North York Moors National Park Authority

Item 13

18 December 2017

Forest Design Plan Consultations – Silton Forest (FDP 35)

1. Purpose of the Report

1.1 To agree the Authority’s response to the Silton Forest Design Plan.

2. Background

2.1 Forest Enterprise (FE) produces a strategic plan for each of its larger forest areas which sets out the longer term aims and objectives, as well as more detailed management proposals for a ten year period. The Authority has been provided with a copy of the final draft revised plan for Silton Forest covering years 2017 to 2026. The area covered is shown on the map in Appendix 1.

2.2 The National Park Authority is a statutory consultee on the Forest Design Plan (FDP). The plan is currently open for public consultation after which the plan will be due for approval (with or without amendments) by Forest Services (the regulatory part of the Forestry Commission).

2.3 FDP’s consist of a written statement of the main management issues and are supported by a series of plans which illustrate the main felling and restocking proposals, as well as other background plans which have guided the management options being proposed. With the electronic report presentation format it is now practical to reproduce all the design plan documentation which is located in Appendix 2. Any queries on the presentation of information in these documents can be made to officers prior to the meeting.

3. Silton Forest – Description

3.1 The 461 hectare forest comprises a single block of forest plantations situated towards the western edge of the National Park between Thimbleby and Over Silton. It falls within the Western Fringe Landscape Character Area. The land is mainly freehold with some areas on Thimbleby Bank held under a long term lease. The majority is recorded as being planted in the 1950’s and 60’s on land that was previously rough pasture. Historic maps indicate that some earlier plantations and enclosed farmland was present and the higher ground would have included moorland.

3.2 At the last FDP review in 2003 approximately 80% of the forest area was under coniferous tree cover with broadleaves and open ground accounting for 10% each. Significant harvesting activity since this time has led to a current composition of 66% coniferous, 13% broadleaved, 11% recently felled, and 10% open ground. Projections in the Plan for 50 and 100 years into the future maintain similar levels of conifer cover with broadleaf increasing to 22% and open/felled ground to 12%. The current Plan (2003) proposed a higher proportion of open/felled ground at 19%.

65 3.3 The forest is situated on escarpment and gently sloping plateau. The scarp slopes are visible from numerous viewpoints to the west and a large proportion of the forest can be seen from elevated positions on the Cleveland Way and other points on high ground. The Plan considers that landscape sensitivity ranges from medium to high across Thimbleby Bank, Over Silton Moor and Nether Silton Moor. Internally landscape sensitivity is considered low to medium.

3.4 The Plan states that 55% of the forest will be managed under long-term retentions or low impact silvicultural systems (mainly Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF)). Under CCF tree felling is restricted to thinning and small scale felling resulting in at least two age classes of trees present at any one time in a given area. Large scale clear felling and restocking which is the more common practice in UK forestry is avoided. In total under the new Plan Forest Enterprise is requesting approval to fell 31 hectares of conifer with 20 hectares being restocked with broadleaved species and the remainder with a range of conifer species.

3.5 Freehold land within the forest is designated as open access land. There is a network of forest roads, rights of way and forest rides. There are links to the Cleveland Way and the National Cycle Network. The forest is a very popular recreational destination locally.

3.6 Natural heritage includes a range of flora, fauna and habitat. The moorland margins are contiguous with the North York Moors SSSI, SPA, and SAC with 1.8 hectares of this within Forest Enterprise’s ownership along the eastern boundary. There are no Ancient Woodland Sites. National and regionally important species present are listed within Appendix 2.

3.7 Cultural heritage includes in excess of 50 recorded historic features. There are no scheduled monuments.

4. Objectives

4.1 A summary of the FDP objectives for Silton Forest are set out below;

x Maintain and improve the ecological, cultural and heritage value of these woods; x Improve the resilience of the natural environment and realise the potential of these woods for nature and wildlife; x Encourage communities to become involved across these woods, its management and direction though consultation in planning and participation in volunteering; x Maintain and improve the forest’s contribution to the surrounding landscape character by increasing species and structural diversity; x Maintain the land within our stewardship under UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS) certification; x Improve the economic resilience of these woods from a more diverse range of site appropriate conifer and broadleaf species.

5. Comment

5.1 There has been a significant amount of harvesting undertaken at Silton under the last Plan. This includes both large scale clear felling on the plateau adjacent to the moorland (Appendix 2 – views 1 and 2) through to smaller scale felling on the lower ground and scarp slopes. In addition, approximately 30% of the forest has been thinned. This activity is delivering biodiversity and landscape benefits through increased structural and species diversity as well as the felling of some dense single species plantations in prominent locations.

66 5.2 In the new Plan the adoption of CCF over a large proportion of the area is welcomed as it reduces the visual impact of felling operations. The area under CCF in the 2017 Plan has increased from 136 to 249 hectares. Also welcome is the increase in transitional open space and broadleaved components. Buffer zones are to be created along the watercourses with expected benefits to ecology and water quality. Over time it is expected that the Plan will deliver a more diverse forest with greater contribution to National Park purposes while maintaining timber production objectives.

5.3 The most significant variations from the current Plan are the proposals for future management of the upper elevations of the forest at High Grain Moor, Over Silton Moor and Nether Silton Moor. In the 2003 Plan an area of approximately 100 hectares was assigned to be managed as “wooded heath,” defined as a mosaic of habitats with tree cover ranging from 30% to 70%. The 100 hectare area is shown on the annotated map at Appendix 3. The 2003 Plan proposed that a new stock fence would separate this area and that grazing and other vegetation control methods would be utilized to deliver a semi-natural open forest habitat. Overall tree cover was expected to be approximately 50%.

At the time the drivers for this approach were;

x Improve on the low ecological status of the current unthinned tree crops; x Improve the visual appearance of the forest; x The marginal suitability for economic timber production due to susceptibility to windthrow, high costs of establishment, poor growth rates and distance from road network.

The Authority was highly supportive of the 2003 plan primarily on the clear landscape benefits, but also in respect of the expected gains for biodiversity.

5.4 The 2017 Plan proposes that the area of wooded heath is reduced from the current 100 hectares to 32 hectares adjacent to Thimbleby and Arden Moors with the remaining 68 hectares to be now managed as either productive conifer (30 hectares) or mixed woodland (38 hectares). These areas are now intended to be managed as follows;

x Wooded heath: 32 hectares of wooded heath with tree cover maintained between 30% and 70% with a similar specification to the wooded heath of the 2003 Plan. Here conifers that start to dominate will be felled as they reach a commercial size. Seedling conifers that may have an impact at the landscape scale (such as is observed adjacent to Thimbleby Moor) will be removed at an early stage; x Mixed conifer: 30 hectares of well-established pine, spruce and birch regeneration will be thinned at the earliest economic opportunity to favour broadleaves and to maintain the heathland component that has regenerated well since the removal of the original plantation crop 13 years ago. These areas are scheduled to be clear felled between 2047 and 2062; x Mixed woodland: 38 hectares of land will be managed as mixed woodland and open ground under CCF. These areas are generally more recently felled plantation (8 years ago) that is regenerating with a wide range of conifer and broadleaved trees along with open ground which has good heathland components. The aim here is to maintain the current range of tree species and proportion of open space by selective thinning and small scale clear felling targeted to maintain and expand existing open habitats with permanent or transitional open ground.

67 The annotated map at Appendix 3 shows the location of the areas above including the boundary of the wooded heath from the 2003 Plan, with the mixed woodland CCF areas marked by a red boundary. The base map is from the 2017 Plan, Map 09 Proposed Habitat and Restock, in Appendix 2.

5.5 The main drivers for the changes to the proposals are:

x Natural regeneration of a broad range of tree species on the felled sites has been prolific. Tree growth and species diversity is improved in comparison to the previous plantations, giving a greater range of management options; x Grazing of the site as originally envisaged is not realistically achievable. There are significant practical difficulties and Forest Enterprise experience has been that maintaining the desired balance of trees and open ground is unlikely to be delivered; x An expectation that management by thinning and felling is the most manageable, economically viable and practical means of achieving biodiversity and landscape benefits at this location in the long term.

5.6 FE staff met on site with the Authority’s Natural Environment Team Leader and Woodland Officer in September 2017 to consider the new Plan, in particular the changes highlighted above. The 2003 proposed wooded heath area has now been largely cleared of the original plantations and are regenerating with conifer and broadleaved tree species, often at very high density. Heathland vegetation has also regenerated well over much of the area despite the fact that it was rarely present under the previous crops. Without intervention the heathland components will again decline as the regenerating trees close canopy.

5.7 In terms of landscape the 2003 Plan has already started to deliver significant improvements with the removal of single age, dense conifer blocks on the upper slopes of the forest although some conifer regeneration has re-established. There has been generally well considered felling and thinning activity on the lower slopes.

5.8 Consideration has been given to the implications for priority species in particular Nightjar and Turtle Dove. The large area of regenerating trees on the recent clear fell sites is thought to be highly favourable for both species. It is important to ensure they have similar habitat to move into as these areas become unsuitable in 5-10 years. In broad terms the proposals should be able to provide a succession of suitable habitats. There are some specific actions relating to Turtle Dove that will be taken up separately with FE by the Turtle Dove Project Officer.

5.9 There are no proposals in the Plan to enhance the access and recreational value of the area. It is understood that FE’s higher profile, more intensive recreational activity is concentrated where greater management resources are available (e.g. Dalby Forest) but Silton Forest offers many opportunities for low key, quiet, informal enjoyment. Officers will work with FE to consider how access and recreation might be maximised and improved during the lifetime of the Plan and modify it accordingly.

6. Conclusions

6.1 Officers are supportive of the Plan but have asked FE for additional text to be added to clarify certain aspects of the proposals and also help evaluate progress in the longer term. Items requested are as follows;

x All the external boundaries to open moorland will be maintained as “soft edges”, in particular the northern boundary adjacent to Thimbleby Moor;

68 x For the ‘wooded heath’ areas a target composition of 60% open ground, 20% conifer and 20% broadleaved is specified; x For the ‘mixed woodland’ areas referred to in 5.4 above, and to be managed under CCF a target composition of 30% open ground, 40% conifer, and 30% broadleaved is specified and confirmation that the felled areas will not have to be restocked at a density of 2,000 trees per hectare; x For the ‘mixed conifer’ areas on High Grain Moor and Over Silton Moor a target composition of 20% open ground, 60% conifer, and 20% broadleaf is specified with the target being the same as the ‘mixed woodland’ in 50 years (post clear felling). Also a confirmation that the felled areas will not have to be restocked at a density of 2,500 trees per hectare.

6.2 Officers will agree with FE additional text regarding the provision of opportunities for access and recreation, including any specific improvements for this Forest.

