Dear Ms Davis

Environmental Impact Regulations 2004

“For information about biodiversity conservation within the HM Prison estate.

Please could you provide:

a) a list of HM Prison land which has a statutory nature

conservation designation (e.g. SSSI, SAC) together with details of

biodiversity conservation work carried out by HM Prison service at

these sites

b) a list of other sites at which HM Prison service is carrying out

biodiversity conservation work, with details of the work being

carried out at these.”

I am now in a position to provide you with a response. I am sorry for the delay in doing so.

Further to your request, there are nine sites on the prison estate with statutory designations. These are:

Designations:

ESA - Environmentally Sensitive Area

NVZ - Nitrate Vulnerable Zone

Ramsar site - International designation (Recognised for importance for wading birds)

SAC - Special Area of Conservation (European designation)

SNCI - Site of nature conservation importance

SPA - Special Protection Area (European designation)

SSAI - Special site of archaeological interest

SSSI - Site of special scientific interest

The Prison Service operates on the second largest Government estate and its sustainable development policy aims to ensure responsible and effective land management. In 2003 the then Director General of the Prison Service signed a Strategy Statement and a Statement of Action in support of a Prison Service Biodiversity Action Plan (PSBAP). The Strategy Statement outlines the objectives and aims of the action plan while the Statement of Action outlines how the management of key species and habitats will be achieved through partnerships with Natural England, the Wildlife Trusts, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

The Plan was drawn up in 2004 and is being implemented in three Stages.

Stage 1 covers sites with statutory designations and comprises the nine listed above.

Stage 2 covers sites which are not designated but which have land which has local, county or regional importance in its biodiversity.

Stage 3 addresses sites which do not fall into the first two categories and comprises mainly urban prisons.

I enclose at Annex A a list of the Stage 1 (9), Stage 2 (75) and stage 3 (45) sites.

When the PSBAP is fully implemented each prison site will have a local BAP which identifies the species and habitats on that site and the steps necessary to ensure they are properly maintained and encouraged through Species Action Plans (SAPs) and Habitat Action Plans (HAPs). The partnerships formed with the four bodies referred to above have been vital in implementing both the PSBAP and the local BAPs.

Work to introduce local BAPs at seven of the Stage 1 sites listed above was completed in December 2004. We were recently advised that Portland and The Verne fell within the Isle of Portland SSSI and these two sites were moved from Stage 2 to Stage 1. Draft local BAPs for these two have now been completed.

Local BAPs for the first six Stage 2 sites were completed in February 2006 and work on the remaining Stage 2 sites in ongoing. A pilot was recently started to draw up local BAPs for those London prisons which fall into Stage 3 and this is also ongoing. Local partnership support has been forthcoming in many guises. Edward Mayer of the London Swifts project ran a one day training session on practical management of Swifts for prison buildings at HMP Holloway in London, with RSPB HQ also attending to give additional advice. There was keen competition for places from prison staff.

Many sites on the prison estate have developed projects in support of their SAPs and HAPs. Details of these are set out at Annex B which divides them between designated and non-designated sites.

I hope the information provided is of interest. As part of our obligations under the FOIA, the Ministry of Justice has an independent review process. If you are dissatisfied with this decision, you may write to request an internal review. The internal review will be carried out by someone who did not make the original decision, and they will re-assess how the Department handled the original request.

If you wish to request an internal review, please write to the Data Access and Compliance Unit within two months of the date of this letter, at the following address:

Data Access and Compliance Unit

Information Directorate

Ministry of Justice

1^st Floor

Zone C

102 Petty France

London

SW1H 9AJ

e-mail: [email address]

If you remain dissatisfied after an internal review decision, you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner's Office under Section 50 of the FOIA. You can contact the Information Commissioner's Office at the following address:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Internet: https://www.ico.gov.uk/Global/contact_us.aspx

