Monday 24 November 2014
Environment Department Response to Media Enquiry from Guernsey Press.
Guernsey Press Enquiry:
In regard to our conversation can the department please answer the following questions about the development at Icart Point (http://planningexplorer.gov.gg/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=164318)
- How much is the development costing?
- Have neighbours been consulted?
- Can SPS confirm this is for the La Societe Guernesiaise Conservation Herd?
- If so, why are they being moved here?
- Will this be the herd's permanent home?
- If not, how long will they be based at the site?
Environment Department Response:
The Environment Department (Environmental Services Unit) can confirm that application has been made for the three field gates to be erected at the field near the Icart car park so that, in due course, the conservation herd managed by La Société Guernesiaise may be grazed there. La Société Conservation Herd was established earlier this year to graze land which has a high value for the Island's biodiversity. Most of the land is owned by La Société Guernesiaise together with the Environment Department and some private land owners.
Subject to Planning consent, some work to remove invasive bramble and scrub will be needed before cattle can go on to the field at Icart. Previous to WWII almost all the open land close to the south coast cliffs was grazed by cattle or goats. Some of the areas near the cliffs were of low agricultural value or had difficult access and since that time many areas have succumbed to scrub. When grazing ceases initially bramble and other woody plants become established and these are often succeeded by trees such as Sycamore. The scrub overwhelms many smaller indigenous species of grasses and flowers which provide food and habitat for insects and other wildlife. Some sea views have become obscured by trees and more grazing should reduce non-native trees such as Sycamore getting established.
The 2010 Guernsey Habitat Survey confirmed that the field at Icart is predominately dry grassland, a locally rare habitat which supports a high number of indigenous plants and grasses. In order to improve the condition of this field and encourage a wider range of plant species it is intended that the conservation herd will graze it on a rotational basis. The length of time the cattle are there will depend on the most appropriate time of year to graze that land according to the species we are trying to encourage and the weather conditions. There is no intention that the field would be a 'permanent home' for the herd and it is likely the cattle will be on the land for periods of a few weeks at a time.
The Environmental Services Unit has not discussed the proposal with neighbours yet but would welcome the opportunity to talk to anyone living nearby or anyone who regularly walks the area near the Icart car park/cliff path who may have interest or concerns about the proposal.
The Conservation Herd - currently four steers - has been grazing fields owned by La Société at St Peters for the past couple of months. Whilst it is early days for the scheme there has been welcome support from people living in the area.
The cost of the works is under £1,000.
Contact Information:
Environmental Services Unit
Environment Department
Tel: 717200
