Pinn Meadows
Management Plan 2016 – 2021
Green Spaces Team London Borough of Hillingdon
Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
1. Table of Contents
page
1. Table of contents 2
2. Site summary and description 3
Transport, access and history 6
Topography, hydrology, geology and soils 11
Ecology 12
3. Vision for Pinn Meadows 22
4. Site aims and objectives 22 4.1. Create and maintain a welcoming site 22 4.2. Ensure the site is healthy, safe and secure 24
4.3. Ensure the site is clean and well maintained 26
4.4. Ensure sustainable management of resources 25 4.5. Appropriate management of conservation and heritage 27 features 4.6. Encourage community involvement 29 4.7. Ensure effective marketing of the facility 31 4.8. Implement effective management strategies 32
5. Management actions and maintenance plan 34
5.1. Ongoing/annual maintenance 34
5.2. Enhancement Projects 38
Appendices 45
Appendix A: Flora and fauna of Pinn Meadows 46
Appendix B: Butterfly survey and river monitoring 50
Appendix C: Drainage project 52
Appendix D: Introduction to the London Borough of Hillingdon 54
Appendix E: Events in Pinn Meadows 59 Appendix F: Greenflag feedback 60
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2. Site summary Details Site Name Pinn Meadows Address (Main Entrance) Kings College Road, Ruislip Postcode HA4 7JZ Grid Reference TQ 096 881 Size of site 20ha Ownership London Borough of Hillingdon Name of Lead Officer Dragana Knezevic Lead Officer’s contact details Postal: Green Spaces Team Civic Centre 4W/08 High St, Uxbridge Middlesex, UB8 1UW Phone: 01895 277534 Fax: 01895 250646 Email: [email protected] Access points Main Entrance: Kings College Rd, gates by bridge over River Pinn, both sides. Other entrances: Kings College Road x 5 Park Avenue x 3 Elmbridge Drive, by river bridge Brook Drive, end of street St Martin's Approach, both sides of river
Key features Key habitats Amenity Grassland Network of ditches Scrub Hedge Scattered trees Semi-improved neutral grassland Ponds Tall herbs Running water Ditches Historic features Heritage Trees Horticultural features Wildflower Meadow 3 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Sporting features Football Pitches All Weather Sports Facility Cricket Field Running track Other recreational / leisure facilities Skate Park Outdoor Gym Resting points 5 park benches Other designations SINC Borough Grade I Conservation Area Yes Metropolitan Open Land Yes Tree preservation orders No
Map 1. Aerial Map of Pinn Meadows
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Description:
Pinn Meadows is a relatively large expanse of open land situated of Ruislip. It is bounded by Park Avenue to the north, Evelyn Avenue to the south, Elmbridge Drive to the east and St Martin's Approach to the west. Approximately 20 ha in size, this site is recognised for both its nature conservation and recreational value. It is comprised of a range of habitats which are home to many different species. Most of the site is dominated by open grassland, punctuated by occasional small blocks of scrub, ditches, ponds and scattered trees. The River Pinn divides Pinn Meadows in two. An area of more formal space which includes short-mown grass and football fields is situated in the eastern side of the meadows. The Kings College Playing Fields, containing football pitches, a cricket ground, an all weather sports facility, a skate park and a running track, is mainly used for recreation. The Celandine Route runs through the site and with many other mowed pathways creates a great network of trails enjoyed by all, especially by dog walkers.
The site takes pride in a variety of interesting features including: Football pitches Skate Park All Weather Sports Facility with floodlights Outdoor gym Running Track Kings College Pavilion and Kings Cafe Cricket ground Hay meadow Wild areas and scrubland River Pinn Pond/Scrape/Ditches Network of ditches The Celandine Route and other mowed paths Many mature trees
The location of these features is shown on Map 2.
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Map 2. Key features of Pinn Meadows
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Transport and access:
The main entrances to the meadows are via Kings College Road, where there are three car parks. However, Pinn Meadows has 14 formal pedestrian entrances (shown on the map) at various points, such as Elmbridge Drive, Park Avenue, Kings College Road, St Martin's Approach and Brook Drive.
Limited free parking is available at three car parks off Kings College Road. On-street parking is also available on Kings College Rd, St Martin's Approach, Elmbridge Drive, Brook Drive and Park Avenue.
Railway access is available via Ruislip and Ruislip Manor Stations (London Underground Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines), which are about 1km away from the entrance in St Martin's Approach and Kings College Road respectively. These stations provide access to central London in about 45 minutes.
The Local H13 bus provides links to Ruislip Lido and other nearby towns including Ruislip Manor, Pinner and Northwood Hills.
Location:
Pinn Meadows is located in Ruislip in the West London Borough of Hillingdon.
Map 3. Location of Pinn Meadows in Hillingdon
Pinn Meadows is approximately: • 18 miles from the centre of London • 9 miles from Heathrow Airport • 3 miles from the M40 • 6 miles from M25
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Recreational facilities:
The Kings College Playing Fields consists of 9 junior sized football pitches, a cricket ground and an all enclosed all weather floodlit sports facility. There is also a newly refurbished running track, an outdoor gym and a skate park. Kings College Playing Fields are used regularly for youth football matches and training by boys teams from the Harrow Youth Football League and girls teams from the Capital Girls League. The large lawn area is regularly used for informal recreation and sport, such as social games or football. There is a network of permissive and statutory paths across this plan area, generally consisting of mown pathways used by locals, mainly dog walkers
Management arrangements:
The Pinn Meadows site is managed by the London Borough of Hillingdon’s Green Spaces Team (see Appendix D for Green Spaces Structure), with strong support from the Friends of Pinn Meadows (FoPM). The Borough’s ground maintenance team carry out the ground's maintenance works, such as cutting amenity grass and hedges. The outsourced works achieved within the site are inspected by the Borough’s Green Spaces Officer (part of the Green Spaces Team – see Appendix D). The Borough’s Green Spaces Officer and Countryside and Conservation Officer also lead enhancement works/projects at the site with assistance from Friends of Pinn Meadows, social enterprise team, external contractors and other members of the Green Spaces Team.
More about Friends of Pinn Meadows and their commitments and achievements can be found on the FoPM website 1. Also on pg 28.
1 www.fopm.org.uk 8 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
History of Pinn Meadows:
These fields along the River Pinn are almost all that remains of the enclosed meadows that once formed part of the demesne (home farm) of the historic manor (estate) of Ruislip, and lay within a park mentioned in the Domesday Book – incidentally the earliest known record of Ruislip’s existence.
The lands had been held by Wlward Wit, a thegn (retainer) of the Anglo-Saxon King Edward the Confessor, but after the Norman invasion in 1066, it passed to Ernulf de Hesdin, a follower of the new King William. In 1087 de Hesdin gave the land to the Benedictine Abbey of Bec in Normandy, one of the earliest donations of churches, tithes and manors to be made by William’s supporters and successors to this influential institution during the century following the Conquest.
A Priory was established where Manor Farm House stands today and by the mid-13th century this was the administrative centre for the Abbey’s extensive land holdings throughout England. However, during the The Hundred Years' War - a series of conflicts with France from 1337 to 1453 - the Abbey’s English lands were gradually confiscated by the Crown. Ruislip became an Alien Priory and in 1404 was granted jointly to William de St Vaast, the last Prior, to John third son of Henry IV who was later Duke of Bedford, and to Thomas Langley, Bishop of Durham. The Duke alone held Ruislip for some years until, on his death in 1436, the manor reverted to the Crown and in 1451 was granted by King Henry VI as an endowment to his newly established King’s College, Cambridge.
Although early maps show the park referred to in the Domesday Book as a wooded area extending south to a boundary along what is now Eastcote Road, medieval parks would normally contain some grazing land, and it is likely that in Saxon times the area along the banks of the River Pinn would already have been meadows attached to the hall which stood on or near to the site of the present day Manor Farm House.
