West Lothian Council delivers

Biodiversity and the environment

 

Although West Lothian is an urban dominated environment the diversity and quality of its countryside and urban areas is important in the context of sustainable development and its communities.

As a consequence, environmental pressures and threats are priority issues in relation to policy and services. The council's commitment to sustainable development through its strategy adopted in 2005, and its role in addressing issues such as climate change, pollution, waste management, transport and biodiversity, are reflected in its strategic and service delivery responses.

Renewable Energy Strategy

• Find out how we are looking to use renewables in West Lothian PDF, 1.4MB (new window)

Climate Change

The council signed up to Scotland's Climate Change Declaration in 2007. Under this we annually report on our work towards tackling climate change. Our reports can be found on Scotland's Climate Change Declaration (new window) website.

The council is serious about tackling climate change and recognises the benefits that a better local and global environment can bring to communities. Looking at Climate Change and Carbon Management involves working with a number of partners across all of our assets and recognising the impact of our interactions with the environment. The council's Energy and Water Strategy adopted in 2005 has led to energy savings and in 2010 we were awarded the Carbon Trust Standard due to efforts on carbon reduction which resulted in an 8.7% reduction in carbon emissions, relative to growth from 2007/08 to 2009/10. The Standard is independent confirmation of the council's environmental credentials in its mitigation work on climate change and carbon management. To find out more about energy conservation in the council click here

Earlier this year the council's Carbon Management received a Gold award in the 2011 COSLA Excellence Award. The award recognises that the council have developed a unique approach to carbon management that places the council in the best possible position to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change. The council's Carbon Management Structure has delivered real savings in terms of energy, carbon and cost. It has developed to include all the relevant stakeholders necessary to help reduce both the council's direct carbon emissions and the carbon emissions of the council area. Many innovative projects have taken place through the councils Carbon Management Structure, and many continue to develop to ensure a truly sustainable approach to carbon management. You can read our submission to the awards and watch the short film here:

• Cosla Excellence Awards (new window)

We are currently reviewing our Carbon Management Plan to set future carbon reduction targets.

• Carbon Management Plan 

For more information on how you can help save the environment and save money go to our Reduce your carbon footprint page.

Linlithgow Loch

• Find out how we are improving Linlithgow Loch's biodiversity
  

Local Nature Reserves

Easter Inch Moss and Seafield Law Local Nature Reserve is an area of locally important natural heritage, managed by West Lothian Council in partnership with a Local Management Group. It was designated a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in 2007. The reserve gives people the chance to learn about and enjoy nature close to where they live as well as being a valuable green space to be enjoyed between two built up areas (Blackburn and Seafield).

• Management Plan
• Management Plan Appendix 1 - maps 1
• Management Plan Appendix 1 - maps 2
• Management Plan Appendix 1 - maps 3
• Management Plan Appendix 2 & 3
• Hydrological Survey
• Hydrological Survey Appendix 1
• Easter Inch Moss Habitat Survey
• Woodland Condition Survey
• Woodland Condition Survey Appendices

Harperigg Reservoir lies to the north of the Pentland Hills within the boundary of the Pentland Hills Regional Park. It is owned by City of Edinburgh Council and managed as part of the Water of Leith flood prevention scheme. Around the reservoir is intensively grazed neutral grassland, along with large areas of marshy grassland.
 
It is proposed to designate Harperigg Reservoir as West Lothian's second local nature reserve in 2011/12. This formal legal process is underway. The site management plan 2009-14, adopted in December 2009, is available here.

• Harperrig management plan

INVASIVE SPECIES ALERT!

Killer Shrimp found in UK for the first time

An invasive species of shrimp, commonly known as the 'killer shrimp' has been found at Grafham Water reservoir in Cambridgeshire. This is the first time the shrimp has been found in this country.

The shrimp is a voracious predator (hence its common name of 'killer shrimp'). It kills a range of native species, such as freshwater invertebrates, particularly native shrimps and even young fish. This alters the ecology of the habitats it invades. It often kills its prey and leaves it uneaten. It tends to dominate the habitat, sometimes causing the extinction of native species.

Help stop the spread of this species by:

• Inspecting and cleaning boats and kit before and after use.
• Inspecting and cleaning launching trailers.
• Draining all bilge water from boats before leaving the site.
• Disinfecting angling kit before use.
• Making sure no lake water is taken away with your kit.
• Not transferring bait between water bodies.

If you find this species, please send a photo and details of the sighting to: alert_nonnative@ceh.ac.uk

The documents below give more information:

• Environment Agency News Release: Killer shrimp found in UK for first time
• Frequently Asked Question on the Killer Shrimp

Strategy for sustainable development

Sustainable development ensures that economic, social and environment objectives are met.

We need a strategy to reduce our use of natural resources and costs and play our role in responding to issues associated with climate change which threatens quality of life.

Strategy for sustainable development is our vision is to provide a good quality of life for all in West Lothian, now and in the future.

Our partners

Scottish Natural Hertiage (SNH (new window))

Scotland's natural heritage is its wildlife, habitats, landscapes and natural beauty. Scotland is renowned for its attractive scenery and wild places and has a huge diversity of landscapes, habitats and wildlife. These are part of what makes Scotland special and are among the country's greatest assets.

Central Scotland Forest (CSF (new window))

The Central Scotland Forest is transforming Central Scotland's landscape by greatly improving the area's natural environment and economic competitiveness to improve the lives, and life chances, of peopleliving, working and playing there. It is at the heart of the Central Scotland Green Network.sity of landscapes, habitats and wildlife. These are part of what makes Scotland special and are among the country's greatest assets.

The Wildlife Information Centre (TWIC (new window))

TWIC is the biological records centre for the Lothians and the Scottish Borders that collects, collates and disseminates information about the wildlife in our area.

Pentland Hills Regional Park

The Pentland Hills Regional Park (new window) is a living, working landscape, which offers great opportunities to experience and enjoy the outdoors. Sculpted by glaciers and water, then shaped by people's interactions over thousands of years, the Pentland Hills are a special place for everyone.

 

Updated 09/05/12