7. Financial and Staffing Implications

7.1 None

8. Contribution to National Park Management Plan

8.1 In terms of the National Park Management Plan, the recommendations contained in this report will have the following significant beneficial sustainability implications;

x Better connected and more resilient woodland habitat networks E36; x Plantation forests managed in accordance with sustainable forest management principles E39. x Promotion of best practice in forest management B14

9. Legal Implications

9.1 None

10. Recommendation

10.1 That:

x The Silton Forest Design Plan is welcomed for the contribution it makes to National Park purposes, subject to appropriate additional text being added as agreed by Officers in respect of the requests at Section 6 above without which the Authority would be unable to support the Plan.;

x Comments are made to the Forest Enterprise as above along with any other comments which Members may wish to make.

Contact Officer: Mark Antcliff Woodland Officer Tel No 01439 772700

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Yorkshire Forest District

Silton Forest Plan

FDP 35

2017

Outgang Road Pickering North Yorkshire YO18 7EL 0300 067 4300

FOREST ENTERPRISE - Application for Forest Plan Approvals in England

71 Forest Enterprise - Property

Forest District: Yorkshire Woodland or property name: Silton Nearest town, village or locality: Over Silton OS Grid reference: SE 466937 Local Authority district/unitary Authority: North York Moors National Park

Areas for approval Conifer Broadleaf Open Felling 28.11 - Restocking 10.44 20.67 Continuous Cover regeneration felling 3.00

1. I apply for Forest Plan approval for the property described above and in the enclosed Forest Plan.

2. I confirm that the pre consultation, carried out and documented in the Consultation Record attached, incorporated those stakeholders which the FC agreed must be included. Where it has not been possible to resolve specific issues associated with the plan to the satisfaction of consultees, this is highlighted in the Consultation Record.

3. I confirm that the proposals contained in this plan comply with the UK Forestry Standard.

4. I undertake to obtain any permission necessary for the implementation of the approved Plan.

Signed …………………………………… Signed ……………………………………

Forest Management Director Area Field Manager

District …………………………………… Area ……………………………………

Date ……………………………………

Date of Approval……………………….. Date approval ends…………………………

72 CONTENTS

1. Background

2. Describing the Site

2.1 Geology and Soils 2.2 Tree Species 2.3 Wind Damage 2.4 Landscape 2.5 People and Community 2.6 Natural Heritage 2.7 Cultural Heritage

3. Describing the Project

3.1 Project Brief 3.2 Objectives 3.3 Constraints 3.4 Implementation 3.4.1 Conservation 3.4.2 Timber Harvesting 3.4.3 Landscape 3.5 Plan 3.6 Areas 3.6.1 Breakdown of felling areas within the period of the plan 3.6.2 Breakdown of constituent areas 3.7 Methods/Forest Operations 3.7.1 Planning 3.7.2 Standards 3.7.3 Harvesting 3.7.4 Haulage 3.7.5 Restocking

4. Monitoring

4.1 Clearfells 4.2 Restock 4.3 Continuous Cover 4.4 Open Forest 4.5 Forest Plan 4.6 UKWAS Compliance

73 5. Determination of Impact Significance and Mitigation

5.1 Ancient and Native Woodland 5.2 Flora 5.3 Other Objectives

APPENDICES

1. Consultation Record 2. Priority woodland bird species 3. CCF Justification 4. Restock species by soil type

74 Silton

461.9 Hectares

Period of Plan: 2017 - 2026

1. Background

Silton Forest is part of a network of forests managed by Forest Enterprise (FE), Yorkshire Forest District, located within the Cleveland Beat. It is situated adjacent Over Silton village on the western fringe of the North York Moors National Park.

The forest is a mixture of freehold and leasehold land, the majority of which was planted in the 1950’s and 60’s.

2. Describing the Site

2.1 Geology and Soils (FP Map 01)

Underlying geology is a complex range of sedimentary sandstones formed in the mid-Jurassic period with mudstone formations across the lower slopes.

The soils at Silton are mainly ironpan and surface-water gleys dominating the forest plateau, with typical surface water gleys and brown earths across Thimbleby Bank scarp slope. Based on Forest Research Ecological Site Classification, soils range between very wet soil moisture regime (SMR) and very poor soil nutrient regime (SNR) on the plateau, and moist SMR and medium SNR along the scarp slope and valley sides. The difference between SMR and SNR impacts on the range of ‘suitable’ species that can be considered for planting/restocking.

2.2 Tree Species (FP Map - 02)

Species composition has changed significantly over the last 13 years as shown below. This has been particularly influenced by the felling of Lodgepole pine and Sitka spruce stands across High Grain Moor, Over Silton Moor and Nether Silton Moor.

Species 2003 (%) 2017 (%) larch 30 28 pine(other conifers) 29 18 spruce 21 20 broadleaf 10 13 open/felled 10 21* *felled 11%, open 10%

75 As part of our species diversification policy, recent restocking has included ‘other conifers’ such as oriental spruce, coast redwood, grand fir and Japanese red cedar.

2.3 Wind Damage (FP Map – 04)

The Windthrow Hazard Classification ranges from 1 to 4 with approximately 40% of the forest in the lower hazard classes 1 and 2 where thinning regimes are relatively unconstrained. The remaining 60% is in the intermediate hazard class 3 and 4 where thinning options can be more limiting and particular care needs to be taken over the timing, pattern and intensity of thinning to avoid precipitating the onset of serious windthrow. Previously delayed conifer thinning across the moorland plateau subsequently restricted silvicultural options across even-aged, single species stands. Opportunities to carry out timely thinning have increased over recent years with improved markets such as fuel wood for heat and energy.

2.4 Landscape (Photographic montage)

The forest is situated in the ‘Western Fringe’ landscape character area1 on the western boundary of the North York Moors National Park. The forest is referenced in the document with the following description; ‘Very well treed with coniferous or mixed plantations clothing the steeper slopes almost continuously. Two very sizeable plantations which extend over on to moor tops occur at Boltby Moor and Crabtree bank, to a large extent masking the varied underlying terrain where they occur.’

Under the previous plan significant areas of clearfelling has been carried out across numerous locations, from the scarp slope of Thimbleby Bank up onto the moorland plateau adjacent Thimbleby and Arden Great Moor. The size of clearfells range from 0.3 ha at Sheepwash Slack to over 30 ha at Over Silton Moor. Increased structural diversity has been achieved by reducing the peak of P1951 – 1960 crops and maintaining restocking with a range of conifer and broadleaf species. Fixed-point photographs of both external and internal views support the changing structure across the forest and how this provides a positive contribution to the overall landscape.

Thinning has been carried out across one third of the forest area since 2003, predominantly across areas designated as Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) sites. Several compartments are starting to develop two-storeyed, simple stand structures with others showing a capacity to develop more complex stand structures, thereby adding to the increasing diversity of the forest.

2.5 People and Community (FP Map – 05)

The areas of freehold are dedicated as Open Access land through the Countryside Rights of Way Act (2000) and there exists a network of forest roads and rides and public rights of way with links

1 North York Moors National Park LCA Report 2003

76 to the Cleveland Way national trail and the Sustrans National Cycle Network. A small, informal car park can be accessed off Moor Lane at the forest entrance off Moor Lane.

Although the majority of the forest is freehold, there is limited potential to develop recreational use for people and businesses where these do not conflict with the plans aims and objectives and where leasehold restrictions apply.

2.6 Natural Heritage (FP Map – 05)

Silton Forest hosts a range of flora, fauna and bio-diverse habitats. The moorland margins are contiguous with the North York Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area for Conservation (SAC) cited for Atlantic Upland Heath and important for ground nesting birds such as golden plover and merlin, details for which may be found at; http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk. In addition, the management boundary extends onto Arden Great Moor encompassing 1.80 ha of designated moorland.

There are no ancient woodlands within or adjacent the forest.

The forest supports a wide range of national and regionally important species across different habitat types (see Appendix 2):

Wooded heath/clearfell – Nightjar, Snipe, Tree pipit Woodland edge/ride/glade – Willow warbler, Yellow hammer, Redstart, Turtle Dove Developed shrub layer – Woodcock

The varieties of habitat types recorded above are host to a wide-range of lepidoptera as set out in Appendix 2.

A network of rivers, streams, water courses and drains pass through and adjacent to the forest, providing a large area of riparian habitat. These sites typically support a more diverse woodland structure where native broadleaf tree species, shrubs and ground flora can naturally regenerate, providing ecologically diverse habitat corridors across the forest.

2.7 Cultural Heritage (FP Map 05)

Although there are no scheduled monuments within the forest area, over 50 unscheduled heritage features are recorded, ranging from structures associated with post medieval sand quarrying and 19th century jet mining.

77 3. Describing the Project

3.1 Project Brief

- manage natural and cultural heritage sites in accordance with their requirements as per agreed management plans and district policy,

- develop a mosaic of productive mixed species/mixed age stands with varying proportions of open ground across parts of High Grain and Over Silton Moor,

- increase the proportion of native broadleaf cover, particularly across riparian zones and along steep-sided scarp slopes,

- consider the selection of alternative main tree species that will contribute toward a greater range of species diversity to maintain or increase timber productivity and increase resilience to plant health and biosecurity threats,

- increase the diversity of the forest age structure by use of appropriate silvicultural systems.

3.2 Objectives

Nature x Maintain and improve the ecological, cultural and heritage value of these woods, to be measured by Non-Government Organisations and FC systems accordingly. x Improve the resilience of the natural environment and realise the potential of these woods for nature and wildlife, to be measured by FC systems accordingly.

People x Encourage communities to become involved across these woods, its management and direction through consultation in planning and participation in volunteering. x Maintain and improve the forests contribution to the surrounding landscape character by increasing species and structural diversity, to be measured by external and internal fixed- point photography.

Economy x Maintain the land within our stewardship under UKWAS certification, to be measured by independent surveillance audits. x Improve the economic resilience of these woods from a more diverse range of site appropriate conifer and broadleaf species, to be measured by the Production Forecast and Sales Recording Package.

3.3 Constraints

- Potential forest health issues on stands of larch (Phytophthora ramorum), pine (Dothistroma septosporum) and spruce (Dendroctonus micans).

78 - Difficult access and topography present operational challenges whilst harvesting productive stands across scarp slopes and valley sides such as Thimbleby Bank and Knipes Hill.

3.4 Implementation

3.4.1 Conservation

Protect and, where appropriate, enhance all known sites of archaeological and ecological importance:

Archaeological sites

All sites, regardless of their designation, will receive the same level of care during the planning and execution of forest operations. The operational planning system will ensure they are recognised and the proper measures for their protection are in place before work begins. This planning system also ensures that, where possible, opportunities to enhance the condition of archaeological interest are taken during routine forest work.

