Conservation
North Devon Council and the Environment
North Devon is situated in one of the most attractive landscape areas of Britain, surrounded by national parkland, National Trust coastline, and the natural beauty of the Devonshire countryside. The estuary of the river Taw on which the town of Barnstaple sits is part of the UK's first new style UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It covers the Braunton Burrows, Taw and Torridge estuaries and all the river basins that feed them, and the entire North Devon Coast.
North Devon Council supports the work of the Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service (NDCCS), who lead conservation and development projects in this internationally recognised area of natural importance, which provides a home for rare wild fowl and a wide variety of flora and fauna
We can help you become involved with the hands-on management of our Community Woodlands and Local Nature Reserves
The N.D.D.C. is looking to work more closely with its local community, and in recent years the creation of Community Woodlands, a Local Nature Reserve and Sensory Garden (see photographs below) has given us the opportunity to develop this link. A valuable education resource is also being appreciated by the involvement of local schools in visiting the various sites to satisfy many parts of the nation education curriculum
Sensitive and sustainable management coupled with community involvement have become the key aims of the authority and the parks unit.
With sensitive management coupled with local efforts we are encouraging the creation of spring and summer wildflower meadows, which provide not only a visual delight but also a valuable habitat for important butterfly species. Many varieties of rare wildflowers are also now colonising these important havens. A valuable education resource is also being appreciated by the involvement of local school in visiting the various sites to satisfy many parts of the nation education curriculum.
The Sensory Garden at Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe
Timber
All timber products in the form of benches etc. are obtained from sustainable timber sources and the authority is leading the way in its initiatives in recycling all forms waste products.
Green Initiatives
In recent years the local authority has committed itself to the underlying principals established with the Rio Summit, Local Agenda 21, and the Citizens Charter. Initiatives embracing closer working with the local community, environmental audits and adapting management practices towards sustainability have guided and shaped the work of the Council’s Parks Unit and greatly and positively affected the local environment and urban communities of North Devon.
Peat Free?
The use of peat based products has been cut to a minimum and in signing up to the Peatland Charter we are committed to using peat-free alternatives in all our practices where a viable alternative exists.
Cycleways
And in recognising the importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly transport systems a comprehensive cycle way network is being created around and through the heart of Barnstaple using former railway routes and new pathway links. Those seeking to cycle to work or ride for pleasure are now able to travel from outlying housing areas, through woodlands, alongside the estuary, through the beauty of our formal parks to arrive at the centre of town via these verdant landscape corridors
Herbicides
The use of herbicides has been reduced dramatically and only the most environmentally friendly products are used where alternative practices are neither practical nor economically viable.
Planning Gain
Planning policies have ensured that recent highway improvements and developments of residential areas have been accompanied by complimentary and meaningful landscape provision. All new housing developments come hand in hand with a mandatory amount of the development devoted to amenity open space which has provided formal play areas, cycle and footpath walkways and general landscaping. On recent larger developments major sports pitch areas have also been provided.
North Devon Council and the Environment
North Devon is situated in one of the most attractive landscape areas of Britain, surrounded by national parkland, National Trust coastline, and the natural beauty of the Devonshire countryside. The estuary of the river Taw on which the town of Barnstaple sits is part of the UK's first new style UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It covers the Braunton Burrows, Taw and Torridge estuaries and all the river basins that feed them, and the entire North Devon Coast.
North Devon Council supports the work of the Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service (NDCCS), who lead conservation and development projects in this internationally recognised area of natural importance, which provides a home for rare wild fowl and a wide variety of flora and fauna
We can help you become involved with the hands-on management of our Community Woodlands and Local Nature Reserves
The N.D.D.C. is looking to work more closely with its local community, and in recent years the creation of Community Woodlands, a Local Nature Reserve and Sensory Garden (see photographs below) has given us the opportunity to develop this link. A valuable education resource is also being appreciated by the involvement of local schools in visiting the various sites to satisfy many parts of the nation education curriculum
Sensitive and sustainable management coupled with community involvement have become the key aims of the authority and the parks unit.
With sensitive management coupled with local efforts we are encouraging the creation of spring and summer wildflower meadows, which provide not only a visual delight but also a valuable habitat for important butterfly species. Many varieties of rare wildflowers are also now colonising these important havens. A valuable education resource is also being appreciated by the involvement of local school in visiting the various sites to satisfy many parts of the nation education curriculum.
The Sensory Garden at Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe
Timber
All timber products in the form of benches etc. are obtained from sustainable timber sources and the authority is leading the way in its initiatives in recycling all forms waste products.
Green Initiatives
In recent years the local authority has committed itself to the underlying principals established with the Rio Summit, Local Agenda 21, and the Citizens Charter. Initiatives embracing closer working with the local community, environmental audits and adapting management practices towards sustainability have guided and shaped the work of the Council’s Parks Unit and greatly and positively affected the local environment and urban communities of North Devon.
Peat Free?
The use of peat based products has been cut to a minimum and in signing up to the Peatland Charter we are committed to using peat-free alternatives in all our practices where a viable alternative exists.
Cycleways
And in recognising the importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly transport systems a comprehensive cycle way network is being created around and through the heart of Barnstaple using former railway routes and new pathway links. Those seeking to cycle to work or ride for pleasure are now able to travel from outlying housing areas, through woodlands, alongside the estuary, through the beauty of our formal parks to arrive at the centre of town via these verdant landscape corridors
Herbicides
The use of herbicides has been reduced dramatically and only the most environmentally friendly products are used where alternative practices are neither practical nor economically viable.
Planning Gain
Planning policies have ensured that recent highway improvements and developments of residential areas have been accompanied by complimentary and meaningful landscape provision. All new housing developments come hand in hand with a mandatory amount of the development devoted to amenity open space which has provided formal play areas, cycle and footpath walkways and general landscaping. On recent larger developments major sports pitch areas have also been provided.
