dlnp-prospectus 2013-r17 wild devon 32pp · the partnership covers the geographical area of devon...

DLNP-prospectus 2013-R17_Wild Devon 32pp 09/01/2014 16:31

Welcome to this prospectus for Natural Devon

which sets out our strategic vision and aims for

the next five years. In this county, we are fortunate

to enjoy the most amazing natural environment -

spectacular landscapes, seascapes, and habitats.

Not only are these rich in wildlife but they

provide water, soils and other resources for our

homes and industries as well as great

opportunities for Devon residents and visitors to

enjoy and refresh themselves. Our natural

environment is well worth looking after for all

these reasons.

As the Chair of Natural Devon I am delighted to

share this prospectus with you. It is based on

wide consultation about what matters to the

people and the environment of Devon. We look

forward to working with all our partners to

strengthen and nurture the connections between

a healthy environment, healthy economy and

healthy communities. Come and join us!

Suzanne Goodfellow, Chair

Natural Devon (Devon Local Nature Partnership) is an umbrella body

which brings together everyone with an interest in securing the benefits

of our natural environment. The Partnership covers the geographical area

of Devon including Torbay, but not including Plymouth which has a

separate Local Nature Partnership

Natural Devon was established towards the end of 2012. This prospectus

explains the structure of Natural Devon, our aims and priorities, and how

the Partnership brings ‘added value’ to existing work.

The prospectus is aimed at all those interested in maximising the

economic and social benefits of a healthy natural environment in Devon.

ContentsIntroduction p.3

Natural Devon – an overview p.4-5

Devon’s natural value – a few examples p.6-7

Priority themes 2014-2019 p.8

Naturally healthy p.9

Green connections p.10

Outdoor learning p.11

Farming with nature p.12

Wood for good p.13

Resilient wetlands p.14

Sustainable seas P.15

Welcome Introduction

2 3

To find out more and get involved please see our

website – www.naturaldevon.org.uk or contact the

secretariat - [email protected] or 01392 383871.

Cover photo: Marsland, D Chamberlain.

Great Hangman, Exmoor.; Elizabeth Harris .

DLNP-prospectus 2013-R17_Wild Devon 32pp 09/01/2014 16:31

DLNP

Our purpose and aimsOur purpose is to ensure that a healthy natural

environment underpins a high quality of life across

Devon, with a strong green economy and healthy

communities.

Our three aims are:

1. To protect and improve Devon’s natural environment

• We will protect and enhance our naturalresources and achieve bigger, better,joined-up and resilient wildlife habitats,together with characteristic landscapes.

2. To grow Devon’s green economy• We will support and promote business

opportunities which depend on and help tosustain a healthy natural environment.

3. To reconnect Devon’s people with nature • We will improve and promote access to the

environment for residents and visitors,benefiting our physical, mental andspiritual wellbeing and quality of life.

Our structureNatural Devon is led by a Board which represents a

wide range of relevant sectors. Board members are

listed on the back cover of this prospectus. A Forum

provides an ‘umbrella’ for all the organisations,

partnerships, communities, businesses and individuals

working to achieve Natural Devon’s aims. Task and

Finish Groups will be set up as required to take

forward specific issues. A small Executive Group

supports the Board and provides the secretariat

function.

For more information please see the website

www.naturaldevon.org.uk

Natural Devon will add value through:

Providing the right evidence. We will promote

evidence on the state and value of our natural

environment. We will publish a State of Environment

report and more detailed studies, including a State of

Nature report.

Championing priorities. We will identify and

champion priorities for Natural Devon including

promoting landscape scale initiatives such as the

Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area.

Speaking with a clear voice. We will speak with

clarity and authority about critical issues for Devon’s

environment and its associated economic and social

benefits.

Influencing decisions. We will use our ‘duty to co-

operate’ role to influence relevant local and national

policies and strategies (including Local Plans and

economic and health strategies).

