| Background and site description |
|
The Cotswold Water Park is centred around an area of freshwater lakes on the Gloucestershire/Wiltshire border, created primarily through gravel extraction in the 1960s. The lakes and surrounding land were designated a Water Park in 1967 in recognition of their value for amenity and nature conservation. The Park includes a number of grassland and lake SSSIs, and remains one of the most important gravel extraction sites in the south-west, contributing over two million tonnes of gravel per year.
|
|
| Initiative |
|
The Park is overseen by the Cotswold Water Park Joint Committee, set up in 1967, which includes representatives from Gloucestershire County Council, Wiltshire County Council, Cotswold District Council and North Wiltshire District Council. In 1996 the committee set up a Steering Group that oversaw the preparation of a Biodiversity Action Plan for the Park, published in 1992 (CWPBAP).
|
|
| Costs |
|
- Principally staff time in attending meetings and workshops.
- Some additional costs in aftercare provision.
|
|
| Benefits |
|
- Public relations.
- Good working relationships with Conservation Agencies.
- Input to development of CWP.
- Enhancement of recreational after-use (financial benefits).
|
|
| Contribution to biodiversity |
|
This is a good example of partnership, which is identified as a key mechanism for the achievement of biodiversity action in the UK Strategy and Guidance Notes for production of local BAPs. In terms of the benefits to national biodiversity objectives, the BAP will ensure the enhancement of the following habits and species, as identified in the UK BAP:
|
|
| Contact |
|
Keynes Country Park
Dr Simon Pickering
Biodiversity and Conservation Officer
Keynes Country Park
Spratsgate Lane
Shorncote
Cirencester GL7 6DF
simon.pickering@waterpark.org
01285 862777
|
