Natural England

MOD land a rich haven for wildlife

A Northamptonshire MOD training site which is home to a diverse selection of wildlife has today been awarded a grant to conserve wildlife and protect the natural environment. Yardley Chase in Northamptonshire has been awarded High Level Stewardship status under Natural England’s Countryside Stewardship scheme. The site will receive £15,700 per year to maintain and enhance the landscape, protect the historic environment, conserve biodiversity and promote the countryside.

Earlier this summer the 100 hectare site - used by the MOD for cadet training - opened its gates for a series of guided walks in a bid to open up restricted sites to the public. The land forms part of a 350 hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Guides from the local wildlife monitoring group took walkers on tours of the area which boasts the largest area of semi-natural grassland in Northamptonshire as well as ancient woodland, and plays host to a diverse selection of species including black hairstreak and great crested newts.

Nicola Orchard, Natural England Conservation Officer, who worked with the MOD to arrange the walks said: “The walks were very successful and proved how opening up a restricted area in a controlled fashion can be beneficial to the public.

“We work with the MOD to make sure the site gets managed properly. The MOD’s management of the site is the reason it has survived. Those that came on the walks called for us to repeat the exercise next year. “

Notes to Editors

Environmental Stewardship is an agri-environment scheme which provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land.

The scheme's primary objectives are to:

• Conserve wildlife (biodiversity)
• Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character
• Protect the historic environment and natural resources
• Promote public access and understanding of the countryside
• Protect natural resources.

Environmental Stewardship has three elements:

Entry Level Stewardship (ELS):

Open to all farmers and landowners

Simple and effective land management

Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS):

Organic strand of ELS

Open to all farmers not receiving Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) aid

Higher Level Stewardship (HLS):

Targeted environmental management

Capital work plans

Natural England:

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

Issued on behalf of Natural England by GNN East Midlands. For more information contact: Clare Stevens 0115 971 2785.