Yours sincerely

Vicky Rushton

Senior Caseworker

ANNEX A

ANNEX B

Sites with formal designation

HMP Dartmoor - the prison is unique in its biodiversity and important for species and Upland heathland.. It is located in one of England's most spectacular National Parks. The prison has made great efforts to forge local partnerships with the Duchy of Cornwall who manage much of the land around the prison, the Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon Biodiversity Partnership and the Dartmoor National Park Authority. As a result of the farm modernisation programme, the prison's farm was returned to the ownership of the Duchy of Cornwall and since then, a rationalisation of the remaining land and its management has taken place. With the support from staff and prisoners the land has been surveyed for species and habitats to create a unique database to catalogue the many species found on site - including those that are found in micro climates such as the drystone walls which dissect the land surrounding the prison. Data collection and surveying evidences good management practice and is essential for setting targets and actions for the protection of both flora and fauna on Dartmoor.

Part of the prison's land is crossed by the River Blackbrook which is vital to the breeding and spawning of salmon in this part of Devon. Salmon conservation formed part of the biodiversity project on Dartmoor National Park and the prison took a very active role in supporting and assisting this project wherever possible. One scheme carried out in recent years involved the prison replacing the old farm track which crossed the river with new granite chippings. This had a significant impact on the salmon breeding sites by reducing the risk of silt run off from the road leading into the river and covering the important gravel bed into which the salmon lay their eggs. Funding from the Dartmoor Biodiversity Project was used to fence of several high risk areas along the river bank to reduce livestock traffic and possible bank erosion, important in the management of aquatic flora.

HMP Frankland - at HMP Frankland the Brasside Ponds SSSI comprises one of County Durham's largest expanses of clear water. The site is managed in partnership with the Durham Wildlife Trust, but parts of the site were proving to be inaccessible during certain times of the year when the water table rose. With funds and advice from the headquarters' Sustainable Development Team, HMP Frankland was able to construct raised walkways to provide access to parts of the site so that important maintenance could be carried out in line with the action plan for the site. As a result, Brasside Ponds SSSI will be able to meet the Government target for 95% of SSSIs to be in favourable condition by 2010.

The prison recently entered into a management agreement with Natural England which gives staff the opportunity to manage a sensitive site in a way that will not only enhance it for species, but will protect it for years to come. Funding from the Sustainable Development Team allowed staff to manage the wildflower meadows more effectively, using a state of the art grassland mower. This mower provides artificially what livestock would carry out on a nature reserve removing arisings that would, if left, produce high levels of nitrates which are damaging to many local sensitive wildflowers. The arisings are used to create ideal egg-laying sites for grass snakes - the only reptile on the prison estate to lay eggs. Managing in this way not only fulfils the Service's obligations under the relevant countryside legislation; but also gives staff and prisoners an opportunity to experience nature and wildlife first hand, enabling them to develop professional skills in managing sensitive environments.

HMP North Sea Camp - the prison is located about six miles south east of Boston, Lincolnshire on land reclaimed from the Wash - a Special Protection Area, a Site of special Scientific Interest and a Ramsar site. The salt marshes and their fronting mud flats at North Sea Camp are an important and rare habitat. The site occupies a unique position, therefore, in terms of the prison estate and staff have worked closely with Natural England to promote its positive management. The Prison Service entered into a partnership with the Environment Agency, English Nature and the RSPB to address the erosion of the sea defences protecting North Sea Camp prison. The solution to the problem was to retreat to a previous line of defence and recreate a salt marsh to form an integral part of the sea defence allowing the “natural” environment to protect the “built2 environment. The creation of 70 hectares of salt marsh has been recognised as a major environmental benefit as well as helping to protect 80,000 hectares of prime agricultural farmland, scattered villages and the town of Boston. The salt marsh provides a valuable habitat for nesting redshank, wintering wildfowl and other plants and animals associated with this specialised habitat.