Unlocking resources. We will work with the Heart of

the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Devon

and Torbay Health and Wellbeing Boards and others to

explore funding sources. We will look for new ways to

attract payments for ecosystem services.

Forging links. We will strengthen links between

Forum members and the wider Devon community. We

will develop strong strategic links with key

organisations and neighbouring Local Nature

Partnerships.

Improving communication. We will improve

communication and networking between Forum

members, and between Natural Devon and other

partners. We will ensure that best practice is shared.

Devon’s natural environment is amazing

• Wildlife-rich habitats cover approximatelyone fifth of Devon.

• Devon is the only county with two coasts.

• We have two National Parks, five Areas ofOutstanding Natural Beauty, a BiosphereReserve, and two World Heritage sites.

This environment provides us not just with beautiful

landscapes and wildlife, but with food, fuel, pollination,

flood control and great recreational and business

opportunities. It is Devon’s biggest asset and one of the

main reasons we want to work and live here.

Why is Natural Devon needed?Although the quality of life in Devon is generally high

we face a number of challenges. These include

population growth (the population is predicted to

increase by 20% between 2008 and 2033), our

economy (low wages and seasonal employment),

health and wealth inequalities, climate change, and the

extent and condition of our habitats and species (only

36% of our Sites of Special Scientific Interest and 32%

of our rivers are in good condition).

A fundamental issue is the need to strengthen the

connection between Devon’s communities, economies

and environment. We need to ensure that the benefits

we obtain from our natural environment are properly

valued.

In Devon, many of the socio-economic challenges are

being recognised at the strategic level by partnerships

such as the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise

Partnership, and Devon and Torbay Health and

Wellbeing Boards. Natural Devon will work alongside

these partnerships, and others, to ensure that the value

of nature is understood and integrated into decision

making.

At a national level, the 2011 Natural Environment White

Paper recognised the importance of the natural

environment and the need for Local Nature

Partnerships to be established. We were given Local

Nature Partnership status by ministers in late 2012.

Natural Devon – an overview

4 5

The Wildlife Trusts

DLNP-prospectus 2013-R17_Wild Devon 32pp 09/01/2014 16:31 Page 4

The term ecosystem services refers

to the social and economic benefits

which the natural environment

provides. While these services are

crucial, they are all too often taken

for granted and given little or no

value in economic decisions. A new

approach, known as payments for

ecosystem services, places a

monetary value on these services.

Devon’s natural value - a few examples

6 7

Jurassic CoastThe Jurassic Coast is the only natural World

Heritage Site in England. The designation

puts it on a par with the Grand Canyon and

Great Barrier Reef. The East Devon stretch

attracts around 650,000 staying visitors and

2.5 million day visitors each year, with a

spend of over £250 million.

AccessWe have 3,200 miles of

public rights of way and

over 86,000 hectares of

accessible natural green

space (largely Open Access

land). The health and welfare

value of the UK’s green

spaces is £30 billion a year.

LandscapesDevon has two National Parks and five

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

and our landscapes are a main

attraction for tourists. Tourism spend

in the county is over £2 billion

annually, more than any other county

in the south west. Dartmoor National

Park contributed £520 million to the

local economy in 2009.

FarmlandMany of Devon’s habitats of international importance such as

heathland, grasslands and moors are the result of livestock farming.

The Working Wetlands programme, part of Upstream Thinking, has

drawn down £7.7 million of agri-environment funding in the past six

years to support local farmers across north Devon.

Hedges and woodlands.Devon has approximately 77,600 hectares of woodland and 53,000 km

of hedges, around 20% of all the species-rich hedges in the UK. A

study of the UK woodfuel industry showed that the value of wood fuel

production in Devon could grow by £4 million between 2010 and 2020. Nectar networksFlower- rich areas on farmland,

road verges, gardens, parks

and schools all provide an

important source of nectar and

pollen for Devon’s bees and

other pollinators. Nationally the

cost of replacing pollination

services provided by bees is

around £1.8 billion a year in

labour and pollen alone.

