Local Priority Habitats: Key objectives

• Raise awareness of the changes in local priority species numbers and of the possible reasons.
• Collect and analyse records of local priority species across Barnsley and review and monitor sites where they breed, forage or shelter.
• Protect and extend sites with local priority species foraging, breeding or sheltering, and enhance particular habitat features they use.
• Ensure LWS or SSSI designation of sites which support populations of priority species or a significant assemblage.
• Establish positive conservation management of sites that support priority species to bring them into favourable condition for them.

Achievements

• See priority habitats achievements
• See individual groups of priority species.
• Barnsley Biological Record Centre established to collect and make available records of important sites, habitats and wildlife species.
• The Local Plan adopted in 2019 protects designated sites and has specific conditions for allocated development sites to protect and conserve biodiversity.
• SSSI designation Dearne Valley sites for breeding and wintering birds. 2018-21 Natural England, DVGHP
  Previous designation of Dark Peak SSSi etc.
• Local Wildlife Site designation.

Marking progress:

• Populations of priority species maintained/improved
• Assemblages maintained/improved
• Distributions of priority species extended
• Sites that support priority species in positive conservation management
• Sites that support priority species in favourable condition.

Proposed actions

• See priority habitats proposed actions
• Establish and maintain inventories of
• Sites with significant populations of priority species
• Sites with significant assemblages of species
• Positive conservation of habitat features that support priority species
• Carry out prioritised LWS designation of sites with populations of priority species or significant assemblage.

Actions for Priority Species