Winchester District Biodiversity Action Plan

Winchester City Council has commissioned a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for the district - a large and varied area which extends from Winchester to Micheldever in the north, and to Waterlooville in the south-east. The area contains a significant part of Hampshire's biodiversity, which it is everyone's responsibility to conserve and even enhance from its current state.

The Winchester District Natural Environment Forum played a key role in developing the BAP, using their combined expertise in this area. They are now taking the lead in helping the plan to be delivered.

What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the variety of life: birds, wildflowers, butterflies, trees, fungi, pond-life…even humans and bacteria are part of biodiversity. Biodiversity is under threat from many human activities locally and globally and the government has pledged to slow-down the loss of natural habitats and the species which live in them.

What is a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)?
A BAP identifies particular priorities for conservation - species and habitats which are particularly threatened or declining in the UK. These include familiar animals and plants such as water voles and the bluebells, as well as many lesser-known ones. Equally important are the homes of these species (their habitats) which have also been identified because they are threatened through loss or neglect.

Winchester District's BAP identifies specific actions and projects on the ground which work towards the Hampshire and UK BAP targets for habitats and species.

Where is Winchester's biodiversity found?
The Winchester District covers a large and varied area, with wildlife habitats ranging from chalk streams to chalk downs and water meadows to woodlands. Places such as the Rivers Itchen and Meon, St Catherine's Hill and Old Winchester Hill are familiar havens for wildlife, but did you know that our district includes the ancient woods of the Forest of Bere and even part of the estuary of the River Hamble?

What does our BAP contain?
Our BAP outlines the priority habitats and species in the Winchester district, and makes recommendations for their conservation. Where possible, links are made with other initiatives already taking place. Many sites rich in biodiversity are protected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) such as St. Catherine's Hill and the River Itchen. However, many of these places are isolated and vulnerable - our BAP seeks to maintain a linked-up network across the landscape allowing biodiversity to flourish.

Who is our BAP for?
Winchester District's BAP is in two versions: one gives a summary of the main priorities for the BAP, and gives practical suggestions and advice for individuals and communities living in the area about how they can give biodiversity a helping hand. This will follow shortly. The other version gives detailed technical information about biodiversity and how land should be managed for its conservation: this can be used by professionals working in the district.


The Winchester BAP is a very large document as it has lots of maps and pictures in it. You can view a copy as part of a report to Winchester City Council when it was approved. If you would like an electronic version of the BAP, please email NEF@winchester.gov.uk 

Althought the Natural Environment Forum is taking the lead in delivering the BAP, they can't deliver it by themselves and need your help. To find out more about what you can do to look after the biodiversity in your area, click on the 'How to get involved' link on the left hand side.