Shropshire Hills ESA
![[Click for a larger map]](/erdp/images/esasmaps/shropshire_hills_thumb.jpg)
Introduction
![[Click for a larger map]](/erdp/images/esasmaps/shropshire_hills.jpg)
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 Shropshire Hills Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) covers an area of 38,500 hectares in the south of the County. The ESA comprises two discrete areas of land, each of which contains a core of upland habitat (at an altitude of 450-550 metres). The two parts of the ESA are separated by Ape Dale and the escarpment of Wenlock Edge. The northern part of the ESA is located south-west of Shrewsbury and stretches to the Welsh border. It contains a number of upland areas including the Stiperstones, the Long Mynd and the Stretton Hills.
Description
A variety of habitats can be found in the ESA. Unenclosed moorland, semi-natural grassland, broad-leaved woodland, rivers and streams are amongst the important semi-natural habitats remaining within a landscape otherwise dominated by agriculturally improved grasslands. The land use has traditionally consisted of a mixture of beef cattle and sheep grazing. Dairy herds are localised and arable cropping occurs principally to produce grain for home-consumption and as refreshment management for worn pastures. The area has been inhabited since ancient times and is rich in historical features dating back to prehistoric times. Prominent hill forts, earthworks and ancient field systems are found throughout the ESA, with the remains of more recent mining activities in the Clee Hills and around Pennerley and Shelve.
Significant Habitats and Species
The moorlands are notable floristically through the coincidence of a number of northern and southern species, and the occurrence of communities at the edge of their geographical range. The moors are also important at a regional level for their populations of moorland birds. Much of the grassland has been improved, with only remnants of semi-natural vegetation surviving in the unenclosed acid grasslands of the moorland and the traditionally-managed neutral hay meadows and pastures. There are 26 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), one National Nature Reserve (NNR) and a range of local designations.
ESA Management Options
The management options for the different landscape types that can be entered into ESA agreements for the Shropshire Hills are given in the ERDP documents section of this site, under Annex X of the England Rural Development Programme. This is a whole farm scheme with two main management options that land can be entered into:
- Option one relates to basic management prescriptions for all land, and ensures there is no increase in the area of arable land on the holding Management prescriptions require agreement holders to maintain hedgerows, walls and other landscape elements, such as ponds and trees. Management prescriptions for permanent grassland include restricted cultivation for the benefit of nesting birds and ensuring hay meadows are not cut before prescribed date, extensive permanent grassland has similar restrictions as well as restrictions on the use of fertiliser and pesticides. Moorland prescriptions include restrictions on stocking levels and supplementary feeding.
- Option two aims to enhance the nature conservation interest of heather moorland vegetation by restrictions on stocking levels and grazing periods.
Contacts
Tony Phillips Tel: 01952 234037David Cragg Tel: 01952 234034
Helen Kent Tel: 01952 234017
Richard Rallings Tel: 01952 234035
Lucy Roberts Tel: 01952 234036
Fax: 01952 234037
Jordan House
Hall Court
Hall Park Way
Telford
TF3 4NF
Page last modified: 26 April, 2006
Page published: 10 December, 2002