Part of the prison's land has been designated for internationally important wading birds and general waterfowl as well as being a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and National Nature Reserve (NNR). Under the Prison Service's Farm Modernisation programme North Sea Camp reviewed its farming operations and now optimises its business in commercial horticulture and training prisoners to equip them with transferable skills. A large pond and wetland area have been constructed on part of the permanent grassland, incorporating a surrounding copse which is under-sown with wild flowers and seed producing crops for winter-feed for birds. This wetland habitat is structured in such a way that it enables several different species to come together such as oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) and barn owl (Tyto alba) both of which are associated with different habitats; the oystercatcher with saltmarsh/estuary and mudflats ;and the barn owl with long rank grassland. With a sympathetic planting regime, in time the peripheral habitats will encourage small farmland birds such as bullfinch (Pyrrhula Pyrrhula), song thrush (Turdus philomelos) and the local tree sparrow (Passer montanus) populations

HMP Prescoed - the prison is located in a rural location near Usk in South Wales. It has the only prison farm in Wales and it's biological diversity ranges from a site that has a Special Site of Archaeological Interest (SSAI), to an FSC commercial woodland, to a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI). Species range from great crested newts, badgers, barn owls and the woodland is used by at least 5 different species of bat as well as dormice. The prison farm is within the Tir Gofal scheme the equivalent of the Countryside Stewardship in England, which allows the farm to be managed with wildlife in mind. The recent introduction of the Prison Service Biodiversity Action Plan (PSBAP) at Prescoed highlighted the operations around the fieldwork on the farm and its potential to encourage farmland birds such as lapwing, barn owls and bullfinch. Action plans for all of these species were drawn up incorporating the change from arable cropping within the farm modernisation programme to animal feed and fodder to support its dairy herd. With the introduction of surveying to monitor the actions that had been put in place the farm now has recorded at least five breeding pairs of lapwing which had since not been recorded on the farm. Barn owl boxes have been erected on the farm and working closely with the Hawk and Owl Trust, areas of long rank grass have been left to encourage small mammals such as voles, shrews and mice the staple diet of the barn owl. Recent recordings have now shown that barn owls are moving closer in to the farm. This work has been used as an example of good practice by the Sustainable Development Commission.

The prison also won an award from the Forest Stewardship Council for pioneering work in regenerating a local forest (on prison land) and for making wood products which meet exacting environmental standards. The award recognised that the prison had met the international standard for sustainable and environmental forest management, which ensures that wildlife and habitats within the forest are protected at all times, that regeneration is encouraged and that no chemical pesticides are used. The prison was the first in England and Wales to receive such an award.

With the aid of central funding Prescoed took forward a project to relocate a large colony of newts. The purpose of the project was to replace existing water reservoirs, which were crumbling and threatening the population of newts, including the protected great crested newt. As part of this project, new ponds were formed and habitats created to protect not only the newts but also other important species and habitats.

Other sites

HMP Askham Grange - an open prison set in what was once a small, family estate near York with much of the old grounds and gardens still remain. The ornamental lake had fallen into disrepair and also contained a high level of chlorine from when a previous swimming pool was in use. Work was undertaken to reduce the chlorine level, address the pH level of the water, repair the lake's retaining wall, improve the general water quality by replanting with indigenous oxygenating aquatic flora and implement a controlled restocking of aquatic flora. The lake was seen as an asset for biodiversity and has created a better environment for wildlife.

HMP Ackington - as a contribution to the local environment, Acklington began a tree planting programme next to the prison on some wasteland which had been the site of the former staff quarters. Support from the Forestry Commission was extensive and included a 70 per cent support grant. The first batch of 1,000 trees planted was followed by a further 1,000 saplings. The aim was to create a varied woodland using 12 broadleaved varieties including ash, oak, alder, willow, cherry, and hazel.

HMP Bullingdon - the prison had already won an award for the design and management of its gardens, and its biodiversity and woodland walks. It progressed its HAPs and SAPs by forming new local partnerships working with their local MoD conservation group, particularly for Barn owls. The prison also worked with local representatives from Butterfly Conservation, carrying out successful surveys of Brown Hairstreak butterflies. Designing both SAPs and HAPs gave the prison the means to manage, protect and improve both the habitat and the dependent species, - key elements in realising the local biodiversity action plan.

