James Bisset Email & Phone Number

Hereford, Gb

Shobden, Herefordshire

Trustee of Kingspan Community Trust helping provide professional advice on all aspects of projects they support with a particular role in respect of advising on ecology, trees and biodiversity

Plough Lane, Hereford

No, not a new job - just a change of job title to better reflect what I have been doing for last 2+ years!Ecology & Arboriculture 'internal' consultee as relates to Planning and associated applications and legislation. Though my previous experience with the now disbanded Parks & Countryside Service is still regularly called upon :-) I am one of the key Officers supporting the Malvern Hills and Wye Valley AONB partnerships. As a more personal sideline I'm Involved in helping progress the new internal GIS platform proposed for the Council.On a purely personal basis as well as local and national Tree Wardening and the Herefordshire Tree Forum I am helping develop and pilot national guidance on Chalara - Ash Dieback Disease in Non-Woodland Ash Trees with Jon Stokes from The Tree Council on behalf of DEFRA.'Spare' time is kept occupied with everything Chioptera (Bat) related including Beta testing new detectors and associated mobile phone apps and leading public bat walks. The Cider Museum - Hereford where I am an actively involved Trustee also helps keep me busy!

Hereford, United Kingdom

Trustee + supporting volunteer. Part of the museum development group and deputy finance trustee.

Blueschool House/Plough Lane Hereford

Having successfully Community Asset Transferred the last bastion of the Council's Countryside Sites - Queenswood Country Park and Bodenham Lake to a local community group partnership led by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust & Newleaf my role has changed......I'm now usefully using my 25+ years experience and knowledge of Herefordshire, Ecology, Trees, Bats, Orchards, Greespace and Biodiversity to help shape the County through the planning system. Very busy and a seemingly never ending (good news for job security!) stream of planning applications in this ecology and biodiversity rich county. I'm relishing the challenge and something new to learn and gain experience about - also partly following in my Father's footsteps as a planner and my Great Grandfather's around trees, landscape and wildlife. The Built & Natural Environemnt Service team are really making me feel at home and helping guide me on my new journey.I suspect my job title may catch up with my new role at some point in time.

Plough Lane, Hereford

After over 3 years & 6 months the Council has returned me to my 'substantive' position of Principal Countryside Officer (Strategic) - although a restructure is due before the new financial year! However still seem to be expected to fulfil a Service Manager role but without the title or remuneration.........as is the way of Local Authorities ;DWatch this space for update post restructure :-?

Queenswood Country Park

Originally an " acting-up" role for 6 months.....but now 2+ years later......Managing all the day to day activities and projects + staff in the PCLDS. Continuing to undertake strategic development of Green Space in Herefordshire and working with Planning Team on future open spaces associated with strategic housing sites. Working to develop SuDS that can be utilised for public use (sport & recreation), wildlife and water management, also helping shape the County's Sustainable Drainage Adoption Body (SAB). Plus leading on the Service Restructure and potential Community Asset Transfer of Countryside Sites including Queenswood Country Park and Bodenham Lake and the wider involvement of the community in managing open space themselves. I am also the lead Officer supporting the two AONBs that are partly within the County and have been involved in the Malvern Hills AONB bid for HLF funding towards a three year, Three Counties Orchard Project.In a private capacity I am now a Trustee of Hereford Cider Museum whilst also beinginvolved in helping organise and promote the Homme House Horse Trials and new for this year Celebration of the Hedgehog (find them both on Facebook :-) I am also keeping up my work with Chipotera (Bats) and undertake Voluntary Roost Visits on behalf of Natural England/Bat Conservation Trust + bat care and am organising a bat walk or two for 2014.

Head up the 'strategic' side of the Countryside Team.Current projects include: Belmont & Haywood Country Park, Council's SUDS guidance document, Herefordshire Year in The Orchard 2011, Fruit Tree Initiative, Landscape Enhancement Grants + Management Plans for Parks and Countryside sites and the sustainable development of Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum.A licensed Natural England and CCW bat roost visitor, volunteer bat worker and bat carer.

Trustee also involved in various Committes, Health & Safety.Also a volunteer with BTCV and a leader of their Working Holidays (Natural Breaks)