Ecological sites

All work sites are surveyed prior to any operations being carried out, both to audit the accuracy of information already held on record and to identify opportunities to further improve the ecological value of the woodlands. For Silton this will include:

x Increase and improve the deadwood resource as set out in – ‘Managing deadwood in forests and woodlands Practice Guide (2012)’. Areas of high ecological value across which deadwood resources could be encouraged include; riparian zones, Long Term Retention sites and areas of broadleaf woodland.

x Increase the diversity of tree species and age structure that will maintain and improve favourable habitats for target species and identified habitats. This is particularly beneficial for the range of habitats and species recorded at Silton from which a selection has already been mentioned at 2.6 - Natural Heritage.

x A number of watercourses currently identified as moderate status through the Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessment are located adjacent to and downstream of Silton. Work undertaken through this plan will contribute to improving their water quality and aquatic ecology, through replacing existing conifer crops with predominantly broadleaf species and considering opportunities to address known issues. The implementation of continuous cover forestry systems and phasing of felling will avoid significant lengths of watercourse being felled at any one time throughout the approval period of the plan.

79 Minimum Intervention - Natural Reserves

Natural Reserves are sites that are predominantly woodland which have been set aside where biodiversity is the prime objective. As far as reasonably practicable this is a permanent designation and will be managed on a minimum intervention system.

There are no Natural Reserves in Silton Forest.

Long Term Retentions (LTR)

These are stable stands or clumps of trees that are important to retain for landscape or biodiversity reasons and will be retained beyond their economic rotation but still managed under an appropriate silvicultural system i.e. thinning may still be carried out.

Through this plan 14.61 ha are designated LTR.

Invasive species

Low numbers of small, isolated clumps of rhododendron are known to grow within the forest. These will be managed to reduce their spread and eradicate where possible during the lifetime of the plan.

3.4.2 Timber Harvesting

We will continue to sustainably harvest timber from clearfell, group felling and thinnings, and where appropriate develop broadleaf stands to increase their contribution to timber production. These operations will be planned and controlled to ensure due regard for all other objectives of management at Silton.

3.4.3 Landscape

Silton Forest lies within the North York Moors National Park, a protected and designated landscape where felling across High Grain Moor, Over Silton Moor and Nether Silton Moor under the previous plan has reduced the negative impacts of hard geometric boundaries between upland forest and heather moorland. The mosaic of habitats developing across these sites provides opportunities to manage mixed woodland with variable proportions of open space. Developing and maintaining a mosaic of mixed woodland and wooded heath across this part of the forest will not be achieved over a single rotation. This process will likely require up to three rotations (approx. 40 years per rotation) to achieve the incremental improvements to increase the proportion of preferred species and open space.

Through this plan the area of wooded heath will reduce from the previous target of 100 ha to 32 haas we intend to manage the remaining 68ha at High Grain Moor as mixed woodland. Previously composed of even-aged coniferous species, the site currently supports a mixture of pine, spruce, larch and broadleaf species. Future management will aim to maintain a mixed species composition through thinning and felling.

80 Appropriate scale felling across Thimbleby Bank will continue the process of restructuring, moving away from even-aged, single species stands to mixed broadleaf/conifer woodland.

Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) with associated smaller-scale felling will contribute toward a more varied and intimate internal forest landscape, where simple and complex stand structures create a more diverse visitor experience within the forest.

On a scale of low/medium/high, landscape sensitivity ranges from medium to high across Thimbleby Bank, Over Silton Moor and Nether Silton Moor. Internally across areas to be managed as CCF, landscape sensitivity is low to medium.

3.5 Plan (FP Map 06)

The design concept map shows the key factors we need to address. These are taken forward and used to form the basis of a practical plan set out in the fell and restock maps.

3.6 Areas (FP Maps 08 and 09)

3.6.1 Breakdown of felling areas within the period of the plan.

A map showing the location of felling sites can be found in the Forest Plan folder.

Felling Area - hectares % of total area Projected volume (m3) 2017 – 2021 Clearfell 21 5 7825 2022 – 2026 Clearfell 7 2 3265 Continuous Cover* 3 1 1050

* A significant proportion of Silton will be managed using CCF silvicultural systems. Where advanced regeneration is present, canopy gaps up to 0.6 ha will be created to release the regeneration. During the plan period, it is proposed areas of CCF where crops are over 25 years old will receive a silvicultural intervention (thinning/regeneration felling). As a result of this intervention, the above area of woodland cover will be felled through the processes of group felling and shelterwood systems and restocked by natural regeneration.

3.6.2 Breakdown of constituent areas.

A Future Habitat and Species map showing the location and detail of the constituent areas can be found in the Forest Design Plan folder.

81 Habitat type - Area – hectares % age of total area (based on principal species established) 2017 2067 2117 2017 2067 2117 Conifer 303.26 301.2 305.8 66 65 66 Broadleaf 59.07 109.5 101.3 13 24 22 Open/felled 99.16 51.2 54.8 21 11 12

3.7 Methods / Forest Operations

3.7.1 Planning

Before any major forest operations are undertaken an “Operational Site Assessment” is completed. This document details the proposed work and outlines all known environmental, social and operational considerations. The “Operational Site Assessment” then becomes an important reference document during the planning phase, at the pre commencement meeting before scheduled works begin and for supervisory visits during the operation. The “Operational Site Assessment” is kept along with other documents relating to the operation in the main office.

For routine maintenance operations (e.g. fencing, ride mowing, survey work etc.) the Yorkshire District policy on timing of operations to minimise wildlife disturbance will be followed.

3.7.2 Standards

All operations within the forest will be carried out in accordance with the certification standard for the U.K. Woodland Assurance Standard and the U.K Forestry Standard 2011 i.e. Forests and biodiversity, Forests and climate change, Forests and historic environment, Forests and landscape, Forests and people, Forests and soils, Forests and Water.

3.7.3 Harvesting

See 3.4.2. Forestry Commission staff will monitor work through regular site visits to ensure all guidelines and contract conditions are adhered to.

Clearfell V’s Continuous Cover Forestry

All plans are required to consider lower impact silvicultural systems (LISS) in windfirm conifer plantations as opposed to traditional clearfell systems. This decision is based upon the methodology provided in FC Information Note 40 – ‘Transforming Even-aged Conifer Stands to Continuous Cover Management’. Where existing coupes are not identified for CCF management,

82 we will manage on an extended rotation basis to be thinned and monitored for future consideration for conversion to CCF.

Using the FC Forest Research Agency, Ecological Site Classification system (ESC), a range of conifer species are considered ‘optimum’ to ‘unsuitable’ for CCF where timber production is considered as an objective. Area to be managed under CCF has increased from 136 ha to 249 ha.

See Appendix 3 – CCF Justification.

3.7.4 Haulage

As in our other woodland blocks we will continue discussions with the relevant Highways Authority to agree haulage routes and discuss annual tonnages. All timber traffic will be managed in line with the Road Haulage of Round Timber Code of Practice, Fourth Edition (2012), which aims to improve the safety and environmental standards of the timber haulage industry.

3.7.5 Restocking

Conifer

The areas of small group felling carried out as part of the CCF silvicultural systems will be replanted to diversify species and age structure and to continue to provide a sustainable timber resource, whilst mindful of the projected impacts of climate change. The FC Forest Research Agency, Ecological Site Classification system (ESC) will aid species choice and selection. A range of timber producing conifer species as set out in Appendix 3 and Appendix 4 ‘Species by soil type’ will help inform restocking options.

Reference to Predominantly Mixed Conifer on the Future Habitat & Species Map will be used to describe those areas where a range of species will be planted and/or regenerated, where conifer species will comprise at least 60% of the component mix.

As indicated at 3.7.1, the Operational Site Assessment will provide site-specific data on soils and other site factors that will help inform the correct choice of species on a site-by-site basis.

The continuous cover silviculture will be managed to encourage natural regeneration, although it is accepted that replanting will be required to maintain and further diversify the current range of species.

Sites will achieve at least 2500 stems per hectare through planting, natural regeneration or a combination of both.

83 Broadleaf

There are no Ancient Woodland Sites across Silton Forest.

On non-PAWS sites planned for conversion to broadleaf woodland, we will accept natural regeneration of both native and non-native species i.e. beech, sycamore.

Reference to Predominantly Mixed Broadleaf on the Future Habitat & Species Map will be used to describe those areas where a range of species will be regenerated, where broadleaf species will comprise at least 60% of the component mix.

Sites will achieve at least 1100 stems per hectare though natural regeneration, planting or a combination of both.

Broadleaf regeneration on non-PAWS areas

Preferable Ash/Alder/Birch (lower slopes)

Oak/Birch/Rowan/Holly (mid to upper slopes) Beech/Sycamore Larch Pine Fir Spruce/Hemlock Less preferable Wooded Heath

The previous plan identified opportunities to convert approximately 100 ha of even-aged, single species conifer plantation to Wooded Heath adjacent to Thimbleby Moor and Arden Great Moor (up to 70% wooded and no less than 30% wooded by canopy area). As predicted following conifer removal, these sites have since regenerated with a mixture of evergreen and deciduous conifers and broadleaf species with varying proportions of open space where heathland communities continue to develop. Through this plan we aim to manage approximately 32 ha of recently felled conifer toward establishing wooded heath habitat.

It is proposed to manage this mosaic of successional habitat so as to maintain the mixed species composition and this will be achieved through a combination of selective thinning and felling operations, favouring the retention and development of preferred species as set out below. At the time of first thinning, higher intensity thinning will be applied to tree cover adjacent the external moorland boundary and those areas internally where semi-permanent open space has developed. This will create a number of zones of wider spaced trees to maintain an ecotone of wooded heath, combining elements of heathland flora with broadleaf and conifer tree cover.

84 Predictive table showing preferred species based on ecological suitability and potential for increasing conservation value in the open forest.

Preferable Woodland tree species Ground vegetation birch heather rowan cross-leaved heath willow spp. bilberry Scots pine purple moor grass wavy-hair grass larch broad buckler fern Lodgepole pine

Sitka spruce Less preferable Western hemlock bracken

Elsewhere across the forest, habitat networks will be maintained and established that will enhance and maximise the movement of flora and fauna by increasing the permeability both within and outwith the forest area. The development of these sites will be beneficial for a range of species including the wide range of woodland bird and lepidoptera species.

4. Monitoring

4.1 Clearfells

All clearfell areas are managed spatially using the Sub Compartment Database to ensure the boundaries and designs are accurately reproduced on the ground. Significant variances in the areas to be felled will require a formal amendment of the plan plus the agreement of and approval by Forest Services staff, as per CSM 6.

4.2 Restock

All restock areas where timber production is an objective will be planted/naturally regenerated and monitored to ensure that the number of established trees per hectare fully meets the requirements of OGB*4. This document has mandatory requirements on the monitoring of the crop in Year 5 to ensure the establishment of at least 2500 trees / ha.

4.3 Continuous Cover

Continuous cover areas will be monitored using the methods and procedures contained in OGB*7. Similar in scope to the methods employed for restock areas, where timber production is the aim we need to have at least 2000 saplings per hectare after 10 – 15 years, these should be evenly spread over 90% of the site.

