Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Public Realm

 RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the council's application to Natural England to become an Approved Body pursuant to section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is authorised;

2.    consent is given to the designation of Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common as a National Nature Reserve;

3.       all necessary actions to facilitate the designation process in collaboration with Natural England for Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common as a National Nature Reserve are approved.

The Cabinet Member for Waste Services, Recycling and Public Realm introduced his report, which requests approval to work towards declaring Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), in recognition of its national importance for geology, wildlife and learning.  He said Cheltenham is lucky to have such a fabulous public asset and thanked everyone who works and volunteers to maintain and preserve it.  Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common is already a Site of Special Scientific Interest, in view of its important Jurassic limestone grassland and diverse flora and fauna, and he welcomed the invitation to join the England-wide network of 221 NNRs, in recognition of its national importance.  He confirmed that this would not bring any additional burdens, but would result in more signage at no extra cost, which was very welcome. 

He asked Members to authorise the designation and approve the necessary actions.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency agreed that Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common are inspirational, saying that his time spent there as a child has inspired a lifetime appreciation of nature and beauty.  He wholeheartedly supports the recommendation, and welcomes national recognition of a place which is very special to the people of Cheltenham. 

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Wellbeing and Culture said he also endorses and warmly supports the recommendation to protect this amazingly special place, not only for its wide range of flora and fauna and its geology, but also for its political importance as the site of spectacular non-violent action in the early twentieth century which culminated in 1927 in public ownership of Leckhampton Hill, making it open for everyone and a safe space for nature.  He thanked the Friends of Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common and CBC’s ranger team.

He also suggested that the climate change could well be revisited, as there is much about the proposal to contribute to the green agenda.

The Cabinet Member for Waste Services, Recycling and Public Realm thanked fellow Members for their thoughts, saying this demonstrated why the area is such an important public asset to the town and why it should be protected for ever.

The Leader suggested that it would be worth taking a retrospective look at the climate change assessment and the proposal will clearly tick many of the boxes.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the council's application to Natural England to become an Approved Body pursuant to section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is authorised;

2.    consent is given to the designation of Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common as a National Nature Reserve;

3.       all necessary actions to facilitate the designation process in collaboration with Natural England for Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common as a National Nature Reserve are approved.