HMYOI Deerbolt - the prison is located on the outskirts of Barnard castle on County Durham in a landscape with valuable habitats. In the adjacent Deepdale area are good examples of a thriving ecosystem such as browsing deer, foraging badger, kingfishers and numerous species of flora. Recent biodiversity work has involved creating an access to the bottom of Deepdale beck in the form of a pathway and steps and restoring the habitat after the work was completed. A parkland habitat was also planted to the front of the prison blending in to the already mature amenity and meadow grass areas. This involved planting willow and alder trees, then overseeding with a good quality wildflower and grass seed mix. Staff at Deerbolt closely maintain these areas in order to protect the habitats they provide.

Drake Hall - located in countryside and surrounded by farmland, this rural site is well placed to make a contribution to enhancing wildlife. The gardens' staff at Drake Hall identified an area of sterile ground which was particularly difficult to maintain and the ground levels and protruding substrata made it difficult to provide an ornamental landscape. Instead it was decided to adapt it as a site to encourage biodiversity. Taking in to account the low fertility and the need for shallow tilling operations, the chosen solution was to plant a wildflower meadow. The site is seen by a large percentage of the prison population and this encourages both staff and prisoners to consider how they look at and think about wildlife and the need to maintain the natural environment.

HMP East Sutton Park - A former stately home whose estate at its peak more than 5,000 acres in size and covered a range of agricultural practices (from arable crops to hop gardens and fruit orchards). An ornamental lake fed from a natural stream was used for recreational purposes. In recent years the earthwork dam at one end of the lake began showing serious signs of erosion and was in danger of collapse. Work to repair the dam and protect the surrounding area was put in hand and, as a result, the lake has continued to provide a wildlife haven for many forms of wildlife.

HMP Ford - the prison supplies compost to a large number of establishments on the estate. In line with the Prison Service's policy of moving away from using peat based composts, the prison evaluated the use of reduced peat compost by substituting 50 per cent of the peat with composted forest floor waste (excluding bracken) and composted pine bark. Vegetable, bedding and pot plants grown in the mixture showed no noticeable difference. The reduced peat mix was offered to Farms and Gardens managers across the prison estate. Many prisons took the mix, either on a trial basis or for all their growing uses. All plants supplied by Ford - either internally or on a commercial basis - are now grown in the reduced peat compost. There were no problems with aftercare: indeed, two local council contracts then stipulated that their plants had to be grown in the reduced peat material. Ford continued to compost all of its green waste and to return it to the field. In addition all used flower pots continued to be recycled.

HMP Foston Hall - the prison was originally a hunting estate dating back to the 14th century. Much of the land within the secure fence comprises formal gardens maintained to a high standard. A particular area is known as the “sanctuary” - a quiet, peaceful and protected area for flora and fauna to thrive. The sanctuary is based around a large pond which has been specially planned to encourage wildlife. Since the creation of this area, biodiversity has thrived with damselflies and dragonflies are now a common site, and those staff and prisoners who wish to know more can turn to the on-site information centre. The garden staff at the prison take environmental issues seriously and have explored the use of biological controls for pests within the gardens. As a result, the prison's store of chemicals was cut by over three quarters with resultant benefits to the environment.

HMP Grendon/Springhill - at the prison staff decided to halt the disappearance of hedgerows by planting new ones and filling gaps in the existing hedgerows around the estate. Apart from the environmental asset this planting has for local wildlife (especially farmland birds such as the tree sparrow, and dormouse population) the hedgerows help with general estate maintenance. Using local species of plants (such as common thorn, blackthorn, oak, maple, ash and dog rose) has enabled the local Buckinghamshire landscape around the prison to continue undisturbed. Both the new hedgerows and the existing ones act as important wildlife corridors, giving invertebrates and small mammals the opportunity to travel between habitats in relative safety.