RiversDevon has 3,500 km of

riverine habitat which

supports a wealth of wildlife,

including an internationally

important otter population.

Devon’s 13 salmon rivers

support some of the best

salmon fishing in the UK.

The River Dart is

internationally renowned for

white water sports.

WetlandsSouth West Water is investing £9.1 million in Upstream

Thinking between 2010 and 2015. Funding in Devon is

helping to restore upland bogs and wet culm grasslands.

These act as sponges within the landscape, helping to

clean and regulate our water supply.

CoastDevon has 42 beaches with Blue Flag

status. Surfing from north Devon

beaches is estimated to be worth £52

million per year to the local economy.

Braunton Burrows forms the core of

North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere

Reserve, the only Biosphere Reserve

in England.

South West Coast PathThe longest National Trail in England which runs along the

entire length of both Devon’s coasts. It is the UK’s most

popular National Trail and is listed as one of the world’s

greatest walks by Lonely Planet. In 2011 over 2 million

people used the Devon section, spending over £132 million.

Lyme BayIdentified as a UK marine biodiversity hotspot.

Reefs support rare species such as the sunset

cup coral. Commercial fishing within just the

Torbay Marine Conservation Zone generates

nearly £1 million a year in landings. Recreational

activities generate around £1.6 million a year.

Examples of ecosystem services

Provisioning services (products) -food, water, fuel, timber,minerals

Regulating services (processes) -pollination, water purification,climate regulation, flood control

Cultural services - recreation, landscape andcultural heritage

References can be found on

Natural Devon’s website. Further

examples of the value of Devon’s

natural environment are given in

the next section.

Jellyfish, Paul Naylor.


Devon’s natural environment has huge potential for

improving our health and wellbeing. Whether

walking, cycling, swimming or just by being

somewhere special and feeling happier and more

connected to people, there are lots of ways in which

we can improve our health. On the beach, in the

woods, bird watching or stargazing, we can all benefit

by experiencing and appreciating the beauty of

what’s around us.

Being ‘naturally active’ is even more important for

people whose health is not as good as it could be.

Improving access is a must if we are to harness

Devon’s natural benefits and reduce inequalities in

health.

While Devon potentially provides endless

opportunities for being ‘naturally active’ we know that

there are many people who do not benefit from our

environment, particularly those over 65, those on low

pay or unemployed, members of minority groups and

people with disabilities or long-term illness. Only

13% of adults in Devon regularly participate in sport

or active recreation (including walking and cycling).

We have identified seven inter-connected priority

themes as the focus for our work. All help to meet

Natural Devon’s three main aims. These themes were

identified following consultation with Forum members

in 2012 and 2013. They will be amended as necessary

to reflect current issues.

A detailed delivery plan will be produced andwill be available on our website.

Naturally healthy Vision: Everyone in Devon has the opportunityand the confidence to be ‘naturally active’ in orderto improve their health and wellbeing.

Green connections Vision: High quality Green Infrastructure isintegrated into and connects all housing andcommercial developments helping Devon to beknown as a great place to live, work and dobusiness.

Outdoor learning Vision: People of all ages regularly interact withDevon’s natural environment as an integral part oflifelong learning.

Farming with nature Vision: Devon’s prosperous and productivefarming economy meets our production needs,supports communities and protects and enhancesthe environment.

Wood for good Vision: Devon’s woodlands and hedges aresustainably managed and rich in wildlife throughbeing re-connected to the local economy and localcommunities.

Resilient wetlands Vision: Devon’s wetlands and watercoursesprovide resilience to flooding and drought, healthyfisheries and wildlife habitats, fantasticrecreational opportunities and a clean watersupply.

Sustainable seas Vision: Devon’s world-class coast and marineenvironment is wisely used and provides asustainable living for local fishing communities, ahome for an impressive variety of wildlife, and anattraction to millions of visitors and residents.

Naturally Healthy Priority themes 2014-2019

There is a 12-year life expectancy gap

across electoral wards in Devon.

