Pebbledbed Heaths National Nature Reserve - Master Plan Summary

Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve Master Plan Summary 2023-2028

A summary of the Pebblebed Heaths NNR Master Plan 2023-2028 outlining the desired outcomes for the sites, long-term strategic objectives and those actions that will be undertaken during the period 2023 to 2028.

Contents

Image credit: Matt Maran

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240 million years in the making

03

Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve vision

07

Landscape and Wildlife

11

People and Nature

13

Research and Governance

15

Sustainability, Climate Change & Ecosystem Services

Gifted both its name and its unique

generations have used the heaths,

17

Management Partners

sandstone, the Pebblebed Heaths

Pebblebed Heaths’ much-loved

19

Advisory Board

20

Creation of the Master Plan

largest lowland heath area remaining

peoples’ lives, meeting the vital need

21

Map

240 million years in the making

through its tributaries, nature flows through its hinterlands, supporting landscape connections from the

heaths to the sea with wide-reaching benefits for wildlife and for people.

From the cairns and barrows of its earliest human occupation, to the

military training of the modern era, character by a bedrock of ancient

each leaving their mark. Today the

National Nature Reserve covers the

open landscape, enriches local

in Devon and the nearby Otter estuary.

for space, freedom and recreation.

Supporting a wealth of rare and

The next chapter in the heaths long

Heaths NNR delivers a varied, unique

steward the land and those who

threatened species, the Pebblebed

history brings together those who

and important space for nature.

use it into a broad partnership. This

With its far-reaching views over the

site achieves its full potential for

side, the heathland lies like a spine

the very best conservation practice

woods. Connected to the Otter Estuary

heathland’s wildlife and its people.

partnership aims to ensure the

estuaries of the Exe and Otter to either

nature and society by upholding

above the surrounding farmland and

and balancing the needs of the

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) represent ‘the most special places for nature, managed in an exemplary way, inspiring people, promoting learning and encouraging actions in the wider landscape.’ They deliver:

Conservation management at scale Nature recovery across wider landscapes beyond those of the NNR footprint

A special resilient landscape for wildlife and people, inspiring wider nature recovery and confidence in its stewardship for future generations.

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Connection between nature and local communities, support health and wellbeing and stimulate the green economy Outdoor laboratories for the best science-led conservation

02

Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve vision

Image credits (both images): Matt Maran

Where society’s everchanging needs for recreation, biodiversity, health, nature connection and outdoor learning can be fulfilled.

Inspiring nature recovery throughout its hinterlands.

A landscape whose special qualities and rich history are recognised by all.

03

In which the ecosystems are resilient, and where wildlife can flourish and adapt in the face of a changing climate.

04

Image credit: Matt Maran

Our vision has been broken down into five outcomes which set out what we want to achieve, clearly linking our plan back to our vision.

Supports resilient ecosystems

This Master Plan is built on three core themes:

Landscapes and Wildlife People and Nature Research and Governance Supported by a cross-cutting theme of:

Provides a landscape for recreation and health and wellbeing

Is recognised as special with a rich cultural history

Gives society confidence in its stewardship

Inspires wider nature recovery

Sustainability, Climate Change and Ecosystem Services These reflect partnership priorities and closely align with the existing national NNR pillars of conservation, science and engagement.

The tables on the following pages set out our plan. Actions in bold will be

prioritised in the period 2023-28. Other actions remain aspirational and will be delivered when resources (including staff time, funding) are available.

H = Heathland areas; E = Estuary areas.

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06

Landscape and Wildlife

What do we want?

Landscapes

Habitats

Wildlife

Wildlife

07

What are we doing?

The unique landscape features and views of the Pebblebed Heaths NNR are protected and enhanced.

•

Attain favourable condition status for all areas within the NNR.

•

Within one year of receiving any updated Natural England condition reporting, update all Ecological Management Plans to address any identified site failings (H).

•

Complete the first Management Plan for the newly restored Otter Estuary within one year of the project’s completion (anticipated December 2023).

Known populations of priority species are secure.

Knowledge of species within the NNR is up to date with new records informing site management.

•

Nature Recovery

Create a Heathland Landscape Plan to identify special features that should be protected and enhanced (H).

Increase robustness of southern damselfly meta populations. Commission work to look at constraints of existing habitats and opportunities for habitat improvement or reintroductions in new areas if suitable (H).

•

Obtain review of value of management operations from species specialists (silverstudded blue)(H).

•

Investigate productivity of nightjar to ensure the population is sustainable (H).

•

Review expected impacts of climate change on priority species to identify mitigation and adaptation opportunities (H).

