Malvern Hills beacon projects light the way for Natural England

Dr Phillips is in the region on Tuesday 28 March 2006, to see the efforts of the three organisations working in partnership to protect and enhance this iconic West Midlands landmark.

Natural England is due to come into being on 1 October, bringing together and building on the strengths of the Rural Development Service, English Nature and The Landscape, Access and Recreation Division of the Countryside Agency. The new organisation will have responsibility for enhancing biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife, promoting access, recreation and public well-being and contributing to the way natural resources are managed so sites can be enjoyed now and in the future.

The Malvern Hills lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which has a rich variety of habitats and wildlife, reflecting its geology, and landscapes forged by thousands of years of human activity. The AONB includes 14 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, a Local Nature Reserve and two ancient hill forts along the ridge.

The Malverns Hills are in private ownership, with much of the land owned or managed by the Malvern Hills Conservators. Formed in 1884, they are one of the oldest conservation bodies in the United Kingdom and have played an important role in protecting the area. However in recent years this historic landscape has suffered because of a range of problems, especially the ending of livestock grazing leading to the encroachment of scrubland in place of the traditional open grassland; and the volume of visitors to the Hills – now estimated at 1 million a year.

To address the problems a partnership of agencies from a range of disciplines came together to work with the Malvern Hills AONB partnership and the Conservators. After a wide ranging consultation, an innovative Heritage Lottery Fund project and a 10-year Countryside Stewardship agreement have been put in place to redress the balance and restore the historical landscape of the area. Encroaching scrub has been cut back to restore hill top grassland and views. Free ranging sheep, controlled by perimeter fencing and cattle grids, graze the southern hills around Herefordshire Beacon, whilst sheep and cattle graze the northern hills around Worcestershire Beacon in a series of temporary enclosures.

Dr Phillips said:
“The Malverns Hills highlight many of the problems facing the most attractive parts of the English countryside today, especially farming in areas with a growing number of tourists. If we are to secure these areas for the future we must acknowledge the challenges and opportunities. Natural England will seek balanced solutions that will conserve and enhance the natural environment not only for its intrinsic value but for people's well-being and enjoyment and the economic prosperity that it brings.”

“The Countryside Agency’s Landscape, Access and Recreation Division, English Nature and the Rural Development Service have been key partners in working towards the restoration and long term protection of the Malverns and surrounding areas. It is an excellent illustration of how the components that will make up Natural England already share common interest and purpose. Tackling problems and working with local bodies such as the Malvern Hills Conservators will be improved through the unity of purpose that will be achieved by Natural England’s formation.

“Natural England aims to build on the success of RDS, English Nature and the Countryside Agency in the work they have done to foster beneficial management of the countryside for the benefit of future generations.”

Roger Owen, Acting Regional Manager for the Rural Development Service in the West Midlands, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Dr Phillips and for the opportunity to show her how RDS’s agri-environmental schemes are making a really difference in the region. The agreement here on The Malverns is just one of 2000 existing Countryside Stewardship agreements in the region. In addition since August 2004, nearly 1,900 farmers have entered agreements under the Environmental Stewardship Entry Level and Organic Entry Level scheme, which pays farmers to create new habitats for wildlife. This brings just over 200,000 hectares of the West Midland’s countryside into environmentally friendly management – that’s over 21% of farmland.

Mark Felton, English Nature’s West Midlands Regional Director, said:

“This is an excellent example of how land managers are able to employ new approaches to running their farming enterprises in a way that benefits wildlife and people.”

“We believe the work we have all done on the Malverns demonstrates an approach which could be rolled-out more widely across other valued landscapes in the region. This would support the attraction of these landscapes to visitors and the businesses that depend on them.”

Fiona Moore West Midlands Regional Director of the Countryside Agency, said:

“Joint working on the Malverns reflects a much broader partnership approach. We aim to achieve a genuinely sustainable approach, which conserves and enhances the AONB’s natural beauty, provides opportunities for recreation and delivers wider social and economic benefits. This is very much in line with the integrated approach to landscape and land management which Natural England will encourage.”

Dr Phillips will also visit Ledbury to meet staff from RDS, English Nature and the Countryside Agency.