85 4.4 Wooded Heath

The transition from coniferous secondary plantation woodland to wooded heath, with a mosaic of heathland and mixed woodland habitats will not be reached over a single rotation. We anticipate this process may take up to 100 years to achieve the desired balance of ecologically connected habitat types. A range of techniques will be employed to monitor progress over 10-yearly intervals including fixed point and aerial photography, and plot surveys to record species, stocking density and open space/broad habitats.

4.5 Forest Plan

All forest plans are formally reviewed as part of a “5-year mid term review” and the plan’s aims and objectives and its success at achieving those aims and objectives. This plan will be formally reviewed in 2022 with opportunity to share information where requested. This time period can be shortened if circumstances change significantly or if parts of the plan prove detrimental to the overall aims and objectives.

*Operational Guidance Booklet

4.6 UKWAS Compliance Table

Forest Plan Forest Plan Forest District Forest District Area (ha) Percentage Area (ha) Percentage Total Area 461.9 100 20,971 100 Total Wooded area 378.1 82 16,535 79 Natural Reserves – Plantation (1%) Nil 0 170 1 Natural Reserves – Semi-natural (5%) Nil 0 85 6 Long-term Retentions and Low 253.3 55 6,909 33 Impact Silvicultural Systems (>1%) Area of conservation Value (15%) Including 253.3 55 8,666 41 Designations; PAWS, AW, ASNW, NR, LTR and LISS

86 5. Determination of Impact Significance and Mitigation

5.1 Native Woodland

Threats to our native woodlands can be immediate and absolute (e.g. loss to infrastructure or development) or slower and subtler (e.g. shading from conifer species or invasive species such as Rhododendron). There are also more widespread environmental changes, such as diffuse pollution and climate change, which may threaten in the long term. (www.forestry.gov.uk/keepersoftime)

Major threats to native woodland are: x Climate change and fragmentation x Excessive browsing and grazing by deer & livestock x Inadequate or inappropriate management x Invasive and problem species x Diffuse pollution x Loss

Through this plan, we will continue to apply local and national policy and best practice guidance for the management and development of our native woodlands.

5.2 Flora

Heathland is a UKBAP Priority Habitat

Within woods, concentrate on open space habitat expansion and management, developing heathland, neutral grassland and acid mires.

(G. Peterken – Native Woodland Development in the North York Moors and Howardian Hills)

This plan will continue the management and development of heathland where this will improve habitat networks across Silton forest. Maintaining a mixed resource of temporary and permanent open space will provide suitable habitat for Nightjar, Turtle dove, Woodcock and other priority flora and fauna species within the forest area.

5.3 Other Objectives

Concentrate on developing habitat–rich riparian corridors with marshes, meadows, woodlands, trees in farmlands. These would pass through both woodland and farmland. (G. Peterken – Native Woodland Development in the North York Moors and Howardian Hills)

We will continue to apply local and national policy and best practice guidance to the management of riparian corridors across Silton. This will improve and enhance the habitat network within the woodlands and benefit protected species. Continuing development of both species and structural

87 diversity will benefit habitats for priority woodland bird species throughout the woodland (Appendix 2 – Priority woodland bird species).

88 ¯

Scale: 1:200,000 when drawn @ A2

Silton

051015202.5

89 Kilometers Silton Forest Plan ¯ Scale: 1:10,000 when drawn @ A2

a b 3515 Open LP/SS/BI/~ 14Ha 2004/2004/2004/~ c f c -/SS/JL/~ WH -/2009/2009/~ a SS/LP/-/~ 71 d c 2004/2004/-/~ SS/WH/DF g -/LP/SS/~ 71/71/71 Felled DF/SP f -/2004/2004/~ 2016/2016 OMS 3514a 2016 j 3HaOpen HL/SS c 2003/2003 a 3500 a 3513 3516 Open e 24Ha b h LP/SS/BI/~ SP/SS d 36Ha 23Ha Open 2004/2004/2004/~ 68/69 SS c 93 i b b b BI/SS/- BI/- b JL/LP/BI/~ -/JL/SS/~ EL/WH c 2008/2008/- 2003/- 2004/2004/2004/~ -/2009/2009/~ 61/61 h JL WH/LP/-/~ b 59 2000/2000/-/~ 3501 b JL/- k i c SS/- 59/- WH/LP/-/~ 22Ha g b LP WH/LP/-/~ a 2000/- 2000/2000/-/~ LP/- 61 f 2000/2000/-/~ JL/LP/RC 59/- c b LP d a 93/93/93 3512 61 SP/LP 18Ha c 59/62 f e d g d SS/SS b SS d a BI/BE/GWL HL HL/MC/- 57/64 57 59 59/65/- JL/- 86/86/86 f a g d 57/- f JL/LP g b a 3502 SS/JL/BI h e JL/- JL/- a 93/93 h JL/NS/OK/~ JL b 86/86/86 j Felled 57/- 57/-i 23Ha c 57/57/57/~ f 56 JL l BI/SS/-/~ SS/- SS/- JL/SP c 2008/2008/-/~ 93 57/--/SP c BI/- 2000/- j f c f 60/60 -/57 RC/-/JL/~ a a a b h SP JL 56/- h f DF/SP 2009/-/2009/~ -/BI/JL/~ -/BI/SS/~3517 c JL/SS/LP c JL/SP/GF Openl 57 g c 56 3518 JL JL/- 57/68 -/2009/2009/~ -/2006/2006/~ SP/- 93/93/93 SS 2008/2014/2014RSQ -/SP/SY/~ 15Ha b 93 93/- 21Ha d i 2000 e 2014 -/68/68/~ Open 59/- h h BI/- SS/HL SS h d JCR/OMS 3505 h 56/- 2003/2003 d JL/LP/-3519 2014/2014 2000 SS 24Ha f f JCR 63/61/- 94 d b 14Ha SP/SS/LP a JL 2014 c 3511 DF/SY DF/JL/SP e 58/61/61 SS/- 57 j f i g HL/- 20Ha k 57/57 68/68/68m LP/JL/SP b c e 93/- DF a SP JL JCR/OMS b 59/- JL/SY SS/SS 58/56/56 Felled SY/JL d SP 3510 94 c 66 59 2014/2014 JL 57/57 3521 56/56 59/59 HL 2014 3507 e SS d 59 16Ha h g 59 SP/- a i 25Ha 61 e 24Ha m SS/DF Open 57/- JL c JL/SP Felled 68/68 57 i 65/65 b h c j c a SP/SS b c 3520 Felled d SP SS i JL/- JL 68/68 -/POK/BI/~ SS/NS/DF a i EL/NS 2014 58 SS 58/- 57 -/94/94/~ 17Ha 56/56/56 g 3506 NS/DF/- SS/- 59/65 58 g JL b b d 65/65/- 2005/- 21Ha d o 56 SY/AH/- d b JL/BE/BI/~ -/BI/AR f l j 20/00/- Open SS a 2007/2007/2007/~ -/94/94g k e JCR/OMS Felled a BI b 94 h JL/BI/- d MB/SS f b j SS HL/SP/-/~ Open 56 2014/2014 2007/2007/- 56/56 3504SP OMS/JCR k m 94 2003/2003/-/~ 2014/2014 e OK f 22Ha55 JL/SP i d 3503 d d Felled 57 2012/2012 b SS HL/WH l c Open d n 18Ha f BE/JL 94 2010/2010 SP BE e -/BI b g BI/-/SS 58/58 i 2010 58 Felled f -/66 g JL/EL 2005/-/2005 e SS/- SP 55/55 g j g BE/SP h 2010/- b 71 Felled PO SP 55/58 SP/NS/MB HL/- e c k a 62 2010 59/59/59 c Car Pk/Picnic OK/- 2010/- WH/SY BE/JL h a b 58/58 56/- 3522 71/71 c -/BI SS/SY/DF h 16Ha a -/66 62/60/62 SS JL/SP e 86 55/55 g d HL b e JL/SY d Open 66 SS/SY/AH a 58/58 a 58/58/00 SP/HL 2012/2012 c c JL 56 d SP/HL f 2012/2012SS/JL/SP/~ e d e 58/58/58/~3509 RC JL/SY/- 21HaSS/SY 68 67/67/- 68/58 j BE 1880 3508 i 23Ha OK d 86 b HL/JL/SS 86/86/86 i HL/ROK 58/58 b OK a 58 k JL/SY ROK 58/58 58 c FP Map 01 - Soils g JL/RC Felled 58/85

f SS Brown Earth 72 h SY 58 Ironpan Peaty Surface-Water Gley Surface-Water Gley Scree 0250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 © Crown copyright and database right [2017] Meters Ordnance Survey [100021242] 90 Silton Forest Plan ¯ Scale: 1:10,000 when drawn @ A2

