Issue - meetings

(a)       That Bathpool Park be formally declared as a Local Nature Reserve under the provisions of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

(b)       That appreciation for the work carried out by the Friends of Bathpool Park and the Council’s officers be recorded.

A report was considered recommending that Bathpool Park be declared as a Local Nature Reserve in accordance with Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

The Council currently worked with Newcastle Countryside Project to manage and promote the site and the Project had prepared a management plan for the site details of which were set out in the officer’s report.

Natural England supported the management plan and also to the park be declared as a Local Nature Reserve.

The process to be followed leading to declaration of the site was set out in the officer’s report and it was felt that the action now proposed would demonstrate the Council’s commitment to nature conservation, increase public awareness of the natural environment and secure the long term future of it’s wildlife habitat and natural features.  The proposal was also in line with the Urban Staffs Green Space Strategy Action Plan.

Resolved:(a)  That Bathpool Park be formally declared as a Local Nature Reserve under the provisions of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

                 (b)  That appreciation for the work carried out by the Friends of Bathpool Park and the Council’s officers be recorded.