-canalising of the River Alt within the site. In 1994, Landlife carried out an innovative process of topsoil removal to this meadowland site. This removed the fertile topsoil for sale to finance the creation of a diverse meadowland habitat on the exposed infertile subsoil. The amazing success of this scheme has set Woolfall Heath Meadow as a beacon of good practice that stands as testament to the value of soil inversion techniques for meadowland creation works. Around the same time, the National Rivers Authority, now Environment Agency, carried out a River Catchment restoration project on the River Alt that runs through this site. This de-canalised a key section of the Alt to create a highly valuable reedbed habitat from a river of otherwise poor biodiversity value. Despite the highly valuable nature of these habitats and the widespread recognition that they received in specialist circles (even internationally), there was limited local public recognition of Woolfall Heath Meadow. In an otherwise urbanised area of

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north Huyton, which is one of the most disadvantaged communities in the borough, the site was essentially perceived as a forgotten backland of no value to the local community. This placed the site at great risk of being utilised for other purposes including highway and housing developments. Working in partnership with the community, Knowsley Council, with support from Landlife, Merseyside Environmental Advisory Services, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Community Futures and 2020 Knowsley, set about developing a master plan for the restoration of the site both in terms of its natural habitats, as well as its public profile and recognition. Funding was secured through the North Huyton Neighbourhood Network from Big Lottery Fund ‘Community Spaces, Cory Environmental Trust in Britain and Forestry Commission to deliver a range of meadowland, woodland and reedbed/watercourse restoration works. Crucially, the funding also invested in entrance features, signage/interpretation, paths and other infrastructure that served to showcase the natural value of the site to the community. Woolfall Heath Meadow is now a transformed site. Not only are its natural habitats benefiting from positive management, but the local community has now embraced the site and are increasingly becoming custodians for its protection and conservation. This recognition is now setting the scene for Woolfall Heath Meadow being proposed for Local Nature Reserve status.

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APPENDIX E Case Study: Little Wood (Communities Championing Biodiversity)

Little Wood is a unique feature in the historical landscape of Knowsley. A former country estate woodland, with an awe inspiring collection of mature veteran trees, Little Wood is noted as being the former route of the private coach road linking the Croxteth Hall and Knowsley Hall estates of The Earls of Sefton and Derby respectively. This historical value is supplemented by the site’s formal designation as a Local Wildlife Site in recognition of the rich biodiversity that the woodland supports. The rural agricultural setting of Little Wood was to change forever in the 1950s with the construction of Cantrell Farm estate (now Stockbridge Village), which now borders the site to the south. This estate has unfortunately developed into one of Knowsley’s (and indeed the UK’s) most deprived communities, something that, for many years, Little Wood became synonymous with. By the turn of the century, Little Wood was infamous as a ‘no-go zone’ within the community, being characterised by burnt out stolen cars, fly-tipping, fire damage targeting the trees, anti-social behaviour and even organised criminal activity (storage of ammunition, stolen goods, etc.). As a result, the woodland had also become dense, dark and heavily overgrown, due in part to the encroachment of rhododendron that had been left to invade the site. The biodiversity and general viability of the woodland habitat itself was at great risk of being lost. In 2000, the Little Woods of Stockbridge Association became formed from a group of local residents committed to improving the site and promoting recognition and

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understanding of the site’s important wildlife value. They carried out a range of initiatives from conservation task days to clear rhododendron, fly-tipping removal activities and even a special initiative to clear over 30 burnt out cars that had become built up within the site. The group formed the Stockbridge Junior Rangers, which met regularly to engage children in educational and practical conservation work, with a view to promoting respect for the woodland and generating interest and enthusiasm for the local natural environment. This group has gone from strength to strength gaining numerous awards, with schools also reporting excellent feedback on the children’s educational performance. In 2011, the Little Woods of Stockbridge Association worked with Knowsley Council to secure over £100,000 funding from the Big Lottery Fund ‘Community Spaces’, Forestry Commission and the Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust to carry out a major restoration project on the woodland. This included a full woodland management operation that thinned the woodland and cleared Rhododendron encroachment, thus opening up the woodland in all its glory for wildlife and public alike. The pond habitats on the site were also restored. The works also involved public infrastructure installation, including entrances, signage/interpretation, paths and seating. The result was a transformation in the fortunes of Little Wood. The site’s infamous reputation is now a thing of the past, with vandalism, fly-tipping, anti-social and criminal activity much reduced and general public use much enhanced! The Little Woods of Stockbridge Association have embraced this change through the facilitation of a diverse programme of educational, recreational and social activities including continued conservation work, junior rangers activities, plus Summer Tea Parties for Older People and a Halloween Event! Crucially, this public participation has now acted to safeguard the valuable biodiversity contained within Little Wood. Conversely, however, it is the biodiversity of the site that is forming the basis for public participation and community benefits being generated from the woodland.

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APPENDIX F Case Study: Acornfield Plantation (Safeguarding Knowsley’s Natural Heritage)

Acornfield Plantation is a 10 ha community woodland that stands as Knowsley’s only formally designated Local Nature Reserve. It is a former estate woodland of the Earl of Sefton and is a mature mixed broadleaf woodland habitat with many fine specimen veteran trees, as well as acid grassland and pond habitat linked into a wider watercourse network. Crucially, however, Acornfield Plantation is notable for the lowland basin mire habitat that lies at its centre which is reminiscent of the much more extensive Kirkby Mosslands that once covered the area. The woodland lies adjacent to a small community of around 80 properties, but is defined more significantly by the Knowsley Industrial Park that surrounds the site to the north, west and south. The site’s aspect, coupled with the specialist range of habitats it contains brought a range of challenges to sustaining the site’s positive management and public use. For many years, Acornfield Plantation was an under-utilised site, with a clear emphasis of anti-social use including hunting, fly-tipping, arson and illicit activity. This was supported by the site’s generally secluded nature and the woodland’s density and overgrowth. Rhododendron was extensive throughout the site limiting sightlines and public confidence. The mire habitat was also at great risk. It was identified that the site was drying out and willow encroachment was evident. The watercourse, standing water and acid grasslands were also suffering from poor management, with Japanese Knotweed,