•

Update the Pebblebed Heaths Biodiversity Audit (East Devon Pebblebed Heaths: Providing Space for Nature) to ensure records since 2016 have been included (H)

•

Initiate an annual fish, bird and vegetation monitoring programme on the Otter Estuary (E).

•

Identify under-recorded taxa groups on the heaths and seek specialists to reduce knowledge gaps.

•

Identify ‘at risk’ species which require additional monitoring/surveying to ensure considered in site management (H&E).

The Pebblebed Heaths NNR will form an integral part of a nature recovery network in East Devon to enhance biodiversity and improve ecosystem resilience beyond its boundaries.

•

Identify additional land outside the NNR boundary which could support wider nature recovering including the delivery of landscape recovery schemes and seek opportunities to fund recovery initiatives.

•

Otter Estuary added to NNR as an extension.

•

Identify priority species recorded within the NNR that could benefit from targeted work beyond NNR boundaries.

•

Create list of priority species for conservation action for the Pebblebed Heaths ‘super NNR’ outside the core declared and designated areas.

Historic Environment

Historic features are in good condition and protected.

•

Complete and implement Management Plan to remove Woodbury Castle from the ‘At Risk register’.

Geodiversity

Geological features are protected.

•

Commission a report (Jurassic Coast Trust) highlighting the geodiversity of the Pebblebed Heaths NNR and its hinterlands to ensure that geological features are protected.

Wildlife

Potential impacts of visitors and the growing local population on the features of the nature reserve are understood and negative impacts mitigated.

•

Deliver actions identified in 2016 Visitor Management Plan (H).

•

Engage with local planning authority through the Mitigation Officer Working Group to agree and implement measures to reduce impact on the heaths related to the delivery of the revised Local Plan. This with a view to updating the Visitor Management Plan (H).

Image credit: Jake Newman

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fresh air

sanity

relaxation

valuable

Image credits (top to bottom): Guy Newman Thom Bates

social

home

convenient fantastic

scenery

nature exercise peaceful grateful

wellbeing

walking

varied

invigorating

joy

protected

memories

countryside

wild

enjoyable

natural health amazing birdsong

local

history

precious

cathartic

family

green

isolation

accessible

unique

views

lovely happy

gorse

freedom calm

lucky

solace

safe

calmness

enjoyment

peacefulness geology

relaxing

isolated

quiet openness fun

exploring

peace

air

mindfulness

beautiful wildness

walks

special

sanctuary

dogs

spacious glorious

beauty tranquillity space calming

conservation

escape

happiness wildlife nostalgia

interest

rural

outdoors

interesting

important

scenic inspiring

rugged

escapism diversity

Word cloud summarising the

Font size indicates how

South East Devon Visitor

the Pebblebed Heaths.

was given.

Footprint Ecology.

words visitors use to describe

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necessary

frequently each word

Survey 2020-2021,

10

People and Nature

What do we want?

Health and wellbeing

The Pebblebed Heaths NNR is inclusive and accessible to those that wish to spend time on the reserve. Physical and intellectual barriers are minimised.

What are we doing?

•

Improve understanding of under-represented groups through 1) identifying and 2) subsequent engagement with relevant groups. (H&E)

•

Commission work analysing physical and intellectual barriers to the NNR and how they can be addressed (H&E).

•

•

Nature Connection

Health and Wellbeing

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People of all ages are given opportunities to take positive action for nature.

Strong links with healthcare providers and charities to address local priorities.

•

Include cultural heritage information on new site signage (H&E).

•

Update historical information available on the website (H&E).

•

Identify and present particular human interest stories or local traditions that people can relate to bring history to life (H&E).

•

Create heritage walks that people can follow to learn about the history of the reserve (H).

•

Strengthen links with local museums.

•

Create a learning resource pack for Woodbury Castle iron age hillfort.

•

Improve accessibility of historical information through making available known archive material through digital means (H&E).

•

Commission work to collate and present information on the historic environment.

Raise societal awareness of the natural environment and the importance of the reserve.

•

Stronger online presence of NNR, with up-todate information on the website (H&E).

•

Offer range of engagement activities throughout the years that appeal to a broader array of groups to strengthen local connection to the site (H&E).

Clear and accessible maps and information on natural and cultural environment will be available helping people to explore the reserve.

•

Install orientation signage to include a map and basic visitor information and connect to a website for further information (H&E).

•

Develop new walking trails (H).

Learning

Increase voice/ influence of users in management decisions.

•

Include representation of a single member of the Friends Group on the Advisory Board.