8 9

Our vision:Everyone in Devon has the opportunity and the

confidence to be ‘naturally active’ in order to improve

their health and wellbeing.

We will: • Champion Devon’s natural environment

as a way of promoting health equality andimproving health. We will focus on:

Those at risk of or suffering from poorhealth, in order to reduce dependenceon treatments and health services.

Those who do not currently engage withthe natural environment.

Children and young people, along withtheir families and schools.

Our workforce.

• Contribute to achieving healthimprovement measures set by Devon andTorbay Health and Wellbeing Boards.

• Encourage environmental volunteering.

What success looks like: A greater number and diversity of people being

‘naturally active’.

Braunton Burrows.

Grand Western Canel, Tiverton.


10 11

Green Infrastructure is the network of green spaces

and corridors which includes parks, playing fields,

woodlands, wetlands, allotments and gardens, cycle

routes and footpaths. These spaces provide access to

the natural environment and opportunities for us to be

‘naturally active’. Other benefits include flood

alleviation opportunities, wildlife habitat and climate

regulation. Attractive environments encourage inward

investment and provide places where people want to

work and live.

Green Infrastructure strategies are being developed

by local authorities across Devon in order to improve

existing resources and ensure that Green Infrastructure

is provided as part of new developments. Exeter

Science Park and Sherford are leading the way. The

provision of Green Infrastructure is also being used as

a way to manage recreational pressure and enable

growth near sensitive areas such as the Exe Estuary

and East Devon Pebblebed Heaths.

However, Green Infrastructure is often viewed as an

‘extra’, rather than an essential and funding is focused

on ensuring the provision of grey infrastructure (roads,

sewers and utilities).

Our vision:• High quality Green Infrastructure is

integrated into, and connects, all housingand commercial developments helpingDevon to be known as a great place to live,work and do business.

We will:• Promote a better planned, co-ordinated and

consistent approach to the provision andmanagement of Green Infrastructure acrossDevon, with a particular focus on the areaswith most growth.

• Encourage greater investment in GreenInfrastructure provision.

• Showcase how Green Infrastructure candeliver growth and essential servicesthrough keynote events run with developers,local planning authorities and neighbouringLocal Nature Partnerships.

What success looks like:• Green Infrastructure investment is

mainstreamed in Devon’s growth areas.

• Businesses are choosing to invest in Devon’shigh quality green commercialdevelopments.

Providing opportunities and encouragement for

people to interact with Devon’s magnificent natural

environment supports learning and enjoyment

throughout life and helps to build knowledge, values,

skills and understanding. This learning can take place

through formal education providers such as schools

and colleges. Equally important are the roles and

activities of employers, voluntary organisations, visitor

attractions, clubs and families. Interaction with the

natural environment contributes to traditional

educational achievement but also supports social

inclusion, increased employability and personal

fulfilment.

However, there are challenges and constraints facing

the maintenance and development of outdoor lifelong

learning. These include the pressures of national tests

and examinations in schools, which can restrict the

availability of time for field trips and outdoor activities;

the isolation of those without a private car and

associated cost and limitations of public transport;

increased anxiety about working with children and

young people away from school; and lack of

knowledge about existing opportunities for children

and adults to learn about the natural environment.

Our vision:• People of all ages regularly interact with

Devon’s natural environment as an integralpart of lifelong learning.

We will:• Encourage and where possible work with

others to develop new learningopportunities in Devon’s naturalenvironment, including championing fieldwork as an essential part of Devon schooland university curricula.

• Support and promote existing good practice.

What success looks like: • A greater number and diversity of people

are engaged in outdoor learning.

Developers are willing to pay 3%

more for commercial property

near to open space.

Fewer than 10% of children play in wild

places, down from 50% a generation ago.

Three times as many children are taken to

hospital each year after falling out of bed

rather than from falling out of trees.

Green Connections Outdoor learningExeter canal; Tony Howell. Grand Western Canel, Tiverton.