The prison has a proven track record for its work on biodiversity and supporting the Service's Biodiversity Action Plan. Recently the prison has fostered links with a local community project by constructing and supplying Barn owl and other boxes for raptors for putting up throughout the Aylesbury Vale area. Springhill has successfully managed its site for Barn owls for several years now, and annually participates in the national Barn owl monitoring scheme run by the British Trust for Ornithology.

As well as Schedule 1 bird's such as the Barn owls, Springhill has on its land a good population of bats. Again this is down to the efforts of the local staff and their sensitive approach to habitat management. Pipistrelle bats are roosting in the Springhill mansion and have also taken to roosting in a small shed on the sportsfield close to a pond and wetland site. A project is now underway to replace this shed with a dedicated shelter for bats. Major construction has taken place during the winter months while the bats are in their winter hibernation roost site, to ensure compliance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

HMP/YOI Guys Marsh - with the aid of central funding Guys Marsh began to develop wildlife areas within the prison. They planted hedgerows using endemic species of blackthorn, hawthorn and beech to provide habitats for nesting songbirds and travel corridors for invertebrates. In addition, areas within the prison were prepared for sowing wildflower seeds in the spring and a large number of bird boxes were erected. As well as planting for wildlife, Guys Marsh constructed a large pond to encourage species such as dragonflies, damselflies and amphibians.

As part of the ongoing efficiency programme, many of the Prison Service's sewage treatment works are being de-commissioned and prisons being connected to mains sewage. At Guys Marsh staff at the prison's sewage plant identified, at an early stage, that there were newts present in several old disused water tanks. The Sustainable Development Team's ecologist, confirmed that a large colony of palmate newts was present in the tanks. It was agreed, because of the large size of the colony, to implement a transfer programme and set up alternative ponds for a breeding colony close to the sewage treatment plant prior to the commencement of decommissioning works. It was decided to keep the ponds as close as possible to the old water tanks so that when the newts were transferred back they would stand a greater chance of accepting and fitting in to their new home. Research had established that Palmate and Smooth newts frequently breed in smaller ponds than the Great crested newts and population sizes were better in ponds which had water all year round as opposed to ones drying up in summer. Providing a diversity of different shelf depths also helps, as does an irregular shoreline. Three ponds were constructed - one main pond and two smaller ponds with the surrounding landscape is being left to let nature take its course.

HMP Holloway - Holloway has a dedicated team of committed staff and prisoners who work towards enhancing and encouraging local wildlife into the prison. Although it does not have the woodlands, meadows and lakes of many other prisons around the estate, it does have gardens and enclosed courtyards, which have been designed to encourage insects, butterflies, bees and birds. Staff identified further areas external to the prison which had potential for encouraging more wildlife, including mammals such as hedgehogs, urban foxes, field mice and voles. Holloway demonstrates that an inner city prison can make a difference in encouraging wildlife into what would normally be regarded as a grey, unstimulating, sterile area. It has also shown that encouraging prisoners to work and actively participate in the development of their physical environment can lead to positive changes in social attitudes.

HMP Kingston - after restoring an area of the prison's gardens into a “wild” state, staff at the prison embarked on a beekeeping project. The prison became a full member of the British Beekeepers Association, and regular classes were held to train both staff and prisoners in beekeeping. The prison's efforts contributed to the revival of honeybees throughout Hampshire, where 80 per cent had been destroyed by a lethal parasite.

HMP Kirkham - conservation area. In line with its responsibilities as a Stage 2 pilot site, Kirkham set up a conservation committee which created pathways through an area of woodland at the rear of the prison to connect it with other prime broad habitats in the conservation area being developed by the prison. Using local staff who have a keen interest in the site, together with other prison staff, the committee has successfully created a pleasant walk for staff, prisoners and members of the local community and enhanced the woodland to promote local flora and fauna.