a b 3515 Open LP/SS/BI/~ 14Ha 2004/2004/2004/~ c f c -/SS/JL/~ WH -/2009/2009/~ a SS/LP/-/~ 71 c 2004/2004/-/~ SS/WH/DF d g -/LP/SS/~ 71/71/71 Felled DF/SP f -/2004/2004/~ 2016/2016 OMS 3514a 2016 j 3HaOpen HL/SS c 2003/2003 a 3500 a 3513 3516 Open e 24Ha b h LP/SS/BI/~ SP/SS d 36Ha 23Ha Open 2004/2004/2004/~ 68/69 SS c 93 i b b b BI/SS/- BI/- b JL/LP/BI/~ -/JL/SS/~ EL/WH c 2008/2008/- 2003/- 2004/2004/2004/~ -/2009/2009/~ 61/61 h JL WH/LP/-/~ b 59 2000/2000/-/~ 3501 b JL/- k i c SS/- 59/- WH/LP/-/~ 22Ha g b LP WH/LP/-/~ a 2000/- 2000/2000/-/~ LP/- 61 f 2000/2000/-/~ JL/LP/RC 59/- c b LP d a 93/93/93 3512 61 SP/LP 18Ha c 59/62 f d g e d SS/SS b SS d a BI/BE/GWL HL HL/MC/- 57/64 57 59 JL/- 86/86/86 59/65/- f 57/- a g d f JL/LP g b a 3502 SS/JL/BI h e JL/- JL/- a 93/93 h JL/NS/OK/~ JL b 86/86/86 j 57/- 57/- 23Ha c 57/57/57/~ Felled i f 56 JL l BI/SS/-/~ SS/- SS/- JL/SP c 2008/2008/-/~ 93 -/SP c BI/- 2000/- j f 57/- c f 60/60 -/57 RC/-/JL/~ a 56/- a h a b h SP DF/SP JL 3517 f g 2009/-/2009/~ 3518-/BI/JL/~ -/BI/SS/~ c JL JL/SS/LP c JL/SP/GF Openl 57 c 57/68 56 JL/- -/SP/SY/~ -/2009/2009/~ -/2006/2006/~15Ha SP/- 93 93/93/93 SS 2008/2014/2014RSQ 21Ha b i 2000 93/- -/68/68/~ d 59/- h e 2014 h Open SS/HL h d BI/- JCR/OMS 3505 SS h 56/- 2003/2003 d JL/LP/-3519 2014/2014 2000 SS 24Ha f f JCR 63/61/- 94 d b 14Ha SP/SS/LP a JL 2014 c 3511 DF/SY DF/JL/SP e 58/61/61 SS/- 57 j f i g HL/- 20Ha k 57/57 68/68/68m LP/JL/SP b c e 93/- DF a SP JL JCR/OMS b 59/- JL/SY SS/SS 58/56/56 Felled SY/JL d SP 3510 94 c 66 59 2014/2014 JL 57/57 3521 56/56 59/59 HL 2014 3507 e SS d 59 16Ha h g 59 SP/- a i 25Ha 61 e Open 24Ha m SS/DF 57/- JL c JL/SP Felled 68/68 57 i 65/65 b h c j c a SP/SS b c 3520 Felled d SP SS i JL/- JL 68/68 -/POK/BI/~ SS/NS/DF a i EL/NS 2014 58 SS 58/- 57 -/94/94/~ 17Ha 56/56/56 g 3506 NS/DF/- SS/- 59/65 58 g JL b b d 65/65/- 2005/- 21Ha d o 56 SY/AH/- b JL/BE/BI/~ -/BI/AR f d l j 20/00/- SS a 2007/2007/2007/~ -/94/94g k e JCR/OMS Open Felled a BI b 94 h JL/BI/- d MB/SS f b j SS HL/SP/-/~ Open 56 2014/2014 2007/2007/- 56/56 3504SP OMS/JCR k m 94 2003/2003/-/~ 55 2014/2014 e OK f 22Ha JL/SP i d 3503 d d Felled 57 2012/2012 b SS HL/WH l c Open n 18Ha d BE/JL 94 2010/2010 SP f e -/BI g BE 58/58 i 2010 b BI/-/SS Felled -/66 g JL/EL 58 f e 2005/-/2005 SS/- SP 55/55 g j g BE/SP h 2010/- b 71 PO SP 55/58 SP/NS/MB Felled HL/- e c k a 62 2010 59/59/59 c Car Pk/Picnic OK/- 2010/- WH/SY BE/JL h a b 56/- 3522 71/71 58/58 c -/BI SS/SY/DF h 16Ha a -/66 62/60/62 SS JL/SP e 86 55/55 d HL b e g JL/SY d Open 66 SS/SY/AH a a 58/58/00 58/58 HL/SP 2012/2012 c c JL 56 d HL/SP f 2012/2012SS/JL/SP/~ e d e 58/58/58/~3509 RC JL/SY/- 21HaSS/SY 68 67/67/- 68/58 j BE 1880 3508 i 23Ha OK d 86 b HL/JL/SS 86/86/86 i HL/ROK 58/58 b OK a 58 k JL/SY ROK 58/58 58 c g JL/RC FP Map 02 - Current Species Felled 58/85

f SS 72 Other h SY 58 Mixed Broadleaves Pine Other Evergreens Spruce Larch

0250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 © Crown copyright and database right [2017] Meters Ordnance Survey [100021242] 91 Silton Forest Plan ¯ Scale: 1:10,000 3515 a when drawn @ A2 b Open LP/SS/BI/~ 14Ha 2004/2004/2004/~ c f c -/SS/JL/~ WH -/2009/2009/~ a SS/LP/-/~ 71 c 2004/2004/-/~ SS/WH/DF d g -/LP/SS/~ 71/71/71 Felled DF/SP f -/2004/2004/~ 2016/2016 OMS 3514a 2016 j 3HaOpen HL/SS c 2003/2003 a 3500 a 3513 3516 Open e 24Ha b h LP/SS/BI/~ SP/SS d 36Ha 23Ha Open 2004/2004/2004/~ 68/69 SS c 93 i b b b BI/SS/- BI/- b JL/LP/BI/~ -/JL/SS/~ EL/WH c 2008/2008/- 2003/- 2004/2004/2004/~ -/2009/2009/~ 61/61 h JL WH/LP/-/~ b 59 2000/2000/-/~ 3501 b JL/- k i c SS/- 59/- WH/LP/-/~ 22Ha g b LP WH/LP/-/~ a 2000/- 2000/2000/-/~ LP/- 61 f 2000/2000/-/~ JL/LP/RC 59/- c b LP d a 93/93/93 3512 61 SP/LP 18Ha c 59/62 f d g e d SS/SS b SS d a BI/BE/GWL HL HL/MC/- 57/64 57 59 JL/- 86/86/86 59/65/- f 57/- a g d f JL/LP g b a 3502 SS/JL/BI h e JL/- JL/- a 93/93 h JL/NS/OK/~ JL b 86/86/86 j 57/- 57/- 23Ha c 57/57/57/~ Felled i f 56 JL l BI/SS/-/~ SS/- SS/- JL/SP c 2008/2008/-/~ 93 -/SP c BI/- 2000/- j f 57/- c f 60/60 -/57 RC/-/JL/~ a 56/- a h a b h SP DF/SP JL 3517 f g 2009/-/2009/~ 3518-/BI/JL/~ -/BI/SS/~ c JL JL/SS/LP c JL/SP/GF Openl 57 c 57/68 56 JL/- -/SP/SY/~ -/2009/2009/~ -/2006/2006/~15Ha SP/- 93 93/93/93 SS 2008/2014/2014RSQ 21Ha b i 2000 93/- -/68/68/~ d 59/- h e 2014 h Open SS/HL h d BI/- JCR/OMS 3505 SS h 56/- 2003/2003 d JL/LP/-3519 2014/2014 2000 SS 24Ha f f JCR 63/61/-14Ha JL 94 d b SP/SS/LP a 3511 2014 e c 57 j DF/SY DF/JL/SP i 58/61/61 SS/- LP/JL/SP f g e HL/- 20Ha k DF 57/57 68/68/68m b c JL JCR/OMS b 93/- JL/SY 58/56/56 a Felled SP d SP 59/- 3510 94 SS/SS c 66 SY/JL 59 2014/2014 JL 57/57 3521 56/56 59/59 HL 2014 3507 e SS d 59 16Ha h g 59 SP/- a i 25Ha 61 e Open 24Ha m SS/DF 57/- JL c JL/SP Felled 68/68 57 i 65/65 b h c j c a SP/SS b c 3520 Felled d SP SS i JL/- JL 68/68 -/POK/BI/~ SS/NS/DF a i EL/NS 2014 58 SS 58/- 57 -/94/94/~ 17Ha 56/56/56 g 3506 NS/DF/- SS/- 59/65 58 g JL b b d 65/65/- 2005/- 21Ha d o 56 SY/AH/- b JL/BE/BI/~ -/BI/AR f d l j 20/00/- SS a 2007/2007/2007/~ -/94/94g k e JCR/OMS Open Felled a BI b 94 h JL/BI/- d MB/SS f b j SS HL/SP/-/~ Open 56 2014/2014 2007/2007/- 56/56 3504SP OMS/JCR k m 94 2003/2003/-/~ 55 2014/2014 e OK f 22Ha JL/SP i d 3503 d d Felled 57 2012/2012 b SS HL/WH l c Open d n 18Ha f BE/JL 94 2010/2010 SP BE e -/BI b g BI/-/SS 58/58 i 2010 58 Felled f -/66 g JL/EL 2005/-/2005 e SS/- SP 55/55 g j g BE/SP h 2010/- b 71 Felled PO SP 55/58 SP/NS/MB HL/- e c k a 62 2010 59/59/59 c Car Pk/Picnic OK/- 2010/- WH/SY BE/JL h a b 58/58 56/- 3522 71/71 c -/BI SS/SY/DF h 16Ha a -/66 62/60/62 SS JL/SP e 86 55/55 g d HL b e JL/SY d Open 66 SS/SY/AH a 58/58 a 58/58/00 SP/HL 2012/2012 c c JL 56 d SP/HL f 2012/2012 FP Map 03 - Age Class SS/JL/SP/~ e d e 58/58/58/~3509 RC JL/SY/- 21HaSS/SY 68 67/67/- 68/58 j Other: Open, Felled etc BE 1880 3508 i 23Ha 1880-1920 OK d 86 b HL/JL/SS 86/86/86 i HL/ROK 1921-1930 58/58 b OK a 58 k JL/SY 1931-1940 ROK 58/58 58 c g JL/RC Felled 58/85 1941-1950 f SS 72 h 1951-1960 SY 58 1961-1970 1971-1980 1981-1990 1991-2000 2001-2010 2011-Present