Wood for good

12 13

Farming with nature

Farming is intrinsic to Devon and central to rural

communities. It has helped create our landscapes as

well as wildlife habitats such as hedges, ponds, weedy

stubbles, meadows and moors. The recovery of the cirl

bunting population is one great example of Devon

farmers taking action for nature. Other wider benefits

of farmland include access to the countryside, flood

management, improved water quality, pollination and

cultural heritage.

However farmers face a number of challenges. We

need to find new ways to work together to produce

more, while protecting and enhancing the

environment. Concepts such as sustainable

intensification and high nature value farming may help

us meet these challenges. The complex landscape of

regulations, markets and policy needs to interact in a

way that makes economic and environmental sense

and is deliverable. All of this must be underpinned by

the best available research and innovation, to ensure

we do as much as we can with our finite land resource.

Sustainable intensification = increasing yields without

adverse environmental impact and without the

cultivation of more land.

High nature value farming = low-intensity farming

systems which are particularly valuable for wildlife.

Our vision:• Devon’s prosperous and productive farming

economy meets our production needs,supports communities and protects andenhances the environment.

We will:• Increase understanding of how sustainable

intensification can benefit Devon.

• Support and promote innovation, skillsdevelopment and best practice where thiswill benefit businesses and theenvironment.

• Celebrate and support high nature valuefarming to benefit farmers and theenvironment.

• Influence priorities for the England NewEnvironmental Land Management Scheme.

• Support the re-connection of communitieswith farming and food.

What success looks like:• An economically healthy and

environmentally sustainable farming andfood sector.

• Grazed wildlife habitats are protected and infavourable condition.

Devon’s forests, woodlands, hedges and trees shape

and define the character of the Devon countryside.

Devon is the most wooded county in the South West

and has the longest hedgerow network in the country.

The upland oakwoods of Dartmoor and Exmoor are of

international importance for wildlife. This woody

resource is of huge social and economic value. Benefits

include timber, wood fuel, pollination, climate

regulation, improved air and water quality and reduced

flood risk. People have an innate connection to

woodlands and trees which are highly valued for their

beauty, wildlife and cultural associations.

Challenges facing our ‘woody assets’ include invasive

species, disease, damage from deer and squirrels and

lack of management. Opportunities that may provide

resources to help us tackle these issues include the

increasing demand for wood fuel, the potential to add

value to timber products locally, and the evidence that

access to woodlands provides significant mental and

physical benefits.

Our vision:• Devon’s woodlands and hedges are

sustainably managed and rich in wildlifethrough being re-connected to the localeconomy and local communities.

We will:• Encourage land owners and managers to

bring existing ‘woody assets’ intosustainable management and create newwildlife rich ‘assets’.

• Support and promote innovation and bestpractice in the wood and timber sector.

• Support the re-connection of communitieswith woodlands.

What success looks like:• An increase in the area of sustainably

managed and resilient woodland whichlinks and expands high quality sites.

• An increase in the length of hedgerows insustainable management.

• A strong local supply chain for wood fueland timber products, also utilising smallerwoodlands and hedges.

• More community groups involved in theirlocal woods.

Agriculture and food productionaccounts for 13% of Devon’s economy,

compared to 7.6% nationally.

The value of public access to UK woodland isestimated to be £447 million a year.

Longhorn cattle grazing culm grassland, Devon Wildlife Trust. Traditional steeping of a Devon hedge, Devon Wildlife Trust.


Sustainable seas

Resilient wetlands

15

Devon is synonymous with the sea and coast. It is the

only county in England that can boast two separate

coastlines and has some of the most impressive coastal

scenery in Europe. Many of our cliffs, dunes, estuaries,

reefs and sea caves are internationally important,

supporting rare insects, wintering birds, pink sea fans,

sea horses and basking sharks. Our seas and coasts

are integral to Devon’s economy, providing recreational

and renewable energy opportunities and supporting

some of the richest fisheries in Europe.

