Coalhouse Fort Park Management Plan
2013 - 2016
1 Coalhouse Fort Park Management Plan
PREFACE 4
VISION AND OBJECTIVES 5
SECTION I – UNDERSTANDING COALHOUSE FORT PARK 6
1. THURROCK PROFILE...... 6 1.1 Population 6 1.2 Ethnic Profile 6 1.3 Age Structure 6 1.4 Indices of Multiple Deprivation 7 1.5 Natural Environment 7 2. WHERE IS COALHOUSE FORT PARK? ...... 9 3. HISTORY OF COALHOUSE FORT PARK ...... 10 4. COALHOUSE FORT PARK TODAY ...... 13 4.1 Site Description 13 4.2 Park Activities and Events 14 4.3 Park Facilities 15 4.4 Public Perception 16 5. BENEFITS OF COALHOUSE FORT PARK ...... 17 5.1 Social 17 5.2 Economic 17 5.3 Environmental 17 6. WIDER STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK...... 19 6.1 Thurrock Community Strategy 19 6.2 Corporate Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2012-15 20 6.3 Community Regeneration Strategy 20 6.4 Environment Vision for Thurrock (working title) 21 6.6 Thurrock Greengrid Strategy 2006 - 2011 21 SECTION II – MANAGEMENT PLAN 22
1. A WELCOMING PLACE ...... 23 1.1 Main Entrance 24 1.2 Paths 25 1.3 Information and Toilet Block 25 1.4 Coalhouse Fort 26 2. HEALTHY,SAFE AND SECURE...... 29 2.1 Health and Safety 30 2.2 First Aid 31 2.3 Personal security 31 2.4 Dog control 32 2.5 Alcohol control 32 2.6 Byelaws 32 3. CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED...... 34 3.1 Grounds Maintenance 35 3.2 Building Maintenance 36 3.3 Playground Maintenance 37 3.4 Path Maintenance 37 3.5 Cleanliness 37 3.6 Toilets 38 3.7 Dog Bins 38 3.8 Graffiti 38 4. SUSTAINABILITY ...... 40 4.1 Energy and water consumption 41 4.2 Recycling 41 4.3 Chemical usage 42 4.4 Green Waste 42 4.5 Link to conservation and heritage 43
2 5. CONSERVATION AND HERITAGE ...... 44 5.1 Historic Environment 45 5.2 Parkland Trees 46 5.3 Shrub areas 46 5.4 Moats 46 5.5 Ditches 47 5.6 Saltmarsh 48 5.7 SSSI Grassland 48 5.8 Lower Meadow 49 5.9 Interpretation 49 6. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ...... 52 6.1 Coalhouse Fort Project 53 6.2 Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers 54 6.3 Education 55 6.4 Mobile Explorer 55 6.5 Future HLF bid 56 6.6 Events 57 6.7 Visitor Surveys 57 7. MARKETING ...... 59 7.1 Website 60 7.2 Signage 62 7.3 Leaflets 63 7.4 Mobile Explorer 64 7.5 Filming 64 7.6 Cross-Location Promotion 65 8. MANAGEMENT...... 67 8.1 Management Structure 68 8.2 Current Financial Arrangements 69 SECTION III – ACTION PLAN 70
1. GREEN FLAG ASSESSMENT 2011/2012 REPORT...... 70 2. ACTION PLAN...... 75 APPENDICES 79
1. ANNUAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS FOR COALHOUSE FORT PARK...... 79 2. PARKS AND OPEN SPACES FINANCIAL BUDGET (AS AT DEC 2012) ...... 86 3. SSSI SCHEDULE ...... 87 4. ANCIENT MONUMENT SCHEDULE...... 90 5. INSECTS SPECIES LIST AT COALHOUSE FORT PARK (2006 SURVEY) ...... 93 6. HIGHER LEVEL STEWARDSHIP MANAGEMENT PLAN………………………………………………..113
3 Preface
Located immediately adjacent the River Thames and offering a unique combination of SSSI saltmarsh and grassland habitat, historic features, parkland, play provision and wildlife, Coalhouse Fort Park has the potential to be Thurrock’s premier open space.
At present, it is a regular venue for local events, is well used and highly regarded by Thurrock residents and benefits from the activities of established local community groups such as the Coalhouse Fort Project and the Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers. Consequently there is a solid foundation on which to develop and enhance the Park further.
Retaining the prestigious Green Flag after the successes of 2010, 2011 and 2012 provides a real incentive for Thurrock Council and its partners to go beyond the status quo and truly take Coalhouse Fort Park forward, enhancing the opportunities and benefits of the Park to Thurrock’s residents and its community groups and volunteers.
The purpose of this Management Plan is to act as a guide towards the realisation of this goal. It takes account of the need to retain and protect the natural and historic fabric of Coalhouse Fort Park that makes it so attractive as a public open space. At the same time it explores new ways of using these intrinsic assets for the benefit and advancement of Coalhouse Fort Park users. In the pursuit of these aims, conservation and sustainability are of paramount importance.
It is intended that this Management Plan which brings together the work of all those involved at Coalhouse Fort Park will not just serve the requirements of the Green Flag judges. It will also act as a ‘live’ document guiding the day-to- day work at Coalhouse Fort Park, whilst proving adaptable and flexible to changing issues and requirements.
4 Vision and Objectives
The vision for Coalhouse Fort Park is simple: To preserve Coalhouse Fort Parks unique combination of natural and historic assets, its landscape quality and its position as a community focal point whilst sympathetically enhancing opportunities for high quality leisure, education and interpretation to the benefit of all Thurrock’s residents.
The key objectives that help to realise this vision are:
1. Provide a park which is welcoming to visitors. 2. Ensure that the Park is healthy, secure and safe to use. 3. Create a green space which is clean and well-maintained. 4. Ensure that the Park and its buildings are managed sustainably. 5. Ensure that the Park and its buildings are well conserved and to interpret its history and heritage through good signage, publicity and literature. 6. Increase links with the local community and the Coalhouse Fort Project through the planning and management of the Park. 7. Ensure that the Park is marketed in a way that reflects its strategic importance within Thurrock. 8. Ensure that the Park is managed as effectively as possible.
5 Section I – Understanding Coalhouse Fort Park
1. Thurrock Profile
1.1 Population
Thurrock’s population continues to grow at a rate outstripping national and regional growth. In the ten years since 2001, the population has increased by about 9.3%. With the population in the 2011 census being 157,705, this is projected to increase by a further 32% by 2033.
With these increases, demand for high quality parks and open spaces is set to rise adding importance to the aspirations of this Management Plan for one of Thurrock’s primary open spaces.
1.2 Ethnic Profile
The ethnic profile in Thurrock has changed dramatically over the last decade. The ethnic minority population as established in the 2001 census was 4.7%. In the 2011 census, this had increased to 19.1%.
The largest minority group were Black/African/Caribbean/Black British comprising 7.8% of the local population.
1.3 Age Structure
Thurrock has a young population by national standards. The age profile is heavily skewed towards the 0-14 and 25-44 age groups, with a lower than average proportion of people aged 15-24. 1 in 5 people (20%) are aged under 15 compared to a national and regional average of 18%. Of the older age brackets, 37% of the population is aged over 45 compared to 42% nationally and 44% regionally, whilst 13% of people are aged over 65 compared to 15% nationally. The average age is 36.8 years compared to 39.3 nationally and 40.2 regionally.
As a result of its younger age structure, Thurrock has a higher birth rate than the national and regional average – 14.8 births per 1000 population compared to 12.5 nationally and 11.62 regionally.
6 1.4 Indices of Multiple Deprivation
The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010 combines a number of indicators, chosen to cover a range of economic, social and housing issues, into a single deprivation score for each small area in England. This score is ranked allowing for relative comparisons of neighborhood deprivation across the country.
Zones of Relative Deprivation in Thurrock 2010
Coalhouse Fort Park (circled in red) is situated near to areas of high deprivation lying to the west. These are situated within Tilbury Town and the eastern Chadwell St Mary. Ameliorating such pockets of deprivation is a focus for both national and local government and given the proximity of Coalhouse Fort Park, there is potential for the site to contribute towards this wider regeneration.
1.5 Natural Environment
The quality of the Thurrock’s environment is difficult to quantify. Local Futures however have created a measure that enables a score to be produced for local areas and comparisons made with national and regional averages. The score considers indicators of weather, population density, air quality and pollution levels, access to woodland coastline and special landscape designations such as SSSIs and AONB.
7 Thurrock has a lower than average natural environment score of 66 compared to the national average of 100. In other words on this measure Thurrock is judged to have a less attractive natural environment than that found nationally. However it should be emphasised that Thurrock scores significantly higher than the rest of the Thames Gateway area. This represents a strong marketing point and should form a part of strategies to promote Thurrock as a location of choice.
In summary, Thurrock has 7 conservation areas with 737.31 hectares of land designated as SSSI. Of these, 68% are classified as being in favourable condition compared to 71% nationally.
A pleasant and attractive natural environment is an important multifunctional asset for a local area in helping to attract inward investment through business relocation/development as well as providing social and health benefits for local residents. Coalhouse Fort Park is a significant asset in this regard.
View of SSSI at northern end of Coalhouse Fort Park
8 2. Where is Coalhouse Fort Park?
Coalhouse Fort Park is situated about 7 miles east of Thurrock’s main centre, Grays. Tilbury and Chadwell St Mary are closer, lying between Grays and Coalhouse Fort Park about 4-5 miles away. The park is nearest to East Tilbury along an approach road some 1.5 miles from East Tilbury and 4 miles from the nearest main road the A13. The site is bounded by the River Thames and the marshes with Footpath 146 and cycleway links along the river to Tilbury to the west and Footpath 147 leading to the riverfront to the north.
Location of Coalhouse Fort Park
9 3. History of Coalhouse Fort Park
Thurrock is fortunate in having within its boundaries a collection of military works spanning a period from the 17th century to the early 1950s that as well as Coalhouse Fort, include Tilbury Fort, Royal Gunpowder Magazines Purfleet and the East Tilbury Blockhouse, Battery and Anti-aircraft battery. Even prior to the 17th century there are records of fortification dating back to 1402 when the village of East Tilbury was itself fortified with a rampart and towers for defence against French pirates and it is not surprising that most of our defences are related to the Thames as a major highway in and out of our country.
Historic map indicating Coalhouse Point
The first fortifications at Coalhouse Fort Park of which we have details are the blockhouses built in 1539 by Henry VIII on the North Thames shore at Coalhouse Point and at West Tilbury covering the Gravesend Ferry route. These blockhouses were in the form of brick and stone towers armed with a variety of cannon and with a garrison of about a dozen men. On the Kent side of the river were blockhouses to complete a system, designed to stop ships of the European Powers led by Spain from reaching the capital London. Although re-used during the Armada scare in 1588 the defences fell into decay and by the 18th century the Coalhouse Point blockhouse had been swept away by Thames coastal erosion.
Following the French Revolution, the British Government decided that provision should be made for forward batteries to defend the river route to
10 London. One of these batteries, built at East Tilbury, was situated under what is now the open battery of the present Coalhouse Fort. It was an earthen battery armed with four 32 pounder smooth bore cannon and surrounded by a pentagonal ditch. This fortification known as Hope Point Battery was completed by 1799. Although rearmed and the rampart raised in subsequent years, the battery was abandoned following the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars when the French were defeated at Waterloo.
French resurgence in the years after Waterloo persuaded the British Government to embark on a programme to strengthen the Dockyards and Harbours of the United Kingdom and as part of this plan a new work at East Tilbury incorporating the existing fortification was constructed - East Tilbury Battery. It was completed in 1855 and mounted an armament of seventeen 32 pounder smooth bore guns.
Increasing concern with regard to the intentions of Napoleon III resulted in 1859 in the setting up of a Royal Commission, which concluded that the existing defences of the UK were inadequate. As a result the recently completed East Tilbury Battery was dismantled and building started on the Coalhouse Fort that exists today. As Commander Royal Engineers, Gravesend, Lt. Col. Gordon (of Khartoum) supervised the building of the fort, but his part in the project has been somewhat exaggerated. He came on the scene after construction had commenced and left before work was completed. Capt. Siborne RE designed Coalhouse as he did with the other Thames forts of this period. Due to the great advances made in the performance of artillery many alterations were made in the forts design during its construction, but despite this, when it was completed in 1874 it was already virtually obsolete.
By the 1890's the powerful East Tilbury Battery of breech loading guns had been built just north of the fort, which superseded the greater part of the armament of muzzle loading guns at Coalhouse. By 1907 the entire casemated battery had been dismounted. In 1914 the main defence of the Thames was concentrated down river from Coalhouse, but the fort had been modernised by the mounting of quick-firing guns on the roof, together with searchlights and up to date fire control equipment. The main function of the fort at this period was as an Examination Battery controlling shipping on the river. It would appear also that it acted as a forwarding area for troops proceeding to the Western Front and other theatres overseas.
The fort was on a care and maintenance basis between the two World Wars, but in the 1940s it was rearmed with 5.5" guns from HMS Hood and was provided with anti-aircraft armament. However, its main purpose was to operate a 'degaussing' checking system to counter the use of magnetic mines laid in the Thames by the Germans. Following the end of hostilities Coalhouse Fort was acquired by the Admiralty for training Sea Cadets and renamed HMS St. Clement III.
In 1949 the Admiralty gave up the fort and let it to the Bata Shoe Co. for storage. About this time it was also used as emergency housing for demobbed ex service men and their families. The Parade Ground was used
11 as a Coal Store during a Miners Strike in 1959. In 1962 Coalhouse Fort was acquired from the Ministry of Defence by Thurrock Urban District Council and became the centrepiece of a recreational park area: Coalhouse Fort Park.