a b 3515 Open LP/SS/BI/~ 14Ha 2004/2004/2004/~ c f c -/SS/JL/~ WH -/2009/2009/~ a SS/LP/-/~ 71 d c 2004/2004/-/~ SS/WH/DF g -/LP/SS/~ 71/71/71 Felled DF/SP f -/2004/2004/~ 2016/2016 OMS 3514a 2016 j 3HaOpen HL/SS c 2003/2003 a 3500 a 3513 3516 Open e 24Ha h LP/SS/BI/~ SP/SS b d 36Ha 23Ha Open 2004/2004/2004/~ 68/69 SS c 93 i b b b BI/SS/- BI/- b JL/LP/BI/~ -/JL/SS/~ EL/WH c 2008/2008/- 2003/- 2004/2004/2004/~ -/2009/2009/~ 61/61 h JL WH/LP/-/~ b 59 2000/2000/-/~ 3501 b JL/- k i c SS/- 59/- WH/LP/-/~ 22Ha g b LP WH/LP/-/~ a 2000/- 2000/2000/-/~ LP/- 61 f 2000/2000/-/~ JL/LP/RC 59/- c b LP d a 93/93/93 3512 61 SP/LP 18Ha c 59/62 f e d g d SS/SS b SS d a BI/BE/GWL HL HL/MC/- 57/64 57 59 59/65/- JL/- 86/86/86 f a g d 57/- f JL/LP g b a 3502 SS/JL/BI h e JL/- JL/- a 93/93 h JL/NS/OK/~ JL b 86/86/86 j 57/- 57/- 23Ha c 57/57/57/~ Felled i f 56 JL l BI/SS/-/~ SS/- SS/- JL/SP c 2008/2008/-/~ 93 57/--/SP c BI/- 2000/- j f c f 60/60 -/57 RC/-/JL/~ a 56/- a h a b h SP DF/SP JL f 2009/-/2009/~ -/BI/JL/~ -/BI/SS/~3517 c JL/SS/LP c JL/SP/GF Openl 57 g c 56 3518 JL JL/- 57/68 -/2009/2009/~ -/2006/2006/~ SP/- 93/93/93 SS 2008/2014/2014RSQ -/SP/SY/~ 15Ha b 93 93/- 21Ha d i 2000 e 2014 -/68/68/~ Open 59/- h h BI/- SS/HL SS h d JCR/OMS 3505 h 56/- 2003/2003 2000 d JL/LP/-3519 2014/2014 SS 24Ha f f JCR 63/61/- 94 d b 14Ha SP/SS/LP a JL 3511 2014 c 57 DF/SY DF/JL/SP e 58/61/61 SS/- j f i g HL/- 20Ha k 57/57 68/68/68m LP/JL/SP b c e 93/- DF a SP JL JCR/OMS b 59/- JL/SY SS/SS 58/56/56 Felled SY/JL d SP 3510 94 c 66 59 2014/2014 JL 57/57 3521 56/56 59/59 HL 2014 3507 e SS d 59 16Ha h g 59 SP/- a i 25Ha 61 e 24Ha m SS/DF Open 57/- JL c JL/SP Felled 68/68 57 i 65/65 b h c j c a SP/SS b c 3520 Felled d SP SS i JL/- JL 68/68 -/POK/BI/~ SS/NS/DF a i EL/NS 2014 58 SS 58/- 57 -/94/94/~ 17Ha 56/56/56 g 3506 NS/DF/- SS/- 59/65 58 g JL b b d 65/65/- 2005/- 21Ha d o 56 SY/AH/- d b JL/BE/BI/~ -/BI/AR f l j 20/00/- Open SS a 2007/2007/2007/~ -/94/94g k e JCR/OMS Felled a BI b 94 h JL/BI/- d MB/SS f b j SS HL/SP/-/~ Open 56 2014/2014 2007/2007/- 56/56 3504SP OMS/JCR k m 94 2003/2003/-/~ 55 2014/2014 e OK f 22Ha JL/SP i d 3503 d d Felled 57 2012/2012 b SS HL/WH l c Open d n 18Ha f BE/JL 94 2010/2010 SP BE e -/BI b g BI/-/SS 58/58 i 2010 58 Felled f -/66 g JL/EL 2005/-/2005 e SS/- SP 55/55 g j g BE/SP h 2010/- b 71 Felled PO SP 55/58 SP/NS/MB HL/- e c k a 62 2010 59/59/59 c BE/JL Car Pk/Picnic OK/- 2010/- WH/SY h a b 58/58 56/- 3522 71/71 c -/BI SS/SY/DF h 16Ha a -/66 62/60/62 SS JL/SP e 86 55/55 g d HL b e JL/SY d Open 66 SS/SY/AH a 58/58 a 58/58/00 SP/HL 2012/2012 c c JL 56 d SP/HL f 2012/2012SS/JL/SP/~ e d e 58/58/58/~3509 RC JL/SY/- 21HaSS/SY 68 67/67/- 68/58 j BE 1880 3508 i 23Ha OK d 86 b HL/JL/SS 86/86/86 i HL/ROK 58/58 b OK a 58 k JL/SY ROK 58/58 58 c FP Map 04 - Windthrow g JL/RC Felled 58/85 Hazard Class f SS 72 h SY 1 58 2 3 4 0250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000

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Scale: 1:10,000 when drawn @ A2 Aug Drawn 2017 Drain 95 Silton Forest Plan ¯

Scale: 1:10,000 when drawn @ A2

a b 3515 Open LP/SS/BI/~ 14Ha 2004/2004/2004/~ c f c -/SS/JL/~ WH -/2009/2009/~ a SS/LP/-/~ 71 d c 2004/2004/-/~ SS/WH/DF g -/LP/SS/~ 71/71/71 Felled DF/SP f -/2004/2004/~ 2016/2016 OMS 3514a 2016 j 3HaOpen HL/SS c 2003/2003 a 3500 a 3513 3516 Open e 24Ha h LP/SS/BI/~ SP/SS b d 36Ha 23Ha Open 2004/2004/2004/~ 68/69 SS c 93 i b b b BI/SS/- BI/- b JL/LP/BI/~ -/JL/SS/~ EL/WH c 2008/2008/- 2003/- 2004/2004/2004/~ -/2009/2009/~ 61/61 h JL WH/LP/-/~ b 59 2000/2000/-/~ 3501 b JL/- k i c SS/- 59/- WH/LP/-/~ 22Ha g b LP WH/LP/-/~ a 2000/- 2000/2000/-/~ LP/- 61 f 2000/2000/-/~ JL/LP/RC 59/- c b LP d a 93/93/93 3512 61 SP/LP 18Ha c 59/62 f e d g d SS/SS b SS d a BI/BE/GWL HL HL/MC/- 57/64 57 59 59/65/- JL/- 86/86/86 f g 57/- a d f JL/LP g b a 3502 SS/JL/BI h e JL/- JL/- a 93/93 h JL/NS/OK/~ JL b 86/86/86 j 57/- 57/- 23Ha c 57/57/57/~ Felled i f 56 JL l BI/SS/-/~ SS/- SS/- JL/SP c 2008/2008/-/~ 93 57/--/SP c BI/- 2000/- j f c f 60/60 -/57 RC/-/JL/~ a 56/- a h a b h SP DF/SP JL f 2009/-/2009/~ -/BI/JL/~ -/BI/SS/~3517 c JL/SS/LP c JL/SP/GF Openl 57 g c 56 3518 JL JL/- 57/68 -/2009/2009/~ -/2006/2006/~ SP/- 93/93/93 SS 2008/2014/2014RSQ -/SP/SY/~ 15Ha b 93 93/- 21Ha d i 2000 e 2014 -/68/68/~ Open 59/- h h BI/- SS/HL SS h d JCR/OMS 3505 h 56/- 2003/2003 2000 d JL/LP/-3519 2014/2014 SS 24Ha f f JCR 63/61/- 94 d b 14Ha SP/SS/LP a JL 3511 2014 c 57 DF/SY DF/JL/SP e 58/61/61 SS/- j f i g HL/- 20Ha k 57/57 68/68/68m LP/JL/SP b c e 93/- DF a SP JL JCR/OMS b 59/- JL/SY SS/SS 58/56/56 Felled SY/JL d SP 3510 94 c 66 59 2014/2014 JL 57/57 3521 56/56 59/59 HL 2014 3507 e SS d 59 16Ha h g 59 SP/- a i 25Ha 61 e 24Ha m SS/DF Open 57/- JL c JL/SP Felled 68/68 57 i 65/65 b h c j c a SP/SS b c 3520 Felled d SP SS i JL/- JL 68/68 -/POK/BI/~ SS/NS/DF a i EL/NS 2014 58 SS 58/- 57 -/94/94/~ 17Ha 56/56/56 g 3506 NS/DF/- SS/- 59/65 58 g JL b b d 65/65/- 2005/- 21Ha d o 56 SY/AH/- d b JL/BE/BI/~ -/BI/AR f l j 20/00/- Open SS a 2007/2007/2007/~ -/94/94g k e JCR/OMS Felled a BI b 94 h JL/BI/- d MB/SS f b j SS HL/SP/-/~ Open 56 2014/2014 2007/2007/- 56/56 3504SP OMS/JCR k m 94 2003/2003/-/~ 55 2014/2014 e OK f 22Ha JL/SP i d 3503 d d Felled 57 2012/2012 b SS HL/WH l c Open d n 18Ha f BE/JL 94 2010/2010 SP BE e -/BI b g BI/-/SS 58/58 i 2010 58 Felled f -/66 g JL/EL 2005/-/2005 e SS/- SP 55/55 g j g BE/SP h 2010/- b 71 Felled PO SP 55/58 SP/NS/MB HL/- e c k a 62 2010 59/59/59 c BE/JL Car Pk/Picnic OK/- 2010/- WH/SY h a b 58/58 56/- 3522 71/71 c -/BI SS/SY/DF h 16Ha a -/66 62/60/62 SS JL/SP e 86 55/55 g d HL b e JL/SY d Open 66 SS/SY/AH a 58/58 a 58/58/00 HL/SP 2012/2012 c c JL 56 d HL/SP f 2012/2012SS/JL/SP/~ Map 07 - Current Felling e d e 58/58/58/~3509 RC JL/SY/- 21HaSS/SY 68 67/67/- 68/58 Open/Felled etc j BE 1880 2017-2021 3508 i 23Ha OK d 86 2022-2026 b HL/JL/SS 86/86/86 i HL/ROK 2027-2031 58/58 b OK a 58 2032-2036 k JL/SY ROK 58/58 58 c 2037-2041 g JL/RC Felled 58/85

f 2042-2046 SS 72 h 2047-2051 SY 58 2052-2056 2057-2062 Felling Beyond Plan Period Continuous Cover Minimum Intervention

0250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 © Crown copyright and database right [2017] Meters Ordnance Survey [100021242] 96 Silton Forest Plan The area of regenerating conifer adjacent Thimbleby Moor will be clearfelled when at a commercial size to maintain the open and wooded heath habitat. ¯ Scale: 1:10,000 when drawn @ A2