Two surveys commissioned by the College in 1565 (The Terrier) and 1750 (Doherty’s Map and Terrier) preserve the traditional enclosure names of that part of the manor now referred to as Pinn Meadows. East to west along the north side of the River Pinn they were Alder Moor, Batts Moor, Osier Moor & Sallowbed, The Grasing Moor, The Moors and Near Forestreet (sic) Lane, while along the south bank were Flag Moor, First Horse Croft, Second Horse Croft, Third Horse Croft and Great Reeves Meadow. Some are still marked by the remains of ancient field boundaries.
Low-lying, and subject to flooding, the land was used as pasture for grazing animals and for fodder during almost all of its history. By 1938, when King’s College transferred the fields to the then Ruislip-Northwood Urban District Council as Public Open Space, it was just in time to prevent them being further encroached upon by residential development. Now in the care of the London Borough of Hillingdon, the remaining Pinn Meadows are greatly valued by people throughout the local area.
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Maps 4 & 5. Historical maps of Pinn Meadows
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Topography, hydrology, geology and soils
Topography and hydrology
The Pinn Meadows site is situated in the floodplain of the River Pinn, Colne Catchment area, this is a tributary of the Thames. For the most part the topography within the site is relatively flat, with elevation averaging about 40 metres above Ordnance Datum, rising on the eastern edge of the site to about 42 metres.
However, there is considerable variation in micro-topography within the site, with a number of low-lying hollows prone to waterlogging and winter flooding, especially in the western part of the site.
The River Pinn flows through the middle of the site dividing the meadows to north and south and Kings College Road runs in N-S direction through the centre. To the west of the grasslands there are wetland areas on both sides of the river, comprising a flushed area, ditches, pond and a copse of grey willow.
Map 6. Geology Map of Hillingdon
Geology and soils
The Pinn Meadows lie on a band of alluvium along the valley of the River Pinn. See ge ology map .
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Ecology
Pinn Meadows forms part of a Site of Nature Conservation Importance, Borough Grade I. This means that there would be significant loss to the borough in biodiversity, were this site to be lost.
This site is a relatively flat area consisting of large areas of amenity grassland to the east of the site, interspersed with sections of scrubby woodland. The western end comprises hay meadows which are of relatively high value.
The wetlands (river, network of ditches, pond and wet margins) also perform an important function as linear habitats, which connect different parts of the site and allow plants, insects and birds to move easily around Pinn Meadows and further. These habitats are also of high value because they are within a heavily populated area.
The following principal habitats can be recognised within the site, as follows:
1. Semi-improved neutral grassland 2. Amenity grassland 3. Scrub 4. Tall herbs 5. Scattered Trees 6. Running water 7. Ditches 8. Pond
The habitats and mature trees found at Pinn Meadows can be seen on maps 7 and 8, pg 16 and 17. A list of tree species can be found in table 1, pg 15.
A list of all other flora and fauna species can be found in Appendix A.
1. Semi-improved neutral grassland
The semi-improved neutral grassland to the west of the site (Map 7), managed as hay meadow, comprises a range of grasses dominated by barren brome ( Anisantha sterilis ), cock's foot (Dactylis glomerata ) and meadow foxtail ( Alopecurus pratensis ), but also contains a variety of other grass species at lower frequency, including smaller catstail ( Phleum bertolonii) and four- rowed barley ( Hordeum distichon), and soft rush occurs sporadically. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne ) is abundant along path margins, where other trample resistant species such as Great plantain are also common. The sward is not species rich, but a good variety of meadow wildflowers occur overall, including buttercup ( Ranunculus bulbosus ), bird's foot threefoil (Lotus corniculatus), red clover (Trifolium pratense), scarlet pimpernel ( Anagillis arensis ), cow parsley ( Anthriscus sylvestris ) and common vetch ( Vicia sativa ).
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The ancient nature of the meadow west of the cricket pitch is indicated by the presence of rare plants which are usually found in grassland that have remained undisturbed for centuries: the semi- parasitic yellow rattle ( Rhinanthus minor ) together with grass vetchling (Lathyrus nissolidain ) can be found here.
Yellow rattle and grass vetchling in the Pinn Meadows
A higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement is now in place (as of Dec 2013) in order for the grassland to continue to be managed as hay meadow.
2. Amenity grassland
Vast areas of amenity grassland are present in the formal areas to the east of the site (Map 8). This habitat by definition receives regular close mowing through the growing season, which creates a uniform and species poor sward. These areas are suitable for informal leisure use.
There are a number of oak trees scattered within the area, several of which are of a considerable size and age.
3. Scrub
Remnant hedgerows and scrub are very important habitats within the Pinn Meadows. They provide nesting and feeding sites for many bird species. There are several small blocks of scrub scattered within the grassland area (Maps 7 and 8).
Although hawthorn (Crategus monogyna) and elder (Sambucus nigra) are generally main scrub, a variety of other species occur, including blackthorn, dog rose, goat willow and hazel. A variety of mature and young trees are also present including ash (Fraxinus excelsior), oak (Quercus robur) and crack willow (Salix fragilis). Bramble, cow parsley and stinging nettle generally dominate the hedge bottoms. Ivy is also common, both as ground cover and as a climber. Other species include barren brome, cleavers, herb robert, hedge woundwort, bittersweet, ground elder, burdock, rosebay willowherb, red campion and male fern.
There are a few linear belts of goat willow (Salix caprea) self-sets in wetter areas (along ditches and the pond). A coppicing regime of the willows has started in 2011 in conjunction with the ditch maintenance.
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4. Tall herbs
Occasional patches of tall herbaceous vegetation occur within the site such as nettle (Urtica dioica) and creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense). Docks and hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) are patchily abundant, especially along river margins and along verges between scrub and amenity grassland creating an ecotone.
The pond area is also dominated by tall herbs, where rosebay willowherb and sedge integrate into the reed mace vegetation of the pond. Tall herbs habitat with adjacent hay meadows and scrubland provide potential habitat for the common lizard and slow worm.
Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) was abundant along the river banks, spreading into the meadows in some places, but during the last seven years this has been greatly reduced through pro-active management techniques carried out by the River Pinn volunteers and recently by Friends of Pinn Meadows.
5. Scattered Trees
Some particularly fine mature oak trees are distributed in amenity grassland and scrub areas as shown on Maps 7 and 8. Five veteran oak trees are recorded on the Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Hunt website 2.
The mature trees along the scrub provide additional habitat and structural diversity within the site and have a potential to support bat roosts. They require little management intervention apart from occasional safety inspection and periodic tree surgery and they should be retained wherever they occur. Some of those trees are ivy covered and have fissures which provide suitable roosting opportunities. One of the veteran trees (tree no 14 on Map 8) contains a bat roost, identified by Ian Cantley of Ruislip Woodland Trust during the summer of 2011.
2 http://www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk/ 14 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Table 1. Tree species in Pinn Meadows
Tree no Tree species Description 1 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 2 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 3 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 4 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 5 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 6 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Veteran tree 7 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 8 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 9 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 10 Aspen (Populus tremula) Mature 11 Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Mature 12 Red Oak (Quercus rubra) Mature 13 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Veteran tree 14 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Veteran tree 15 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Veteran tree 16 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Veteran tree 17 Crack Willow (Salix fragilis) Mature 18 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 19 Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Mature 20 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 21 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 22 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 23 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 24 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 25 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 26 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 27 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 28 Crack Willow (Salix fragilis) Mature 29 Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Mature 30 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 31 Crack Willow (Salix fragilis) Mature 32 Crack Willow (Salix fragilis) Mature 33 Crack Willow (Salix fragilis) Mature 34 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 35 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 36 Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Mature 37 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 38 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur ) Mature 39 Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Mature 40 Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Mature 41 Aspen (Populus tremula) Mature 42 Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Mature 43 Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Mature 44 Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Mature
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16 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Map 8. Trees and Habitats in Pinn Meadows- East
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FoPM and the Council joined the Conservation Foundation's project to rejuvenate the capital's elm population. Eight elm trees were planted by Elmbridge Drive and by the all weather pitch car park in Dec 2012 (Map 8). These special Elm trees (Ulmus minor) have been skilfully micro propagated from cuttings taken from a parent which appear to have resisted Dutch elm disease for over 60 years. They are all very healthy and some of them reached height of more than 3 metres. We very much hope that they continue to grow healthily.