The Coalhouse Fort Project was constituted as a Registered Charity in 1985 leasing the Fort from Thurrock Council. The following year the Project was highly commended in the British Archaeological Awards in the British Heritage Section sponsored by English Heritage. Since then the voluntary members of the Project have ensured year on year access to the fort through planned open days and guided tours. More recently there has been growing interest in the natural environment at Coalhouse Fort Park, manifesting itself in a growing community group: the Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers.
In 2010, Coalhouse Fort Park was awarded Green Flag status for the first time.
Late Victorian painting of Coalhouse Fort
12 4. Coalhouse Fort Park today
4.1 Site Description
Coalhouse Fort Park topography and landform is mostly flat with the Fort itself raised upon a mound. The park is best described as open parkland with recreational facilities incorporating a variety of natural conservation areas. In terms of geology, the underlying bedrock of the Park consists of Upper Chalk, which is overlain by alluvium.
The park can be subdivided into four main areas covering approximately 37.4 hectares.
View from Coalhouse Fort
The south of the site is principally flood meadow and river frontage with an outstation gun battery. The river frontage is mudflats and salt marshland nationally and internationally valuable for wintering wildfowl and wading birds and part of the SSSI.
To the centre of the site are the ramparts to the fort and it is set out as grassland area with planted trees.
The smallest western area is mainly amenity grassland with playing space and a children’s playground.
13 The northern half of the site comprises SSSI grasslands under active conservation management by the on-site Ranger.
Views of the site are both pleasant and interesting, ranging from views looking up the River Thames to views across the river to industrial and commercial areas.
As most of Coalhouse Fort Park is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with areas of SPA and SSSI, it is important to ensure that the landscape character is understood, protected and enhanced in accordance with its legislative designations.
4.2 Park Activities and Events
Coalhouse Fort Park is a fantastic place to visit at any time of the year, it being open from 7.30 am until dusk all year round. There is a playground on site, and during the summer months there is a regular programme of activities primarily held by the Coalhouse Fort Project. The fort itself is normally open on the last Sunday of every month between March and November and on Bank Holidays. All of this is promoted through the summer programme of the Coalhouse Fort Project, which is renewed and produced at the start of each year.
The following events will take place in 2013 (provisional):
Sunday 24th March Motorcycle Day
Monday 1st April Fort Open Day Sunday 28th April History Day
Monday 6th May Fort Open Day Sunday 26th May Fort Open Day Monday 27th May Fort Open Day
Sunday 23rd June Fort Open Day
Sunday 28th July Classic Cars/Vehicles
Sunday 25th August Fort Open Day Monday 26th August Fort Open Day
Sunday 29th September Fort Open Day
Friday 25th October Halloween Sunday 26th October Halloween
Sunday 24th November Remembrance Day
14 In 2012, Coalhouse Fort also saw a high-profile European project event attended by the Mayor where 40 delegates from France, Belgium and the Netherlands visited the Park and Fort. Coalhouse Fort Park will see further investment as a result of this European project in 2013.
European project event at Coalhouse Fort Park
4.3 Park Facilities
The information centre is one of the assets of the Park. Originally housing the generators that powered the Fort search lights, it is now a focal point housing the Ranger’s office and a small exhibition and Park information room with First Aid facilities. A toilet block is situated immediately adjacent both of these and are freely accessible to the public.
The centre is open at normal park opening times whilst the Ranger or Heritage Warden is on site.
15 4.4 Public Perception
The most recent Thurrock survey in relation to Coalhouse Fort Park was the Citizen’s Panel Parks and Fear of Crime Survey published in June 2007. The final question in the section asked respondents which park they preferred to visit in Thurrock, the top three being:
1 Grays Beach (15%) 2 Coalhouse Fort (12%) 3 Belhus Country Park (9%)
16 5. Benefits of Coalhouse Fort Park
The general benefits of safe and accessible parks and open spaces are broad and encompass social, economic and environmental considerations.
5.1 Social
Providing safe outdoor areas that are available to all members of the local population. Providing opportunities for community events, voluntary activities and charitable fund raising. Providing easily accessible recreation as an alternative to other more chargeable leisure pursuits. Providing opportunities to improve health and take part in a range of outdoor sports and activities. Providing an educational resource or outdoor classroom.
5.2 Economic
Providing a positive environment for businesses to locate and develop. Adding value to surrounding property, both commercial and residential, thus increasing local tax revenues for public services. Contributing to attracting visitors, including using the park as a venue for events. Encouraging tourism into the area. Helping to create an attractive local image. Helping to reduce social exclusion and its associated costs to society.
5.3 Environmental
Providing habitats for wildlife as an aid to local biodiversity. Helping to stabilize urban temperatures and humidity. Absorbing pollutants in the air and ground water. Providing opportunities for the recycling of organic materials. Providing opportunities to reduce transport use through the provision of local facilities. Providing walking and cycling routes through urban areas
In relation to Coalhouse Fort Park and its locality, these benefits are more pertinent given locally high levels of multiple deprivation in Tilbury and Chadwell St Mary. Indeed, it is a central aim of government to narrow the gap between the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest. Making Coalhouse Fort Park more accessible to such areas will enable its benefits to contribute towards this central government agenda through helping raise the standard of living for disadvantaged local Thurrock residents.
17 View over moat. Coalhouse Fort Park forms a key part of Thurrock environmental strategy, Greengrid
Thurrock’s Greengrid Strategy recognises these wider benefits and seeks to apply them at a strategic level. Drawing on the aspirations of the Thurrock Community Strategy, Thurrock’s Greengrid aims to make parks and open spaces more joined up, more accessible and multifunctional. Given both local deprivation and the site’s potential, Coalhouse Fort Park is key towards realising these strategic aims.
18 6. Wider Strategic Framework
There are a number of Council strategies and plans that are directly relevant to the Coalhouse Fort Park objectives and the retaining of Green Flag status.
With the recent passage of the Localism Act 2011 and impending reforms to the planning system, many of the strategies that have comprised the strategic framework in the past are being updated or replaced. In these times of transition, it is more important for the Coalhouse Fort Park Management Plan to represent an anchor for planning and delivery at Coalhouse Fort Park, whilst also adding value to new and emerging strategic approaches.
The complete versions of documents are available from the Thurrock Council website; however their relation to the Coalhouse Fort Park Management Plan is outlined below. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list, however does encompass the major strategic plans and documents:
Thurrock Community Strategy Corporate Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2012-15 Community Regeneration Strategy ‘Environment Vision for Thurrock’ (working title) Thurrock Greengrid Strategy 2006-2011
6.1 Thurrock Community Strategy
Thurrock's Community Strategy was last revised in September 2012.
The strategy lays out the vision and priorities for Thurrock for the next ten years. The Council works with partners to shape strategy, agree priorities and make a joint commitment to delivery.
There are five priorities:
1. Create a great place for learning and opportunity Ensure that every place of learning is rated ‘good’ or better Raise levels of aspirations and attainment so that local residents can take advantage of job opportunities in the local area Support families to give children the best possible start in life
2. Encourage and promote job creation and economic prosperity Provide the infrastructure to promote and sustain growth and prosperity Support local businesses and develop the skilled workforce they will require Work with communities to regenerate Thurrock’s physical environment
3. Build pride, responsibility and respect to create safer communities Create safer welcoming communities that value diversity and respect cultural heritage Involve communities in shaping where they live and their quality of life Reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and safeguard the vulnerable 4. Improve health and well-being
19 Ensure people stay healthy longer, adding years to life and life to years Reduce inequalities in health and well-being Empower communities to take responsibility for their own health and well-being
5. Protect and promote our clean and green environment Promote access to Thurrock’s river frontage, cultural assets and leisure opportunities Promote Thurrock’s natural environment and biodiversity Ensure Thurrock’s streets and parks and open spaces are clean and well maintained
As a key greenspace in Thurrock, Coalhouse Fort Park comes under the fifth priority, in particular the reference to promoting Thurrock’s natural environment and biodiversity and the access to them. There is also potential to fulfil the other four priorities by using the historic and natural assets at Coalhouse Fort Park to support education, local prosperity and job creation, local pride and local health and well-being.
6.2 Corporate Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2012-15
The Corporate Plan takes forward the vision of the Community Strategy and aligns its priorities to resources and governance arrangements for the medium term. This document feeds into the service plans within the Council, aligning its resources – financial, people and assets – towards the delivery of the strategic priorities.
In relation to Coalhouse Fort Park, the document provides more detailed context in relation to its role in supporting the strategic priorities of the Community Strategy.
6.3 Community Regeneration Strategy
The Community Regeneration Strategy resulted from the drawing together of the Thurrock Community Strategy and the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation (TTGDC) Regeneration Framework. The TTGDC was amalgamated into the Council in April 2012 making the Council the lead body for regeneration in Thurrock.
The strategy identifies 12 delivery programmes and 5 growth hubs that form the focus for delivery. Within the implementation plan for the strategy, Coalhouse Fort is listed as a key capital project within the ‘Environmental Quality’ delivery programme and is therefore prioritised within the regeneration agenda.
20 6.4 Environment Vision for Thurrock (working title)
A strategic vision document that addresses Thurrock’s environment is being developed in partnership with Thurrock’s environmental stakeholders: the RSPB, Essex Wildlife Trust, Thames Chase and the Forestry Commission to name by a few. The purpose of the document is to support a co-ordinated approach towards marketing, promotion and resourcing of Thurrock’s strategic environmental sites through effective partnership working. It will also be used to support external funding bids.
Coalhouse Fort Park is represented as a strategic site within this document.
6.6 Thurrock Greengrid Strategy 2006 - 2011
This is comprised of three documents set out below which are currently subject to a refresh.
1. Open Spaces Strategy 2006 – 2011 The Strategy assesses deficiency in open space in the area and identifies priorities for the creation of high quality open space for the current and future population of Thurrock. An audit, in which Coalhouse Fork Park was assessed for value and quality in relation to a borough-wide standard, scored Coalhouse as having a high value and as a high quality greenspace. The community consultation highlighted Coalhouse as being one of the most popular parks in the borough.
2. Thurrock Biodiversity Study 2006 – 2011 In relation to Coalhouse Fort Park, the study maps out habitat clusters and barriers to movement of species around the borough. It shows that there is a habitat cluster and chain of Thames Terrace grassland sites between Chadwell St Mary and Coalhouse Fort Park and another developing on restored landfill plots linking the site to the north. The Coalhouse Fort Park riverfront is also identified as a natural feature with no barrier function. In conjunction with the presence of a SSSI at Coalhouse Fort Park, the study demonstrates that Coalhouse Fort Park is a significant biodiversity asset
3. Green Infrastructure Plan for Thurrock 2006 - 2011 The Plan identifies and maps the sites and features that make up green infrastructure within Thurrock, and scopes potential for new and enhanced assets in order to improve the functionality of the Thurrock Greengrid. The proposed green infrastructure network is designed to complement the open spaces identified in the Thurrock Open Space Strategy by connecting sites and enhancing existing assets.Coalhouse Fort Park has key heritage and biodiversity assets that are to be incorporated as part of the wider Thurrock Greengrid network.
21 Section II – Management Plan
The Management Plan sets out the maintenance regimes, park procedures, management structure and community engagement work at Coalhouse Fort Park, outlining current progress in these areas.
It is subdivided into 8 sections reflecting the Green Flag criteria:
1. A welcoming place 2. Healthy, safe and secure 3. Clean and well maintained 4. Sustainability 5. Conservation and heritage 6. Community involvement 7. Marketing 8. Management
A SWOT analysis has been applied to highlight the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats at Coalhouse Fort Park for each of these criteria. A process of assessment and analysis is essential to assist the delivery of any management plan. It will help managers identify the best actions to take over a set period of time and in so doing will help balance the respective needs of park and community. This informs the action plan as set out in Section III.
In 2012, the site was subject to a mystery shop. The results were positive indicating that we had taken on board recommendations from the 2011 Judges Feedback Report. The plan remains very much a “working document”, bringing together all the information relating to Coalhouse Fort Park, for use by all those involved in its management and will be updated, revised and reviewed annually.
22 1. A Welcoming Place
Coalhouse Fort Park’s unique mixture of heritage and natural conservation features as well as more traditional park amenities has the potential to attract a range of casual visitors.
To encourage these visits, Thurrock Council will ensure that Coalhouse Fort Park is established as a welcoming place.
This will be realised through achieving the following:
1. The maintenance of access points, paths, gates and fences to a good, safe functional standard which meets the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
2. The maintenance of all furnishings and buildings to a good, safe functional standard which meets the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
3. The maintenance of all features and facilities to a high aesthetic standard to attract and encourage potential visitors.
4. The provision of good quality signage at key locations within the park to direct visitors and help them interpret the special features of the park.
5. The provision of additional notices at key locations within the park to inform visitors of current and planned operational activities and opportunities to become involved.
6. The adequate provision of suitably positioned furnishings to cater for the needs of the elderly and less able.
23 The current programme of improvements to make Coalhouse Fort Park a more welcoming place has been focussed on four areas:
Main Entrance Paths Information and toilet block Coalhouse Fort
1.1 Main Entrance
Work was undertaken in early 2010 to prepare an outline design for a green- roof shelter that would combine a waiting area for public transport with interpretation. This would be set where the main Coalhouse Fort Park interpretation sign is, adjacent the ditch and tied to the bus stop, inviting visitors in from the car park in a safe and accessible manner. Unfortunately, continuing and severe financial cuts to local authority budgets have made these plans unfeasible. The plan for a grass roof shelter will now be removed in favour of allocating resources toward maintaining the entrance to its current high standard and supporting the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) application to reconfigure the toilet and information block (outlined in 1.3 and 6.5).
