Plumpton Parish Council
Environmental Matters
Biosphere Project
The Biosphere project is an initiative supported by a number of local councils including Lewes District Council. It aims to secure UNESCO ‘Biosphere Reserve’ status for the area of the South Downs lying between the River Adur and River Ouse and includes the urban areas of Brighton, Hove, Lewes Newhaven, Peacehaven and Telscombe and extends out to sea. A map of the proposed Biosphere area is included on the website and includes the part of Plumpton within the South Downs National Park. The following website includes more information about the aims and objective of the Biosphere project:
http://www.biospherehere.org.uk
There is a consultation document on the website. The formal application to UNESCO will be made in September 2013. The Parish Council has confirmed its support for the Biosphere projects and its three main objectives.
Ash Dieback (Chalara Fraxinea)
The tree disease Chalara Fraxinea, commonly called ‘Ash Dieback’ was first found in ash trees in Buckinghamshire in February 2012. In October a small number of cases were reported in East Anglia, in November cases were found in Kent, Essex and other counties.
It is important that suspected cases are reported to the Forestry Commission at:
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara
The PDF Document below provides a visual guide to identifying the disease and the Ash Dieback update from ESCCprovides further information as to how to help stop the disease from spreading.
