This chapter highlights a selection of case studies showing what local authorities are already doing for biodiversity conservation across Scotland. Two further case studies, supporting some of the delivery recommendations, also appear in chapter 8. A fuller selection across a range of local authority service areas set out in table 2, appears in appendix 2.
These case studies show some good practice examples of the links between best value and biodiversity, and indicate how natural places contribute to sustainable development and everyone's quality of life by providing:
In many case studies biodiversity gain was not the key aim or objective of the case study, although it became an outcome.
| HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING IMPROVEMENTPROJECT NAME: CS6 - The Sheltered Housing Biodiversity Project CONTACT: Tom McGrath LOCAL AUTHORITY: Angus OTHER PARTNERS: Tayside Biodiversity Partnership, SNH PHONE: 01382 370202 PROJECT SUMMARY: In Angus a three-year pilot project was started prior to targets proposed in the "Hospitals, Sheltered Housing & Residential Complexes" Action Plan in the Tayside LBAP being finalised. The Angus Ranger Service has been instrumental to the project's success by placing bird tables in six sheltered housing complexes. This action has been supported by introductory talks, and the provision of bird identification posters, binoculars, and birdseed, through the Ranger Service. The project has been very positively received, and was featured in an internal newsletter. As well as having benefits to wildlife, the project has encouraged a partnership approach that includes involvement from voluntary groups e.g. the Scouts and Guides. It has enhanced the quality of service to a specific age group stimulating the residents of these sheltered housing and residential complexes, and has improved the Council's reputation. The venture is featured as a case study in the LBAP, and from this it is hoped more nursing homes and sheltered housing complexes will be encouraged to get involved in similar schemes throughout Tayside. |
| EDUCATIONPROJECT NAME: CS13 - "glasgow woodlands" Education Pack CONTACT: Sheila Russell LOCAL AUTHORITY: Glasgow City PHONE: 0141 287 5087 PROJECT SUMMARY: "glasgow woodlands", a Special Education Needs woodland pack, involves environmental education activities for pupils in line with the 5-14 Environmental Education programme. To encourage use of city parks and open spaces, outdoor activities are promoted and maps of eight routes in city woodland provided. This enables teachers to take children to woodland with a good understorey and ground flora as well as native trees. These areas generally have access to disabled toilet facilities. In some cases, new paths are being constructed and in others, existing paths upgraded. One new path design allows wheelchair use, with passing places and a table to accommodate wheelchairs. Another design encourages pupils with visual and auditory impairment by featuring many points of interest associated with feel and smell. On one existing path, steps have been replaced by a ramp, on another steps have been put in to allow the pupils easier access from the path to 'minibeast' areas. Woodland management has improved safety and provided fallen timber for minibeast habitat. Glades are being created, additional ground flora species are being added and nest boxes put up. As well as increasing quality of life and educational benefits to special needs children, the woodland management also benefits biodiversity. |
| GROUNDS MAINTENANCE (CREMATORIA, CEMETERIES, PARKS, GARDENS)PROJECT NAME: CS31 - Viewforth grounds maintenance project CONTACT: Chris Waddell LOCAL AUTHORITY: Stirling PHONE: 01786 442768 PROJECT SUMMARY: A grass-cutting experiment at Stirling Council HQ where five areas of grass were left uncut in the growing season, with a single cut in September. Initially this stemmed from a reassessment of the maintenance regime at HQ in order to address economic and environmental best value. For Stirling Council to integrate sustainable development into their operational ethos, it was necessary to use their own grounds as an example, with an increase in biodiversity being a good performance indicator. Any enhancement of biodiversity could be viewed as socially beneficial to what is generally a highly urbanised environment. It was hoped that if the project proved successful, then similar projects could be started on other Council properties. There was some internal resistance when Council staff were consulted due to worries about litter and safety (i.e. would the grass act as a place for litter or a haven for 'ne'er do wells'). However, the results were so unobtrusive that these objections were entirely overcome. The maximum grass height was no taller than a daffodil, but floristic diversity was low as the areas had been seeded. The project saved 2,900 in maintenance costs, which was diverted to replanting the existing shrub beds with native or wildlife friendly plants. These measures could be seen as an enhancement to an already valuable resource. |
| PLANNINGPROJECT NAME: CS37 - Biodiversity Assessment of proposed Local Plan Housing Sites CONTACT: John Sheldon LOCAL AUTHORITY: West Lothian OTHER PARTNERS: Lothian Wildlife Information Centre PHONE: 01506 775278 PROJECT SUMMARY: The projected Structure Plan housing requirement will increase the population of West Lothian by one-third during the next plan period. The West Lothian Local Plan will need to take account of this, with over 30 areas for potential development having been put forward by the council and private interests during consultations. These are being viewed against social, economic and environmental criteria, to select those that will be identified for development in the revised Local Plan. The biodiversity value of these sites has been assessed in a review commissioned by the council from the Lothian Wildlife Information Centre. This has identified sites that place priority habitats and species identified in the LBAP at risk. It has also assessed buffer zones around the sites, and has scored and examined them in relation to impact on local biodiversity. The conclusions will help guide both the selection of housing sites and the future biodiversity planning needs associated with those that reach the Local Plan consultation stages. |
| SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTPROJECT NAME: CS39 - Healthy Roots CONTACT: Alan Carter, Healthy Roots Ltd LOCAL AUTHORITY: Aberdeen City OTHER PARTNERS: Mental Health Aberdeen, Aberdeen Friends of the Earth, Aberdeen Allotments and Garden Society, Great Northern Partnership, Community Placement Team, Middlefield Parish Church, Middlefield Community Project, 'Healthy Hoose', Aberdeen Countryside Project. And a range of funders, including Aberdeen City Council, Fresh Futures, and Exxon-Mobil. PHONE: 01224 276810 PROJECT SUMMARY: This was an ambitious project involving the regeneration of an area of derelict land within Middlefield in Aberdeen. A charitable company called Healthy Roots was established and has been working in partnership with a range of agencies and volunteer groups to create an accessible green space for the local community. The project aims to enhance biodiversity on the site, promote recycling and composting, local food growing and provide an educational resource for local schools and the wider community. |
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Photo by David Kinney
| WASTEPROJECT NAME: CS46 - Biodiversity Mosaic Initiative CONTACT: Ann Lolley LOCAL AUTHORITY: Dundee City OTHER PARTNERS: Broughty Ferry Environmental Project, Tayside Biodiversity Partnership PHONE: 01382 436932 PROJECT SUMMARY: During the winter of 2002/03 a small group of local people worked on an eye-catching piece of public art, in the grounds of the local library, stimulated by the "variety of life on earth". They recycled surplus tiles, plates and cutlery and involved a number of local businesses. The resulting mosaic is now encouraging further practical enhancement of the library garden for wildlife, and has been recognised with a Civic Trust award. The positioning of the mosaic has raised the profile of the library both to local residents as a valuable resource, and to tourists as a place to visit. Continued enthusiasm, and additional funding, has allowed the production of photographs and postcards of the mosaic, and a variety of other biodiversity-inspired mosaics throughout the Dundee area to be carried out (e.g. at Brae View Academy, where it is part of a wildlife garden project). Further mosaic workshops are being discussed and Age Concern is planning to produce a colourful mosaic outside one of its buildings, as part of the "Lifelong Learning" initiative. Broughty Ferry children have also chosen a biodiversity theme to make individual mosaics to take home with them, bringing the importance and benefits of recycling to the heart of the community. |