While the proposed green roof shelter was to incorporate a more formal bus stop, other improvements to the public transport link to Coalhouse Fort Park have been made to make it more welcoming. A bus stop area was officially marked out in the car park area in early 2011, consolidating the transport link as well as enhancing safety by making the bus areas clearer to pedestrians and drivers. The focus is now to maintain these improvements.
Official brown heritage signs are in place around the borough, aiming to open the Park up to visitors from further afield.
Examples of brown heritage signs at strategic points
24 1.2 Paths
The path starting at the main entrance and which runs from the north around the Fort is in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
A path is in place linking the northern section of the improved radial path to the sea wall to the north, enhancing the links to Footpath 147 and the SSSI grasslands. Given the poor drainage in this area of the park, a ‘cedagravel’ surface provides a drainable surface to the path to ensure that it does not become waterlogged and inaccessible.
Additional tarmac areas are in place around the main entrances to enhance pedestrian links from the car park to the paths.
New ‘cedagravel’ path completed in 2011
1.3 Information and Toilet Block
The information and toilet block, located just outside the gatehouse is part of the Fort structure and so comes within the scope of the Scheduled Ancient Monument designation.
Thurrock Council were successful in September 2012 in securing a first round pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund with a development grant of £22,000
25 towards a half a million pound project that would see the information and toilet block refurbished to create a café and community interpretation space with two grant funded 3 year posts. Work has now commenced on the development phase with a decision on the full project to be confirmed in late 2013 (see section II/6.5). If successful, there will be a marked improvement in the availability and standard of Park facilities that will help make the Park more welcoming.
Completed roof repairs to information and toilet block
1.4 Coalhouse Fort
In relation to the main gatehouse entrance to Coalhouse Fort, renovation works were completed in 2010 to create a series of habitable, functional rooms. Decoration works are currently being completed by the Coalhouse Fort Project volunteers in accordance with advice from English Heritage. Funded through the EEDA Economic Participation Programme and the Coalhouse Fort Project, the works sought to help support local employment prospects and advance Coalhouse Fort Park’s social enterprise credentials. While the precise use of these new rooms is flexible, they offer great potential as a future focus for educational activities at Coalhouse Fort Park. In support of EEDA objectives, the Coalhouse Fort Project (see section II/6.1) are advocating the ground floor rooms as a ticketing office in which tourism skills for employment can be forged. This will make the entrance to Coalhouse Fort itself more welcoming.
26 Further improvements to the Fort in terms of educational and interpretation will be made using HLF funding if the second stage application is successful. The main area of capital works would focus on the information and toilet block as the most accessible element of the Fort (see section II/6.5). Into the future, restoration works will seek to go beyond heritage and nature conservation and support the creative industry cluster developing within Thurrock as outlined in a 2009 feasibility study. This will make the Park more welcoming to such creative industries and would help increase the vibrancy of the Park.
Coalhouse Fort Gatehouse
27 A Welcoming Place
Strengths Distinctive sense of arrival engendered by the Fort
Accessible to all, young and old, individuals and groups
A varied landscape incorporating conservation habitats, areas of historic interest, amenity grassland and water and river features
Free of charge car park
Upgraded DDA compliant paths
£22,000 LF development grant
Weaknesses Entrance is orientated around the car rather than pedestrian
Toilet and information block in need of renovation
Opportunities Renovation work to Coalhouse Fort
Potential for a successful half a million pound HLF grant in late 2013
Increased presence across the borough through formal road signage
Install innovative interpretation around the park
Threats Unprecedented budget constraints to local government
Insufficient staffing levels
Vandalism and other crime.
Reduced maintenance standards.
28 2. Healthy, Safe and Secure
As part of establishing Coalhouse Fort Park as a welcoming place, the Council must ensure that it provides visitors and local residents with a safe environment.
To further promote Coalhouse Fort Park as a safe venue for passive and recreational pursuits, Thurrock Council will continue to update existing measures and introduce new services where appropriate.
This will be achieved through the following broad objectives:
1. The introduction of revised risk assessments procedures covering furnishings, buildings and water features and other aspects of park operations as appropriate.
2. The continued delivery of operation duties in accordance with the latest health and safety legislation to protect visitors and staff.
3. The continued use of approved equipment, materials and services which (where feasible) meet with the latest European or British safety standard legislation or recommendations.
4. Ongoing review of bin placement to cater for the disposal of dog waste and litter where appropriate.
5. The development of relationships between parks staff, the police, the Coalhouse Fort Project volunteers, the community and other professionals to control and reduce anti-social behaviour.
6. The provision of regularly updated contact details for Thurrock Council.
29 The current managerial approach towards making Coalhouse Fort Park healthy, safe and secure is outlined under the following subheadings:
Health and Safety First Aid Personal security Dog control Alcohol control Byelaws
2.1 Health and Safety
Thurrock Council is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its staff and users of the facilities. All employees of the Council receive an employee handbook outlining their responsibilities under the Health & Safety Act.
There is also an extensive set of Health and Safety policies detailing more specific requirements that are readily accessible on the Council intranet. It is the responsibility of management to ensure that all staff knows where to find these policies. Managers will monitor and enforce the standards embodied within the policy, and emphasise the elements of individual responsibility as outlined in the Health & Safety Act.
Incidents involving near misses, accident, injury or damage are recorded on site and copies of the records are forwarded to managers. When such incidents occur, team leaders assess the situation to ascertain whether any modifications to existing practice are required.
In essence, the health and safety requirements aim to:
Minimise accidents, incidents and work related ill health. Maintain a safe and healthy working environment for all and to ensure non-Council employees and local residents are not harmed by our work activities.
For the safety of visitors, notices are displayed at appropriate places indicating where help and information is available. Where staff become aware of the existence of a particular item or situation which may be hazardous to users and which cannot be dealt with immediately, those who are likely to be in the vicinity of the risk are advised and informed of any necessary precautions. Additionally suitable warning notices and, where appropriate, physical barriers and/or alternative routes and means of access will be put if place if necessary.
For contractors, the Council makes it clear that anyone carrying out services in the borough is expected to comply fully with the spirit and intent of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. All Contractors who carry out work in our parks and open spaces are required to supply a method statement and risk assessment, with reference to the works that they will be carrying out on
30 our property, and in what manner the work will be done. Furthermore, all equipment and materials must meet with the latest European or British safety standard legislation or recommendations. No work is allowed to start until these requirements have been satisfied.
In relation to health and safety, there is a distinct hierarchy of responsibility as outlined below. Note that this is not the same as the management structure for Coalhouse Fort Park, which can be found in section 8 on ‘Management’.
Director of Environment (Lucy Magill – interim)
Head of Street Services (Daren Spring)
Parks Operations Manager (Steve Starr)
Parks & Open Space Team Leader (Peter Butler)
On-Site Ranger (Ray Reeves)
2.2 First Aid
There are First Aid trained staff on site at times of maintenance visits and whilst the Ranger is present whom are able to render assistance to staff and visitors in the event of an accident.
First Aid facilities are available in the Information centre and notices are displayed to this effect.
2.3 Personal security
Impressions of safety have been considerably enhanced by the presence of site staff. A staff rota has been established to ensure 10 days out of 14 operation coverage. This will ensure that every opportunity is taken to meet the needs and demands of visitors.
Also, the Ranger has built up a good working relationship with the Coalhouse Fort Project volunteer group, which is important for the purposes of sharing knowledge about antisocial behaviour that may be occurring on site.
Furthermore, the local Police Community Support Officers pay regular visits to
31 the site during the day providing an additional sense of security for users of the site.
The Ranger will contact local police if the circumstance necessitates it.
2.4 Dog control
The exercising of dogs at the site is very popular; however some visitors can be frightened or intimidated by loose dogs running free. Furthermore incidents of dog fouling are unpleasant and detrimental to health.
The Ranger adopts a policy of educating dog owners before issuing penalties under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act. He provides free dog bags to dog owners caught not picking up their dog faeces. In general, dog fouling and dog control is not a significant problem at Coalhouse Fort Park.
Dog bins are situated throughout the site and free dog bags are obtainable from the office.
2.5 Alcohol control
The Ranger will approach park users drinking alcohol in a manner which adversely affects other visitors’ enjoyment of the park and request that they leave. However, the Ranger is not to put himself into a potentially threatening situation.
In such situations, the Ranger will contact the local Police. In general, alcohol related problems are uncommon at Coalhouse Fort Park.
2.6 Byelaws
Thurrock Council has a set of byelaws associated with the site. These are currently displayed in the information centre for general viewing.
The current byelaws date back to the 1970s and therefore are in need of an update. Last year, progress on the updating of byelaws had been put on hold. This was because in August 2010, the coalition government announced changes to the procedures for the updating of byelaws, which subject to the legislative timetable would come into force sometime early in 2011. There is now greater clarification on byelaws on the DCLG website and therefore progress will recommence in 2013 on updating the byelaws at Coalhouse Fort Park.
32 Healthy, Safe and Secure
Strengths Open aspects in most areas of the park
Up-to-date risk assessments
Good working relationship with the Coalhouse Fort Project
Regular visits by PCSOs
Weaknesses Site not staffed at all times
Byelaws in need of update
Ranger regularly works alone
Opportunities Greater community involvement through the growing ‘Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers’
Better publicise when site staffed
Threats Anti-social behaviour
Reduction in staffing levels
33 3. Clean and Well Maintained
Coalhouse Fort Park is covered by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act covering instances of littering, graffiti and dog fouling. By making the management plan aspirations towards cleanliness enforceable through financial penalties, it is easier to promote a minimum satisfactory standard. Threat of penalty is used mainly as deterrence, with education of visitors favoured.
The recreational and amenity areas are maintained to a good standard following the specifications issued to the grounds maintenance team. Maintenance of areas for nature conservation is discussed in section 5 dealing with conservation and heritage. In order to retain high standards and develop other beneficial maintenance routines, Thurrock Council will review its delivery services on a regular basis.
The following broad objectives apply:
1. The continued implementation of established horticultural practices to ensure that Coalhouse Fort Park’s recreational and amenity areas remain well maintained.
2. The continued implementation of existing litter clearing and other cleaning activities to ensure that Coalhouse Fort Park remains clean and tidy for the enjoyment of visitors.
3. The continued implementation of existing response practices, which deliver ad-hoc remedial works to deal with any breakages or damage caused.
4. The continued implementation of existing response practice which deal with the removal of offensive graffiti.
5. The introduction of an annual review to ensure that all operational duties still deliver high standards of cleanliness and maintenance.
6. The modification, updating and implementation of any operational practices which have been identified through annual review.
7. The continued use of reputable contractors and suppliers who, where possible, can demonstrate standards of accreditation within their specialist field.
8. Continued emphasis on educating rather than penalising visitors.
34 The current managerial approach to keeping Coalhouse Fort Park clean and well maintained is outlined under the following headings:
Grounds maintenance Building maintenance Playground maintenance Path maintenance Park cleanliness Toilet cleanliness Dog bins Graffiti
3.1 Grounds Maintenance
The tasks, schedules and standards are set out in the annual scheduled grounds maintenance specification as attached in the appendix. These set out clear requirements that the grounds maintenance team work to.
In general, there is an approximate 20 working day mowing cycle. Factors that would mainly affect the schedule would be weather. The work is part of a general ground maintenance team round and there is not a team specifically designated for Coalhouse Fort Park.
The team consists of a tractor and gang mower set for large open spaces. A triples ride-on mower for closer work around trees etc and hand held equipment for strimming around park furniture etc. A small ring of grass is left around trees to avoid strimmer damage. The task of prioritising and allocating work for grounds maintenance is the responsibility of the Parks and Open Space Team Leader, Peter Butler (see section 8 on Management for management structure)
Onsite SSSI areas are monitored by the Ranger, Ray Reeves. He works 10 days on with 4 days off. This equates to a Friday to Monday off every alternate weekend. The Ranger does visit other sites but is based at Coalhouse and spends most of his time at Coalhouse Fort Park. As he is on site daily, he is responsible for reporting issues and problems to the relevant personnel.
A Mitsubishi L200 is used by Ray to negotiate the site. This vehicle enables Ray to access areas quickly, particularly on the SSSI site and assists him in carrying tools and equipment associated with his work that that of the Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers.
To compliment the Ranger in his duties, a part time Heritage Warden, Basil Silver, works weekends at the site. His duties are tours, walks and any other duties commensurate with his complimentary role.
35 Ray Reeves, Coalhouse Fort Park Ranger.
3.2 Building Maintenance
Buildings are assessed annually by the Property, Survey and Design team at Thurrock Council and identified works are added to the repair and maintenance programme for the following year. All items are prioritized and funding allocated from the corporate budgets. Maintenance of Coalhouse Fort Park itself is complicated by it being part of a Scheduled Ancient Monument with some parts listed, necessitating English Heritage approval.
In general, day-to-day reports of vandalism or wear and tear are dealt with through area contractors with predetermined response times depending on the nature of the event.
Work is continuing on a second stage HLF application that if successful will see the information and toilet block refurbished to create a café and community interpretation space with office and toilets. A development grant of £22,000 was awarded to the Park in September 2012, some of which has been used to commission specialist historic building architects to survey and draw up appropriate plans.
36 3.3 Playground Maintenance
Play facilities at Coalhouse Fort Park
An external annual review of all play equipment is conducted externally by ROSPA who provides a report on condition. This prioritizes the repair and maintenance of playgrounds year on year.
At Coalhouse Fort Park, visits are made to check the integrity of play equipment between two and four times a week, with more taking place during the summer than in the winter. This is organised by the Play and Open Space Development Manager, Andrea Winterflood. Weekly inspection records are kept on file and can be provided if required.
3.4 Path Maintenance
The paths within the site are Thurrock Council’s responsibility. Inspections are to be carried out as part of the annual review to ensure that they are fit for purpose.
Day to day tidying of the footpaths is part of the Ranger’s duties.
