Comments Deadlines!
The following three matters require comments by set dates so please take the time to check them in case you wish to comment:
1. Either reviewing at Havant's Plaza or online, read and comment on Havant's Draft Taxi Licensing Policy by Monday September 4th
http://havant.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s21287/Draft%20Taxi%20Licensing%20Policy.pdf or via Havant's website inputting Draft Taxi Licensing Policy.
2. Until Sept 13th you can comment on the England Coast Path: Plan of the Portsmouth to South Hayling stretch proposed by Natural England. Please read and let us all know your thoughts but make your comments online too - please pass on this information!!
3. You have until Sept. 17th to comment on Havant Borough Council & Bird Aware Org. Solent's strategy to mitigate the recreational impact of new housing around the Special Protection Areas (SPAs) across the Solent. Do consider issues of nesting birds. More information is on the Press Release below. Any links within may need to be copied & pasted into your browser if you are not automatically re-directed.
Don't forget to support your Association by attending our (brief) AGM and public speakers on our Flood Defences plus news about Hayling's Emergency Plan: Thursday October 19th 7:30 pm Hayling College, entrance Pepper Close.
JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM BIRD AWARE SOLENT AND HAVANT BOROUGH COUNCIL
Have your say on mitigating environmental impact in the wider Solent region
Until Sunday 17 September interested parties – from local residents to property developers and land owners – can have their say on a strategy to mitigate the recreational impact of new housing around the three Special Protection Areas (SPAs) across the Solent.
Bird Aware Solent (www.birdaware.org) is a partnership of local councils and conservation bodies, formed to reduce disturbance to birds spending the winter on the Solent coast. It is currently funded by an interim strategy developed by the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership (SRMP). Funding comes from financial contributions made by housing developers for each and every new dwelling they build within 5.6 kilometres (3.5 miles) of the SPAs. Work to date funded by the interim strategy includes a dedicated team of rangers working with members of the public along the Solent coastline, a number of public events and dedicated research and monitoring on a variety of topics.
A definitive strategy has been proposed to fulfil the need to fund mitigation measures in the area in perpetuity, and a public consultation about the strategy is now open and will run until Sunday 17 September. All feedback is welcome.
“Thanks to the SRMP interim strategy, Bird Aware Solent has achieved a great deal already” said Councillor Seán Woodward, Chairman of the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH), “I strongly urge developers and the wider public to contribute their thoughts via the consultation towards the definitive strategy, so we can secure the best deal for the environment we enjoy and cherish”
To take part, simply access the consultation online at www.birdaware.org .
END
Notes for editors
The Solent is internationally important for its wildlife. Each winter it hosts over 90,000 waders and wildfowl within its 3 Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
With proposed new housebuilding around the Solent SPAs the impact of additional recreational visits to the coast is likely to be lead to increased disturbance to these birds, which may leave them unable to migrate to their summer breeding homes, and ultimately to a decline in their populations.
After much research, a strategic approach to mitigating against this impact has been devised between local authorities encompassing the wider Solent region and several nature conservation organisations. Paid for by developer contributions, this approach seeks to raise awareness of the importance of the birds and how small changes in behaviour can allow us all to keep enjoying the coastline whilst allowing the birds to continue thriving.
Bird Aware Solent comprises fifteen local authorities in the wider Solent region, Natural England, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, and Chichester Harbour Conservancy.
The local authorities are: Chichester District Council, East Hampshire District Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Gosport Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, Havant Borough Council, Isle of Wight Council, New Forest District Council, New Forest National Park Authority, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, South Downs National Park Authority, Test Valley Borough Council and Winchester City Council.
The Draft Definitive Strategy has been developed through PUSH, the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire, who provide political governance to Bird Aware.
More information about the Partnership can be seen at www.birdaware.org
Further information:
Anna Parry, Bird Aware Partnership Manager
Tel: 023 9283 4 140
Media enquiries:
Tel: 023 9244 6506
