Agenda item - Wilding Waterhall - Access and LNR Declaration

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

1)             That Committee agrees that the Wilding Waterhall project area (“the Wilding Waterhall Project Area”) should consist of the ex-golf course land and the adjoining land being managed for wildlife under the councils Higher Level Stewardship Agreement, as shown on Appendix 1.

2)             That Committee agrees that the Wilding Waterhall Project Area should be dedicated as access land and delegates authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture to take all steps in relation thereto

3)             That a further report be brough to this committee if in the view of the Waterhall Management Advisory Group ongoing monitoring is showing that the agreed public access is having an unacceptable impact on the site’s biodiversity

4)             That the Committee delegates authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture to take the steps necessary to include the Wilding Waterhall Project Area within the council’s dog control zone

5)             That Committee agrees that the Wilding Waterhall Project Area should be declared as a Local Nature Reserve and delegates authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture to take all steps in relation thereto.

96.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that provided an update on progress at Waterhall and req     uested the committee to consider the level of public access that should be allowed across the site and its designation as a Local Nature Reserve. It also advised the Committee on the implications of formally designating Waterhall (former) Golf Course as statutory access land as requested by the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee on 24th September 2020.

96.2      On behalf of the Conservative Group, Councillor Nemeth moved a motion to amend the recommendations as follows:

2.2  That Committee agrees that the Wilding Waterhall Project Area should be dedicated as access land and delegates authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture to take all steps in relation thereto

96.3      Councillor Peltzer Dunn formally seconded the motion.

96.4      In response to a query from Councillor Peltzer Dunn, the Lawyer explained that the purpose of recommendation 2.2 was to give the public right of access and would not prevent development under a specific legal purpose.

96.5      In response to a question from Councillor Nemeth, the Conservation Manager explained that statutory and permissive access provided similar outcomes for nature and wildlife however the public consultation demonstrated a preference for statutory access. The Conservation Manager added that if issues arose then the act allowed for changes to be taken.

96.6      The Chair then put the Conservative Group motion to the vote that failed.

96.7      The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote that were approved. Councillors Nemeth and Peltzer Dunn requested it be recorded that they abstained on the vote.

96.8      Resolved-

1)           That Committee agrees that the Wilding Waterhall project area (“the Wilding Waterhall Project Area”) should consist of the ex-golf course land and the adjoining land being managed for wildlife under the councils Higher Level Stewardship Agreement, as shown on Appendix 1.

2)           That Committee agrees that the Wilding Waterhall Project Area should be dedicated as access land and delegates authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture to take all steps in relation thereto

3)           That a further report be brough to this committee if in the view of the Waterhall Management Advisory Group ongoing monitoring is showing that the agreed public access is having an unacceptable impact on the site’s biodiversity

4)           That the Committee delegates authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture to take the steps necessary to include the Wilding Waterhall Project Area within the council’s dog control zone

5)           That Committee agrees that the Wilding Waterhall Project Area should be declared as a Local Nature Reserve and delegates authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture to take all steps in relation thereto.