a b 3515 Felled LP/SS/BI/~ a 14Ha c 2004/2004/2004/~ Felled f a c WH SS/LP/-/~ a c 71 2004/2004/-/~ SS/WH/DF d -/LP/BI/~ Felled g 71/71/71 f -/2004/2004/~ DF/SP a 2016/2016 OMS e LP/SS/-/~ 3514a 2016 j LP/-/BI/~ 2004/2004/-/~ Felled3Ha HL/SS c 2004/-/2004/~ 2003/2003 3500 3513 3516 a e Felled 24Ha b h SP/SS d 36Ha 23Ha Felled 68/69 SS/LP c 93/93 i b b b BI/SS/- BI/- b JL/LP/BI/~ -/JL/BI/~ EL/WH c 2008/2008/- 2003/- 2004/2004/2004/~ -/2009/2009/~ 61/61 h JL WH/LP/-/~ b 59 2000/2000/-/~ 3501 b JL/- k d i c SS/- 59/- WH/LP/-/~ 22Ha g JL/BI/SS/~ b c LP WH/LP/-/~ a 2000/- 2000/2000/-/~ LP/- 2004/2004/2004/~ 61 f 2000/2000/-/~ JL/LP/RC 59/- c b LP f a 93/93/93 3512 61 SP/LP 18Ha c 59/62 f e d g d SS/SS b SS d a BI/BE/GWL HL HL/MC/- 57/64 57 59 JL/- 86/86/86 59/65/- f g 57/- a d f a JL/LP g a 3502 SS/JL/BI h e JL/- JL/- a 93/93 h JL/NS/SS/~ JL b 86/86/86 j Felled 57/- 57/- 23Ha c 57/57/57/~ i f 56 WH/JL l BI/SS/-/~ SS/- SS/- JL/SP c 2008/2008/-/~ 93/93 b -/SP c 2000/- j f 57/- g 60/60 BI/- JL/GF/SP/~ -/57 RC/-/JL/~ a a a SP JL 56/- h f 2008/2014/2014/~ h 2009/-/2009/~ -/BI/JL/~ -/BI/SS/~3517 c SS/LP/JL c 57 g c 56 3518 JL JL/- l Open c -/2009/2009/~ -/2006/2006/~ SP/- 93/93/93 SS -/SP/SY/~ 15Ha b 93 93/- RSQ/SS DF/SP 21Ha d i 2000 e -/68/68/~ Open 59/- h 2014/2014 h 57/68 BI/- SS/HL SS h d JCR/OMS/SS 3505 h 3519 56/- 2003/2003 2000 d JL/LP/- 2014/2014/2014 f SS 24Ha f JCR/SS 63/61/-14Ha JL 94 d a SP/SS/LP a 3511 2014/2014 c 57 DF/SY DF/JL/SP e 58/61/61 SS/LP j f i g HL/- 20Ha k 57/57 68/68/68 m LP/JL/SP b c e 93/93 DF a SP JL OMS/JCR/SS b 59/- JL/SY SS/SS 58/56/56 Felled SY/JL d SP/SS 3510 94 c 66 59 2014/2014/2014 JL 57/57 3521 56/56 59/59 HL 2014/2014 e SS d 59 3507 16Ha i g 59 SP/- a i 25Ha 61 e Felled 24Ha m SS/DF JL/SP 57/- JL Felled b i 68/68 65/65 57 b h c j c a SP/SS b c 3520 b Felled SP/SS SS i JL/- JL 68/68 d -/POK/BI/~ SP/BI/-/~ SS/NS/DF 2014/2014 58 SS 58/- 57 a 17Ha g EL/NS -/94/94/~ 2003/2003/-/~ 56/56/56 350658 DF/NS/- h JL b 59/65 b d 21Ha 65/65/- o 56 SY/AH/- b JL/BE/BI/~d d l -/BI/AR e j 20/00/- f SS a 2007/2007/2007/~ k Felled Felled -/94/94 HL/SP/- BI JCR/OMS/SS 94 h JL/BI/- d h MB/SS f b f b j 2003/2003/- 56 2014/2014/2014 2007/2007/- SS 56/56 BI/JL/SS/~ 3504SP/SS OMS/JCR k m 94 2010/2010/2010/~ 2014/2014 e OK f 22Ha55/2014 JL/SP i d 3503 d d Felled 57 2012/2012 b SS HL/WH/- l c Felled d 2010/2010/- n 18Ha f BE/JL 94 SP BE e -/BI b g BI/-/SS 58/58 i f 2010 58 Felled -/66 g JL/EL 2005/-/2005 SS/-/WH/~ e SP 55/55 g 2010/-/2010/~ g BE/SP h b 71 Felled a SP 55/58 SP/NS/MB HL/WH/- e c k OK/- 2010 WH/SY 59/59/59 c BE/JL Car Pk/Picnic 56/- 2010/2010/- 3522 h 71/71 a b 58/58 d c -/BI SS/SY/DF h Felled 16Ha a 62/60/62 SS -/66 JL/SP e 86 55/55 g HL b e JL/SY d 66 SS/SY/AH a 58/58 a 58/58/00 HL/SP 2012/2012 c c JL FP Map 08 - Proposed Felling 56 d HL/SP f 2012/2012SS/JL/SP/~ Open, Felled etc e d e 58/58/58/~3509 Proposed Harvesting Map RC JL/SY/- 21HaSS/SY 68 67/67/- 68/58 2017-2021 j This map shows how we intend to manage tree felling in Silton in BE 1880 2022-2026 order to meet the multiple objectives of management there. 3508 i 23Ha OK d 2027-2031 86 Clearfells b HL/JL/SS Clearfells remove all or the majority of trees from the site. They 86/86/86 i 2032-2036 HL/ROK allow significant changes in landscape, species and age class 58/58 b diversity to be achieved in a short space of time. They provide OK 2037-2041 a 58 temporary open space followed by a slow succession of different k JL/SY ROK 58/58 58 2042-2046 habitat types each exploited by different flora and fauna. c g JL/RC Felled 58/85 2047-2051 Continuous Cover f In a continuous cover system change is managed more slowly using SS 72 2052-2056 a combination of heavier thinnings and small group fellings h SY (normally no greater than 0.25Ha). The purpose of the thinning / 58 2057-2062 felling operations is to produce timber and to allow enough light to reach the forest floor for replanting / regeneration to take place. Felling Beyond Plan Period The majority of the site has tree cover at all times and at one or more levels. Continuous Cover Forestry Minimum Intervention - Minimum Intervention – Candidate Natural Reserve Candidate Natural Reserve Managed for conservation and landscape. Management will be very low key where areas will be considered as an ecological refuge. In Long Term Retention exceptional cases some areas may continue to be thinned but only when, and for as long as, thinning can be clearly demonstrated to 0250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 © Crown copyright and database right [2017] have a higher conservation or biodiversity value than not thinning. Ordnance Survey [100021242]

97 Meters Silton Forest Plan Wooded Heath Future Management:- 1. Within the area of wooded heath, species choice is illustrated in the Predictive Table showing preferred species based on ecological characteristics.

2. Across this habitat our target structure would have limits of <70% wooded and >30% wooded by canopy area. Tree ¯ spacing and size of open areas will be variable (FC Bulletin Scale: 1:10,000 112 - Creating New Native Woodland Principles). when drawn @ A2 3. Where conifer species start to dominate;

i) Trees will be clearfelled when at a commercial size. Manage next cohort of regeneration to increase proportion of broadleaf species. ii) Seedling regeneration will be removed before they have an impact at a landscape scale.

a b 3515 Felled LP/SS/BI/~ a 14Ha c 2004/2004/2004/~ Felled f a c WH SS/LP/-/~ 71 a c SS/WH/DF d -/LP/BI/~2004/2004/-/~ Felled g 71/71/71 f -/2004/2004/~ DF/SP a 2016/2016 OMS e LP/SS/-/~ 3514a 2016 j LP/-/BI/~ 2004/2004/-/~ Felled3Ha HL/SS c 2004/-/2004/~ 2003/2003 3500 3513 3516 a e Felled 24Ha b h SP/SS d 36Ha 23Ha Felled 68/69 SS/LP c 93/93 i b b b BI/SS/- BI/- b JL/LP/BI/~ -/JL/BI/~ EL/WH c 2008/2008/- 2003/- 2004/2004/2004/~ -/2009/2009/~ 61/61 h JL WH/LP/-/~ b 59 2000/2000/-/~ 3501 b JL/- k d i c SS/- 59/- JL/BI/SS/~ WH/LP/-/~ 22Ha g b c LP WH/LP/-/~ a 2000/- 2000/2000/-/~ LP/- 2004/2004/2004/~ 61 f 2000/2000/-/~ JL/LP/RC 59/- c b LP f a 93/93/93 3512 61 SP/LP 18Ha c 59/62 f e d g d SS/SS b SS d HL a BI/BE/GWL HL/MC/- 57/64 57 59 JL/- 86/86/86 59/65/- f a g 57/- d f a a 3502 SS/JL/BI JL/LP g JL/- a h e JL/- JL 86/86/86 j 93/93 h JL/NS/SS/~ 57/- 57/- b 23Ha Felled i 56 WH/JL c 57/57/57/~ f BI/SS/-/~ SS/- SS/- l JL/SP c 2008/2008/-/~ 93/93 b -/SP c BI/- 2000/- j f 57/- g 60/60 a a JL/GF/SP/~ -/57 RC/-/JL/~ a 56/- h SP JL -/BI/SS/~3517 SS/LP/JL c f 2008/2014/2014/~ h g c 2009/-/2009/~ 3518-/BI/JL/~ c JL l 57 c 56 -/2006/2006/~ 93/93/93 SS JL/- Open -/SP/SY/~ -/2009/2009/~ 15Ha b SP/- 93 RSQ/SS DF/SP 21Ha i 2000 93/- -/68/68/~ d Open 59/- h e 2014/2014 h 57/68 SS/HL h d BI/- JCR/OMS/SS 3505 SS 2003/2003 h JL/LP/-3519 56/- 2014/2014/2014 2000 d 24Ha f f SS 63/61/- JCR/SS 94 d a 14Ha SP/SS/LP a JL 3511 2014/2014 DF/SY DF/JL/SP e 58/61/61 c SS/LP 57 j f i g HL/- 20Ha k 57/57 68/68/68 m LP/JL/SP b c e 93/93 DF a SP JL OMS/JCR/SS b 59/- JL/SY SS/SS 58/56/56 Felled SY/JL d SP/SS 3510 94 c 66 59 2014/2014/2014 JL 57/57 3521 56/56 HL 2014/2014 e SS 59/59 d 59 3507 16Ha i g 59 SP/- a i 25Ha 61 e Felled 24Ha m SS/DF 57/- JL b JL/SP Felled 68/68 65/65 57 i h c j c a b SP/SS b c 3520 b SP/SS SS i JL/- JL Felled d 68/68 -/POK/BI/~ SP/BI/-/~ SS/NS/DF 2014/2014 58 SS 58/- 57 a 17Ha g EL/NS -/94/94/~ 2003/2003/-/~ 56/56/56 350658 DF/NS/- h JL b 59/65 b d 65/65/- o 56 SY/AH/- 21Hab JL/BE/BI/~d d l -/BI/AR e j 20/00/- f SS a 2007/2007/2007/~ k Felled Felled -/94/94 HL/SP/- BI JCR/OMS/SS 94 h JL/BI/- d h MB/SS f b f j 2003/2003/- 2014/2014/2014 b 2007/2007/- SS 56/56 BI/JL/SS/~ 56 3504SP/SS OMS/JCR k m 94 2010/2010/2010/~ 2014/2014 e OK f 22Ha55/2014 JL/SP i d 3503 d d Felled 57 Mixed Woodland Future Management:- 2012/2012 b SS HL/WH/- l c Felled d 2010/2010/- n 18Ha f BE/JL 94 SP BE e -/BI b g BI/-/SS 58/58 i f 2010 58 Felled -/66 g JL/EL 2005/-/2005 SS/-/WH/~ 1) Across this woodland type we will aim to maintain the existing e SP 55/55 g 2010/-/2010/~ g BE/SP h b 71 Felled a SP broad range of species i.e. birch, rowan, larch, pine, spruce and 55/58 SP/NS/MB HL/WH/- e c k OK/- 2010 WH/SY 59/59/59 c BE/JL Car Pk/Picnic 56/- 2010/2010/- open space. 3522 h 71/71 a b 58/58 d c -/BI SS/SY/DF h Felled 16Ha a -/66 62/60/62 SS JL/SP e 86 2) Existing areas of open ground and low tree density with good 55/55 HL b e g JL/SY d 66 heathland flora will be managed by selective thinning to maintain SS/SY/AH a a 58/58/00 58/58 HL/SP their wooded heath characteristics. 2012/2012 c c JL 56 d HL/SP f 2012/2012SS/JL/SP/~ e d e 58/58/58/~3509 RC JL/SY/- SS/SY 68 67/67/- 21Ha68/58 j BE 1880 3508 i 23Ha OK d 86 b HL/JL/SS 86/86/86 i HL/ROK 58/58 b OK a 58 k JL/SY ROK 58/58 58 c FP Map 09 - Proposed Habitat g JL/RC & Restock Felled 58/85 f SS 72 h Prodominantly Mixed Broadleaf SY 58 Predominantly Mixed Conifer

Predominantly Mixed Woodland

Wooded Heath 0250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 © Crown copyright and database right [2017] Meters Ordnance Survey [100021242] 98 99 100 101 102 Date Date Consultee response Issues Raised District response to issues Contacted received Statutory Consultees Forest Services 07/12/2016 Overview of previous plan performance provided, draft objectives and A range of internal issues were discussed reviewing past and future issues/opportunities agreed for plan renewal as part of the internal scoping objective. A record of issues raised and discussed was shared with meeting. particpants 10/01/2017. Natural England 23/03/2017 Project brief and objectives sent to inform process of Forest Plan renewal.

