Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, has assisted the Hampshire Wildlife Trust in producing a ‘tool kit’ which will help local parishes with the preparation of parish wildlife maps.
A parish wildlife map is a graphical representation of some of the key habitats and species within a parish, town or village boundary, created by surveys and background information. These maps can be linked to parish plans or village design statements or can help to identify ways to protect and enhance biodiversity locally.
A copy of the tool kit can be downloaded below.
The Overton Biodiversity Society, who piloted the new toolkit, have produced a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for the parish of Overton with assistance from the council and the Hampshire Wildlife Trust. Overton’s BAP sets out targeted action to halt and reverse declines in the parish’s biodiversity by protecting and enhancing it.
Habitats and Species highlighted in the BAP include:
- Chalk Rivers - Overton’s prime wildlife site is the River Test. This is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to a number of flagship species for chalk rivers such as kingfishers and possibly otters. Action is needed to reverse the river’s current ‘unfavourable’ condition1which includes preventing water pollution and the spread of Himalayan Balsam – a non-native invasive species.
- Hedgerows – Overton has an estimated 150 km of hedgerow in the parish, making them an extremely significant wildlife resource. Action is needed to raise awareness of the importance of hedges in linking habitats together to encourage the movement of species such as Dormice across the landscape.
- Glow worms – St Mary’s churchyard in Overton has a long established colony of glow worms which require specific conditions to survive. Action is required to ensure the necessary sensitive management of vegetation in which they live is carried out.
- Farmland Birds – population numbers of these can be used as indicators of the environmental health of agricultural land. They include species such as skylark, lapwing and yellow hammer. Intensification of agricultural practices has led to major reductions in their populations so action is needed to monitor their numbers locally and encourage sympathetic farming.
A copy of Overton Parish Biodiversity Action Plan can be downloaded below.
The council is keen to encourage the participation of all local groups and people in decisions affecting the future of the borough’s biodiversity and we hope other parishes within the Borough will be inspired to undertake similar projects. If you would like to get involved, please send an email to
neighbourhood.dev@basingstoke.gov.uk or call 01256 845261.
