Lostwithiel

Aim:
To investigate the viability of designating Shire Hall and Madderly Moors as a Local Nature Reserve and implementing as advised.

Evidence of Need:
At present the moors are unmanaged, consequently areas are becoming eroded and vegetation needs attention and pruning. There is a need to establish discreet footpaths and stabilise existing ones. Drainage channels on both moors are silting up thereby changing the ecology of the area. In the report on this section of the River Fowey produced by the West Country Rivers Trust a strong case was made for conservation by creating a Local Nature Reserve on the moors.

Background:
Local Nature Reserves (LNR) are statutory designations made by local authorities (in consultation with country conservation agencies) with objectives similar to those of National Nature Reserves but for the local interest of the site and its wildlife.

(Reference - Joint Nature Conservation Committee – An Inventory of UK Estuaries).

The importance of wetland and salt marsh habitats is recognised by DEFRA who support the restoration of inter-tidal habitats through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Salt marshes are important for their ecological, social and economic contribution but during the last hundred years they have been drastically depleted. Under the Stewardship Scheme suitably located coastal and arable or grasslands currently protected by sea walls are re-flooded and valuable inter-tidal habitat such as salt marsh is allowed to develop.

Shirehall and Madderly Moor are rare examples of salt marsh in the South West of England and fall within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The river is recognized as an important nursery for sea-bass and noted for salmon and trout fishing. Out of the thirty-five estuaries along the south coast from Pegwell Bay in Kent to the Helford these moors are the smallest and include only a limited area of salt marsh. However they do offer a habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife.

Shirehall Moor could be managed as a conservation feature to enhance its potential for wildlife habitat, landscape, tourism and hydrological value. All of these features need to be implemented and managed in appropriate ways to maximise and preserve the environmental and aesthetic value.

Declaration of Shirehall Moor as a Local Nature Reserve could attract grant aid for maintenance and management through the Wildscape Scheme.

Next Steps:
• An MSc student from Plymouth University has compiled a report on the moors –
“An Assessment of the Potential Ecological, Environmental and Recreational Activities at the Shirehall and Madderly Moors.”
• This report will form the basis of the declaration of the evidence that is required to form a LNR.
• The services of an environmental consultant may be required for surveying for additional evidence.
• There would have to be a management plan written in order to safeguard the future of the moors.
• This is a chance to ensure that the area becomes well managed especially if a countryside warden could be appointed.
• The local community will be consulted on all developments with presentations from experts as appropriate.
• Recommendations with options will be made to the Town council, as owners of the land, for their final decision.