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| ECM-2001-02 : Social Impact Assessment of the Hickling Broad Conflict |  |
| You can download this working paper in PDF format (178.64K). |
| By:
Debbie Jackson,
Georgiou, S.,
Steve Crook | |
| EU environmental policy has been developing since the 1970's. Currently the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) is the EU's main biodiversity conservation legislation. It is based upon in-situ protection, through the designation of sites (Special Areas of Conservation SAC's) which together form a network called NATURA 2000. However the Directive is associated with several problems and failings within its legislation.
Hickling Broad, Norfolk, represents a current situation where the shortcomings of the Habitats Directive have been highlighted, as a result of conflict between stakeholders and conservation needs coming to a head. Hickling Broad is one of the very few improving lowland, oligotrophic lakes in Europe and since the 1990's the Broad has seen a gradual improvement in water quality and expansion of aquatic macrophytes. In 1998 Hickling experienced a large and rapid increase in growth of charophytes (Stonewort spp.) which caused problems for boaters. The Broads Authority responded by proposing cutting trials of the 'protected' stonewort.
A survey of stakeholders was undertaken in order to ascertain the extent of the knowledge that stakeholders held about the situation and the impacts that they were experiencing. It was found that land-based visitors were unaware of the situation and had experienced no impacts. Locals however knew relatively large amounts about the situation, and although they suffered few direct impacts they did have some secondary effects through contact with stakeholders who were impacted. Motor cruiser users were mostly unaware of the stonewort and were unaffected as the majority remained within the main cut, navigation channel. Sailboat and motor dinghy users however suffered large problems, with many becoming stuck in the plants. Local pubs were worried about the situation as they had experienced a loss of business. Boat-hiring companies had also experienced a loss of business and suffered a wide range of impacts. The situation was so severe and important to sailboat users and boat companies that many of them had taken action. A few stakeholders had received positive impacts from the stonewort.
This paper discuses the failings of the Habitats Directive in relation to the findings of the stakeholder survey at Hickling Broad. It is proposed that the Directive needs to be more flexible, particularly in multiple use sites, and should undertake stakeholder inclusion and information exercises as a standard part of the designation of a site. The Directive may also benefit from use of a 'landscape ecology' approach to conservation | |
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