FoPM planting elms in 2012 Same elms in 2015
6. Running water
The River Pinn runs through the middle of the site and is an ancient rivulet, one of the feeders of the Colne. It was at one time also known as Ruislip Brook and is nearly twelve miles long. In 1804, at the time of the Ruislip enclosure, a right of way three feet wide graced the banks of the Pinn, so that the Lord of the Manor and his lessees and servants could enjoy this rich fishing stream. In those days the Pinn contained far more water however, as did many other London rivers. It has been channelized and hidden underground over the years. A restricted channel capacity meant that the households and livelihoods have been affected by increased flash flooding in the catchment area.
The River Pinn catchment area is 4,500ha in size. The catchment is now much steeper, as the River was straightened from modifications and highly urbanised, which results in water running rapidly into the river, presenting a risk of short duration flooding during intense rainfalls.
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The Pinn Meadows under water in Feb 2014 River Pinn in Feb 2014
The River Pinn, flowing through Pinn Meadows is fringed with woodland, dense scrub, tall herbs and damp grassland. Oak trees are found along the river banks at intervals with pockets of hawthorn, elder, blackthorn, bramble and dog rose. These have an important function as a linear habitat connecting other habitats and allow species to spread quicker. The riverbanks seem to be mostly natural and support cow parsley, celandine and abundant nettle. There are several areas along riverbank that are not tree/scrub lined. Steep banks allow little aquatic or marginal plant growth.
Environment Agency monitoring and Riverfly Monitoring (Appendix B) shows that the River Pinn population of aquatic invertebrates in this waterbody is being impacted by human influences. It is likely that physical modification is contributing to this water body having only a moderate rating for invertebrates and fish. The bed and banks of the channel have been reshaped and straightened, making it very uniform. This means that there are few in-channel or bank features that would normally give aquatic invertebrates somewhere to live. There are also few aquatic plants to support invertebrates.
As a linear feature which is continuous with similar habitats along the River Pinn, the site is a critical link in a wildlife corridor of considerable importance which facilitates the movement and dispersal of plants and animals, both terrestrial and aquatic.
7. Ditches
A number of ditches drain the site, forming a valuable part of the overall habitat mosaic and providing home to a large variety of aquatic life which forms the basis of a complicated food web including water beetles, leeches, dragonflies, newts, frogs and birds including little egret (Egretta garzetta) and kingfisher (Alcedo atthis). The ditches have not been managed for a number of years and as a result become silted up and overgrown with vegetation. A program of management is being implemented by Greenspaces officers, FoPM as well as by social enterprise Blue Sky.
On the northern side of the River Pinn, west of the running track, a wide ditch runs across the site from north to south. The ditch is fed by a series of smaller drainage ditches from Ruislip Woods and drains into the river. The northern part of the ditch is mostly covered by grass, while the southern part is edged by hawthorn and bramble.
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Two ditches were created in the western meadow to drain the water from the surrounding fields and they contain iron rich orange-coloured water throughout the year. Self set goat willows are the main tree species along these ditches.
8. Pond
A long man-made pond was created at the north-west part of the site in 2002. Channel flows through the pond and drains water into the River Pinn. Species present include great reedmace, yellow Iris and willowherb with several goat willows scattered along the main channel.
Smooth newt (Tritius vulgaris) and common frog (Rana Temporia) were found here.
Pond with the channel Smooth newth
Fauna
A range of other birds have been recorded from the site including black-headed gull, little egret, kingfisher, wood pigeon, green woodpecker, wren, blackbird, robin and red kite. A full bird species list can be found in Appendix A.
Little Egret Greater spotted woodpecker
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Several butterflies have been recorded, including speckled wood and orange tip in the mature scrub areas and large white, small white, small tortoiseshell and peacock in the more open habitats. Small tortoiseshell is particularly abundant in the area west of the cricket pitch. Stag beetle has been recorded in Pinn Meadows. A list of invertebrates are included in Appendix A. FoPM spotted a common lizard and grass snake in the hay meadow/scrub area behind the all weather pitch. Grass snakes were only found in two sections along Pinn at Ruislip Golf Course indicating an isolated population.
Smooth newts were discovered during one of FoPM working party and Scythe Training session.
Common frog White admiral
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3. Vision for Pinn Meadows
Our vision for Pinn Meadows is to promote the site as a facility for passive and active recreation. We want residents to feel a sense of pride and partnership in preserving and maintaining the natural and historical setting of the Meadows, ensuring the community's enjoyment comes first.
Our aim is that it is suitable for everyone, binding the community together. Our facilities are open to everyone and include the football pitches, the new gym and the running track. The vast amount of green lawn area can be used for further informal recreation, such as family picnics, ball games or as a place of relaxation. We also aim to preserve the network of permissive and statutory paths, generally consisting of mown pathways frequently used by locals, and appreciated by dog walkers.
We want the community to feel a sense of shared ownership, in maintaining the greenery and vegetation, in the preservation of the wetland meadow where the wildlife thrives, and in maintaining the beauty of the nature that surrounds them.
Pinn Meadows should be about working hand-in-hand with the community to make the vision for Pinn Meadows achievable.
4. Site Aims and Objectives
Main Aims
4.1. Create and maintain a welcoming site 4.2. Ensure the site is healthy, safe and secure 4.3. Ensure the site is clean and well maintained 4.4. Ensure sustainable management of resources 4.5. Appropriate management of conservation and heritage features 4.6. Encourage community involvement 4.7. Ensure effective marketing of the facility 4.8. Implement effective management strategies
How these aims are being met and future objectives
4.1. Create and maintain a welcoming site
There are several entrances to the Meadows, with the main entrances being on Kings College Rd, Elmbridge Drive and St Martin's Approach see Map 2. Interpretation boards and information on notice boards are intended to make people feel more welcome and positive about visiting the site. By providing information about upcoming events, more community involvement is encouraged. To support these objectives Pinn Meadows signage was installed in July 2013.
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The information includes Doherty’s Map, courtesy of Kings College, Cambridge; as well as images and description of wildlife that can be found in Pinn Meadows. Additional interpretation boards combined with notice boards will be installed in 2016 at the entrances at Elmbridge Drive, St Martin's Approach and western side of Kings College Road. In order to be welcoming, the park must cater for a wide range of people's needs whilst protecting and enhancing the wildlife. Pinn Meadows is recognised for both its nature conservation and recreational value. There is a network of grass mowed pathways throughout the site, including the Celandine Route, a 12 mile walk which links the site with Eastcote House Gardens and Manor Farm as well as numerous parks and historical monuments along the river Pinn.
The combination of amenity grassland and wildflower meadows provides a beautiful setting with areas to cater for all, with designated areas for picnics and other activities. The abundance of trees, shrubs and wildflower meadows creates a diverse habitat which is home to many different species of wildlife. The site is very varied and has many different sports facilities (see map 2); the running track, new outdoor gym and sport pitches are very popular and used for formal and informal recreation.
Objectives 1. Maintain footpaths as necessary 2. Install and maintain new interpretive signage 3. Maintain furniture and equipment 4. Maintain sports pitches 5. Maintain gates and signs
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4.2. Ensure the site is healthy, safe and secure
Healthy
The site provides the opportunity for passive and active recreation. People may also use the site for dog walking or jogging. The promotion of health and exercise on the site is now very evident with the newly refurbished running track and new outdoor gym. The monthly working parties are organised by FoPM and Green Spaces (LBH) also encourage local people to get out and litter pick as well as get involved with nature conservation tasks.