3.5 Cleanliness
The site contributes to the Council’s overall open space portfolio and as such is subjected to assessment under NI 195 on Cleanliness. The Cleanliness NI is measured using four key indicators: litter, detritus, graffiti and fly posting. The NI grading system is designed to reflect the way that a member of the public would perceive the local environment. Regular litter picking, bin emptying and refuse collection ensures that cleanliness standards appropriate
37 to this NI are maintained. As of October 2010, Thurrock Council is no longer required to submit this information to central government; however, we maintain the practice twice a year for our own monitoring purposes.
The site is litter picked each morning on opening and by the Ranger during the days on duty. The Ranger ensures that the bins are accessible for collection by waste collection services that collect usual waste on Tuesdays. Bins are sited in areas where litter is most likely to accumulate though the re- siting of bins occurs when deemed necessary. For example, in September 2010 2 bins were removed from footpath running in front of the car park as visitors as the nearby recycling bins were being used less frequently.
Recycling bins are provided at the main entrance to encourage users to think green. These are emptied on Thursdays by waste collection.
3.6 Toilets
The toilets are cleaned and maintained by the Ranger as part of his daily duties.
Should the toilets require remedial works (lighting problems, plumbing, electrical works etc), the Ranger would inform Property Services who then send the relevant personnel to complete the necessary works.
3.7 Dog Bins
Special bins are provided around the site in areas most commonly used by dog walkers to facilitate disposal of collected waste.
Dog bins are usually emptied on Tuesday by the in-house Street Services Team. This can be reviewed and responded to by a phone call from the Ranger to the Street Services Team Leader, Ashley Corbett.
3.8 Graffiti
Small amounts of graffiti are removed by the Ranger. For larger or more difficult instances, he would contact the Street Services Team Leader, Ashley Corbett to arrange for the graffiti cleaning team to come onto site to remove it.
38 Clean and Well Maintained
Strengths Covered by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act
Regular maintenance established
Weaknesses No dedicated maintenance staff based on site
Difficult to enforce cleanliness when Ranger is alone.
Opportunities Assistance from growing volunteer group: ‘Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers’
Community involvement in reporting any cleanliness and maintenance problems, chance to engage community and inform them
Threats Unprecedented cuts to revenue budgets; poor maintenance
Staff absence through sickness etc
39 4. Sustainability
Thurrock Council has a statutory duty of ‘sustainability’ as expressed in the Local Government Act 2000. Under this law, Councils must discharge duties of promoting economic, social and environmental well-being for the communities that they serve. Likewise, since the 2004 reform of the planning system, sustainability has become a statutory objective. Consequently, Thurrock Council’s strategic documents have integrated sustainability principles into its decision making processes.
Sustainability is a broad term with many meanings. In the context of Coalhouse Fort Park, sustainability refers to the reduction in use of resources both on and off site, whilst enhancing the resources within the Park. It therefore encompasses considerations of energy and water consumption, recycling, chemical usage as well as the maintenance and enhancement of the natural and historic resources of the Park. With continuing decreases in local authority resources, sustainability is becoming even more important.
The following broad objectives have been set in order to work towards an Environment Management System based on the requirements of BS EN ISO 14001:2004:
1. The development of an annual energy and water consumption review.
2. The continued limitations on chemical pesticide use in favour of more natural alternatives.
3. The continued re-use of green waste within Coalhouse Fort Park wherever possible.
4. The continued preference for local suppliers and businesses to minimise carbon footprints associated with transport.
5. Through interpretation, make visitors aware of the sustainability principles behind natural and historic conservation work at Coalhouse Fort Park.
40 The current managerial approach towards making Coalhouse Fort Park more sustainable is outlined under the following subheadings:
Energy and Water consumption Recycling Chemical usage Green waste Link to conservation and heritage
4.1 Energy and water consumption
A baseline of all utility usage on the site was established in January 2010. Readings have been taken every January since then.
Jan 2010 Water: 50190 Electricity Rate 1: 26176 Electricity Rate 2: 75611
Jan 2011 Water: 51855 Electricity Rate 1: 29865 Electricity Rate 2: 88091
Jan 2012 Water: 52284 Electricity Rate 1: 32161 Electricity Rate 2: 97326
Jan 2013 Water: 52656 Electricity Rate 1: 34255 Electricity Rate 2: 105945
The sustainability results for energy and water consumption for 2011/12 were greatly improved over 2010/11. Following the repair of a water leak in February 2010, water consumption has seen a 74.2% drop to a level broadly maintained in 2012/13. In terms of aggregate electricity consumption, annual usage for 2011/12 dropped by 28.7% to a usage level broadly maintained in 2012/13. Judged against the corporate 10% energy reduction target, the massive difference achieved represents a significant success for sustainability at Coalhouse Fort Park.
4.2 Recycling
In line with the Council’s current recycling processes, waste collected from the Park is sorted when possible for recycling. However, the current 3 bin system is more difficult to apply at Coalhouse Fort Park at present due to the lack of any formal recycling area. However, there are 3 general recycling bins on site that are well used by the public.
41 The borough-wide campaign ‘Be Smart’ includes education on recycling, which is intended to foster personal responsibility for recycling and encourage park users to retain recyclable waste and dispose of it at a suitable waste facility.
In 2010, Coalhouse Fort Park further enhanced its recycling credentials by installing new benches using recycled plastics in lieu of wooden planks. They are made to look like traditional wooden park benches.
Park benches rendered from recycled plastics
4.3 Chemical usage
The term chemical includes pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, growth regulators and any other such substance.
It is the Council’s policy to minimise the use of such chemicals and are not used unless expressly required by specification or specifically approved in writing by an authorised officer for a particular purpose. If chemicals are used, only those approved by DEFRA are permitted.
4.4 Green Waste
Green waste from tree clippings and remedial tree felling is used to create habitat piles as explained further in section 5 on conservation and heritage.
All other green waste arising from ground maintenance work is collected and taken to the Council recycling depots for composting.
42 4.5 Link to conservation and heritage
As mentioned at the outset, sustainability is a broad term. To this effect, the policies pertaining to conservation and heritage in the next part embrace the concept. They seek to conserve and enhance the natural and historic interest of Coalhouse Fort Park. Indeed, these represent finite resources that through poor management are capable of being lost. The need to conserve the natural and historic fabric of the Park is embodied within the interpretation schemes (Mobile Explorer, signage, leaflets) for Coalhouse Fort Park to ensure that the public are aware of their importance.
Sustainability
Strengths Reuse of arisings as habitat piles or for composting
Minimal chemical usage
3 general recycling bins well used by public
Weaknesses Scheduled Ancient Monument designation and listed building status limits scope for alterations favouring greater sustainability
Opportunities Baseline energy and water use data to facilitate targeted reductions in use
Potential to engage the community on ‘green projects’
Potential for on-site recycling facilities
Threats Lack community involvement, restricted by health and safety legislation
Unprecedented cuts to local government budgets
43 5. Conservation and Heritage
Conservation of both the natural and historic environment is of paramount importance at Coalhouse Fort Park, given how they provide the Park with its unique character.
Indeed, there is more to conservation and heritage at Coalhouse Fort Park than the Fort itself. Surrounding it are vast open areas designed to create clear firing zones, which are now used as recreation grassland and include a number of WWII gunnery posts still in situ. The outlying areas broadly comprise of saltmarsh, grassland and flood meadow, providing natural habitats for wildlife in the area.
In relation to conservation and heritage, the following broad objectives apply:
1. Continue to work in partnership with English Heritage, Natural England and the Coalhouse Fort Project towards natural and heritage conservation at Coalhouse Fort Park.
2. Continue to restore the Fort on an opportunistic basis with the Coalhouse Fort Project, with a view towards a successful HLF bid that benefits both Fort and Park.
3. Continue to apply maintenance regimes on the SSSI grasslands and lower meadow to maintain it in a favourable condition in line with the Natural England approved Higher Level Stewardship Plan.
4. Continue to manage the lower meadow and moats in a way that encourages greater biodiversity.
5. Development of suitable interpretation that will assist visitors in understanding the conservation and heritage that takes place at Coalhouse Fort Park.
6. Development of an education plan to encourage greater use of the Park as a local educational resource.
44 Within this section, greater detail is provided on the principal ecological conservation measures of the Park than the conservation work within the Fort given the Plan’s focus on the Park as a whole.
In 2012, a Higher Level Stewardship plan was approved by Natural England, which details all the conservation management regime’s throughout the site over the next 10 years. This plan is attached as an appendix.
This section is explained under following headings:
Historic Environment Parkland Trees Shrub Areas Moats Ditches Saltmarsh SSSI Grassland Lower Meadow Interpretation
5.1 Historic Environment
In relation to the Fort itself, the Coalhouse Fort Project is the main body responsible for conservation and heritage work. Within the Council, the lead is currently Scott Sullivan of the Regeneration team. English Heritage is also actively involved and is consulted for advice and recommendations.
The Coalhouse Fort Project completed the re-roofing of much of the Fort in 2009 in order to make it watertight and is currently renovating one of the casements into an education space. Restoration work has been made to the entrance gatehouse in 2010 using monies from the EEDA Economic Participation Programme, originating from the Thurrock Council Environment and Economic Regeneration Team in partnership with the Coalhouse Fort Project and the Heritage and Museum Service. In line with the requirements of this funding, this project sought to restore the rooms within the gatehouse with a view towards an enhanced job creation/social enterprise role.
Work is ongoing to secure HLF funding (see section II/6.5) to renovate the information and toilet block (generator house). In general, improvement works are made on an opportunistic basis as and when funding opportunities arise.
Beyond the Fort there are a variety of wartime structures of historic interest around the Park. The next stage of intended works will focus on the toilet and information block, with a HLF bid being prepared to this effect.
45 Quick fire battery lying between flood meadow and saltmarsh
5.2 Parkland Trees
There are a number of trees on the site that are mature specimens. The more mature trees away from the footpaths that die off are left in situ as habitats for bats, birds and insects. Those near to pathways are regularly monitored and if they become dangerous or die off, are removed and made into habitat piles in the lower meadow.
Due to the need to accommodate the conservation aspects of the fort and the requirements of the Scheduled Ancient Monument schedule, English Heritage would need to approve any planting of new trees.
5.3 Shrub areas
Areas of shrub are currently maintained by the grounds maintenance team. However, the shrubs are a relic that does little to enhance the ecological aspects of the site. As such, these areas will be reassessed in the future.
5.4 Moats
There are two parts to the moat at Coalhouse Fort Park. There is the smaller lower moat to the south of the Fort and the more substantial upper moat to the
46 east. Both provide considerable visual amenity to the Park.
The lower moat is the more significant from an ecological perspective due to the presence of the water vole. On the northern edge of the lower moat, the grass is left as an uncut strip to deter people from disturbing the water vole habitats. Visitors are encouraged to use the upper moat for recreational activities.
The upper moat is used regularly, especially in the summer where children use it to go crabbing. This is undertaken for free and has been a popular activity at Coalhouse Fort Park for many years. There is also a model yacht club with events occurring on a regular basis. The amenity value of the moat thus extends beyond that of ecology.
View over Ditches and Flood Meadow towards Fort
5.5 Ditches
The ditches can be found in the lower meadow, which is situated to the south of the lower moat.
Several years ago, work was done to re-establish water voles habitats as the ditches dried out on a seasonal basis. Water can now be fed into the ditches from the moat system when necessary to maintain the habitat all year round. This is undertaken by the on site Ranger.
47 5.6 Saltmarsh
The saltmarsh has been identified as nationally and internationally important under SSSI, SPA and wetlands Ramsar designations. This extends from Coalhouse Point to Mucking Flats to the north comprising 312 hectares. It is especially significant for over wintering wildfowl and wading birds as well as plant and invertebrate species.
The older, established saltmarsh, which lies between Coalhouse Point and the upper moat, is part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. Over recent years, the area of saltmarsh has been increasing along the river frontage adding to the biodiversity and ecological importance of the area.
The salt marshes at Coalhouse Fort Park are inaccessible to visitors to ensure that they are left undisturbed. This is achieved by having a wide pathway maintained along the elevated medieval sea wall that separates the saltmarsh from the rest of the park. This acts as a natural barrier and is important given the fragility of saltmarsh ecosystems, which is now a rare natural environment. From a management perspective, it is an area of non- intervention.
The importance of preserving the saltmarsh is communicated to visitors by the Ranger and will be incorporated into future interpretation.
5.7 SSSI Grassland
Within the SSSI designation that stretches from Coalhouse Point to Mucking Flats, the area of 16 hectares to the north of the Park known as the Former East Tilbury Silt Lagoons is directly managed by the Ranger. Since 2011, he has been assisted by a developing volunteer group: the Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers. For the purposes of this management plan, the term ‘SSSI’ refers to this particular area.
This area incorporates several different types of grassland that includes rank grassland, lichen heath, calcareous grassland and reedbeds. These habitats support many invertebrate and bird species with grassland management being fundamental in supporting those designated as BAP and Red Data Book species. This area was fenced in late 2012 using funding from Natural England as part of the Higher Level Stewardship scheme (appendix 7)
The SSSI represents an immense educational resource for Coalhouse Fort Park, providing positive opportunities to further understanding and learning of rare plant, invertebrate and bird species.
48 New fencing around SSSI grassland
5.8 Lower Meadow The lower meadow, which acts as a flood meadow, lies to the south of the lower moat. This area is flooded during the winter period to help maintain a certain level of salinity for saltmarsh plants to flourish in the summer months.
The lower meadow has pathways cut to encourage visitors to avoid areas of saltmarsh plant growth and water vole habitats. These areas of growth act as natural barriers keeping people to the pathways. The regular cutting of pathways increases the biodiversity of the area by facilitating growth of smaller saline plant species on these short grass areas.