National Park Authority 23/03/2017 Project brief and objectives sent to inform process of Forest Plan renewal.

13/09/2014 Joint site visit to consider proposals across upland plateaux with NYMNPA (RP, MA) and FE (NR, JB, CB, IB). A range of topics were discussed, mainly future management of natural regeneration across a variety of site types.

Non Governmental Organisation Environment Agency 23/03/2017 Project brief and objectives sent to inform process of Forest Plan renewal.

02/05/2017 Biodiversity team happy with project brief with references to increasing broadleaf cover across riparian zones. Consider installing woody debris dams where practicable.

Neighbours Hawnby Estate 18/09/2017 Project brief and objectives sent to inform process of Forest Plan renewal.

Kepwick Estate 18/09/2017 Project brief and objectives sent to inform process of Forest Plan renewal.

Thimbleby Estate 18/09/2017 Project brief and objectives sent to inform process of Forest Plan renewal.

Community Groups Nether Silton and Over Silton Parish 23/03/2017 Project brief and objectives sent to inform process of Forest Plan renewal. Council's Thimbleby Parish Council 23/03/2017 Project brief and objectives sent to inform process of Forest Plan renewal.

Forest District 07/12/2016 Overview of previous plan performance provided, draft objectives and A range of internal issues were discussed reviewing past and future issues/opportunities agreed for plan renewal as part of the internal scoping objective. A record of issues raised and discussed was shared with meeting. particpants 10/01/2017.

Others Butterfly Conservation Group 11/01/2017 Project brief and objectives sent to inform process of Forest Plan renewal.

06/03/2017 A comprehensive set of records provided by Butterfly Conservation Group, Information passed to FE Ecologist. identifying suitable habitats and tree speceis favoured by species recorded.

103 23/03/2017 Response sent confirming records will be referenced in plan documents (Appendix 2) and that future management will benefit currrent range of species. Forester and Ecologist copied into email to ensure continuity of appropriate management. Yorkshire Bird Study Group 07/12/2016 Report received detailing 2016 record of sightings of a wide range of species using Silton Forest including good numbers of nightjar. BTO 03/11/2016 Data request for Bird Atlas data 2007 - 2011 14/12/2016 Data received and acknowledged. Response sent confirming records will be referenced in plan documents (Appendix 2) and that future management will benefit currrent range of species. Forester and Ecologist copied into email to ensure continuity of appropriate management. SUSTRANS 23/03/2017 Project brief and objectives sent to inform process of Forest Plan renewal.

104 Appendix 2 – Priority woodland bird species, open forest bird species and lepidoptera species

Bird Species 1 Forest location Habitat enhancement

Nightjar Continue sequential conifer felling and heavy thinning adjacent Snipe Wooded heath, Clearfell sites to open areas; maintain a mosaic of open structure Tree pipit woodland/wooded heath.

Willow warbler Continue selective thinning and small-scale felling as part of Yellow hammer Woodland edge, ride, glade CCF management, this will allow the development of shrub Redstart layer structure and increased structural and species diversity. Turtle Dove Expand diverse riparian woodland habitat, create and maintain successional woodland (birch and oak)/scrub habitat and Woodcock Developed shrub layer standing deadwood.

1 Source – BTO Bird Atlas and Breeding Bird Survey data for SE49 grid square.

The Breeding Bird Survey is run by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and is jointly funded by the BTO, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) (on behalf of the statutory nature conservation bodies: Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs - Northern Ireland, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage), and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

Lepidoptera 2 Forest location Habitat enhancement

Neglected Rustic Small Autumnal Heathland/wooded heath with heather Continue sequential conifer felling and heavy thinning adjacent Glaucous Shears and bilberry to open areas; maintain a mosaic of open structure Rhopobota myrtillana woodland/wooded heath. Smoky Wave Scarce Silver Y

105 Catoptria margaritella Boggy areas/boggy heathland Continue selective thinning and small-scale felling as part of Pinion-streaked snout CCF management, this will allow the development of shrub layer structure and increased structural and species diversity. Angle-striped sallow Birch woodland Expand diverse riparian woodland habitat, create and maintain Scarce Prominent successional woodland (birch)/scrub habitat and standing deadwood. Maintain birch within restock sites and develop successional sites along road/ride edges and wetter sites.

2 Source – Butterfly Conservation Group

106 Appendix – F stification

Site Factor S itability omment Score Wind Hazard Classification: class 1 to 3 across all but Tree stability should not be an issue upper margins adjacent 1 across these WHC classes where crops moorland boundary have a regular thinning history.

Soil fertility: The two main soil types present noticeable differences between very poor (typical ironpan, 1 competing ground vegetation with brown earth intergrade), v.poor sites reflecting heathland communities and a greater proportion medium (typical SWG) 2 of soft grasses and bramble on medium sites.

Current species suitability: (med/v.poor SNR) LP, 1 – Optimal Existing species offers a broad selection that can be developed for SP, NS, WH, GF, Larch 2 – Suitable natural regeneration with excellent species, silver birch. advanced regeneration of larch, WH, SS, LP and birch. SS 3 – Marginal

With a combined score ranging from 3 to 6, initial analysis indicates significant areas of Silton achieve a Good (3) to Moderate (6) site ranking for transformation to CCF.

Stand form - Form is good across a range of species. Thinning history - Thinning operations are broadly consistent where crops have been managed over a regular cycle, developing crowns that can act as potential seed-bearing trees. First rotation crops that have been thinned regularly and second-rotation crops that can be thinned will be identified for CCF management on FP Map 08 – Proposed Felling. Currently there is good evidence that larch, SS, LP and birch are capable of developing as natural regeneration across suitable sites. Access – Thimbleby Bank is poorly served by roading infrastructure whereas the remainder of Silton has a good network of forest roads and rides.

On the basis of the above information, we will consider CCF within conifer stands across Silton main block using a range of conifer species including enrichment planting with Macedonian pine, Serbian spruce and European silver fir where conditions allow, aiming for a simple stand structure. Although we don’t currently restock with larch, we will accept this where it appears as natural regeneration.

We will adopt a Group Shelterwood system through a combination of thinning, group felling (0.25 to 0.50 ha) and replanting with suitable species.

Some areas of high forest/clearfell coupes will be managed on an extended rotation basis and will be monitored for development of natural regeneration. Where appropriate these will be considered for developing toward CCF management as set out above.

107 The Forest Research ESC table below supports the range of target species considered for natural regeneration and those where enrichment planting will increase species diversity. Silton - Crabtree SE464944 Future Climate Analysis - 5km Area Projection UKCIP02

Baseline 2 Lo 2 Hi 2 Lo 2 Hi Species Lim Lim Lim Lim Lim S itability S itability S itability S itability S itability Factor Factor Factor Factor Factor

Corsican pine SMR 12 SMR 14 SMR 14 SMR 14 SMR 14

Lodgepole pine DAMS 14 DAMS 14 DAMS 14 DAMS 14 AT5 12

Macedonian pine DAMS 14 DAMS 14 DAMS 14 DAMS 14 AT5 14

Maritime pine SMR 4 SMR 4 SMR 4 SMR 4 SMR 4

Monterey/Radiata AT5 4 SMR 10 SMR 10 SMR 10 SMR 12 pine

Scots pine SMR 8 SMR 8 SMR 8 SMR 8 SMR 8

Weymouth pine SMR 0 SMR 0 SMR 0 SMR 0 SMR 0

Norway spruce SMR 18 SMR 18 SMR 18 SMR 18 MD 6

Oriental spruce SMR 10 SMR 14 SMR 14 SMR 14 SMR 14

Serbian spruce DAMS 16 DAMS 16 DAMS 16 DAMS 16 AT5 12

Sitka spruce MD 22 MD 18 MD 12 MD 14 MD 4

Sitka spruce(VP) MD 26 MD 22 MD 16 MD 18 MD 6

Douglas fir SMR 0 SMR 0 SMR 0 SMR 0 SMR 0

Hybrid larch SMR 10 SMR 10 MD 8 SMR 10 MD 0

Japanese larch SMR 10 MD 10 MD 6 MD 8 MD 0

European larch SMR 2 SMR 2 SMR 2 SMR 2 MD 0

Western red DAMS 16 DAMS 16 DAMS 16 DAMS 16 MD 14 cedar

Japanese red DAMS 16 DAMS 16 MD 10 MD 12 MD 0 cedar

European silver SMR 14 SMR 16 MD 14 SMR 16 MD 4 fir

108 Grand fir SMR 16 SMR 18 SMR 18 SMR 18 MD 6

Noble Fir SMR 16 MD 6 MD 0 MD 0 AT5 0

Nordmann fir SMR 14 SMR 14 SMR 14 SMR 14 SMR 14

Pacific fir DAMS 18 DAMS 18 DAMS 18 DAMS 18 AT5 12

Leyland cypress SMR 14 SMR 14 SMR 14 SMR 14 MD 10

Western hemlock SMR 16 SMR 16 SMR 16 SMR 16 AT5 8

Giant redwood SMR 0 SMR 0 SMR 0 SMR 0 SMR 0

Coast redwood DAMS 18 DAMS 22 DAMS 22 DAMS 22 MD 18

Lawson's cypress DAMS 16 DAMS 18 MD 18 DAMS 18 MD 10

Downy birch CT 8 MD 6 MD 4 MD 4 MD 2

Silver birch SMR 6 SMR 6 SMR 6 SMR 6 SMR 4

109 Officer comment: Regenerating pine, spruce and birch from 2004 is well established along with heathland components. The intention here is for thinning at earliest economic opportunity to favour broadleaves and retain heathland component and then clear fell 2047 onwards

Officer comment: The revised area of wooded heath should resolve the main landscape issues identified in earlier plans. The well- established regeneration in the north west section will be removed at earliest economic opportunity (2032) and young dense regeneration of spruce adjacent will be treated with herbicide or cut.

Officer comment: Approximate Boundary of wooded heath from the 2003 plan. Original intention to fence and introduce grazing has not been implemented and does not form part of the proposed plan

Officer comment: Area s outlined in red are naturally regenerating mixed woodland to be managed under continuous cover with thinning and small scale felling to broadly maintain the current species proportions and open ground (FP Map 02). FC will monitor at 5 year intervals. Good regeneration of heathland components.

110