Access and recreation

The NNR will be accessible by public transport and green infrastructure links to the heaths.

•

Engage with EDDC and DCC on green infrastructure/public transport opportunities.

•

Install bike racks in car parks to provide secure bike parking (H&E).

•

Improve NNR signposting and access from surrounding areas on PRoW and permissive pathways.

•

Identify potential new permissive routes.

Cultural heritage

Raise societal awareness of historic environment and the human story of the reserve.

Provision of information to enable people to decide where and how they can access the reserve areas to suit their needs (H&E).

Gain a greater understanding of what ‘connectedness to the NNR’ means to different sectors of society through commissioned survey work.

•

Install easy access path at Estuary View viewpoint (H).

•

Improve accessibility of footpaths related to the Otter Estuary (Budleigh Salterton footpath 12 and Otterton footpath 1)(E).

•

Undertake assessment of seating/resting requirements across the NNR (H&E) – links to physical barrier work above.

•

Increase reach of site through use of community/business ambassadors.

•

Improve digital communications, including the social media reach of the NNR.

•

Establish a youth volunteering scheme.

•

Enhance existing volunteering opportunities to enable working people and families to take part in volunteering at times which fit around a working life.

•

Seek funding for additional NNR engagement support to assist with delivery of all aspects of visitor engagement and education highlighted in the Master Plan (H&E)

•

Network via Naturally Healthy Local Nature Partnership and local healthcare providers to establish links and identify service pathways (H&E).

Nature Connections

Access and recreation

12

Research and Governance

What do we want?

Reporting

Research

A single Management and Monitoring Report incorporating all work from the three management partners is produced annually for the heathland element of the NNR ensuring that progress against condition status is assessed.

Strong connection with local universities to facilitate research, focusing on improving understanding of wildlife and habitats, impacts of climate change and recreation on the reserve, and the socioeconomic value of the site.

What are we doing?

•

•

Monitoring

People are able to support the NNR by taking part in citizen science and monitoring.

•

Extend reach of monitoring through use of citizen science (H&E).

Research

Historic features on the Pebblebed Heaths are well understood.

•

Identify opportunities for research and surveys on least understood features such as the pebble platforms (H).

•

Expand and increase regularity of heritage volunteer work groups to strengthen site teams understanding of heritage features in their care.

Agree format of report against Master Plan in 2024 for annual submission to Advisory Board (and also public domain) from 2024 (H&E).

Identify site’s top ten research priorities as a wish list for research with this circulated within relevant departments of local universities and relevant organisations (H&E).

Image credit: Iain Turner

13

Advocacy

Ensure that the NNR has a strong voice in local housing and green infrastructure planning.

•

NNR staff (or Advisory Board Members) to seek representation on key partnerships/ advisory groups on these areas.

Reporting

Central storage of ecological data and data shared with all partners and DBRC.

•

Undertake an analysis of data and mapping systems used by the three operational partners to standardise and improve how records are stored, shared and mapped.

Monitoring

A robust ecological monitoring programme covers the NNR and results are reported annually.

•

Agree between management partners where monitoring priorities lie above and beyond those already existing and initiate expanded monitoring programme.

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Sustainability, Climate Change & Ecosystem Services Image credits (top to bottom): Nick de Cent Kim Strawbridge

What do we want?

What are we doing?

Sustainability

Ensure financial sustainability of NNR management operational costs.

•

Undertake a review of existing and projected future management costs, including the delivery of actions outlined in this Master Plan and assess against current and future funding to understand future finance needs.

Sustainability

Clearly articulate the ecosystem services delivered by the NNR and how management actions will enhance/ erode them.

•

Undertake a Natural Capital valuation for the Pebblebed Heaths NNR (H&E)

•

Build relationships with businesses and organisations that use the NNR to better understand the site’s value.

Ensure that the carbon footprint of management is as low as possible with ambition to be Net Zero carbon by 2030 (Scopes 1 and 2).

•

From 2024 undertake and publicise carbon account for NNR management activities (H&E).

•

Establish progressive carbon reduction targets (Scopes 1 & 2) with the ambition of attaining Net Zero Carbon by 2030 (H&E).

Understand the future impacts of climate change on the NNR’s habitats and species.

•

Based on existing climate change scenarios identify likely changes to habitats and species on the NNR.

•

Identify knowledge gaps in species vulnerability and set priorities for further study.

Understand long-term impact of increased and changing visitor use on the site’s habitats, species and infrastructure

•

Undertake an updated visitor management survey in 2026 to complement those done in 2016 and 2021.