However, these environments face many pressures

including intensive fishing, pollution, coastal squeeze,

mineral extraction and heavy recreational use. Largely

hidden beneath the waves, there is little public

understanding of the value of this environment and the

threats it is under.

This is a critical time. International fishing regulations

are being renegotiated. New uses, particularly for

marine renewables, are being promoted. The

government is designating a network of Marine

Conservation Zones and, for the first time in history, a

marine spatial planning system is being developed.

Our vision:• Devon’s world-class coast and marine

environment is wisely used and provides asustainable living for local fishingcommunities, a home for an impressivevariety of wildlife, and an attraction tomillions of visitors and residents.

We will:• Work with relevant sectors to find solutions

to the complex challenges we face, anddevelop a united vision for Devon’s coastand seas.

• Increase our understanding of the true valueof Devon’s marine environment.

What success looks like:• Our best coastal and marine wildlife sites

are protected and in favourable condition.

• Devon’s fishing industry is economicallyhealthy and environmentally sustainable.

• Residents and visitors appreciate theimportance of the marine environment andhelp to protect it.

Water is one of Devon’s most valuable resources. Our

damp climate has helped to create the internationally

important blanket bogs of Dartmoor and Exmoor, wet

acidic grasslands of the Culm (over 80% of England’s

remaining culm grassland is found in Devon), and

3,500 km of streams and rivers, ranging from fast

flowing upland watercourses to slow meandering

lowland rivers.

Devon’s rivers, lakes, bathing waters, estuaries,

wetlands and groundwater provide many benefits.

They supply drinking water and support fisheries.

They provide an essential resource for business and

agriculture, transport routes and recreational

opportunities. Healthy water environments help to

protect us from floods and droughts and to regulate air

quality and our climate.

Current issues include the pollution of water courses,

bathing waters and shell fisheries, barriers to fish

movement and serious flooding events. There are a

number of initiatives across Devon that are tackling

problems in the water environment and opportunities

for them to work holistically to achieve multiple

benefits.

Our vision:• Devon’s wetlands and watercourses provide

resilience to flooding and drought, healthyfisheries and wildlife habitats, fantasticrecreational opportunities and a clean watersupply.

We will:• Encourage joined-up, catchment approaches

to management of the water environment inorder to achieve multiple benefits.

• Champion continued and innovativeinvestment in the water environment,building on the Upstream Thinkingapproach.

What success looks like:• Healthy freshwater fisheries and shell

fisheries.

• Communities are better protected and moreresilient to flooding with a reduction in thecosts of flooding.

• An increase in the area of wetlands and thepercentage in favourable condition.

• Clean and healthy rivers and bathingwaters.

Devon has approximately 38,000 properties at risk of flooding.

17,000 are protected by some type offlood defence.

Brixham is the largest fishing

port in England and Wales in

terms of the value of landings

£22 million a year.

Cuttlefish, Paul Naylor 14

Dartmoor Mires Project, DNPA copyright.


Board members(appointed 2012/13)

Suzanne Goodfellow, Independent Chair

Professor Martin Attrill (Director of the Marine Institute, Plymouth University)- represents higher education and research

Harry Barton (Chief Executive of Devon Wildlife Trust) - represents non-governmental natural

environment organisations

Nicola Bulbeck (Chief Executive of Teignbridge District Council)- represents local authorities

Elaine Cook (Chief Executive of the Community Council of Devon) - represents the community sector

James Diamond (Natural England’s Area Manager for Devon, Cornwalland Isles of Scilly)- represents the DEFRA family

Robin Milton (Exmoor farmer)- represents landowners and land managers

Dr Virginia Pearson (Director of Public Health for Devon)- represents the Devon and Torbay Health

and Wellbeing Boards

David Weatherley (School Improvement Advisor)- represents schools and the lifelong learning sector

Corinna Woodall (Team Manager for the Tamar Valley Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty)- represents protected landscapes

designed by Freeline Graphics 01392 499455

Teign estuary at dusk


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