Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

The City Council has 12 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and manages them for wildlife and people. LNRs are a statutory designation local authority can declare in association with Natural England.

Officers have been working with the Friends of Logan’s Meadow LNR on a proposal to extend the site’s existing LNR designation onto former sports pitches and an area of adopted land. See appendix A of the officers report  for a location and site plan of proposed LNR extension. Red line demarks the existing LNR designation, green line the proposed extension.

A public consultation on the LNR extension and proposed creation of new habitats was widely publicised between 12th October and the 20^th November 2020 and received 460 responses, with an overall support for the proposal.

Officers sought authority to formally consult with Natural England on the proposed LNR extension, prior to public advertisement and declaration.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Open Spaces, Sustainable Food and Community Wellbeing

Approved the proposed LNR extension to Logan’s Meadow LNR and gave authority for officers to formally consult with Natural England and secure its declaration.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Environment Service.

The Biodiversity Officer said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          Play areas and other amenities would be kept. Officers were only asking to extend the Local Nature Reserve Designation over grassland.

     ii.          The aim was to present detailed plans in future on how to engage communities in plans. A good consultation response was received in lockdown.

   iii.          The objective was to present detailed plans in future as a response to the first round.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.