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Himalayan Balsam, Bracken and Azolla causing significant impact on the biodiversity of the site alongside the Rhododendron. In 2010, Knowsley Council initiated a process of community engagement and partnership development to address the range of social and biodiversity issues impacting on Acornfield Plantation. Enlisting the support of Arboricultural Training Bodies, Myerscough College and Millhouse Training Ltd. a programme of woodland thinning works and rhododendron clearance was carried out in line with the site’s woodland management plan. Through a series of community meetings, the Friends of Acornfield Plantation was formed in 2011; a community partnership with Knowsley Council that quickly secured over £90,000 from Big Lottery Fund ‘Community Spaces’ and Forestry Commission. This further invested in woodland management works, as well as public infrastructure investment (entrance features, signage/interpretation, paths, etc.). The Friends also spearheaded a programme of community events and activities generating a positive public profile of the woods. Due to the specialist nature of the habitats on this site, Lancashire Wildlife Trust became engaged as a key partner in exploring the restoration of these habitats. A grant from Biffa Award was secured to target the restoration of the range of habitats within the site. This included works on the mire to manage the water levels through a sluice system, clear willow encroachment, clear and treat rhododendron and other invasive species, restore acid grassland habitats and open up ditches and watercourses throughout the site for the benefit of water voles and other species. This work commenced in April 2014 and is now ongoing. It will involve Lancashire Wildlife Trust working closely with our own maintenance services, as well as volunteers, to build understanding and capacity in tailored habitat management. As a further development to the site, links were made with the Knowsley Industrial Park, which has been implementing a regeneration programme. A submission was made to the Board overseeing the programme for investment into Acornfield Plantation as a key resource that would define the image of the Park, attracting business interest and positive public profile, as well as being a practical resource for employees within the Park and even a tool for corporate social responsibility, team building and staff volunteering. Further funding was secured to this end, which is now set to invest in further public infrastructure in the site, as well as crucially, restoring the standing water habitat in the northern portion of the site. A programme of woodland management, rhododendron clearance and other habitat works through this funding has already been delivered, overseen by 2020 Knowsley. The outcome of this work has been that Acornfield Plantation and the diverse and valuable habitats and species it contains has been set on a course for wholesale restoration. This is to be complemented with a long-term instilling of sustainable management drawing on the expertise of specialist partners. The anti-social use of

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the site has also dissipated significantly, with a much increased positive public use and much lower incidence of fire damage, littering and other activity associated with its former secluded nature. This has ensured the safeguarding of this valuable hub for biodiversity for many years to come.

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APPENDIX G Case Study: Northwood Forest Hills (Uncovering Knowsley’s Biodiversity)

Lying on the northern boundary of the Northwood estate, Kirkby, Northwood Forest Hills was informally known by the community as ‘The Backy’. The site had an interesting history as the former railway link into the Knowsley Industrial Park (once a wartime ammunitions factory), which had created a highly undulating site. Landfill at its eastern end was the result of former maisonettes and a primary school having been demolished. For many years, the site was sealed off from formal public use by high palisade fencing. Despite this, however, the site was heavily affected by residential and commercial fly-tipping, as well as storing of stolen vehicles and a range of anti-social and criminal activity. This was linked to the surrounding estate’s reputation as being one of the most deprived communities in the Borough (and the UK). Aside from a tree planting initiative in the early 1990s under the ‘New Use for Vacant Industrial Land’ (NUVIL) scheme, the site received little management until 2010, when it became the focus of a major green space regeneration programme called Setting the Scene for Growth (Newlands). A bid submitted by Knowsley Council in partnership with The Mersey Forest was matched with Forestry Commission, Big Lottery Fund ‘Community Spaces’, Marks & Spencer’s ‘Greener Living Spaces Fund’ (through Groundwork Merseyside) to make an investment of over £320,000 into the site. The focus of the initiative was to convert this former brownfield site into a new public green space through a ‘Woodland Creation Project’. Two blocks of woodland

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were established through the scheme, but the project also involved a wholesale restoration of the wider natural habitats on the site, including existing woodland blocks, grasslands and, crucially, a crescent-shaped pond and marshland habitat that had formed on the site in the former railway valley during the site’s abandonment. As well as habitat restoration and creation works, the site benefited from a large scale public infrastructure investment, including entrance features, paths, seating, signage/interpretation and pond dipping/angling infrastructure around the pond, that would come to be the defining success of the scheme by securing the positive ownership by local anglers, including young men, that would otherwise have been involved in anti-social activity. The site has transformed the quality of life of the surrounding community. Anti-social activity has been replaced by positive public use and the anglers on the site are closely involved in safeguarding the site and promoting responsible use by others. In 2013, the site received a Royal Forestry Society Award for its impact on the community as an Urban Forestry initiative. A key success for the site, however, came from the original ecological survey delivered by Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service at the start of the process. This uncovered that the site was a particularly notable natural habitat and hub for biodiversity. This survey ultimately shaped the habitat restoration and creation works on the site, making sure that tree planting only occurred on grasslands of low value, whilst also showcasing the need for investment in the non-woodland habitats. Following the restoration and development of the site, this case of evidence also provided the basis for the site to become formally designated as a Local Wildlife Site, bringing the site into formal recognition for its biodiversity value.

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