Petition Welsh Government must legislate for full regard to Local Nature Reserves including Cosmeston LNR
Although statutory, LNRs are hardly recognised in nature recovery plans and Wales’ biodiversity framework. Welsh Government must empower LNR friends’ and wildlife groups by strengthening duties on public authorities to take them into account within the provisions of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill. Parts of Cosmeston LNR are SSSI, but neither NRW nor the Council have to review designated features, update designations, or produce a management plan.
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The 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act protects species, habitats, and nesting sites within LNRs. The Vale Council aim to profit from Cosmeston LNR via commercial water-park activities which clash with the nature conservation and public enjoyment purpose. In not assessing potential impacts on the wildlife and habitats when inviting bids for water-based recreation in 2021 and Aquapark this year, the council appeared to breach its LNR duty. General duties for biodiversity set out in the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, and for nature recovery (NRAP 2015) carry no bite. The 1981 Act carries a duty to prevent activities disturbing habitats of designated water voles and Cetti’s warbler. When the Cetti’s started nesting near the aquapark, the council ignored the required ‘buffer zone’. The new Bill should include a clearly defined process for public challenge of official bodies when drawing up management plans, submitting funding bids, and assessing developments in LNRs under planning law.
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