5.9 Interpretation
Because it enables visitors to better value and understand a site, interpretation is a valuable part of conservation and heritage.
Currently, the information block is the main centre for interpretation within the Park. Inside, there is a selection of leaflets, maps, photos and other information available for visitors to read regarding Coalhouse Fort Park. On Fort open days, the public can explore the aviation museum and Fort museum managed by the Coalhouse Fort Project covering the military heritage of the site. During these events, Coalhouse Fort Project volunteers provide guided walks within the Fort. More generally, the Ranger offers free guided walks around the Fort and Park and these are available on request.
There is a sign adjacent to the lower moat that offers interpretation as part of
49 the Essex Industrial Heritage Trail. In May 2010, all remaining corporate style park signage was replaced with more bespoke signage offering an initial introduction to the site. The new signage reflects the branding scheme adopted for Coalhouse Fort Park as used in the new leaflets and web site.
In 2010, a £43,500 HLF funding bid was successful and helped create a Mobile Explorer system for the Park whereby visitors can use their phones or hire a unit to follow virtual trails. At specific points, the user will be able to view text, photos, and videos and hear sounds explaining the point of interest at this site. This was a community focussed project where the digital multimedia content was created by local residents and groups. This was completed in June 2011, with physical waymarkers installed in December 2011.
Should the current HLF funding bid be successful, the existing toilet and information block will be renovated to create a café and community interpretation space. This will enable interpretation to be developed with community input that provides an introduction to the Fort and Park as well as the wider area. A successful bid would also enable a grant funded education officer for three years to drive the delivery of an education plan and associated interpretation (see section II/6.5).
Conservation and Heritage
Strengths Coalhouse Fort Park has nationally and internationally significant natural and historic assets
Existing nature conservation maintenance regimes in place
Coalhouse Fort Project volunteer group
Involvement and guidance from Natural England and English Heritage
Mobile interpretation system (Mobile Explorer) in place
Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers formed.
Weaknesses Lack of a formal education plan
Opportunities Use of the Park as a local educational resource
50 Potential to house creative industries within the Fort
HLF investment in Park
Threats Lack of specialist knowledge to manage and maintain Coalhouse natural and historic assets.
Vandalism
51 6. Community Involvement
Given the wide appeal of Coalhouse Fort Park as a strategic greenspace with a variety of natural and historic features, there is great potential for the Park to act as a community focus.
Its amenity grassland and play provision is easily accessed by the young and active while the Park landscapes of historic and natural interest provide opportunities for more passive activities for those less active.
The Park has also become a venue for a regular programme of Fort events as well as providing interesting filming locations and backdrops to more specialist events such as paranormal nights.
To further develop community involvement in Coalhouse Fort Park, the following objectives apply:
1. The continued support of the Coalhouse Fort Project volunteer group.
2. Support for the developing Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers group who focus on parkland projects and nature conservation, and who provide input into the development of the site as a community facility.
3. The development of an education plan, utilising the educational potential of Coalhouse Fort Park for Thurrock students.
4. The development of a HLF bid that builds on the Mobile Explorer project to create new and better supported opportunities for community involvement.
5. The establishment of a baseline of visitor numbers and usage patterns
6. The continued support for Coalhouse Fort Park as a venue for events.
52 The current managerial approach to community involvement at Coalhouse Fort Park is outlined under the following headings:
Coalhouse Fort Project Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers Education Mobile Explorer HLF bid Events Visitor surveys
6.1 Coalhouse Fort Project
Fortunately for Coalhouse Fort Park, there is already a well established community group present. Since being established in 1983, the Coalhouse Fort Project has worked towards their two overarching objectives: to preserve, restore and maintain the Fort itself for the benefit of the public and to advance the education of coastal defence fortifications with direct reference to the Coalhouse Fort’s design. They lease the Fort from Thurrock Council.
Coalhouse Fort Project tour of the Fort
The Coalhouse Fort Project holds a regular programme of events and open days focussed around the Fort, which helps to bring the site further to life. They also host their own website and maintain several museums and a café within the Fort. The Project also works with the Council in chasing funding for
53 further restoration works and events at the Fort. As volunteers they work within the Fort restoring their military collection as well as restoring the building within their capabilities.
The management plan for Coalhouse Fort Park seeks to maintain these arrangements. It represents a solid and enduring example of community involvement within Coalhouse Fort Park.
6.2 Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers
In the past, there has been a discrepancy in community involvement between the Fort and the wider Park. Over the last few years this has begun to be rectified with a new ‘Friends of’ group developing: the Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers.
To offer greater opportunities for the community to get involved in the more natural aspects of the Park, the Ranger in 2010 started to promote a ‘Friends of Coalhouse Fort Park’ group. With a focus on the nature conservation aspects in accordance with the management regimes explained in section II/5 on conservation and heritage, this now attracts about 15 regular volunteers who now style themselves as ‘Conservation Volunteers’.
Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers at work on the SSSI
It is hoped to increase volunteer numbers in the longer term, constitute the group officially to enhance community influence within the Park and open up additional opportunities for funding and investment. It is anticipated that these will be constituted into a formal group into 2013/14.
54 6.3 Education
Traditionally, the educational offering within Coalhouse Fort Park is only provided on an ad hoc basis by the Ranger. While there have been school visits to the site, these sometimes have to rely on additional manpower from Langdon Hills Country Park or the Museum Service. In short, there is not yet a bespoke educational offering at Coalhouse Fort Park and with just one Ranger working full time, the possibility of a full educational programme is at present limited. The facilities for educational provision have been improved in 2010 however through refurbishment of the gatehouse, representing a significant step forwards.
However, it is recognised that there is immense potential within the Park for local schools right through to university level students to learn much about the natural and historic environment. In no other public place in Thurrock are there as many international through local designations of areas of significance (SSSI, SPA, Ramsar, SAM) as there are at Coalhouse Fort Park.
The first step will be to develop an education plan which outlines the future direction that the management would like to take in relation to educational provision. Given the severe budget constraints faced by local authorities in 2010/11 and beyond, the development of enhanced educational provision will require an innovative use of available resources. Fortunately, the Park secured a £22,000 development grant from the HLF, some of which has been used to commission education consultants to prepare an education plan. Should the second stage HLF application be successful, an education officer would be employed for 3 years. The plans for a café intend to generate revenue for Fort development work and if possible support an education officer beyond the project end at least part time. In this way, the capacity to deliver educational programmes will be greatly enhanced.
Alternatively if the funding application is unsuccessful, there is the possibility of partnering with another educational provider such as the RSPB or the EWT to provide education in conjunction with the Ranger. There is continued interest from these organisations in Coalhouse Fort Park, with a continuing dialogue being made between Council and environmental organisation via an Environment Partnership that meets every 3-4 months. These options will be explored further depending on the progress of the latest HLF funding bid.
6.4 Mobile Explorer
Mobile Explorer was a project explicitly focussed on community involvement for Coalhouse Fort Park. It creates a mobile phone accessible system within the park where users can view text, videos, photos and hear sounds at pre- selected points around the park.
The focus is not on the technical aspects of the project but rather on the community involvement in collating the information and developing the trails. The aim was community ownership of the project and to this effect, a
55 programme of events took place:
6 x workshops 4 schools taking part 2 community groups taking part: Thurrock camera club, Coalhouse Fort Project 4 themes: nature, social history, military, leisure
Photo event 1 day event Supported by monthly competition Linked to Flickr social networking site
Reminiscence events 2 events 1 open invite, 1 by invitation
In total, 189 people took part in the project. The inclusion of social networking elements at Coalhouse Fort Park offers continuing opportunities for community involvement. This system is to be expanded in 2013 using European money through the ‘Walls and Gardens’ Interreg project.
6.5 Future HLF bid
A medium scale application is being made to the HLF for £527k, following on from the Mobile Explorer project and subsequent discussions with HLF. This aims to boost the capacity of communities at the Park and broaden its audiences. There are three main parts to this bid.
Firstly, a refurbishment of the toilet and information block to create an improved community developed interpretation space and café. This will improve the Park facilities for local people in a way that encourages further involvement. The development of the interpretation area is to be accompanied by a programme of involvement activities, much like that with Mobile Explorer. With regards to the café, this will represent an additional income stream to support the Coalhouse Fort Project work on Fort restoration and education. The accessibility of this building is in line with the Ranger work pattern (10 days on, 4 days off) and would therefore permit greater community access to interpretation than the limited calendar of open days at the Fort.
Secondly, the bid includes an education officer that will boost the educational capacity of the Park, and provide the necessary expertise to develop a more formal and sustainable education plan. Revenues from the café will support some form of educational provision beyond the project end, which will be an improvement on the existing arrangement.
Finally, the bid includes a community development officer to support the existing voluntary groups, drive volunteer recruitment, support marketing and
56 social networking at the Park and generally offer administrative support to the Coalhouse Fort Project.
This project framework has been refined following regular discussions with HLF and if successful as a bid, will significantly boost opportunities for community involvement at Coalhouse Fort Park.
6.6 Events
Coalhouse Fort Park has an Events License to enable a wide variety of events, performances and entertainments to be held on site.
At present, most of the events held on-site are undertaken by the Coalhouse Fort Project (see section I/4.2). This emphasis on community-based events will be continued through partnership working with the Coalhouse Fort Project.
A growing number of conservation work days take place by the ‘Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers’, led by the site Ranger.
6.7 Visitor Surveys
At present, there is a lack of baseline data in relation to visitor numbers and usage.
This lack of available visitor data was flagged up in the Coalhouse Fort Feasibility Study with a visitor survey forming part of the suggested next steps.
As part of the development work being done for the HLF second stage application, a consultant has been commissioned to do a café viability study. As part of this work, they will establish a visitor baseline which will greatly help in understanding the visitor profile at Coalhouse Fort Park.
The most recent data was a snapshot survey taken on the 16th February 2010, which indicated the following trends:
Private transport overwhelmingly the most popular transport option Time spent on site variable but never more than 3 hours The Park was overwhelmingly used for dog walking In general, public perceptions of the Park were good though some concern was raised in relation to toilet facilities and bin facilities.
The following comments were made:
‘Loo’s (sic) could be updated’
‘I would like see (sic) a warden walking around, also an emergency telephone number’
57 ‘More play area (sic), sometimes toilets not open’
‘Toilets are grotty to say the least – more bins needed’
This was a small sample of visitors and so cannot be wholly representative. With budget cuts affecting resources and staff time, it is harder to justify a regular programme of face-to-face visitor surveying. Alternative means of identifying visitor profiles are being considered, most likely using the existing social networking infrastructure (Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube) to gauge visitor opinion in a cost-effective manner.
Community Involvement
Strengths Coalhouse Fort Project a well established volunteer group on site
Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers a new and expanding Park voluntary group
Established programme of events catering for a wide variety of tastes
Weaknesses Lack of a formal education plan to involve schools
Limited baseline data in relation to visitor numbers and usage
Opportunities Development of a social networking presence for Coalhouse Fort Park to both involve wider community and understand visitor perceptions
Formally constituting the Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers to enhance community influence and funding opportunities
Threats New volunteer groups loses momentum.
Community groups deterred from becoming involved in the park due to liability factors, need for risk assessments, and insurance cover.
Limited officer time to facilitate community involvement
58 7. Marketing
Most municipal parks in Thurrock rely on local knowledge and word of mouth to attract its visitors. Coalhouse Fort Park however possesses assets that put it above a standard municipal park and therefore should be marketed to reflect this. However, it remains very much a community resource.
This management plan outlines the approach to be taken in relation to marketing Coalhouse Fort Park:
1. The development of an online presence for Coalhouse Fort Park initially through the Thurrock Council website and then beyond
2. The development of high quality signage that combines interpretation with opportunities for on-site marketing
3. The production of a free Coalhouse Fort Park leaflet, for distribution through local tourist information centres, libraries and Council offices
4. Effective marketing of the Mobile Explorer community engagement project to raise awareness of Coalhouse Fort Park and to demonstrate innovation at Coalhouse, as well as using the Mobile Explorer system as a marketing platform in its own right
5. Effective exploitation of other opportunities to market the site as and when they arise
59 The approach taken towards marketing Coalhouse Fort Park is outlined under the following headings:
Website Signage Leaflet Mobile Explorer Filming Cross-Location Promotion
7.1 Website
While the Coalhouse Fort Project maintains a good website on the Fort (http://www.coalhousefort.co.uk), there is relatively little on the wider parkland. It is indeed very difficult to market the actual parkland through existing online channels of marketing given the prominence of the Fort.
The Thurrock Council website was updated in March 2010 with web pages on Coalhouse Fort Park to address this deficiency (http://www.thurrock.gov.uk/countryside/coalhouse/).
Screenshot of Coalhouse web pages added 2010
Facilitated by HLF funding for Mobile Explorer, a more bespoke website reflecting the branding of the leaflets and signage at Coalhouse Fort Park has been developed (www.coalhousefortpark.org.uk). This is linked to a host of
60 social networking sites enhancing opportunities to market Coalhouse Fort Park online. Plans are underway to instigate a regular schedule of updates to the website to maintain interest, which would be tied to the outputs of any successful HLF-funded project.
Beyond these, the Council are able to promote the site through its on-line publications and news stories on the corporate website.
The following sites also market Coalhouse Fort Park through their websites:
The Thurrock Local History Society http://www.thurrock-community.org.uk/historysoc/coalhouse.html
Site and Events in Essex http://www.theessexfactor.com/attractions/attractions_thurrock.html
Thurrock’s Green Grid website http://www.greengrid.co.uk/main.cfm
Thurrock Community Forum http://www.thurrock-community.org.uk nGage Supporting Communities in Thurrock http://www.ngagethurrock.org.uk
61 7.2 Signage
In May 2010, the corporate signage for the Park was replaced with more bespoke signage that introduces the site and outlines its natural and historic features.