Following on from work on the local conservation area and from a past habitat survey, a proposal was put forward to create a bat hibernation roost site. The site still had several building foundations left over from when it was an RAF station which created ideal roosting sites for bats when fitted with pitched roof to provide an artificial roof space for the bats. Construction has now been completed and atmospheric conditions will determine whether the roost is used as a winter hibernation site or as summer nursery roosts. The site is being monitored and actions and targets will be put in place once it is understood how the bats intend to use the site. Useful advice from the local bat group and staff enthusiasm has enabled this project to be one of the first of its kind on the prison estate.

HMP Ranby - the prison is set between forest and agricultural land. Substantial development has taken place on the site since the days it was an army camp and the staff have paid special attention to the soft landscaping of the prison, aware that simple yet effective management of the habitats can support and encourage existing species. Local prison staff have initiated a progressive hedgerow planting scheme. This planting has not only aided with security locally by defining secure and sterile areas for visitors, but has given endemic wildlife the opportunity to migrate between diverse habitats through the “wildlife corridors” that the hedgerow planting has created between the more mature existing woodlands and nearby meadows.

Standford Hill - research has shown that all species of bats in the UK and on the public sector prison estate are steadily declining, some species more than others. Along with experts from local bat groups prison grounds are being surveyed with a view to protecting and, if possible without restricting the potential use of the land, establishing roosting sites. HMP Standford Hill with its ditch system and small reservoir fished by staff and close to the internationally important Swale estuary is an ideal habitat for Daubenton's bat. Roosts are being improved by increasing the humidity, which will be achieved by controlling the air flow and spreading organic loose litter on the floor such as bark chippings and mulch.

HMP Stocken - a number of improvements have been undertaken to the prison's pond and surrounding area. These include giving the site a more open aspect, sowing a tropical grass seed mixture on its banks, and planting trees and shrubs indigenous to the Rutland Area. In addition, a further planting regime is planned to encourage more wildlife corridors. Work to clear collapsed larches and bramble thicket, together with the coppicing of existing trees has also been identified. The prison is now looking to improve dykes and enhance banks, wherever practicable, to develop even more wildlife habitats.

HMP Wayland - the prison established its own bird watching project. Over a period of three years, forty-two species of birds were identified, of which five species were “red” list species of high conservation concern, with a further 14 on the “amber” list of medium conservation concern. The prison drew up plans to survey its 70 acre site with the aim of developing wildlife habitats and to work with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust to plan a number of conservation projects. Key areas included hedge planting, and tree management; tree planting; grassland management; butterfly/insect gardens; pond management; developing bird nesting sites; integrated pest control management; and, a conservation seating area for staff and visitors.

HMP Whitemoor - A nature reserve created by the Prison Service at Whitemoor occupies some 65 acres. It is situated in the middle of thriving fenland community and surrounded by arable land. The reserve has an abundance of wildlife. The prison, recognising the potential that active management has on the environment introduced an annual management plan. This identifies several habitats, such as reed bed, open pools, woodland and wildflower meadow. The reed beds are inhabited by Great Crested Newts and a rare visitor is the Marsh Harrier.

HMP Wymott - the prison is located in rural Lancashire adjacent to a small, wet woodland with a predominant species of alder and a ground cover of nettles, bramble and isolated ponds (known in Lancashire as an “alder nettle woodland”) This type of woodland was becoming rare in the county due to industrial and urban development and diversification in farming practices. Surrounding the wood is permanent pasture and, again, untouched permanent pasture was becoming scarce next to woodland and its development from a wild flora point of view was important. The prison realised the potential of this habitat and implemented an action plan to protect and enhance it. Through a management plan the prison intermittently managed the woodland by traditional coppicing. This technique not only encouraged new growth in the woodland, but also encouraged both ground flora and fauna alike. Much of the material produced by coppicing was used in the prison gardens and on its farm. Wymott have maintained the permanent pasture next to the woodland by the traditional management of livestock. Using mules sheep to graze the grassland has encouraged the growth of many natural meadow grasses and broadleaved flora. As well as flora, an increase in bird activity has been documented, including barn owls, finches and other farmland birds.