Environment and Conservation

Cockerham is a small rural community which is situated on the Irish Sea Coast to the south of the Historic City of Lancaster. It has within its’ boundaries many different environmental habitats ranging from salt marshes, peat bogs, woodland, riverbanks and a large proportion of agricultural land.

Some of these sites are designated S.S.S.I’s. There are many varied species of wildlife, flowers and plants, the most notable being the Natterjack Toads, and the many thousands of Pink-Footed Geese which winter on the farmland and marshes in the area.

The Parish Council have recently managed to secure the deeds to the village green which is currently part of a project to enhance the centrepiece of the village by planting shrubs, trees and flowers etc.

The labour for this and other necessary work is being undertaken by the recently appointed village lengthsman, who is also responsible for keeping the village clean and tidy.

There are recycling bins in the village for bottles, cans, paper, shoes, tin foil etc and the Parish Council are currently trying to obtain plastic recycling facilities.

The main objectives for the future would be to preserve all aspects that are currently enjoyed i.e. village green, footpaths and bridleways, natural wildlife habitat etc. for future generations, and more importantly enhanced wherever possible. 15% were concerned about loss of natural habitat, 15%-declining numbers of birds and 14% -loss of wild flowers. 73% currently use footpaths and bridleways, however 22% thought that lack of signposting limited their use. 70% suffer from the aspects of speeding traffic, 23% from litter and 10% from dog fouling, 43% suffer from traffic noise problems and 29% from aircraft noise. 65% have no/limited access to a village shop. Recycling is an area that has room for improvement as 49% do not recycle foil, 36% do not recycle plastic and 34% do not recycle tin/aluminium cans.