Dusty Teel

The National Association for AONBs Annual Report for 2018-19 is now available. This is the first year that AONBs have reported to new Key Performance Indicators, which are illustrated by case studies from around the UK showing the impact of the work of AONBs on nature, landscape, heritage and local communities.

Cannock Chase AONB Partnership is inviting community groups, businesses, farmers and individuals to apply for funding for projects that will benefit the AONB.

If you have an idea for a project which will bring environmental, economic, social or educational benefits to the communities within Cannock Chase AONB we want to hear from you.

A second round of the Cannock Chase AONB Sustainable Development Fund for 2019/20 is now open and applications need to be submitted by 15 November 2019.

The fund is funded by Defra and for the last ten years has enabled the AONB Partnership to support many projects which meet the primary purposes of the AONB:  to ‘conserve and enhance’ the natural beauty of the landscape.  The projects can be very different – but all have the conservation of our wonderful landscape at their core.  These have included local history projects, awareness days, leaflets about the wildlife of the AONB, practical work on local sites and nature reserves for access and wildlife, events, research projects and feasibility studies.

Applications can be made for grants up to £5000 and no project is too small.  Usually match funding of 25% – 50% will be needed but this can be from a variety of sources including ‘in kind’ contributions such as volunteer time or the loan of premises or equipment.

Of the grant scheme, Frances Beatty, Chair of the AONB Joint Committee commented:

“Funding is available to get local people thinking about how they can help keep the landscape in great shape.  We hope to receive plenty of applications and are looking forward to helping projects that will boost Cannock Chase AONB.”

For more information on how to apply contact cannockchase@staffordshire.gov.uk.

The Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Partnership is seeking views on its plans for how the internationally important wildlife habitats on Cannock Chase will be protected in the future.  The Partnership has produced two plans that set out how it will improve the visitor infrastructure at Cannock Chase, including the car parks, footpaths and visitor centres. They also look at how to raise awareness of the vital role visitors can play in protecting this special area.

The consultation runs until 29 November 2019. To read the plans and other relevant documents, please visit the consultation website at www.haveyoursaycannockchase.org.uk.

Reference copies of the plans are also available in the reception of:

• Stafford Borough Council at Riverside, Civic Centre, Stafford ST16 3AQ
• East Staffordshire Borough Council at The Town Hall, King Edward Place, Burton upon Trent DE14 2EB
• South Staffordshire District Council at Wolverhampton Road, Codsall, South Staffordshire, WV8 1PX
• Lichfield District Council at Frog Ln, Lichfield WS13 6HS
• Cannock Chase District Council at Civic Centre, Beecroft Road, Cannock, Staffs WS11 1BG
• The City of Wolverhampton Council at Civic Centre, St Peters Square, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SH
• Staffordshire County Council at 1 Staffordshire Place, Stafford, ST16 2DH

To discuss the plans, you can call the Cannock Chase SAC team on: 07800 619650 or 07800 619636.

Background

2.4 million people visit Cannock Chase every year. With increased housing development and a growing population, the number of people visiting Cannock Chase is expected to go up by 15 to 20 percent by 2026.

The two plans set out how to make sure there will be space for everyone to continue to enjoy the open air and natural beauty of Cannock Chase, without hurting its protected habitats and species.

Money has already been collected from developers of new housing developments that are built near Cannock Chase. This will be used to fund improvements to the Chase’s visitor infrastructure, provide better information, and work with visitors and landowners to help protect the site.

Once the plans are finalised, the improvements to Cannock Chase’s visitor infrastructure will start from early 2020 onwards.

Cannock Chase SAC Partnership includes: Stafford Borough Council, Cannock Chase District Council, Lichfield District Council, South Staffordshire District Council, East Staffordshire District Council, the City of Wolverhampton Council, Staffordshire County Council, Natural England, Forestry England, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, National Trust, RSPB and Cannock Chase AONB.

The 168-page review of England’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty by Julian Glover published on 26 September, wants “our national landscapes to work together with big ambitions so they are happier, healthier, greener, more beautiful and open to everyone”.

Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of 34 AONBs in England, and one of the oldest – designated in 1958 for its beautiful landscape, rich wildlife and history. Earlier this summer Julian Glover visited the AONB to meet partners and gather evidence. Frances Beatty, Chair of the AONB Partnership’s Joint Committee said:

“We are delighted that the review team has recognised the value of national landscapes like Cannock Chase and the hard work that AONB staff, volunteers, partners and local communities carry out together to look after these special places. We particularly welcome the recognition that, given adequate powers and resources, there is so much more that we can do for nature and people. The future for the nation’s most cherished landscapes looks bright.”

The review is now with the government. If ministers accept the review’s 27 recommendations, AONBs like Cannock Chase would have new purposes, powers and resources, and be renamed as ‘National Landscapes’.

The findings and implications of the Review were among the topics discussed at Cannock Chase AONB’s Annual Conference that took place at Brocton Hall Golf Club on Friday 4 October. Around 80 people gathered for this year’s event, the focus of which was the future of the AONB’s beautiful heathlands, home to threatened plants and animals, and much loved by locals and visitors.

A successful scheme designed to prevent accidents involving deer by keeping them away from the road is being expanded.

The pilot scheme, which is in place along the A513 near Shugborough, is activated by car headlights and use sounds and lights to stop animals from approaching. In its first year of usage, it saw a 60% decrease in night-time deer collisions with vehicles.

Now, the scheme is being expanded to run along a stretch of the Penkridge Bank Road, near to the Birches Valley Forest centre. Cannock Chase AONB and Staffordshire County Council have funded the scheme, which will be in place from 1 October.

Added to this, the British Deer Society Midlands has helped fund 100 deer safety signs, warning drivers that between October and December deer crossings along the Chase become more frequent, increasing the chance of collision.

Councillor Frances Beatty, Chair of Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) said:

“The herds of deer that roam the Chase are a much-loved emblem that people enjoy seeing as part of their experience of the AONB. The installation of further deterrents to reduce conflicts between deer and road users is very welcome, and is a great example of partnership working within the AONB.”

The views around Marquis Drive Visitor Centre and at Shugborough Estate on Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are getting better!

During this autumn and winter approximately 3.5 kilometres of overhead electricity lines from White House to Moors Gorse are being removed and placed underground as part of an ongoing £2.3 million initiative by Western Power Distribution (WPD) to enhance protected landscapes.

WPD Wayleave Specialist Donna Bayliss explains:

“This work is being funded through a regulatory-backed initiative to enhance protected landscapes by removing electrical infrastructure like overhead lines. We work closely with representatives from National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to identify suitable sites for consideration. This has been really helpful to pinpoint high priority schemes and enable the limited funds to be spent as effectively as possible.”

The overhead line runs alongside Marquis Drive and across Forestry England’s estate towards Sheepwash Farm.  WPD has obtained all the necessary approvals for working in this sensitive area. Work started on 16 September 2019 and is due to last approximately 16 weeks. The work will be arranged to minimise disruption; however, traffic lights will be necessary for a few weeks, and visitors to the area are asked to take care around the contractor’s working areas and make allowances for any inconvenience.

This is one of two sites in the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which will be transformed during 2019/2020. A scheme proposed jointly by the AONB and the National Trust, will also see overhead lines at Shugborough Estate removed to restore the historic character of this iconic Grade I listed park.

Councillor Frances Beatty, Chair of the Cannock Chase AONB Partnership added:

“We are delighted to have secured the funding from Western Power Distribution for these improvements to the landscape.  The work both at White House to Sheepwash Farm and at Shugborough will improve the visual amenity in iconic parts of the AONB, in terms of public benefit, the schemes will also deliver on a large scale as being two of the most visited sites in Cannock Chase.”

Cannock Chase has had a Fixed Point Photography project since 2005 – one of the longest running in any AONB in the UK.

By taking images twice a year from the same viewpoint, and repeating the exercise year on year, it becomes possible, over time, to detect landscape changes and understand the reasons why.

The project is still run by its founder, Steve Welch, who co-ordinates the volunteer photographers.  On 2 September 2019 a refresher workshop was held at Beaudesert Farm for around 20 of our enthusiastic volunteers.  With their fantastic support, the project looks set to continue monitoring landscape change on Cannock Chase for years to come.