TOWNIES who do not care about conserving the countryside are posing a threat to rural areas around Petersfield claimed a district councillor this week.

Judy Onslow, chairman of East Hampshire District councilÕs environment and countryside panel, was taking part in a ÒgreenÓ debate aimed at identifying areas where nature conservation work could be carried out, pinpointing the threats to them and coming up with action plans to beat the dangers.

The meeting, organised by the central area community committee, was crowded with representatives from Ògreen groupsÓ around Petersfield as well as town, parish and district councillors.

One of the major concerns was the over-mowing of road-side verges in rural areas. Many people complained that because grass was being severely cut, and clippings not removed it resulted in a loss of habitat and inability of wildflowers to seed.

But Mrs Onslow told the meeting: ÒOne of the problems is urbanised people coming in and wanting the verges cut.Ó

She told environmentalists: ÒI am with you on this, and you are all greener than green, but there are an awful lot of people out there who donÕt care and we are getting lots of complaints from people who want verges cut.Ó

Nature lovers at the meeting urged East Hampshire District Council to listen to the advice of nature conservation experts and not bend to complaints from people who did not understand the issue.

They said that parish councils should be consulted to identify the important verges in each village.

Members of the workshops, set up on Tuesday night to discuss the issues, also highlighted the dangers of over-cutting hedgerows at the wrong time of year. They urged consultation with land owners before the work was carried out.

A lack of maintenance of ponds also concerned people. One conservationist asked for a survey of old pond sites and the creation of new ponds which could stop roads flooding .

A group led by central area committee chairman Bob Ayer highlighted several areas in Liss which warranted conservation work. He said two of the main threats to the areas were development and the use of agrochemicals: ÒIt would be useful to have management agreements,Ó he stressed.

Adam Carew, a conservationist and chairman of WhitehillÕs Walldown Preservation Society, stressed the importance of raising local awareness about the importance of nature conservation sites.

ÒWe also need appropriate management of the sites,Ó he added. ÒWe have already spoken of the importance of removing grass clippings, mowing at the right time, grazing and the management of ponds.Ó

Mr Carew said it was also important to put the areas into the planning process. ÒThey must be included in Village Design Statements, Local Plans and other documents so that they are protected by the planning process instead of being threatened by it.Ó

He was also concerned about the ÒdictateÓ to build on brownfield sites before greenfields were developed. ÒSome brownfield sites are also very important conservation areas so please survey them before you touch them.Ó

Pupils from Bedales said they wanted to draw up a Ôschool biodiversity planÕ to concentrate on the sand quarry which had recently been designated a Site of Interest to Nature Conservation largely due to the sand-martins. He said the main threats to them were litter and the dangers posed by plans for a mobile phone mast nearby.

Other concerns included the affect of dumping rubbish, flytipping, the arrival of travellers, erosion and the lack appropriate management strategies.

Gavin Musk, sustainable projects officer for EHDC, said that all comments from the workshop groups would be recorded and priorities identified would influence future development of the central area action plan. They would also be reported to the East Hampshire Biodiversity Partnership and the district councilÕs environment and countryside panel.