NATURE CONSERVATION : ESSEX
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arvensis), Curled Dock (Rumex crispus), Broad-leaved Dock
(Rumex obtusifolius) and Ragwort (Senecio jacobea).
At least one county council has also agreed to mark on the
ground any lengths of verge which are recommended by the
county naturalists' trust as being of particular biological interest.
The same council has also designated certain stretches of coastline
as conservation areas—preserving them from general building or
large-scale holiday camping development. One could wish that
other county councils would follow such an enlightened policy
towards nature conservation.
The mention of roadside verges brings me to another problem
which effects not only naturalists but all lovers of the countryside.
I refer to the unauthorised and indiscriminate dumping of rubbish
in the ditches, hedgerows, woodlands and ponds—and on the
beaches and in the rivers and canals. Legal action under the
Litter Act and education must go hand-in-hand to combat this
evergrowing menace. And do not let us blame too strongly our
apparently undisciplined youth—for neither the enclosures at
Ascot nor a county cricket ground is an example of which this
country may be proud. Some local authorities, too, do not always
set a good example.
Another threat to our roadside flora and fauna comes from the
annual cutting or mowing and there is research work to be done
here by members of trusts and other natural history organisations
to find out the best times for this cutting in differing situations.
Threats to S.S.S.I.s, and to other areas of natural beauty or
interest, by development may lead to the holding of public local
inquiries by the Minister of Housing and Local Government. The
Essex Trust is gaining much experience in this field and has sub-
mitted expert evidence both by letter and by the personal
appearance of members as witnesses and it has not been without
its successes. I suppose at the top of the list would come The
Naze inquiry already referred to, but other less publicised action
in this field has been undertaken.
A careful watch is being kept by the Trust on the position
regarding shingle extraction in the Leewick (Colne Point) area,
which is of some scientific importance and representations have
been made to the local authority and to the planning authority
against an application made for further extraction on an unlimited
basis.
Following strong objections lodged by the Trust, an applica-
tion to construct a chalet town at Steeple Wick Farm on the south
shore of the Blackwater has been refused by the local planning
authority. It is encouraging to note that among the reasons given
by the authority for refusing this development is what is tanta-
mount to a policy statement that no further holiday development
will be allowed in remaining natural areas on this side of the river.
Approaches have been made to the War Department repre-
sentatives concerning forestry changes taking place in woodlands
near Colchester.