Landscape and Biodiversity

Photos and video footage of the Coppicing, Tree Pruning & Pleaching Workshops held at Little Hidden Farm recently. For more workshops, click here.

The main aim of this group is to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of the Hungerford area.

• Landscape and Biodiversity
• Our aim is to re-establish the connection between Hungerford and the surrounding countryside;
• Carry out a biodiversity audit using nationally approved methodology and
• Raise awareness and ensure considerate developments

Subsidiary and supporting aims

· To re-establish the connection between Hungerford and the surrounding countryside

· To audit local biodiversity using nationally approved methodology and to identify significant changes

· To encourage and support local landowners and managers in their attempts to increase biodiversity

· To ensure that future developments in the area do not damage biodiversity

· To raise awareness of local biodiversity in Hungerford

Short-term actions

·Establish a network of footpaths in the countryside around Hungerford. Where possible these will be circular with current gaps being filled in by ‘permissive footpaths’.

·Identify a ‘champion’ for each footpath who will be responsible for ensuring it remains open, for liaising with landowners/managers to secure permissive paths to allow a circular route, and for organising walks along the path at least once a year.

· Publish a guide to the footpaths using funding raised from local business and so on.

· Establish a fund to support the work- for example construct fencing on ‘permissive sections’ of the paths.

· Start to collate a biodiversity audit of the area around Hungerford.

Medium/Long-term actions

· Develop at least one footpath as an all ability access route (wheelchairs, prams etc)

·Link with the HEAT Food group to promote locally sourced food

· Link with the HEAT Transport group to develop a linked urban and rural footpath network.

·Adopt a nationally approved method (for example the landscape audits of Council for the Protection of Rural England) to routinely audit the local biodiversity

· Hold a public meeting to increase local awareness of biodiversity and its importance

Contact the landscape and biodiversity group at