Biodiversity
Biodiversity Audit
The Biodiversity Audit of Crowhurst is now published in its 4th iteration, dated .
- 46,000 words
- 321 pages
- 143 footnotes
- Extensive use of colour photographs, tables, and plans
This update, prepared for Crowhurst Parish Council, surpasses the edition released two years ago, which received praise from Rother District Council as being “gold plated” and “green to the core”.
The latest edition significantly expands its digital and analytical scope, including detailed information on:
- Habitats
- Recovery initiatives (e.g. LNRS)
- Forever Chemicals
- Heat maps
- ToW (Trees Outside Woodland)
- RoN (Rights of Nature)
- Rother Nature Motions
- Biobeads monitoring
- Citizen Science data, including updates relating to the now dead Powdermill Stream
Within Rother, Crowhurst has taken a responsible and proactive lead in community engagement with nature from the outset.
The audit continues to include a comprehensive ecological appraisal of the Link Road, which cut through the parish and permanently removed finite green assets. Four years on, these losses remain uncompensated.
This Biodiversity Audit is for everyone and may be shared widely.
It also provides valuable insight for developers and directly supports the planning system.
Download the Audit
Access the full Biodiversity Audit document (PDF format, 321 pages)
Download Biodiversity Audit (PDF)Contact Information
For questions or further information about biodiversity matters in Crowhurst, please feel free to reach out.
Tree Protection Orders
There are various tree protection orders within the parish. The protected trees cannot be touched (cut down, topped or lopped) without permission from Rother District Council. You can see an online map of TPO locations on the Rother District Council mapping website.
Details of TPOs:
Boundary of Kilbarry Boundary of Southmead Swainham Lane The Firs, Old Forewood Lane Sabon Gari, Chapel Hill The Oaks, Badgers Holt, The Haven at Station Road Land between Bracken and Blacksmith's Field, Sandrock Hill
Wild Flower Verges
The Environment Group has worked hard to create several wild flower verges within the parish to help increase biodiversity. These are currently at:
- Just outside the Church
- Next to the MUGA at the village hall
- Opposite Nashes Farm
- Muriel's Meadow
Hedge Cutting
It is strongly advised that hedges are only cut outside of the bird nesting season (1 March to 31 August). However, you should always check for active bird nests before cutting, even outside of the official nesting season, otherwise you could fall foul of the law. It is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built, or to intentionally kill, injure or take chicks or adults, or intentionally take or destroy any eggs.
It is the responsibility of residents that any hedges or trees on their land that border a public highway or footpath are cut so that they do not cause an obstruction. Please read the East Sussex County Council guidance for further information.