Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document

Ended on the 22 March 2023
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(2) Chapter 3: Colchester context

Colchester's natural environment is extremely diverse and important. The countryside provides the attractive landscape setting that defines and characterises Colchester's villages and rural communities. The countryside and coastal areas also provide important agricultural, tourism and recreational opportunities that support local economies and communities. The Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is partly located within Colchester, this has the highest level of protection in relation to its natural beauty and special qualities.

The maps in this chapter show Colchester's key biodiversity assets. Environmental designations can be viewed on Defra's interactive nature on the map: Magic Map Application (defra.gov.uk). All designations should be robustly protected from development by rigorous application of the mitigation hierarchy. The map on this page provides an overview of all of Colchester's environmental designations.

Image is of a map showing a black line around the Colchester district boundary with an inset key listing the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sites of Scientific Interest, Ramsar, Regional Important Geological Sites, Local Wildlife Sites, Local Nature Reserve, Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation. The Area of Outstanding Natural also known as AONB is shown in light pink, located to the north of Colchester surrounding Dedham. The Sites of Special Scientific Interest also referred to as SSSI, are shown in yellow and are located around Colchester, mainly to the South and along the estuary and coastline. The Ramsar designations are shown in green diagonal lines and are located, mainly to the south of Colchester, along the estuary and coastline. The Regional Important Geological Site is shown on the map in Magenta and is the only designation located close to Fingringhoe. The various light green areas show where the local wildlife site designations are across Colchester. The Local Nature Reserve designation is shown as a brown line and are designated in various places across Colchester. A dark blue line shows where the Special Protection areas are located to the South of Colchester, mainly along the estuary and coastline.

Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites

Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are sites designated under the Birds Directive by the member states where appropriate steps are taken to protect the bird species for which the site is designated. In Colchester there is the Colne Estuary, Blackwater Estuary and Abberton Reservoir SPAs. These SPAs are also designated as Ramsar sites, which are wetlands of international importance.

Special Areas of Conservation

Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are sites of European Community importance designated by the member states, where necessary conservation measures are applied for the maintenance or restoration, at favourable conservation status, of the habitats and/or species for which the site is designated. In Essex we have the Essex Estuaries SAC, which includes numerous SPAs, including those SPAs within Colchester. The map below shows the SPAs and Ramsar sites in Colchester and the Essex Estuaries SAC.

Image is of a map showing a black line around the Colchester district boundary, with an inset key listing the Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation and Ramsar. The Special Protection areas are shown on the map as a dark blue line and are located to the South of Colchester and mainly along the Estuary and along the coastline. The Special Areas of Conservation are shown as red lines and along the estuary and coastline. The Ramsar designations are shown in green diagonal lines and are located, mainly to the south of Colchester, along the estuary and coastline.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is land notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as an ecosystem of flora and/or fauna considered by Natural England to be of significant national value and interest to merit its conservation and management. The map below shows SSSIs in Colchester.

Image is of a map showing a black line around the Colchester district boundary, showing the designation of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest also known as SSSI. The designations are shown in green diagonal lines and located towards the south of Colchester, along the estuary and coastline.

National and Local Nature Reserves

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) were established to protect some of our most important habitats, species, and geology, and to provide 'outdoor laboratories' for research. Local authorities can create local nature reserves (LNRs). LNR are important for biodiversity and nature conservation at the local level. The local authority must control the LNR land - either through ownership, a lease or an agreement with the owner. The natural features of the LNR must be cared for and it must be made accessible for visitors. The map below shows the LNRs in Colchester.

Image is of a map showing a black line around the Colchester district boundary, with an inset key listing the designation of Local Nature Reserves also known as LNR. These are shown as brown lines and are located to the north, outside of the Colchester boundary and in and surrounding the centre of Colchester.

Local Wildlife Sites (LoWS)

LoWS are recognised as having nationally and regionally important habitats and species and are of fundamental importance in maintaining the current levels, and ensuring the long-term survival, of wildlife in Essex.LoWS help to buffer and connect areas of natural and semi-natural habitat, contributing to ecological networks and increasing the resilience of biodiversity to pressures of land use and climate change. LoWS represent vital core areas of habitat in the emerging Local Nature Recovery Network. The map below shows the LoWS in Colchester.

Image is of a map showing a black line around the Colchester district boundary, with an inset key listing the designation of Local Wildlife Sites also known as LoWS. These are shown as green lines and are scattered across the map in various locations.

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