CONSERVATION
Hilperton: A key conservation area for bats, birds and more
The Hilperton area comes under the Corsham Special Area of Conservation and stretches across the proposed development to the woods to the South of Trowbridge (Green Lane, Biss and Clanger Woods). This land hosts various rare bat and red-listed bird species that live and migrate through the area.
Red-listed birds, rare bats and more
The proposed development in Staverton with high density housing will place damaging pressure on this area, which is currently a totally unspoilt area on both sides of the canal where kingfishers can be reliably spotted. The canal is full of wildlife. The area, which has been surveyed by Tyler Grange Ecologists, is described as a sensitive area in which 15 of the 17 bat species in the United Kingdom are present. The Wiltshire Council Tree Preservation Officer has also visited the site and was very impressed by the large number of veteran oak trees which are providing an important habitat for bats and other insects.
The bat species that live locally include the Bechstein's, Greater Horseshoe, and Lesser Horseshoe bats. These three bats are rare, both nationally and internationally, and 15% of the total number of these rare bats are found in this area.
Hilperton's canal and river wildlife have also improved over recent years, with sightings of otters and rare birds. Bird life has flourished, with winter and summer migrating birds and increasing number of raptors. The burgeoning swift colony in Hilperton was photographed by Nick Upton and won the international photography bird competition in 2019.
The area of the proposed housing development includes the higher ground of the Knoll and the fields to the East of the rugby club, which slope down towards the canal and beyond to the river. Many of the hedgerows have been removed, but those that remain have been dated and are over 400 years old. The hedgerows include many standing trees; the single standing trees in the fields, generally oaks, are likely the remnants of the old hedgerows. Byway 21 also has hedgerows dated over 400 years old, and where the original field systems are retained, e.g. where Byway 21 meets Whaddon Lane, the hedgerow in the field is also of the same age. This field is currently set aside and had skylarks nesting in 2021. Skylarks and Yellow Hammers are also regularly seen and heard throughout the spring and summer in the fields in this area.
Skylarks are on the red list of birds of conservation concern, as are many of the birds seen in this area: Yellow Hammers, Field Fares, Red Wings, Starlings, Redwings, House and Tree Sparrows, Linnets, and Flycatchers.
Orchards, woodland and meadows
There is a thriving community group in Hilperton centred on the Community Orchard where a wild flower meadow has been planted.
We are identifying particularly sensitive areas where we consider the development should not take place. There are two ancient lanes that run through the development area, from Marsh Farm to the canal and Whaddon Lane. There are the remnants of woodland on the Knoll with a network of hedges and trees leading up to it and beside the copse is an area that is under wildlife stewardship and there is a wildflower meadow. There is a pond at the bottom of one of the hedgerows surrounded by mature trees.
Whilst we accept that there will be some mitigation in the provision of wild areas within the development, there is inevitably going to be considerable damage to the existing wildlife and fauna, in particular to the wildlife corridor of the River Avon and Kennet and Avon Canal.
Recreation and nature
Hilperton’s bridleways, footpaths and canal side are important assets for recreation and leisure - not just for local residents, but also for visitors from further afield. They are very popular with walkers, runners, cyclists, dog walkers and horse riders. The canal is very busy with tourist boats and resident boaters and is also used for canoeing, paddle boarding and more. Consideration needs to be given to these users when any proposed development is designed. Bird spotters frequent the canal and river side. Open spaces and access to natural surroundings have been shown to be a vital requirement for our mental health and well-being.
There are five footpaths, one byway and one bridleway in the proposed development area, including the ancient Whaddon Lane, which needs protecting in its entirety. Access to the canal will need to be maintained and there will be considerable pressure on the existing bridges for things like parking.