Safe and Secure
Generally the site is not heavily vandalised and anti social behaviour does not regularly affect the site, although this is largely due to a good relationships established between FoPM and the local Police and Safer Neighbourhood Officers.
The council’s Park Officers fall under the umbrella of the council’s Green Spaces Team, which manages the site. The Park Officers provide a park-keeping facility and enhance the security of the park and its visitors. They carry out daily checks so that any defects, such as graffiti, are dealt with quickly. In many cases the Park Officers will deal with urgent problems (such as broken glass) there and then.
The Park Officers’ role includes: • Undertaking regular visits to the site and reporting as necessary • Basic maintenance of site equipment and facilities • Non-specialist horticultural work and litter picking • Regular inspection of playgrounds, skate parks, gyms and ball courts. • Identifying acts of vandalism and submitting reports. • Investigating and gathering information on accidents etc. • Responding quickly and effectively to public complaints. • Carrying out practical conservation works and tree works • Involvement in FoPM monthly working parties.
More serious anti-social behaviour is very rare at Pinn Meadows. On occasion, drug-related gatherings have been reported by FoPM and the Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have been very helpful in dealing with those issues. The Enforcement Team is responsible for dealing with a range of issues including noise, dog fouling, motor bikes, horse riding and fly tipping. Although this team does not visit the site on a regular basis, they are able to respond quickly to any reports that require their attention.
Objectives 1. Undertake a regular cleaning regime to remove litter and respond quickly to fly tipping. 2. Continue with FoPM working parties. 3. Continue to implement Health and Safety policies. 4. When appropriate, ensure that people using the site are aware of the relevant byelaws. 5. Continue to encourage residents to value the site through working parties and nature walks.
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4.3. Ensure the site is clean and well maintained
Pinn Meadows is maintained primarily by the grounds maintenance team. Work is carried out in line with a specification that provides clear definition of the standards and quantity of work required. FoPMs' work supplements that of the contractors. FoPM carry out additional litter picking which includes clearing rubbish from the river. Clearing litter from the waterways was never part of LBH's ground maintenance tasks. River Pinn Volunteers and FoPM clear rubbish and blockages from the Pinn monthly.
Park Officers also contribute by reporting any maintenance needed and carrying out work that is not accounted for by the grounds maintenance team. The site has a number of litterbins, sited within the grounds, which assist in maintaining the area in a clean condition. The litterbins are emptied, by LBH's Street Cleansing Team, Waste Services, on two occasions per week. Litter is also removed from grass areas immediately prior to mowing and planted areas prior to maintenance. The guidelines as to allowing dogs within parks and open spaces are covered by the byelaws. Park Officers do, however, advise dog owners of their responsibility when visiting the park, and they and other council officers, are empowered to issue dog fouling tickets in line with the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. Dog bins are currently emptied by our contractor, on a weekly basis.
Objectives 1. Continue with current maintenance arrangements. 2. Continue with FoPM monthly working parties. 3. Enhance maintenance regimes where practical. 4. Carry through a programme of improvements.
4.4. Ensure sustainable management of resources
The London Borough of Hillingdon is aware of the need to minimise adverse impact on the environment, and agrees with the principles of waste minimisation as defined in Local Agenda 21. LBH, therefore, actively pursues ways of delivering sustainable development and ensuring environmental sustainability is a vital part of this. The Council has signed up to the peat charter,
25 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______and discourages the use of peat-based products in its horticultural work. The use of pesticides and herbicides at Pinn Meadows is kept to a minimum. Therefore, other methods of pest control are used, and, where possible, non-herbicidal weed control is carried out. Where they are used, herbicides are applied as spot treatment rather than blanket sprayed, and all operatives are trained and certified for that particular operation. The area of the new outdoor gym and running track will need to be sprayed 2-3 times a year. All green waste created by the maintenance teams is taken to the borough’s green waste facility for recycling. The borough’s term tree maintenance contractor also recycles tree work arisings. This meets our objective involving waste minimisation. This also encourages efficient use of resources as, where possible; contractors are also encouraged to re-use green waste, for example as mulch. When working with FoPM volunteers, dead wood is left where appropriate and wildlife habitats are created. However, due to restrictions of area, arisings from willow coppicing and scrub maintenance have been burned on site rather than taken to the green waste facility. This ensures waste minimisation.
Burning wood Leaving deadwood wherever possible
It is critical that we are seen to ‘practice what we preach’ and maintain high standards of sustainable management that demonstrate our awareness of environmental, conservation and resource issues. We therefore seek to actively research and promote new initiatives in the field of sustainable resource management.
Objectives 1. Continue to promote waste minimisation. 2. Plan long-term management for all features of the playing fields. 3. Ensure efficient use of resources. 4. Develop and promote resource conservation and sustainable development. 5. Continue to minimise the application of pesticides. 6. Where possible encourage the use of physical / cultural forms of weed control. 7. Continue to recycle and re-use organic matter as mulches, soil ameliorants, and for other uses.
26 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______4.5. Appropriate management of conservation and heritage features
The site is designated a Site of Nature Conservation Borough Grade I.
The Pinn Meadows is home to much interesting flora and fauna that are rightly appreciated by the site users. See Ecology, pg 12-21. Apart from amenity grass in the recreational part of the site, the majority of Pinn Meadows lends itself to wildlife conservation including: • western hay meadows on both sides of the river • ditches • wetland areas, • scattered scrub • mature trees across the whole site. These habitats are a haven for invertebrates and avifauna in such urban surroundings. Conservation work within the site will lead to an increase in the amount and variety of wildlife that can be found and is expected to improve. The Hay Meadows are cut and collected by an external contractor every summer.
Scything festival 2014
Scything festival 2015
However, most of the Green Space's staff and FoPM are trained to use a scythe. The first Scythe Festival was organised in July 2014 where more than 20 scythe mowers participated in mowing the small hay meadow behind the astroturf pitch. The second scythe festival was held in July 2015 by the new pond. 27 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed are controlled mechanically by pulling out by hand and cutting with scythes, thanks to FoPM and River Pinn Volunteers. These activities have been carried out every June for last 8 years and the reduction of both species has been greatly noted.
The grounds maintenance team carries out most of the routine maintenance work including maintaining amenity grass, formal hedge, football pitches, the running track, outdoor gym and skate park. The Park Officers, under the charge of the Green Spaces Countryside and Conservation Officer, are responsible for habitat management. Additionally, the park’s management benefits from the involvement of workers from Blue Sky (an organisation that provides work for former prisoners) and local volunteers keen to make a difference to Pinn Meadows. More about management regimes of grassland, scrub, trees, river, ditches and pond can be found in section 5 Management Actions and Maintenance Plan (pg 33).
Survey and Monitoring should be an integral component of habitat management. Survey work adds to the site knowledge base and helps to refine conservation priorities.
Butterfly transect and Riverfly monitoring results will help to determine if the management of the habitats are going in the right direction. Butterfly transect started in 2012 and Riverfly monitoring in 2014. More about these two surveys can be found on Appendix B.
Objectives
1. Maintain the pond, ditches, grasslands, and scrub area for nature conservation. 2. Monitor and adjust management accordingly. 3. Control invasive species. 4. Consider further meadow diversification. 5. Conserve existing field structures. 6. Improve biodiversity of all habitats. 7. Conserve landscape features and improve as necessary. 8. Drainage of waterlogged areas and river restoration.