The Mobile Explorer trails have also been marked by posts/signs as part of the wider Mobile Explorer project.
62 New waymarker posts at Coalhouse Fort Park
7.3 Leaflets
Much like with the website, the Coalhouse Fort Project produce a very good leaflet focussed on the Fort. Previously, there was relatively little on the wider Park and its natural aspects.
New Coalhouse Fort Park leaflet design
To remedy this, a bespoke leaflet covering both the natural and historic
63 aspects has been designed and developed, and has been received positively by visitors. In November 2011, an updated version of the leaflet was released incorporation the latest developments in leaflets such as QR codes and links to the app store (Mobile Explorer).
These leaflets are to be made available at other visitor locations around South Essex and North Kent, encouraging additional visitors to Coalhouse Fort Park.
7.4 Mobile Explorer
The advantage of Mobile Explorer as an online interpretation tool is that there is no limit to the amount of information that can be stored in contrast to static signage, providing scope for marketing. Its links to social networking sites provide powerful yet free opportunities to market and promote Coalhouse Fort Park online
The delivery of a Mobile Explorer system in 2011 represents a marketable asset in its own right due to it being an innovative interpretation method not to be found elsewhere in Thurrock. The project has proved to be immensely beneficial in terms of positive PR for the Park. It has been published as a best practice case study on the HLF website (http://www.hlf.org.uk/InYourArea/EastOfEngland/Pages/Welcome.aspx) and features in their national publication ‘Heritage Focus’: (http://www.hlf.org.uk/grantholders/heritagefocus/providingtrainingopportunitie s/Documents/Heritagefocus5.pdf) . Into 2012, the project will be featured on the National Lottery website and the Good Causes websites (from March).
The system will be expanded in 2013 as part of a European project with 19 partners called ‘Walls and Gardens’. The expanision will promote links to Tilbury Fort to the west along the 3.5 mile Two Forts Way which will include additional Mobile Explorer trails at Tilbury.
7.5 Filming
As part of the marketing of Coalhouse Fort Park within the Mobile Explorer project, a video introducing the park was made for online distribution by May 2011. A series of video clips introducing elements of the park are available to online visitors and can be viewed via the following link: http://www.youtube.com/coalhousefortpark
The emerging popularity of Coalhouse Fort Park as a filming location (Batman Begins, Spooks, The Only Way Is Essex) is an additional marketing asset for the Park. It is mentioned on the Screen East website: http://www.screeneast.co.uk/doubles.aspx
64 YouTube video of Ranger and local historian introducing the Park
7.6 Cross-Location Promotion
Possibilities are being explored for joined-up marketing strategies with other Essex sites and beyond, for example the proposed Thames Forts ‘Defending London’s River’ scheme, and European possibilities for Interreg funding with Essex County Council to promote UK, Belgian, Dutch and French sites as one.
Currently, Thurrock is part of an Interreg project focussed on ‘Walls and Gardens’, promoting learning of forts and their natural hinterlands. This EU project has made available funding to enhance the connection between Coalhouse Fort Park and Tilbury Fort by means of a Mobile Explorer extension. European partners are keen to learn about the progress in digital interpretation at the site, and to this effect an academic paper on the project experience has been written for publication by the Polish Jagellonian University (in English and Polish languages)
Marketing
Strengths Distinctive natural and historic assets are easily marketable
Fort has strong marketing presence through website, leaflets and events programme of Coalhouse Fort Project
The site is well known locally and is highly regarded
65 Growing national and international recognition
Delivery of Mobile Explorer
Weaknesses Wider parklands historically not as well marketed as the Fort
Opportunities Branded bespoke signage and leaflets covering Fort and wider Park
Increased links with the Coalhouse Fort Project to market Fort and Park together
Increased links to other parks and Forts for a more joined up marketing approach
Mobile Explorer as both a marketing tool and a marketing asset
Threats No formal marketing strategy
66 8. Management
With the aims and objectives detailed within this management plan following Green Flag criteria, it is the role of management to focus on the combined delivery of these proposed outcomes and ensure Coalhouse Fort Park is improved for the benefit of visitors.
In conjunction with the Coalhouse Fort Project, improvements have been made to both the Fort and Park over the last few years. However, the Green Flag award offers an opportunity for management to pursue improvements in a more focussed and systematic fashion.
The management will take up this opportunity and work on an ongoing basis at Coalhouse Fort Park to meet the changing and evolving needs of the local community.
The following objectives will apply:
1. To adhere to any new legislation and recommendations as appertaining to the use and management of Coalhouse Fort Park.
2. To ensure that the Coalhouse Fort Management Plan is delivered within Thurrock Council’s existing framework of policies and strategies, as referred to in this document.
3. To work with existing partners and seek new ones where appropriate, to assist in the delivery of the Coalhouse Fort management plan.
4. To implement the recommendations of Green Flag judges feedback.
5. The continued adoption of best working practices to deliver a service within Coalhouse Fort Park which meets the changing needs of the local community, supported by additional staff training where appropriate.
6. To investigate on a regular basis external funding opportunities, where necessary with partner organisations, preparing bids as appropriate.
67 Further detail on management is outlined under the following headings:
Management structure Financial management
8.1 Management Structure
Director of Environment (Post currently vacant)
Regeneration Officer (Scott Sullivan) Regeneration Team
Head of Street Services (Daren Spring)
Parks Operations Horticultural Manager Manager (Luke Love) (Steve Starr)
Parks & Open Space Senior Ranger Play and Open Space Team Leader (Nick Stanley) Development Manager (Peter Butler) (Andrea Winterflood)
Operatives x 4 Casual Staff x 2 On-Site Ranger P/T Heritage Warden (Ray Reeves) (Basil Silver)
The diagram above outlines the day-to-day management and maintenance structure for Coalhouse Fort Park, which primarily rests with the Parks Operations Service.
Additional support in developing Coalhouse Fort Park is provided by the Regeneration Team, whose interest is based on the site’s strategic importance within Thurrock.
68 8.2 Current Financial Arrangements
At present, the maintenance budget for Coalhouse Fort Park is subsumed within the wider Parks and Open Space budget. As such it is centrally managed with no site-specific financial breakdowns.
Opportunities for external funding to stretch these financial resources further are regularly sought by Thurrock Council and the Coalhouse Fort Project to deliver the programme of improvements. In the past this has included the EEDA Economic Participation Programme for the gatehouse and the Heritage Lottery Fund for Mobile Explorer. It is hoped that HLF will fund a half million pound investment into the Fort and Park in 2013.
Management
Strengths Awareness of Coalhouse Fort Park’s potential
Committed to the restoration, development and maintenance of the Park.
Weaknesses Realising planned works within set timescales
Complicated management structure
Opportunities Clarifying staff roles and then combining delivery more holistically
To establish regular school and other group use of the site
Greater involvement of Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers
Adjust maintenance to support planned improvements and conservation measures within the Park
Joined up working with the Coalhouse Fort project and other Council departments
To promote and market the site effectively
Threats Cuts in parks operation budgets affecting management staffing
Decreased numbers of dedicated staff
Change in the political will
69 Section III – Action Plan
Having applied the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within each of the Green Flag criteria, a number of specific actions have been identified. Strongly influencing these proposed actions are the most recent Green Flag assessments.
There are two parts to this section:
Green Flag Assessment 2011/2012 report showing the actions taken in response to recommendations (note that 2012/13 represented a mystery shop) Action Plan for 2013/16
1. Green Flag Assessment 2011/2012 Report
The Green Flag assessment report arising from the June 2011 judge visit is repeated below. An additional column has been added to show what action has been taken in response to the judge’s comments.
Coalhouse Fort Park Thurrock Council Green Flag Award 2011/2012
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 score 30-44 45-54 55-59 60-65 66-69 70-74 75-79 80+
Status –Pass Overall band score 75-79
70 Desk Assessment Feedback Band score 20-24
Assessment Strengths Recommendations Actions taken Criteria Generally well laid It would be useful to Geology information out include geology and added to site species records to put description (I/4.1) the importance into Species records Presentation of context added as appendix management (2006 survey) plan General updates incorporated into text and Green Flag assessment report 2011/12 table Good policies and Try to progress Byelaws to be re- staff attendance updating of Byelaws, if examined for 2013 Health, safety should ensure central government and security visitors feel safe system is in place yet and secure (unactioned from 2010/11) Good information Clarify playground Reference to on maintenance of equipment inspections records made in buildings and as these are covered in playgrounds section Maintenance of equipment several areas of the with detailed reports equipment, MP (3.1.5 and 7.3.5). available on request buildings and Keep and show records from Andrea landscape of works carried out to Winterflood (Play the landscape for future and Open Space reference and Development monitoring Manager) Litter and dog bins Maintenance of Litter, emptied regularly. existing good cleanliness and Litter picked daily practice vandalism when ranger is on site. Continued monitoring and replacement of Environmental fittings with low- sustainability energy equivalents from 2012 (e.g. LED lights) Action plans in Baseline species Species records place with information is required added as appendix scheduled works to monitor (2006 survey) improvements/ decline Development of Conservation of as a result of heritage and species and habitat maintenance and management plan nature climatic conditions with Natural England for ‘Higher Level Stewardship’ from April 2012
71 Efforts are being Continue to encourage Continue to grow made to involve the a Friends of Coalhouse Coalhouse Fort Park community through Fort Park group and Conservation the Mobile Explorer use local expertise. Volunteers and the Council’s Encourage younger Continue to develop Community website people to be involved. social networking as involvement Obtain and show a means of consultation results. facilitating visitor feedback Potential through HLF funded project in 2013 Use information from Consultation via consultation to inform social networking to marketing targets be developed Marketing Ranger to explore more traditional methods of consultation. Action plan Overall comprehensively management updated The Management Plan needs to be stronger Full updates and more focussed on the park rather than completed in time relying on the fort. The inclusion of for January 2013 photographs and plans breaks up the text and submission. puts site into context Park emphasized where possible, Additional however Fort comments remains an integral part of the Park offering and has been instrumental in securing HLF funding that benefits park as a whole.
Field Assessment Feedback Band score 40-44
Assessment Strengths Recommendations Actions taken Criteria
The new entrance Try to ensure that the Potholes filled in signage and car surface of the car park 2012 park improvements is maintained in good make the site more condition, especially in welcoming. The the area where standard of the disabled parking is A welcoming grass and tree allocated place invites first time visitors to see that the site is well maintained and worth further exploration
72 On site staff and Greater community clear sight lines involvement being give the visitor a encouraged through Healthy, safe feeling of being volunteer group and Secure safe. Emergency numbers are displayed on entrance signs There was very Continue with the Maintenance of little litter or dog maintenance regimes existing good fouling. Staff and engagement with practice. Clean and well engage with dog dog walkers maintained walkers and educate them to pick up their dog waste Energy targets set Water wastage Sustainability repairs completed Ongoing monitoring There are good Where possible use Second stage HLF management sympathetic bid in development techniques in place interpretation to inform £22,000 and the knowledge visitors Conservation development grant and enthusiasm of and heritage secured the ranger helps to ensure that visitors are able to learn about the site The new Continue to build on Second stage HLF Coalhouse Fort this involvement and bid in development Park Conservation encourage younger Community Volunteers are an members through involvement asset to the park school projects and carrying out research practical works The information Use local media to Links to other sites centre is a useful advertise the being made Marketing tool to show people information centre and what is available its displays The good Emphasis being management made on Park as a structure is shown multi-functional site, in the quality of the e.g. northern SSSI staff and Management about conservation, maintenance western short cut regimes of the site. areas for local there seem to be amenity good lines of communication.
73 The quality of the site is far better than expected after reading the management plan. The ranger in particular and other Council staff were very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. This is a very good site with Additional a lot of history and wildlife interest that the comments local and wider community should be aware of. The ground breaking research on the Coletes Halophilus bee is to be applauded.
