RE: Norfolk''''s Biodiversity Plan

Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
Some of you may remember that I wrote an article some time ago titled 'Parking a Theme' suggesting some of the ways in which our way of life and agriculture in the UK might change, saying –

 'Our landscape and heritage must be preserved and a vast increase in tourism as a major income source, be encouraged. The horror expressed by the idea that Britain should become a vast 'Theme Park' is really not so bad, once we get used to the idea and start to put plans into action. We will retain many farms but they will have fewer animals and most likely, many will be of the more traditional 'mixed' nature. British farmers will do what they've always done best, rearing rare and special breed animal and vegetable produce, providing disease resistant, sound stock for breeding and cross breeding, around the world in the future.'

We are fortunate to have a few tracts of land in this small country which hold a vast mumber of flora and fauna particular to different habitats in these areas. At the same time, we also have a diversity of livestock also suited to the varied habitats and all them shoud be preserved and cared for.

To know that Norfolk is to receive special care for it's wetlands, woods and meadows in this regard is good news both for us and our visitors!

I notice that Gary is concerned that these plans will line the pockets of the wealthy landowners and cause losses to the small holders. However, I think that is jumping to what may be quite unecessary conclusions.

I am not very knowledgable about the wet-lands in East Anglia and Norfolk in particular, although I do know that some of them have been drained and are used to produce vegetable crops on a vast scale with great success. However, I'm none too sure that these farms are to be returned to natural wet lands but rather that those have not been drained and remain as natural wetlands, are to receive special care to ensure they don't become damaged or altered.

I've visited and enjoyed walking on the fenlands in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk and have been impressed with the care and conservation some of these areas have and are receiving, so if Norfolk is to benefit in the same way that's all to the good.

I know our friend who lived in Suffolk, dear Dot Boag, was also a staunch supporter of the natural world around her and if what was being done was damaging I'm sure she would have spoken out against it!

Originally from: coleen
                        
I applaud anything that is being done to safeguard natural habitat and wildlife. What I am totally against is the way that grants are awarded. Many landowners see these grants as a away of making money. It would not matter what they were being asked to do with their land – so long as there was 'money' at the end of it. What about the abuse of the tree planting schemes in Scotland years ago. The big land owners i.e. the Gentry were making money hand over fist. I know of land owners farmers etc here in Cumbria who have taken money from grant aid schemes, ran the scheme for the 'minimum the grant has specified and then converted the land back to what it was before. I know of really caring people who do want to help the landscape and the environment who never get off first base. It seems to be a who you know.

My solution would be to 'buy the land' from the owners at market price – and then run whatever that land is converted into from a local level i.e., Council, locals all of the people who want to see the scheme flourish. After say 10 years that land should then be given over to the people of that parish for them to up keep. At NO time should that land be allowed to be sold as building land. I think this is the only real way to make everyone feel a part of owning and having the benefit of what is on their doorstep. I am not really for a 'theme park Britain'. The theme park philosophy seems not to bring out what is best for the Countryside in People. More of a 'two week vacation out look, which is not what is needed.

Coleen