Climate change

Climate change

Sustainability

The progress and success of each action in the 5-year plan will be reported annually to the Advisory Board.

A copy of this report will be available at pebblebedheathsnnr.co.uk

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Management Partners

Image credit: Kim Strawbridge

The Pebblebed Heaths NNR spans

two additional heathland areas that

including much of the footprint of the

conservation designations. The NNR

1,158.90 hectares of heathland,

pre-existing East Devon Pebblebed Heaths SSSI.

did not previously have any statutory was extended in 2024 to include 89.6 hectares of the Otter Estuary.

The commons of Aylesbeare; Bicton;

Day to day management of the

East Budleigh; Hawkerland; Harpford;

Reserve is undertaken by three

Bystock; Colaton Raleigh; Dalditch;

Pebblebed Heaths National Nature

Withycombe Raleigh; Woodbury;

organisations, Pebblebed Heaths

Venn Ottery are included along with

Dalditch Plantation and Mutters Moor,

Conservation Trust, RSPB and Devon Wildlife Trust.

Pebblebed Partners; who looks after which parts of the Pebblebed Heaths NNR?

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NNR land component

Managed by:

Owned by:

Area (ha)

Bicton Common; Colaton Raleigh Common; Dalditch Common; Dalditch Plantation; East Budleigh Common Hawkerland; Mutters Moor; and Woodbury Common.

East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust (EDPHCT)

Clinton Devon Estates

980

Aylesbeare and Harpford Common

RSPB

Venn Ottery Common (part)

RSPB

Bystock Pools; Venn Ottery Common (part)

Devon Wildlife Trust

These partners value the Pebblebed Heaths NNR and all it represents, working together to provide the best possible outcomes for wildlife and society.

This operational management partnership,

Clinton Devon Estates

191

established in 2019, co-ordinates works

ensuring a whole-site approach is taken to

management, reporting and communication.

RSPB

26

Each partner continues to remain operationally and financially autonomous when working on areas of land under their responsibility.

Devon Wildlife Trust

35

Withycombe Raleigh Common;

RSPB

East Devon District Council

16

Otter Estuary

EDPHCT

Clinton Devon Estates

89.6

Our aspiration is to take a whole reserve

approach, delivering exemplary conservation

management that gives society confidence in the reserve’s stewardship.

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Creation of the Master Plan During autumn 2021 a series of themed workshops were held. Key outcomes, objectives and actions were agreed through a process of co-creation between the NNR management partners and stakeholders. The results formed the basis of this Master Plan.

The Master Plan sets out the partnership

Advisory Board Current Advisory Board members Clinton Devon Estates East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust RSPB Devon Wildlife Trust

vision for the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve and outlines a delivery

strategy for how this will be achieved. A structured approach outlines the site’s existing qualities and desired future

In 2020 the Pebblebed Heaths NNR Advisory Board was established providing strategic guidance and support for the development of the Pebblebed Heaths NNR.

SE Devon Habitat Regulations Partnership

The Advisory Board is diverse and

Natural England

regulate, and use the heaths

East Devon National Landscape

outcomes. It sets out management

objectives and actions against which,

the success of the NNR can be measured and how the site will continue to meet national NNR Standards.

includes those who own, manage, reflecting the broad interests of all

these groups and the wider public.

EDDC (Environment Portfolio Holder) DCC Historic Environment Devon Countryside Access Forum Royal Marines

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Image credits (left to right): Dave Camberlain Kim Strawbridge

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Image credit: Kim Strawbridge

Map data shown may contain Ordnance Survey® products supplied by Pear Technology Services Ltd; Email: info@peartechnology.co.uk ©Crown Copyright and database rights from date shown above Ordnance Survey® licence number 100023148

Lying within the East Devon National Landscape, the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve represents one of East Devon’s most important nature-rich recreational landscapes supporting one million+ visits annually.

Mutters Moor

Key facts

Pebblebed Heaths - Core Block

Habitats: Heathland, mire, scrub, woodland, grazing marsh, reedbed, saltmarsh, mudflat

Key Species of the heathland: Dartford warbler, nightjar, southern

damselfly, silver-studded blue butterfly

Key species of the Otter Estuary: Otter Estuary

Black-tailed godwit, dunlin, common sandpiper, redshank, greenshank, brent goose, migratory salmonids, eel, bass

Historic Environment: Over 170 historic features including 11 Scheduled Monuments

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Made from recycled paper Front cover image credits (top to bottom): Kate Tobin Ed Dolphin Back cover image credit: Neil Bygrave

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