28 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
4.6. Encourage community involvement
Conservation of the site and its habitats is as much to the benefit of people as it is to plants and animals. It is important to inform local people about their local site and to give them the opportunity to participate in its management. LBH has always recognised the value of volunteer involvement and endeavours to ensure that their contribution is properly supported and recognised. Much of the practical management work in Pinn Meadows is undertaken by volunteers. The Friends of Pinn Meadows (FoPM) was set up in 2011 by local residents. They are a group of local residents whose objective is to secure for the public benefit the preservation, protection and improvement of the Pinn Meadows area between Elmbridge Drive and St Martin's Approach, as a place of ecological interest and beauty. Being regular users of the site FoPM are invaluable source of local knowledge and information about rare species that are found on the site. The group normally meet on the site every month and work with council officers on specific maintenance and improvement projects. Most of these have concentrated on wildlife and conservation. All workdays are adequately supervised by the Countryside and Conservation Officer and Park Officers who provide necessary tools and a safe and secure environment to work in. In addition to their hands-on activities, FoPM has worked hard to bring additional Chrysalis Funding (the Council's capital funding). Thanks to these funds Pinn Meadows has had several muddy paths resurfaced, new information board installed, a hedgehog house, kestrel box, kingfisher box and several bat boxes installed and two additional seats and litter bins have been put in. They have also worked closely with the Countryside and Conservation Officer and Flood and Water Management Specialist on the drainage project bid.
29 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Other FoPM activities/achievements include: • Scythe festival/Picnic • Bat walks • Protection from development • River clearance • Invasive species control • Ditch and scrub maintenance • Wildlife boxes installation • Collection of yellow rattle seeds • Litter picking • Engagement with sports clubs • Liaising with Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)
For more about FoPM and community involvement please see FoPM website 3
Objectives 1. Encourage the continued involvement of local residents 2. Improve joint working with local voluntary groups. 3. Further promotion of the site to schools, youth and community groups.
3 www.fopm.org.uk 30 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
4.7. Ensure effective marketing of the facility
In order to ensure that the local community and the general park users are aware of what is going on in the park it is essential that a supply of information is available throughout the year. This information will be presented in a variety of different ways through leaflets, interpretation and notice boards, local newspaper and also on the council’s and FoPM website.
The signage boards at various entrances and locations within the site include information on site facilities, activities, site directions, wildlife found at the site and its history. The information on notice boards will inform the public about its events, current wildlife and FoPM working parties. The Information will promote understanding and awareness of the site and stimulate interest in visiting it.
LBH staff on site (working with FoPM) are provided with a uniform identifying them as staff, making them available for the public to approach and query about any aspect of the site. Programmed activities, including the Scythe Festival and Picnic (July), Bat Walks (May - September) and FoPM monthly working parties further enhance the marketing of the site as well as raising awareness about the nature on their doorstep.
Pinn Meadows is featured on the council’s guide to the Green Spaces in the London Borough of Hillingdon as well as in the Green Spaces events booklet 4: The management plan is also available online on the council’s website, making it more accessible to all. Pinn Meadows events (Appendix E) are advertised on the Council's website 5, FoPM website 3 and in the local newspaper. Objectives 1. Preparation of interpretive materials for the site. 2. Promote the site through press releases and the council's and FoPM website. 3. Working closely with FoPM to organise local community events e.g. Scythe Festival and Picnic.
4 http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/parkevents 5 http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/greenspaces 31 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
4.8. Implement effective management strategies
The site has been owned and managed by the London Borough of Hillingdon and its predecessors since the 1930s. However, until relatively recently, the upkeep and management of the site was not well organised, due to a lack of funding. Now, the LBH Green Spaces team is responsible for this and all of the other Borough's Green Spaces as outlined in the site Summary (p3). The staff structure (Appendix D) outlines how this works and how management is kept effective; the Countryside and Conservation Officer is responsible for daily management and most maintenance works are carried out by the Park Officers, Grounds maintenance team and Blue Sky Social Enterprise as well as by local volunteers (FoPM and River Pinn Volunteers). All are under the charge of the Countryside & Conservation Officer and ultimately the Area Manager.
The management operations outlined in the following pages, including several improvement projects along with the regular maintenance regime, outline the effective management plan in place for Pinn Meadows and through them, we will carry out the effective management of the site in close liaison with the FoPM and local residents.
Finally, the Green Flag assessment process will ensure further enhancement, as it is a means for review of the management and will be used to encourage new thinking and to guide dynamic and adaptable management, as well as attracting publicity and interest.
32 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Objectives 1. Use sustainable management strategies and methods as described in section 4. 2. Carry out regular reviews of all management operations and projects. 3. Identify potential sources of appropriate funding. 4. Encourage the continued involvement of FoPM. 5. Continue to minimise the application of pesticides.
33 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
5. Management Actions and Maintenance Plan
Pinn Meadows is managed by the London Borough of Hillingdon’s Green Spaces Team.
5.1. Ongoing/annual maintenance
Ground Maintenance
Grounds maintenance is carried out by the Borough’s maintenance team (from January 2013, this function came back “in-house” after many years of using contractors). The grounds maintenance team carries out most of the routine maintenance work including maintaining amenity grass, formal hedge, football pitches, the running track, outdoor gym and skate park. The Green Spaces Area Officer checks the quality of completed works and makes sure that standards required by the Council are achieved. In order to implement the best possible grounds maintenance regime, ensuring that work is carried out to a high and consistent standard, grounds maintenance activities on site are reviewed by the Green Spaces Area Officer and Ground Maintenance Manager.
Formal areas to the east of the site are managed as amenity grassland by ground maintenance team. It is normally cut: • Once during March • Once during November • Twice during each month in between March and November
The area is litterpicked prior to cutting. The grass cuttings are not collected or removed from such large areas as this would greatly increase the cost of mowing. Grounds Maintenance inspectors check the quality of completed works and make sure that standards required by the Council are achieved. These officers are also able to investigate problems reported by residents, and ensure that remedial works are carried out promptly whenever required. Grass edging to hard surfaces, such as the running truck is trimmed 16 times a year and sprayed as necessary.
Privet and hawthorn hedges along Kings College Road are pruned once a year on a scheduled basis, usually during the period July-October. We aim to avoid, wherever possible the cutting of hedges during the bird nesting season.
Habitats management
The Park Officers, under the charge of the Green Spaces Countryside and Conservation Officer, are responsible for habitat management. Additionally, the park’s management benefits from the involvement of workers from Blue Sky (an organisation that provides work for former prisoners) and local volunteers keen to make a difference to Pinn Meadows. The grassland habitat covers the majority of the site. If grassland is not managed it tends to be taken over by brambles and eventually scrub. Management can consist of a number of options: burning, grazing or mowing. Burning and grazing are no longer generally acceptable due to the proximity of housing, the high levels of visitor use and environmental and safety reasons.
34 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Mowing is the best way of managing this grassland and it should be carried out after the flowering season when the seeds have had a chance to set. The cuttings should be removed to keep the fertility of the soil low. In high fertility soils the sward tends to be taken over by fast growing species such as nettles and amenity grasses. In lower fertility soils everything grows slowly and therefore more species thrive, leading to a more diverse sward.
Historical maps (pg 10) suggest that Pinn Meadows has probably been managed as haymeadow or pastureland for many centuries. However, with the urbanisation of the local area in the 20 th century, the grassland management regime changed from an annual cut of hay meadow/pasture to a regular close mow through the growing season. This created a uniform and species poor sward and decreased the conservation value of the grassland. Hay meadow management was re-introduced in 1998 when the Council entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (now Defra). A Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) was awarded for 10 years. Since then the grassland has been managed as hay meadows. Hay meadows not only create an additional habitat but also makes the area more visually interesting for visitors. The council entered the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme again in 2014.
The grassland is allowed to grow un-cut until late summer when it is cut and the hay removed off site. Unfortunately due to dog fouling, rubbish and dotted ragworth the hay cannot be used for cattle feeding. However, this management has helped to diversify the vegetation species diversity and should be continued. To speed up the colonisation of wetland wildflowers, meadowsweet plugs were dug out from the adjacent fields and planted by FoPM in Feb 2012. These are doing well and it is hoped they will spread across the meadow.
