The Broads
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Introduction
The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) scheme has now closed to new applicants. Defra introduced a new Environmental Stewardship Scheme on 3 March 2005 which supersedes (with enhancements) the ESA and Countryside Stewardship Schemes. These pages are in the process of being updated to reflect the latest information relating to this ESA.
The Broads ESA extends over 43,200 hectacres of river valley, marsh and fen in Norfolk and north Suffolk. The total agricultural area eligible to enter the scheme is some 32,400 hectacres, 75% of the total ESA area. The lower parts of the valleys and the floodplains, notably in the area known as the Halvergate Marshes, have a unique character and are renowned for their remoteness and sheer visual expanse.
Description
The area forms a network of wetland that is unique in Europe in terms of both ecology and landscape, forming one of the few remaining large areas of lowland river grassland in Britain. The 'Broads' are shallow lakes, probably the result of medieval peat workings, concentrated in the Ant, Bure, Thurne and Yare River valleys often fringed by fen and reedbeds with associated areas of carr woodland.In addition, a long history of settlement has left a legacy of historical and archaeological features. As well as being generally rich in wildlife, the mosaic of wetland habitats in the ESA supports many rare and interesting species of plant, invertebrate and bird life.
Significant Habitats and Species
The national importance of the area for nature conservation is recognised by various statutory designations. National Nature Reserves within the ESA include the Bure Marshes, the Upper Thurne Broads and Marshes, and the Ludham Marshes and Hickling Broad. There 32 Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The broads, and associated river valleys, are of international importance for birds and most of the area is designated as a Special Protection Area and Ramsar site. Over 1,300 pairs of wading birds (such as lapwing, redshank, snipe and oystercatchers) nest on ESA land. The Broads also provide habitats for other endangered species such as the swallowtail butterfly, fen orchids, sharp-leaved pondweed, whorl water snails, fen raft spider, Water Vole, Otter and Crested Buckler Fen.
ESA Management Options
The management options for the different landscape types that can be entered into ESA agreements for the Norfolk Broads are given in the ERDP documents section of this site, under Annex X of the England Rural Development Programme. There are four main management options:
- Maintenance of permanent grassland by traditional grassland management regime including restrictions on stocking rates, the use of inorganic fertilisers and herbicides.There are also requirements to carry out rotational dyke maintenance, including early weed control when appropriate. Enhancement of features, such as dykes, hedgerows, gates and historic artefacts may also be required. These requirements also apply to the other options.
- Maintenance of extensive grassland by managing water levels between April and October.
- Enhancement of wet grassland by controlling water levels and agricultural activities.
- Arable reversion to permanent grassland.
- Grassland margins to reduce run off from arable land.
- Maintenance of fen by traditional management techniques.
- Supplements relating to water levels are also available for the extensive and wet grassland options.
Contacts
The Broads ESA Team
Bill Nickson - Senior Adviser
Colin Hitchman - Project Officer
Dougal McNeil - Adviser
Brian Lovell - Adviser
Tel: to 01603 674920 Fax: 01603 622127
122a Thorpe Street
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 1RN
Page last modified: 20 December, 2007
Page published: 10 December, 2002