Issue - meetings

This report proposes that Acomb Wood and Acomb Meadow be declared a Local Nature Reserve as part of the development of a city wide network of Local Nature Reserves (LNRs). Acomb Wood and Meadow are situated in the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward of the City, bordering Westfield Ward.  As parts of the site are in differing Executive portfolios the report is presented to both Leisure and Culture and Housing Executive Members for approval.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·           Agree Option 1 in the report; that Acomb Wood and Acomb Meadow be designated as a Local Nature Reserve.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: The advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  The designation as an LNR will bring positive benefits to the local community and to the site itself. It will help preserve and enhance the site for the future years, send a positive message to the local community and ensure good management practices are followed in consultation with Natural England.

Members considered a report concerning the designation of Acomb Wood & Acomb Meadow as a Statutory Local Nature Reserve. The report proposed that Acomb Wood and Acomb Meadow be declared a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Acomb Wood and Acomb Meadow are situated in the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward of the City, bordering Westfield Ward.

Officers said that the main benefits of declaring this area as a Statutory LNR were to show people how important the site was, to give the site extra protection and to open up the possibility of funding opportunities. Natural England support the designation of Acomb Wood and Meadow as an LNR.

Members asked how long the Friends of Acomb Wood had been in existence and Officers said that they had been established in 2002.

Members asked whether other Councils met the nationally recommended quota of LNR and Officers replied that they were only aware of one Council that met the national recommendations.

Members asked whether the areas would be patrolled and Officers stated that there was no patrolling system but the area would be visited on at least a weekly basis by one of three Community Leisure Officers. The Friends of Acomb Wood would also 'keep an eye' on the area and report any problems that may occur.

Members expressed the view that it was important that this kind of land was supported.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·           Agree Option 1 in the report; that Acomb Wood and Acomb Meadow be designated as a Local Nature Reserve.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: The advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  The designation as an LNR will bring positive benefits to the local community and to the site itself. It will help preserve and enhance the site for the future years, send a positive message to the local community and ensure good management practices are followed in consultation with Natural England.