The majority of the hay grassland is usually mowed by external contractors using a hay mower, no shorter than 10cm. However hay mowing by scythe was introduced in 2014. Green Spaces Officers and some of FoPM have been trained to use the scythe and small areas have been cut by scythe during the scythe festivals in 2014 and 2015 which was followed by a picnic and family games. It is hoped that this traditional method of mowing will be continued.
35 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
The semi-parasitic yellow rattle ( Rhinanthus minor ) together with grass vetchling (Lathyrus nissolidain ) is found in the area west from the cricket pitch. Yellow rattle seeds were collected by hand during the Scythe Festivals and seeds have been spread around new drainage areas in order to suppress grassland plants and encourage wetland wild flowers.
Scrub is the other main habitat on the site. Remnant hedgerows and scrub show no evidence of any recent management. Larger area of scrub should be managed by non intervention as shelter for nesting birds etc, except for any work necessary to make trees safe along the informal entrances and the border with the hay meadow. The border of the scrub consists mainly of bramble and tall herbs and should be preserved as ecotone, but it should be prevented from spreading into the adjacent grassland by cutting in late summer/early autumn.
Dead wood should be normally retained on site as it forms an important habitat, especially for invertebrates and fungi. Dead timber should consist of a mixture of dead and dying wood on standing trees, and standing and fallen dead trees. Standing dead wood provides opportunities for woodpeckers to excavate nest-holes. Hollows in branches and trunks provide roosting and breeding sites for bats. Retention of dead wood is therefore desirable in all forms from fallen branches to whole tree trunks, both fallen and standing. Trees adjacent to paths should also be inspected annually and after storms or unusually high winds.
Generally the extent of scrub on the river bank should be cut in rotation creating 30-40% of shorter grass. This will allow more light to penetrate to the river bank encouraging the spread of marginal vegetation. This will also open river views along the paths which will make walking more enjoyable. Some areas of bramble should be left as habitat and a food source for birds and other small mammals, but this should be managed on a yearly programme to inhibit encroachment. It also provides habitat for reptiles such as slow worms which may be onsite. This should be done on a rotational basis so as to reduce the impact on the biodiversity and to ensure that re-colonisation does not occur.
Scrub management was reintroduced in 2011. Some sections, especially along the river bank have been flailed in late summer by contractors, while larger scrub areas have been managed by Green Space's staff, FoPM and Blue Sky social enterprise contractors during the dormant season. Even though dead wood is left where appropriate and wildlife habitats are created, due to restrictions of area by the river and ditches, arisings from willow coppicing and scrub maintenance have been burned on site rather than taken to the green waste facility.
36 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Hedgerow along both sides of Kings College Road, consisting of privet and hawthorn is managed by the ground maintenance team.
A partial assessment of the trees on site has been undertaken (Maps 7 and 8). Scattered mature trees provide additional habitat and structural diversity within the site and should be retained wherever they occur. They require little management intervention apart from occasional safety inspection and periodic tree surgery.
Tall herb areas along the river bank are managed on a rotation with approximately 1/3 cut each year and the cuttings raked off. This management will hopefully maintain the species richness of the grassland whilst still controlling the spread of scrub. Any species that spread rapidly and are detrimental to the wildlife value of the site in general, such as Hymalayan balsam are controlled by pulling.
A programme of ditch management has been implemented since 2012. The ditches have been cleaned out in rotation in dormant season so that all stages of vegetation development are represented within the site as a whole. This will enable water levels to be controlled and the ditches enhanced as a habitat for invertebrates and other fauna. Goat willow self sets are thinned rather than coppiced in sections and this management will be continued. The cut willow is usually burned during FoPM's working parties as there is nowhere to lose the wood. Also leaving logs and wood debris close to the River Pinn could cause problems as they could be washed away during flooding.
Removal of reed mace in the pond is essential to allow drainage through the middle cannel to the river and to ensure that areas of open water remain. This has been done in small quantities several times a year (autumn/winter) avoiding the spawning and nesting season. FoPM regularly remove litter from the waters edge and water surface. Also, goat willow close to the draining middle channel have been coppiced as they interfere with the flow as well as create too much shading.
Additional ditches and a new scrape/pond is proposed. This will help to drain water from the pathways and adjacent properties, but it will also create an additional habitat for wetland plants, invertebrates and amphibians. Please see plans in Appendix C.
37 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
The river has been cleaned of rubbish and blockages opened by River Pinn volunteers since 2008 and by FoPM since 2011. FoPM also monitor blockages which are usually cleared by FoPM or reported to the Environment Agency. Invasive species such as Himalayan balsam are controlled by pulling.
5.2. Enhancement Projects
Typically, contractors are used for maintenance of the site’s infrastructure (although minor work may be done by local staff). Work is monitored by the council’s Green Spaces Area Officer who ensures that the operations that are carried out are in line with the specification. Enhancement works / projects at the site are led by the Borough’s Green Spaces Area Officer in partnership with members of the public, contractors, other members of the Green Spaces Team and other groups as appropriate.
Chrysalis funding was awarded to FoPM in 2012 which helped to enhance the site. The project included: • Footpath improvements • Wildlife boxes installation (kestrel, kingfisher, bat and hedgehog boxes) • Additional two benches • Information Board
List of Enhancement Projects:
• Additional Interpretation/Notice Boards • Creation of Wildlife Meadow • Outdoor Gym • Running Track Improvements • Drainage Project • Planting of wetland areas • Skate Park Improvements • Car Park Improvements
38 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Project: Additional Interpretation Boards
Summary: To install three interpretation boards and one notice board
Rationale: To make people feel more welcome and positive about visiting the site and by providing information about upcoming events.
Constraints : None
Who will do it? Term contractors
Budget £4,000 Estimate :
Timescale 2016
Project: Creation of a Wildlife Meadow
Summary: To create a meadow from urban mix seeds in amenity grass area by Elmbridge Drive
Rationale: To improve diversity of this amenity part of the site and create an attractive entrance.
Constraints : The area needs to be sprayed prior to rotavating and seeding.
Who will do it? Contractors, FoPM
Budget £200 Estimate :
Timescale Ongoing, the meadow will be re seeded every couple of years
39 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Project: Outdoor Gym Installation
Summary: Install new outdoor gym
Rationale: Specifically designed gym equipment for outdoor use is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, no need for any experience to use them and there's no membership to pay.
Constraints : None
Who will do it? External contractors
Budget £25,000 Estimate :
Timescale Completed in December 2014
Project: Kings College Running Track Restoration
Summary: To restore the historic 440yard track for residents and children so that they may be able to keep healthy and fit in a safe environment free of charge for years to come.
Running track under construction Jan 2015 40 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Rationale: The running track was very popular in the 1970's but has since fallen into disrepair. Restoration will again provide a place for local residents and visitors to exercise.
Constraints : Weather conditions
Who will do it? Term contractors
Budget £220,000 Estimate :
Timescale Completed in May 2015
Project: Drainage Project (Appendix C)
Summary: To dig ditches and pond/scrape
Pond and ditches under construction June 2015
Rationale: Ditches will alleviate the flood problem. Network of scrape/ponds will provide a water reservoir and increase biodiversity of the site.
Constraints : Weather/ground condition
Who will do it? Term contractors
Budget £66,000 Estimate :
Timescale Completed in June 2015
41 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Project: Planting of wetland area
Summary: To create a species rich wetland.
Rationale: To improve diversity and landscape of the site.
Constraints : Planting should take place in autumn or early spring
Who will do it? Countryside and Conservation Officer, FoPM
Budget £1,000 Estimate :
Timescale Planted in June and September 2015
Project: Improvement of car parking areas
Summary: Install plastic cellular paving to create durable parking areas by hockey and badminton club.
Rationale: The existing parking areas are worn and full of potholes.
Constraints : “Chrysalis” funding has been sought.
Who will do it? Contractors
Budget £25,500 Estimate :
Timescale Completed in Sep 2015
42 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Project: Skate park improvements
Summary: Reinstate skate park
Rationale: The existing skate park is dated
Constraints : “Chrysalis” funding has been sought.
