Archived News March 2005 Mother Nature is confused Mar 30th Spring 2005 has bamboozled nature, and over 60,000 wildlife sightings from the general public show that many of our native species are struggling to cope with climate change. Rock art to go online Mar 29th Volunteers braved the biting chill of Barningham Moor in County Durham recently to carry out a survey that forms part of English Heritage's two-year pilot to record the region's prehistoric rock art and create a national index that will be available worldwide on the Internet. Lake speed limit now in force Mar 28th A 10mph speed limit takes effect on Lake Windermere in the Lake District, from today, Tuesday 29 March 2005. The speed limit was actually introduced on 29 March 2000 but in order to allow businesses time to re-adjust their trade, the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) decided not to enforce the new bye-law until 2005. How to identify rare bumblebees Mar 27th The first ever comprehensive photographic field guide to the British bumblebee, 'Field Guide to the Bumblebees of Great Britain and Ireland', which has just been published, uses a new three-step way to identify bees, doing away with the need to put bees under the microscope. New Defra Agency Named Mar 26th 'Natural England', the Government's new rural agency, will cost £40million to set up and will mean 600 job losses, but it promises to be more efficient and effective than the rural bodies it is set to replace. Beach Litter Doubles in 10 Years Mar 26th Litter levels on UK beaches are now almost twice as high as they were a decade ago, according to 2004's annual Beachwatch survey. Breakthrough in mapping tranquillity Mar 25th Researchers have created the first detailed, accurate maps showing places which make people feel tranquil. Tranquillity is one of the most sought-after, hard-to-pin-down qualities of life, and many places which provide it are endangered. Green Belt Marked for Development Mar 24th The Government has announced plans to build 211,000 new homes in Milton Keynes and the South Midlands, and has confirmed that development on countryside and green belt sites could be unavoidable. Stop Stonehenge Bureaucracy, Says EH Mar 23rd English Heritage has voiced its concerns over the Stonehenge project, which it believes is being held up by excessive Government red tape. Budgeting for the rural retired Mar 22nd The Budget 2005 has been viewed as one to woo the young and old in an election year. The Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown announced that every pensioner household – 65 and over – paying council tax, would receive a council tax refund of £200. Free local bus travel for pensioners is also to be provided. Hunt the Harlequin Mar 21st Britain’s best-loved beetle, the ladybird, is under threat from the world’s most invasive ladybird species – the Harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis). To help the native ladybird a UK-wide survey is calling for all gardeners, farmers, wildlife enthusiasts and anyone with a love of ladybirds to examine trees, bushes and plants and record all the ladybirds they find – including the Harlequin. Rural pathfinders set out business plans Mar 20th The first outline business plans for empowering rural communities to set their own priorities and target resources have been released. They reflect the issues that matter most to rural communities, including affordable housing, post offices, local transport and supporting local business. Castle plans face village buy-out Mar 17th The fate of a historic north Derbyshire castle is uncertain after people living nearby said they want to buy the site from a property developer. Curb Rural Development, CPRE Demands Mar 16th CPRE has called for less development in rural areas of the West Midlands, and for the need for affordable housing to be addressed more effectively. Clampdown on Royal Trespass Mar 16th Innocent walkers could be imprisoned for up to a year if new laws being debated by the Lords today are passed, the Ramblers Association has warned. Defra U-Turn After Rural Uproar Mar 15th Defra has backtracked over its changes to Open General Licences, so that shooters of pest birds no longer have to demonstrate that non-lethal means of control were ineffective. Motor vehicles not wanted in forests Mar 14th Forestry chiefs are appealing to the public to stop taking motor vehicles into national forests in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, apart from on the designated “Three Lochs Forest Drive” in the Trossachs More traveller sites to be identified Mar 13th Faster and more effective enforcement powers against the development of unauthorised gypsy and traveller sites have been introduced. The Temporary Stop Notice regulations, which came into force last week, will allow councils to act immediately to stop unauthorised sites in problem locations being further developed. However, local authorities are being told to identify more and appropriate land for authorised sites where needed within their area plans. Tackling rural disadvantage Mar 11th Clear evidence of the complex distribution of disadvantage in rural areas is published at the launch of the Countryside Agency’s Commission for Rural Communities Country Activities Contribute £14bn Mar 10th Rural activities contribute a millions to the UK's economy, and yet remain woefully under-funded, a new report from CCPR has shown. Landfills Benefit as Recycling Booms Mar 9th Recycling is booming in England's homes, and household waste has fallen for the first time ever, new Government figures have shown. A hare-raising project Mar 8th The plight of the brown hare has taken a positive turn following the launch of a major project covering six counties across the UK. Repair grants for parish churches Mar 7th A package of grants worth £17.5 million for repairs to Grade I and II* listed religious buildings across England, has been announced by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Helicopter activity helpline service Mar 7th A free-phone advisory service for members of the public to enquire about what low flying military helicopter activity is expected in their area that day, has just been launched by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). More Highland communities to get online Mar 6th Fifty organisations in the Highlands and Islands are set to benefit from computers donated by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to help improve the region’s internet access. Village plans parking restriction Mar 5th A total ban on street parking for one hour every day in a village is being considered to stop air passengers from dumping their cars while they travel. A new dawn for England's landscapes Mar 4th Countryside campaigners welcome the launch of the new Environmental Stewardship scheme for farmers, which CPRE is proud to have played a part in developing. Village to have woman-free week Mar 2nd A Nottinghamshire village is to take part in a unique experiment as part of a BBC documentary series. Wind farm experiences turbulence Mar 1st The world’s largest onshore wind farm, to be built on the northern part of Mointeach riabhach Leodhais the Brindled Moor of Lewis, not only has local opposition to the proposal but now, one of Britain’s largest environmental charities is fighting to save the site.