74 2. Action Plan
Key:
Vacant Head of Environment V Daren Spring Head of Street Services DS Steve Starr Park Operations Manager SSt Peter Butler Parks & Open Space Team Leader PB Ray Reeves Coalhouse Fort Ranger RR Andrea Winterflood Parks & Open Space Dev Manager AW Scott Sullivan Conservation Officer SSu Coalhouse Fort Project CFP
Criteria 1: A Welcoming Place Actions Priority Lead Resources 13/14 14/15 15/16 Maintenance of Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog existing access revenue budget) points, paths, H SSt/PB gates, fences and furnishings Maintenance of Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog amenity revenue budget) grassland to a H SSt/PB high aesthetic standard Renovation of Capital/grant Survey Capital Full toilet and work/prep works (HLF refurbishment H SSu/RR information permitting) block
Criteria 2: Healthy, Safe & Secure Actions Priority Lead Resources 13/14 14/15 15/16 Introduction of Contained (i.e. Nov 12 Nov 14 Nov 15 revised risk revenue budget) H SSt assessment Nov 13 procedures Delivery of Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog operation duties revenue budget) in line with H DS/SSt/PB latest H&S legislation Promoting Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog respect for the revenue budget) site from dog MRR owners through education and use of dog bins Review Contained (i.e. Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 relationship revenue budget) management M between staff and volunteer groups Updating of Contained (i.e. Update LRR byelaws revenue budget) Provision of Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog regularly revenue budget) updated contact MRR details for Thurrock Council
75 Criteria 3: Clean and Well Maintained Actions Priority Lead Resources 13/14 14/15 15/16 Implement Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog established revenue budget) horticultural H SSt/PB practices to maintain amenity areas Implement Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog existing litter revenue budget) clearing and cleaning H SSt/PB practice to ensure cleanliness and tidiness Implement Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog existing revenue budget) response procedures M RR/PB/SSt where damage or graffiti occurs to provide remediation Introduction of Contained (i.e. Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 an annual revenue budget) review to M SSt maintain high standards Use of only Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog reputable revenue budget) accredited M ALL contractors and suppliers Continue Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog emphasis on revenue budget) MRR educating rather than penalising
Criteria 4: Sustainability Actions Priority Lead Resources 13/14 14/15 15/16 Annual energy Contained (i.e. Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 and water revenue budget) HRR consumption review Limitations of Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog chemical H SSt revenue budget) pesticide use Re-use of green Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog waste within the revenue budget) HRR Park where possible Review Contained (i.e. Nov 11 Nov 12 Nov 13 opportunities for revenue budget) recycling M SSt provision in the Park Preference for Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog local suppliers revenue budget) and businesses M ALL for works in Park
76 Criteria 5: Conservation and Heritage Actions Priority Lead Resources 13/14 14/15 15/16 Maintain Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog relationship with revenue budget) English Heritage, H ALL Natural England and Coalhouse Fort Project Pro-active and Capital/grant Work prog Work prog Work prog opportunistic approach to M ALL Fort restoration fundraising Implement Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog current revenue budget) maintenance regimes on SSSI HRR grasslands to ensure favourable condition Implement Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog maintenance of revenue budget) lower meadow HRR and moat conducive for biodiversity Develop Capital (strategic HLF devp Through Through HLF suitable environment) grant £22k HLF project project interpretation to M SSu/RR (pending) (pending) assist visitor Capital/grant understanding Develop an Contained (i.e. HLF devp Through Through HLF education plan revenue budget) grant £22k HLF project project for Park usage M SSu/RR (pending) (pending) as an education resource
Criteria 6: Community Involvement Actions Priority Lead Resources 13/14 14/15 15/16 Support Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog Coalhouse Fort H ALL revenue budget) Project Support Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog Coalhouse Fort revenue budget) Project HRR Conservation Volunteers Develop an Contained (i.e. HLF devp Through Through HLF education plan revenue budget) grant £22k HLF project project to increase M SSu/RR (pending) (pending) school involvement Develop Contained (i.e. HLF devp Through Through HLF baseline of revenue budget) grant £22k HLF project project visitor numbers M SSu (pending) (pending) and usage, with regular updates Support Contained (i.e. Work prog Work prog Work prog Coalhouse Fort revenue budget) M RR/AW Park as an event venue
77 Criteria 7: Marketing Actions Priority Lead Resources 13/14 14/15 15/16 Develop an Contained (i.e. online presence revenue budget) for Coalhouse Fort Park, M SSu/RR Work prog Work prog Work prog starting with corporate website Delivery and Capital/grant marketing of Work prog M SSu/RR Work prog Work prog Mobile Explorer project Promotion of Contained (i.e. Coalhouse Fort revenue budget) LRR Work prog Work prog Work prog Park as a filming location Explore Contained (i.e. opportunities for revenue budget) L ALL Work prog Work prog Work prog cross-location promotion
Criteria 8: Management Actions Priority Lead Resources 13/14 14/15 15/16 Adhere to any Contained (i.e. new legislation revenue budget) & advice H ALL Work prog Work prog Work prog pertaining to Park management Ensure Contained (i.e. management revenue budget) plan delivered within Council’s H ALL Work prog Work prog Work prog existing framework of policies and strategies. Work with Contained (i.e. existing revenue budget) partners and seek new ones H ALL Work prog Work prog Work prog to achieve management plan delivery Completion of Contained (i.e. all outstanding revenue budget) works identified H ALL Work prog Work prog Work prog in most recent Capital (strategic Green Flag environment) report Adoption of best Contained (i.e. working revenue budget) practices and training to M ALL Work prog Work prog Work prog deliver a flexible, effective service Regularly Contained (i.e. investigate and revenue budget) apply for M ALL Work prog Work prog Work prog external funding opportunities
78 Appendices
1. Annual scheduled maintenance specifications for Coalhouse Fort Park. Grounds Maintenance Organised via on site staff to the client officer. Maintenance schedules / frequency vary seasonally. All grounds maintenance is done in accordance with pre defined specifications. 1 Specification 1.1 Grassland Maintenance generally 1.1.1 The full extent of any discrete grassland area shall be cut to a uniform standard to within 200mm of any boundary, tree impedimenta or other immovable feature higher than the adjacent grassland. 1.1.2 Grass cutting shall be carried out in such a manner as to avoid damage to any adjacent feature. 1.1.3 All grass cutting within the site shall be completed within a period of two consecutive day’s unless conditions occur which will cause damage to, or deterioration of, the existing surface. The operator shall report such conditions to the Authorised Officer. 1.1.4 The site staff shall ensure that lawn type grassland is kept substantially free of leaf-fall and blossom and its healthy and true to colour throughout the year. 1.2 Grass cutting standards 1.2.1 All grass shall be cut cleanly and evenly and within the height range specified in table 1.1 for the appropriate type of grassland. 1.2.2 The frequency of grass cutting shall be not less than is necessary to maintain the grass at a height less than the maximum growth height permitted in table 1.1 for the appropriate type of grassland. 1.2.3 Notwithstanding clause 1.2.2 grass cutting shall be carried out on not less than the minimum number of occasions each year given in table 1.1 for the appropriate type of grassland.
79 DESCRIPTION MAXIMUM CUTTING HEIGHT, MM MINIMUM NO. OF GROWTH MIN MAX CUTS PER ANNUM HEIGHT mm
Level Areas Lawn grassland 30 15 25 30 General grassland 60 25 30 20 Semi-rough grassland 150 75 85 6 Rough grassland 300 75 100 2 (conservation / meadow)
1.3 Litter and Stones 1.3.1 Any object within a grassland area likely to cause injury to people, animals or property either during or after grass cutting operations, or any object likely to cause excessive litter contamination if cut shall be collected as work proceeds and removed and disposed of in the proper manner. 1.4 Arisings 1.4.1 Grass risings from lawn type grassland or from such other areas of grassland as the Authorised Officer may instruct shall be collected during cutting and removed from site to the Council’s recycling depot for use as compost. 1.4.2 Grass risings from lawn or general type grassland falling onto adjacent hard surfaces, mowing margins, channels or beds shall be collected as work proceeds and removed from site to the Council’s recycling depot for use as compost. 1.4.3 Grass risings from the cutting of grassland areas on which the permitted maximum growth height stated in table 1.1 has been exceeded shall be collected during cutting and removed from site to the Council’s recycling depot for use as compost. 1.4.4 Uncollected grass risings shall be evenly distributed across grassland areas and shall not be left in lines or piles. 1.5 Weed Control within Grassland 1.5.1. Weed and moss growth within lawn type grassland shall be controlled such that it does not exceed 10% by area of any sample area one metre square, and such that the area of any concentrated growth does not exceed 0.1 sqm 1.5.2.1 Weed and moss growth within general type grassland shall be controlled such that it does not exceed 40% by area of any sample area one metre square.
80 2 Cleanliness of the Site 2.1 Litter Bins/Dogg Bins 2.1.1 Staff shall empty all litter bins at least once a day during non busy periods before 10am Monday to Friday or if bins become ¾ full at any given time. They shall be emptied at least three times per day during busy periods. Once before 10am, once at midday and once one hour before the end of the working day. Litter will be transferred to Eurobins and will be disposed of by Contractors. 2.1.2 All litter bins shall be thoroughly cleaned on at least two occasions each year. 2.1.3 At no given time shall litter bins be allowed to overspill. 2.1.4 The site shall be litter picked by on site staff every morning and afternoon. Floating staff in high peak seasons will also litter pick. 2.1.5 Dog bins will be emptied regularly by Contractors. 2.2 Notice Boards & Sign Boards 2.2.1 The staff shall ensure that all notice boards and sign boards are at all times in position, firmly located in the ground and clearly legible, free from dirt, grime and graffiti. 3 Play Equipment (including Activity items) 3.1.1 The staff shall be responsible for the inspection and routine maintenance of all Play Equipment, associated areas of safety surfacing and activities such as Bouncy Castle, Adventure Golf etc. 3.1.2 Inspection work to play equipment and activity items shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of BS EN 1176 (part 7) for Playground equipment and the relevant standards and Health and Safety manuals for activity items in accordance to the manufacturers requirements. 3.1.3 Staff shall inspect the surfacing and all items of play equipment. All equipment shall be left in good working order, safe and free for use. Staff shall ensure that, at the time of inspection, the equipment and the whole of the associated play area is free from all litter, glass and any other material that may either impede play or increase the possibility of injury. 3.1.4 Where inspection reveals that either the equipment or its associated surfacing are in such a condition as to render it unsafe for use, staff shall immediately take appropriate action to minimize the possibility of injury. Any such occurrence shall be reported to the Authorised Officer within 4 hours of its discovery.
81 3.1.5 The results of all inspections of play equipment and activity items shall be recorded contemporaneously and reported to the Authorised Officer on Friday of each week. Forms for this purpose will be provided by the Authorised Officer. Maintenance of Play Equipment 3.1.6 The staff shall, in the first two weeks of each season, lubricate the moving parts of all play equipment in accordance with the manufacture’s recommendations. Any excess lubricant shall be removed and both the equipment and its associated surfacing left clean and free for use. 3.1.7 Once each year during winter season, staff shall paint all metal surfaces with a good quality lead-free paint approved by the Authorised Officer. Timber surfaces shall be treated with appropriate preservative approved by the Authorised Officer. Prior to the application of the paint and preservative, all surfaces shall be thoroughly cleaned and left smooth and splinter free, corrosion free, loose paint and oil or grease free. 1.1.8 Preservative and paint work to all surfaces shall be to a colour scheme and to a standard approved by the Authorised Officer. Staff shall take necessary steps to ensure that the finish obtained is not adversely affected by weather. All associated surface areas shall be protected during operations so as to leave clean and unaffected by spillage. 3.1.9 All equipment subject to preservative or painting treatment shall be protected outside working hours by physical barriers until such time as treatment or paint is complete and dry and the equipment ready for use. 3.2 Seats, Benches, Tables and Buildings 3.2.1 The staff shall be responsible for inspection and routine maintenance of all seats, benches and tables within the site. 3.2.2 Once every year during winter season the staff shall treat the surfaces of all timber items with an approved preservative. Paint all items with the approved Paint and Colours 3.2.3 The staff shall ensure that items at all times clean and free from dust, grime, grease, graffiti or other deleterious materials. 3.2.4 Any defects discovered are to be repaired within 48 hours. Where inspections reveal that the item is in such a condition as to render it unsafe for use, staff shall immediately take appropriate action to minimize the possibility of injury. 3.3 Maintenance Programme 3.2.1 Cut back all overhanging shrubs/branches from walkways. 3.2.2 Weed beds, edge pathways.
82 3.2.3 Paint/varnish play equipment, benches/tables, railings, outside toilets. 3.2.4 Service all machinery, tools and equipment. 3.2.5 Wash down interior café walls & floor. Paint every 3 years. 4 Natural Vegetation 4.1 SSSI grasslands and flood meadow 4.1.1 SSSI grasslands and flood meadow shall be maintained in such a manner as to retain and encourage the natural or induced flora in line with the Natural England approved Higher Level Stewardship plan. 4.1.2 The cutting of the SSSI grasslands and flood meadow shall be carried out in such a manner as to avoid damage to, or deterioration of, the existing surface. Any such occurrence shall report such conditions to the Authorised Officer. 4.1.3 The cutting of any SSSI grassland and flood meadow area shall be completed within a period of two consecutive days unless conditions occur which will cause damage to, or deterioration of, the existing surface. The staff shall report such conditions to the Authorised Officer (Steve Starr). 4.1.4 Any object within the SSSI grasslands and flood meadow likely to cause injury to people, animals or property either during or after cutting operations; or any object likely to cause excessive litter contamination if cut shall be collected as work proceeds and removed from site. 4.1.5 Risings from the cutting of the SSSI grasslands and flood meadow shall be collected and removed to the Councils recycling depot for use as compost. 4.2 Naturalised shrubbery 4.2.1 Weed growth within a 1m wide margin around the boundary of naturalised shrubberies shall be controlled such that it does not exceed 5% by area of any sample area one metre square. On certain occasions specified elsewhere the boundary strip shall be completely free of weed growth. 4.2.2 During mid-autumn of each year the full extent of naturalised shrubberies shall be weeded in such a manner as to ensure that immediately upon completion of weeding the shrubbery is completely free of weed growth. 4.2.3 Unless otherwise directed by the Authorised Officer, the staff shall prune individual shrubs within naturalised shrubberies wherever necessary to remove dead or diseased wood and to ensure that branches do not impede the proper use of any pathways, or cause nuisance to adjacent properties.
83 4.2.4 Pruning shall be carried out by cutting in such a manner as to leave wounds smooth and free of snags. 4.2.5 Risings from weed control and pruning of naturalised shrubberies shall be collected as work proceeds and removed from site to the Council’s recycling depot for use as compost. 4.3. Scrubland and Thicket 4.3.1 Within areas of scrubland or thicket, routine maintenance shall not be required. 4.3.2 If instructed by the Authorised Officer the staff shall reduce the height of grass within areas of scrubland or thicket or carry out such other work as may be directed as necessary to reduce the likely consequences of an outbreak of fire. 4.4 Woodland and Copses 4.4.1 Woodland and copses shall be maintained in such a manner as to retain a natural habitat for wild flora and fauna. 4.4.2 The staff shall ensure that the undergrowth within woodland and copses is controlled such that it does not impede the proper use of pathways and open space usage. 4.4.3 Unless otherwise instructed by the Authorised Officer, the staff shall prune individual trees within woodland and copses wherever necessary to ensure that branches do not impede the proper use of pathways and open, or cause nuisance to neighbouring property. 4.4.4 Before commencing tree pruning the staff shall erect such notices and protective barriers as maybe necessary to prevent injury to any person or property. 4.4.5 Unless otherwise directed by the Authorised Officer the staff shall limit the extent of additional pruning to the removal of branches which are dead, diseased or damaged, or which impede the proper use of pathways or open space, or cause nuisance to adjacent property, and to the removal of suckers or other adventitious growth. 4.4.6 Branches to be pruned shall be removed at their point of origin, but not beyond the branch collar if removed from a main limb or the bole, by cutting in such manner as to leave the wound smooth and free of snags. 4.4.7 Where branches of a diameter greater than 250mm are removed from the bole, the resultant wound shall be treated by carefully cutting back to healthy tissue. 4.4.8 Risings from pruning, including any lodged in the tree, shall be collected as work proceeds and removed from site to the Council’s tip or used for recycling where possible.
