Over the last 20 years Pipe Green has been regularly surveyed by Natural England (as part of our Stewardship scheme), as well as by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. In addition we also have had specific surveys e.g for birds, moths, small mammals etc. These surveys are very important as they allows us to know what is living on the Green and if the number of species are changing over time. This in turn allows us to build up a picture of the health of the Green and inform us if our management plan is working.
Apart from knowing what species are on the Green, it is also important to understand how Pipe Green fits into the wider landscape and how it connects to other habitats. To aid this, the Lichfield District Local Plan aims to “promote biodiversity protection and the enhancement of species and habitats”. In 2019 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust produced a report “Lichfield District Nature Recovery Network Mapping”, to ensure that nature is protected when new developments (houses, shops, roads, etc) are approved. A key theme is to create corridors for wildlife; joined-up spaces for wildlife to move freely to ensure it can thrive and has space to grow. For example connecting Pipe Green with the Woodland Trust site at Pipe Hall, Gentleshaw Common (a SSSI) and Cannock Chase.
Summary recommendation – Development should be avoided in the whole of the area around Leomansley to the north of the Walsall Road.
Site of County Biological Importance
The compartment may be divided into three areas:
Lichfield District Ecological Study, December 2009 (4Mb)
Lichfield District Nature Recovery Network Mapping, 2019 (17Mb)