Who will do Contractors it?
Budget £83,000 Estimate :
Timescale Completed in Dec 2015
Project: Cricket pitch drainage improvements
Summary: Improve drainage
Rationale: The existing cricket pitch is waterlogged
Constraints : “Chrysalis” funding has been sought.
Who will do Contractors it?
Budget £51,000 Estimate :
Timescale To be completed in March 2016
Regular Maintenance Plan In addition to the regular maintenance of the site, as outlined in the Grounds Maintenance standards the following actions shall be undertaken on an ongoing basis:
• A regular cleaning regime to remove litter
• Ensure that Pinn Meadows users are made aware of the byelaws when necessary
• Encourage site users to value the area
• Enhance maintenance regimes where practical
• Encourage greater involvement of site users
• Promote waste minimisation
43 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______• Minimise the use of pesticides
• Encourage the use of cultural forms of weed control
• Recycle and re-use organic matter generated on site for soil-ameliorants, mulches, etc
• Develop and promote resource conservation and sustainable development
• Produce a phased and costed schedule for tree works
• Conserve existing boundaries
• Carry out regular reviews of all management operations and projects
• Identify new sources of funding.
44 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Appendices
45 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Appendix A Flora and Fauna of Pinn Meadows
Flora Scientific Name Common Name Achillea millefolium Yarrow Aegopodium podagaria Ground elder Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Armoracia rusticana Horse Radish Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Arum maculatum Lords-and-Ladies Bellis perennis Daisy Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s Purse Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Chamerion angustifolium Rose-bay Willowherb Chenopodium album Fat Hen Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed Conium maculatum Hemlock Dipsacus fullonum Teasel Elodea nuttallii Nuttall’s Water-weed Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb Epilobium sp. Willowherb sp. Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Galeopsis tetrahit Common Hemp Nettle Galium aparine Cleavers Galium molugo Hedge Bedstraw Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Crane’s-bill Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Heracleum Giant Hogweed mantegazzianum Heracleum sphondylium Common Hogweed Humulus lupulus Hop Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell Hypochaeris radicata Common Cat’s-ear Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan Balsam Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag Iris
46 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Lamium album White Dead-Nettle Lamium purpureum Red Dead-Nettle Lemna minor Common Duckweed Lemna minuta Least Duckweed Lepidium draba Hoary Cress Leontodon autumnalis Autumn Hawkbit Matricaria matricarioides Pineapple-weed Oenothera sp. Evening Primrose Lotus corniculatus Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus pedunculatus Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Poa trivialis Rough Meadow-grass Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel Rumex acetosella Sheep's Sorrel Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Silene alba White Campion Silene dioica Red Campion Sisymbrium officiale Hedge Mustard Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-Thistle Stellaria media Common Chickweed Taraxacum sp. Dandelion Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot Typha latifolia Bulrush Urtica dioica Nettle Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell Vicia sativa Common Vetch Vinca sp. Periwinkle Alopecurus geniculatus Marsh Foxtail Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail Anisantha sterilis Barren Brome Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Carex acuta Slender Tufted-sedge Carex hirta Hairy Sedge Dactylis glomerata Cock’s-foot Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted Hair-grass Elytrigia repens Couch Grass
47 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Festuca rubra Red Fescue Glyceria fluitans Floating Sweet-grass Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Hordeum distichon Four-rowed barley Juncus acutiflorus Sharp-flowered Rush Juncus conglomeratus Compact Rush Juncus effusus Soft Rush Juncus inflexus Hard Rush Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Phleum bertoloni Smaller Cat's-tail Phleum pratense Timothy Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Poa pratensis Smooth Meadow grass Poa trivialis Rough Meadow grass Dryopteris filix-mas Male Fern Acer campestre Field Maple Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Alnus glutinosa Alder Betula pendula Silver Birch Buddleja davidii Buddleia Carpinus betulus Hornbeam Corylus avellana Hazel Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Cupressocyparis leylandii Leyland Cypress Cytisus scoparius Broom Fraxinus excelsior Ash Hedera helix Ivy Ilex aquifolium Holly Ligustrum ovalifolium Privet Populus alba White Poplar Populus nigra var. Italica Lombardy Poplar Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Rosa canina Dog Rose Rubus fruticosus Bramble Salix alba White Willow Salix caprea Goat Willow Salix cinerea Grey Willow Salix fragilis Crack Willow Sambucus nigra Elder Sorbus aucuparia Rowan Sorbus sp. Whitebeam Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry
48 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Ulmus procera English Elm Viburnum opulus Gulder-rose Chamaecyparis lavsoniana Lawson's Cypress Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir Taxus baccata Yew
FAUNA Invertebrates Scientific Name Common Name Large Red Damselfly Common Blue Damselfly Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle Conocephalus discolor Long-winged Conehead Meadow Grasshopper Cercopis vulnerata A Frog hopper Propylea 14 punctata 14 spot ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata 7 spot Ladybird Episyrphus balteatus a hoverfly Myathropa florea a hoverfly Biorhiza pallida gall on oak Bombus pascuorum a bumble bee Lasius niger an ant Small White Green-veined White Large White Marbled White Orange-tip Brimstone Small Skipper Essex Skipper Large Skipper Small White Green-veined White Large White Marbled White Orange-tip Brimstone Holly Blue Small Copper Purple Hairstreak Purple Emperor Meadow Brown Comma Peacock Small Tortoiseshell 49 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Red Admiral Painted Lady Speckled Wood Ringlet Hedge Brown Holly Blue White Admiral Cloeon dipterum Pond Olive Colymbetes fuscus A diving beetle Cymatia coleoptrata A lesser water boatman Gerris odontogaster A pond skater Gerris thoracicus A pond skater Haemopis sanguisuga Horse Leech Hydrobius fuscipes A scavenger beetle Hydroglyphus geminus A diving beetle Limnephilus flavicornis A caddis fly Notonecta glauca A greater water boatman Notonecta marmorea A greater water boatman Physa acuta A snail Sigara distincta A lesser water boatman Theromyzon tessulatum A leech Herptiles Scientific Name Common Name Rana temporaria Common Frog Tritius . Smooth Newt Grass Snake Birds Little Egret Mallard Black-headed Gull Starling Magpie Red Kite Common Gull Kingfisher Green Woodpecker Grey Wagtail Mistle Thrush Rock pigeon Wood pigeon Great Spotted Woodpecker Green Woodpecker Song Thrush
50 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Mistle Thrush Starling Carrion Crow Winter Wren Feral Pigeon Jay Wren Gold Crest Pied Wagtail House Sparrow Hedge Sparrow Blackbird Robin Blue Tit Chiffchaff Great Tit Long-tail Tit Doves Gold Finch Mammals Scientific Name Common Name Grey Squirrel Common Pipistrelle Bat Soprano Pipistrelle Bat Wood Mouse Brown Rat Hedgehog
51 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Appendix B
Butterfly Survey and Riverfly Monitoring
Examples of records from Pinn Meadows
52 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Water scorpion Bullhead
53 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Appendix C
Drainage Project
This scheme is a proposal to manage groundwater issues:
• Develops further ditches to allow water to flow away quicker • Recontours space away to allow water to drain away from housing and footpaths • Creates wetland features to improve the habitat and diversity of the environment in the area. • Culvert repair- improves flow in the ditch
Surface water in residential area Surface water on Celandine Route
Ditches retaining water during wet months (Dec 2015)
54 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
55 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
56 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______
Appendix D
Introduction to the London Borough of Hillingdon
Description Hillingdon, situated on the western edge of Greater London, is the second largest London borough, covering a total area of about 42 square miles. It is just 14 miles from central London and bounded by the counties of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Surrey and the London Boroughs of Hounslow, Ealing and Harrow. Hillingdon is home to Heathrow, the world's busiest airport that caters for more than 60 million passengers a year. The borough has eight leisure centres and 2 pools, 17 libraries, two theatres and over 170 green spaces including Ruislip Woods Natural Nature Reserve and Lido.
