Introduction

Biodiversity is all living things from the tiny garden ant to the giant
redwood tree. You will find biodiversity everywhere, in window boxes
and wild woods, roadsides and rainforests, snow fields and shore.
(UK Biodiversity Action Plan, 1995).


To see the action plans in more detail please consult:
“The Nature of Torbay” Full Plan, (4MB) or “The Nature of Torbay” Summary Plan, (1.5MB)
To find out more about “The Nature of Torbay” contact us at:
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Cockington Court, Cockington, Torquay TQ2 6XA
Email: biodiversity@countryside-trust.org.uk Telephone: 01803 606035

Torbay Biodiversity Steering Group

This document has been produced by the Torbay Biodiversity Steering Group with financial assistance from Torbay Council and Natural England. The document has been consulted on by these groups and has been written in collaboration with many local organisations and individuals through workshops and meetings.

The Torbay Biodiversity Steering Group:
Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust (TCCT)
RSPB
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park (PZ)
Natural England (NE)
Torbay Council (TC)
Devon County Council (DCC)
Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT)
Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI)

1.1 What is a biodiversity action plan?
Biodiversity Action Planning is the methodology followed by national government, local authorities, statutory agencies and voluntary organisations concerned with nature conservation across the UK.
A Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is a way of focusing resources on the most important habitats and species in an area. It can be at a national, regional or local level – whatever is most appropriate. A Geodiversity Action Plan does the same thing, but for geological and geomorphological sites and features. The Torbay BAP integrates both plans into a single document to include all of Torbay’s natural assets.

1.2 Why should we conserve Torbay’s biodiversity?
Since 1900 we have lost over 100 species in the UK and Torbay is no exception. As Torbay’s population increases and development pressures rise, our natural landscape will slowly diminish. In Torbay we have an array of important habitats and species on our doorstep; from caves to ancient woodland and sandy shore to limestone grassland. This distinct and varied landscape not only contributes to the biological and geological wealth of our planet but drives our local economy and improves our quality of life. However, if generations to come are to take as much pleasure in Torbay’s natural landscape as we have done we must start the 21st century with sustainability at the forefront of our minds. There is also a duty under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006) for all public bodies including local authorities to conserve biodiversity.

1.3 Torbay Priority Habitats and Species
The Nature of Torbay highlights the priority habitats and species in Torbay, describes the issues currently identified as threatening these habitats and species and sets out the main objectives and targets for their future conservation. It should be noted that not all habitats and species in Torbay are included in the document; priority habitats and species were chosen because they are particularly threatened or rare, have public value or are characteristic of Torbay.

1.4 Links with other documents
The Nature of Torbay supports the Local Development Framework through Supplementary Planning Documents (e.g. The Greenspace Strategy) and other Council led strategies (e.g. Torbay Community Plan). It is also linked to the Torbay Marine Biodiversity Action Plan and Torbay’s Geological Heritage Review.