Neutral Grassland: Key objectives
- Raise awareness of the importance of neutral grassland habitat for biodiversity
- Review the extent and condition of neutral grassland habitat in Barnsley.
- Promote good management practice for semi-natural neutral grassland habitat and seek to maintain its extent.
- Seek the creation of new, and extension of existing, semi-natural, neutral grassland habitat
- Seek to create links and corridors between semi-natural neutral grassland habitats and other habitats
- Collect and analyse records of populations and assemblages of wildlife species in semi-natural neutral grasslands across Barnsley
- Ensure that all suitable semi-natural neutral grassland sites are identified as Local Wildlife Sites or SSSIs.
Roles
Landowners and managers:
- manage grassland habitat, following best practice.
- take up opportunities to restore grassland habitat and connecting habitats where this does not damage other habitats.
A number of organisations including land fill bodies may offer grants for grassland management, improvement and restoration. It can also be part of countryside stewardship schemes
Natural England: Where it is intended to change the use of unimproved grassland this should be subject to a change of use application to Natural England.
Barnsley council as a planning authority: can ensure in relevant cases that the biodiversity value of grasslands are maintained and enhanced. It can set conditions to protect grassland and require EIAs where appropriate.
Voluntary groups and volunteers
- can help with meadow creation, extension and management where appropriate.
- can help provide information about the condition of our grasslands and collect records of the wildlife seen there.
What has been done?
- Some species-rich meadows have been restored or maintained by private individuals, farmers, charities and local community groups.
- New meadow at RSPB Old Moor
- Clegg’s Meadow created near Broomhill Flash. Garganey Trust 2004.
- Friends of the Earth Penistone have created a number of meadows.
- Transpennine Trail conservation volunteers with Barnsley council rangers have been active in creating and managing wild flower grassland areas along the transpennine trail.
Proposed actions
- Proposed new meadow near Broomhill Flash. Garganey Trust 2019-
- Identify other grassland with the potential to be brought up to priority grassland status
- protect and conserve unimproved grassland sites through designation and promotion of countryside stewardship.
- Manage amenity grasslands, grassland in school and other grounds, and roadside verges, for biodiversity
- Part of this approach is to identify willing farmers and land owners.
Marking Progress
- No reduction in extent of unimproved or semi-improved grassland
- Grassland restored or created to meet priority habitat criteria.
- Grassland in conservation management / favourable condition.