History The London Borough of Hillingdon was one of the 32 London Boroughs created by the London Government Act 1963. It was formed by the amalgamation of the Borough of Uxbridge and the Urban Districts of Hayes and Harlington, Ruislip/Northwood and Yiewsley and West Drayton. The new borough came into existence on April 1, 1965 when the new council started work. As well as taking on the work of the four previous district authorities the council became responsible for local services such as education, libraries and the children's services. These had previously been run by the Middlesex County Council, which ceased to exist on April 1 1965. Hillingdon's purpose-built Civic Centre opened its doors to the public in 1977. The council specified the use of traditional materials such as bricks and tiles while the sloping roofs were designed by the architects to reflect the style found in many of the borough's homes. Workforce The council employs approximately 3,400 staff. People Hillingdon has a population of 273,936 according to the 2011 Census. There is a growing proportion of young people, particularly of school age children. Around 39.4% of the borough's residents are from ethnic minority groups (mainly Indian, Pakistani, other Asian and Black Caribbean). There is an active voluntary sector, and a wide variety of community groups, tenants' and residents' associations.
Leisure Hillingdon is rich in wildlife and wildlife habitat including waterways, lakes, meadows and nature reserves. Ruislip Woods have been designated London's first National Nature Reserve, while nearby Ruislip Lido boasts 40 acres of water. The borough also offers a host of sporting activities, including six sports centers, many with newly refurbished gyms and four exceptional 18-hole golf courses, including a championship standard course at Stockley Park. The arts and entertainment thrive, with The Beck professional theatre in Hayes, the Compass Theatre, Ickenham, and various other venues. There is major shopping centre, The intu in Uxbridge.
The Residents’ Services Group The Residents’ Services Group of the London Borough of Hillingdon has responsibility for the environmental development and sustainability of Hillingdon’s Green Spaces. The Green Spaces Team (below) oversees the management and development of all public green spaces
57 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______within the London Borough of Hillingdon, which includes parks, allotments, playing fields, woodlands and other spaces such as rose beds on housing estates, and provides events and outdoor activities including fairs, vintage car shows, circuses, firework displays and car boot sales.
Green Spaces Team Structure
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Appendix E
Events in Pinn Meadows
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Appendix F
Greenflag feedback
Green Flag Award 2015/2016
Name of Site – Pinn Meadow Managing Organisation – London Borough of Hillingdon
Bandscores
Desk 0-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-30 Assessment Field 20-29 30-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-70 Assessment Overall 30-44 45-54 55-59 60-65 66-69 70-74 75-79 80+ score
Status – Fail Overall band score –60-65
Desk Assessment Feedback (Management Plan and supporting documentation)
Band score – 15-19
Criteria Strengths Recommendations
Presentation A good sized document in corporate format. Contents would benefit from having the Green Flag criteria as The plan contains a list of the facilities, has good section headers. photographic information and mapping.
Health, Safety & Security Trees are subjected to annual safety inspections Inspection frequencies should be which are recorded and any necessary remedial identified. action determined.
Play and recently installed Gym style equipment is inspected weekly.
60 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Maintenance of equipment, The management plan provides good visions, aims It would be advantageous to have buildings and objectives. a site specific maintenance & landscape programme.
Litter, cleanliness, There is a programme of maintenance in order to Ensure the plan determines vandalism maintain a clean environment. frequency of litter clearance along with responsibilities and rectification details.
Environmental Sustainability The ecology section plays a large part in the Maintain a strong commitment maintenance and development plans. towards ecology of the site.
Peat based products are discouraged.
Green waste is recycled.
Conservation of heritage & There are some interesting details regarding the The plan does not mention other nature history of the site. historical details such as the Manor of Ruislip that dates back The document relays a strong consideration to William the Conqueror. towards the wildlife of Pinn Meadow. Historically the meadow was used for Hay crops to feed military horses in London. The details of this activity could be highlighted.
Community Involvement The management plan declares that the Community Continue to engage members of are involved in management arrangements. the public from different origins and age groups. Friends of Pinn Meadow hold regular meetings where minutes are taken and actions determined. Continue to encourage and support the Friends in any further Community volunteers involved in maintenance funding bids that may be made to tasks. support future development projects. Marketing Strategy The Friends of Pinn Meadow maintain the web site Maintain current relationships for the site. with the public who promote this site to the wider community. Examples of recent publicity have been recorded in the plan. Clarify when interpretation literature will be produced. Overall management F.O.P.M. are actively involved in fund raising. Explore all avenues of possible funding.
The objectives outlined in section 4 could be developed into SMART objectives so it is clear what, when and how they will be delivered. Additional comments
The plan is of a corporate format and could be improved by identifying the Green Flag criteria in its contents and Section Headers.
61 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______Field Assessment Feedback Band score –45-49
Criteria Strengths Recommendations
A Welcoming Place A large green space divided by Kings College Road. The entire site would benefit The space provides a mixture of formal sports from welcoming signs at all facilities and informal recreation fields, and an entrances in order to identify attractive meadow. the access points.
The site has a good car parking area adjacent to the Further directional signage pavilion and sports field. on site would guide visitors to appropriate features and facilities.
Healthy, Safe and Secure Plenty of opportunities for healthy activities. Remnants of BBQ fires were identified. The local Ward panel play an active role in enabling a Safer Neighbourhood. Some dog mess found. Consider education campaign for dog walkers. Encourage responsible behaviour with regards to cleaning up after their dogs. Clean and Well Maintained The area is maintained by a mobile team in Not clear who is responsible conjunction with community volunteers. for the various buildings; this should be clarified. Grass pathways have been cut through the site, to allow public access. Graffiti could be seen on bridge at the far end of the Re-laid sports track. site.
Litter bins on site could do with a clean.
Poor surfacing in one of the car parks could be addressed. Sustainability There are new developments under construction to The community members are reduce flooding and enhance pond features. involved in the burning of some green waste on site. Is this necessary – can it be recycled or some left on site as wood piles for wildlife?
The spoil from current developments could be utilised elsewhere in the authority.
Applications of selective herbicide were being applied at the time of the judging. Conditions were not conducive to pesticide application.
62 Pinn Meadows Management Plan ______The judges felt that the standard of sport may not support the need for such application.
Conservation and Heritage Many natural features have been conserved along Interpretation boards would with the construction of further wildlife habitats. benefit members of the public who may desire information Elm planting has been undertaken in an attempt to re on the Flora and Fauna introduce the species into the environment. present in the meadow.
Some rare species of grass /wild flowers have been The only interpretation board identified and preserved. on site is a long way from the meadow in a tucked away location. Community Involvement The Friends Group have been successful in obtaining Continue to engage with pro funding for community projects which include the active members of the provision of bird boxes, pathways, and tree planting. community.
Friends group use the pavilion as a training facility.
F.O.P.M. are an active group that was formed in 2011 and contains community members of differing age and ability.
The local scouts group have been pro active in events and activities in Pinn Meadow.
Marketing The site boasts nature walks together with sports Welcoming and informative facilities and equipment for play, exercise and signage would benefit this recreation. site in many ways.
The Scything Festival is a main event to take place on Pinn Meadow.
Management Funding has been secured through section 106 and Management should invest in through Chrysalis funds, in order to improve green signs and interpretation spaces. information in order to promote this site.
This will help to overcome the lack of a sense of arrival. It is difficult to see how non- locals would even recognise that Pinn Meadow existed, unless they happened to bump into the only interpretation sign that mentions the name Pinn Meadow!
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Additional Comments
It was disappointing to observe unnecessary herbicide applications together with remnants of burnt green waste.
The lack of signage and educational interpretation information which is essential to this type of facility has contributed in its failure to achieve Green Flag status.
Pinn Meadow could attain the award in the future if the recommended actions are addressed.
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