84 5 Coalhouse Fort Park Policy relating to the use of Pesticides. The following has been extracted from the Grounds Maintenance Specification and applies to Coalhouse Fort Park; The term chemicals includes pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, growth regulators or any other substance, preparation or organism prepared or used amongst other uses to protect or control plants, weeds or other plant products from harmful organisms, to regulate plant growth, to give protection against harmful creatures or to render such creatures harmless.
It is the Council’s policy to minimize the use of chemicals. Their use in connection with work carried out under this contract will be both limited and strictly controlled. Chemicals shall not be used unless expressly required by this specification or specifically approved in writing by the Authorised Officer for a particular purpose. Only those chemicals approved by DEFRA (Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs).
85 2. Parks and Open Spaces Financial Budget (as at Dec 2012) Figures in £1000 increments
Budget Head Service Sub Service Cost Centre Last Year Outturn
Greening PN126 - General Parks and Services Parks and Open Spaces Open Spaces Capital Financing (indirect) 317,601 Recharges in (indirect) 40,863 Support costs (indirect total) 254,001 Capital financing 33,158 Employees 259,052 Income/Revenue 126,329 Premises 108,925 Supplies and Services 68,753 Third Party Payments 56,552 Transport 22,655 PN126 - General Parks and Open Spaces Total 1,035,232 Parks and Open Spaces Total 1,035,232 3. SSSI Schedule
COUNTY: ESSEX SITE NAME: MUCKING FLATS & MARSHES DISTRICT: THURROCK
Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Local Planning Authority: Thurrock Borough Council
National Grid Reference: TQ 696785 Area: 311.56 (ha.) 769.86 (ac.)
Ordnance Survey Sheet 1:500,000: 178 1:10,0000: TQ 67 NE TQ 68 E TQ 77 NW TQ 78 SW
Date notified (Under 1949 Act): - Date of Last Revision: - Date Notified (Under 1981 Act): 1991 Date of Last Revision: -
Other Information: This is a new site.
Description and Reasons for Notification: Mucking Flats and Marshes comprise an extensive stretch of Thames mudflats and saltmarsh, together with sea wall grassland. Wintering wildfowl and waders reach both nationally and internationally important numbers on the mudflats, roosting and feeding on adjacent saltmarsh and disused silt lagoons.
The mudflats form the largest intertidal feeding area for wintering wildfowl and waders west of Canvey Island on the north bank of the Thames. Ringed Plover occur in internationally important numbers, with nationally important populations of Shelduck, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank. Other species occur in good numbers, with Avocet regularly present, sometimes in nationally important numbers. The mudflats and saltmarsh are also an important staging post for passage migrants, with significant numbers of waders such as Curlew sandpiper and an important late summer flock of yellow-legged herring gulls. The saltmarshes provide important high tide roosts, as do the disused silt lagoons at Coalhouse Fort. The value of the site is enhanced by its proximity to Cliffs and Cooling Marshes SSSI and Higham Marshes SSSI across the Thames in Kent, with which there is an interchange of roosting and feeding birds.
87 Between the sea wall and mean high water line lie areas of high level saltmarsh of a type uncommon in Essex. The vegetation is dominated by sea couch Elymus pycnanthus and sea purslane Halimione portulacoides, with sea aster Aster tripolium, common sealavender Limonium vulgare and common saltmarsh-grass Puccinellia maritima. Fragments of lower saltmarsh include glasswort Salicornia spp., common cordgrass Spartina anglica and lesser sea-spurrey Spergularia marina, together with the nationally scarce golden samphire Inula crithmoides. The saltmarshes are truncated to their landward edge by sea walls, which in places are vegetated with a sward dominated by sea couch Elymus pycnanthus. The saltmarsh has a high invertebrate interest, which includes the rare spider Baryphyma duffeyi, as well as many notable and local species.
88 89 4. Ancient Monument Schedule
Ancient Monument Schedule FILE REFERENCE: AA 41610/1 SCHEDULE ENTRY COPY
ENTRY IN THE SCHEDULE OF MONUMENTS COMPILED AND MAINTAINED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER SECTION 1 OF THE ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREAS ACT 1979 AS AMENDED.
MONUMENT: Coalhouse Fort battery and artillery defences
PARISH: THURROCK
DISTRICT: THURROCK
COUNTY: THURROCK
NATIONAL MONUMENT NO:
12707
NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE(S): TQ69107663
DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT
The monument comprises the Victorian Coalhouse Fort at East Tilbury, with its associated railway link and jetty and its rifle range, as well as the foundations of an Henrician 'blockhouse' coastal battery, a late 19th century 'Quick-Firer' battery and a low-level radar tower dating from World War II. The earliest of this remarkable sequence of Thameside defences is the blockhouse, the construction of which was ordered by Henry VIII in 1539/40. It was built of stone and timber robbed from St Margaret's Chantry nearby. Nothing is visible of the structure itself but the landward ditch survives as a creek, and timber palisading running along the shore in the area may belong to this phase. Beside the blockhouse a jetty was built, perhaps initially to support the blockhouse but later to land coal. After several phases of rebuilding, the jetty served Coalhouse Fort, to which it was joined by a full- gauge railway line which survives almost intact but for the tracks themselves. The first phase of the fort, begun in 1799, was replaced in 1847-55 by a more complex structure which was in turn superseded by the present buildings between 1861-74. This latest fort was added to in the First and Second World Wars and only went out of military use in 1949. Near the waterfront a little distance from the fort are a 19th century battery for Quick-Firer guns and searchlights, a rifle range and a World War II low- level radar tower. The structures form a remarkable group of defensive sites at the strategically important Coalhouse Point.
SIGNED BY: A R Middleton On behalf of the Secretary of State for National Heritage.
90 ASSESSMENT OF IMPORTANCE
Coalhouse Fort is a remarkably well preserved late 19th century fort built Continuedfrom previous page . NATIONAL MONUMENT NO: 12707 on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the UK in 1860. It is one of the finest examples of an armoured casemate fort in England and is well documented historically. The jetty and railway line are an integral part of the fort. The Henrician blockhouse is well documented historically and has high archaeological potential due to waterlogging. Such a site adds to the knowledge of the coastal fortifications made by Henry VIII. The Quick-Firer battery, built in 1893, is the sole surviving purpose-built battery of its type in the Thames basin. The rifle range is an unusual survival which adds to the known range of earthwork monuments and is closely associated with the fort. Virtually intact World War II radar installations of the type at East Tilbury are known at only two other places in England, making this an extremely rare survivor of a once widespread system. The group of structures demonstrate the former strategic importance of Coalhouse Point and demonstrate the changing approaches to defence over 400 years. Furthermore the sites formed elements of wider defence systems designed to protect the Thames Estuary and especially London.
MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract outlined in black and highlighted in red.
SCHEDULING HISTORY
Monument included in the schedule on 9th August 1962 as: COUNTY/NUMBER: Essex 128 NAME: Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury
Scheduling amended on 2nd April 1990 to: COUNTY/NUMBER: Essex 12707 NAME: Coalhouse Fort Battery and Artillery Defences
The reference of this monument is now: NATIONAL MONUMENT NUMBER: 12707 NAME: Coalhouse Fort battery and artillery defences
SIGNED BY: A R Middleton On behalf of the Secretary of State for National Heritage. Continued from previous page .. NATIONAL MONUMENT NO: 12707
SCHEDULING AFFIRMED ON 12th September 1995
SIGNED BY: A R Middleton On behalf of the Secretary of State for National Heritage.
91 92 5. Insects Species List at Coalhouse Fort Park (2006 survey)
Order Family Taxon First Last Status Essex Status Essex Record Record Threat Arachnidia: Araneae Agelenidae Agelena labyrinthica 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Araneidae Agalenatea redii 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Araneidae Araneus quadratus 1986 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Araneidae Araniella cucurbitina sens. str. 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Araneidae Araniella opisthographa 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Araneidae Argiope bruennichi 1999 2006 Notable/Na ERD species Regionally important Arachnidia: Araneae Araneidae Hypsosinga pygmea 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Araneidae Larinioides cornutus 1985 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Araneidae Neoscona adianta 1999 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Clubionidae Cheiracanthium virescens 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Clubionidae Clubiona phragmitis 1985 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Clubionidae Clubiona stagnatilis 1985 1985 Arachnidia: Araneae Clubionidae Clubiona subtilis 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Dictynidae Argenna patula 1985 1985 pUKBAP, Notable/Bb ERD species Essex threatened Arachnidia: Araneae Dictynidae Argenna subnigra 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Dictynidae Dictyna arundinacea 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Dictynidae Dictyna latens 2000 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Dictynidae Dictyna uncinata 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Dictynidae Dysdera crocata 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Gnaphosidae Drassodes cupreus 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Gnaphosidae Drassyllus pusillus 2006 2006 Unknown Arachnidia: Araneae Gnaphosidae Haplodrassus signifier 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Gnaphosidae Micaria pulicaria 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Gnaphosidae Trachyzelotes pedestris 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Regionally important Arachnidia: Araneae Gnaphosidae Zelotes apricorum 1995 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Gnaphosidae Zelotes latreillei 1992 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Hahnidae Hahnia nava 2006 2006 Local
93 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Centromertia concinna 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Diplostyla concolor 1986 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Dismodicus bifrons 1986 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Erigone atra 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Erigone dentipalpis 2000 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Erigone longipalpis 2000 2000 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Hypomma bituberculatum 1986 1986 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Lepthyphantes tenuis 1986 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Meioneta rurestris 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Micargus apertus 1986 1986 Local ERD species Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Microlyniphia impigra 1986 1986 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Microlyniphia pusilla 1985 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Microneta viaria 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Oedothorax apicatus 1985 1985 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Oedothorax retusus 1986 1986 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Pocadicnemis juncea 1986 1986 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Stemonyphantes lineatus 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Tiso vagans 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Walckenaeria acuminata 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Walckenaeria antica 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Walckenaeria atrotibialis 1986 1986 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Walckenaeria dysderoides 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Linyphiidae Walckenaeria vigilax 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Liocranidae Phrurolithus festivus 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Lycosidae Alopecosa pulverulenta 1986 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Lycosidae Arctosa leopardus 2006 2006 Local ERD species Essex vulnerable Arachnidia: Araneae Lycosidae Pardosa amentata 1986 1986 Arachnidia: Araneae Lycosidae Pardosa nigriceps 1986 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Lycosidae Pardosa palustris 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Lycosidae Pardosa prativaga 1986 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Lycosidae Pardosa pullata 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Lycosidae Pardosa purbeckensis 1986 1986 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Lycosidae Pirata piraticus 1986 2006 Local
94 Arachnidia: Araneae Lycosidae Trochosa ruricola 1986 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Lycosidae Trochosa terricola 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Mimetidae Ero cambridgei 1986 1986 Arachnidia: Araneae Phildromidae Philodromus cespitum 1993 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Phildromidae Thanatus striatus 1986 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Phildromidae Tibellus oblongus 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Pisauridae Pisaura mirabilis 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Salticidae Ballus chablybius 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Salticidae Bianor aurocinctus 2006 2006 Notable/Na ERD species regionally important Arachnidia: Araneae Salticidae Europhrys frontalis 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Salticidae Heliphanus flavipes 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Salticidae Salticus scenicus 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Salticidae Talavera aequipes 1985 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Tetragnathidae Pachygantha degeeri 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Tetragnathidae Tetragantha extensa 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Theridiidae Anelosimus vittatus 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Theridiidae Crustulina guttata 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Theridiidae Enoplogantha latimana 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Theridiidae Enoplogantha mordax 1985 1985 Notable/Na ERD species regionally important Arachnidia: Araneae Theridiidae Enoplogantha thoracica 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Theridiidae Neottiura bimaculata 1986 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Theridiidae Reobertus lividus 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Thomisidae Ozyptila sanctuaria 2006 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Thomisidae Ozyptila simplex 1986 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Thomisidae Xysticus cristatus 2006 2006 Arachnidia: Araneae Thomisidae Xysticus kochi 1986 2006 Local Arachnidia: Araneae Zodariidae Zodarion italicum 2006 2006 pScarce A ERD species regionally important Arachnidia: Araneae Zoridae Zora spinimana 2006 2006 Arachnida: Opiliones Leiobunidae Leiobunum rotundum 2006 2006 Arachnida: Opiliones Phalangiidae Mitopus morio 2006 2006 Arachnida: Opiliones Phalangiidae Phalangium opilio 2006 2006
95 Arachnida: Opiliones Philangiidae Rilaena triangularis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Anthicidae Anthicus antherinus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Anthicidae Anthicus salinus 2000 2000 Notable/Na ERD species Coleoptera Anthicidae Notoxus monoceros 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Apionidae Acanephodus onopordi 2006 2006 Coleoptera Apionidae Ceratapion gibbirostre 2006 2006 Coleoptera Apionidae Inschnopterapion loti 2006 2006 Coleoptera Apionidae Oxystoma cerdo 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Apionidae Oxystoma pomonae 2006 2006 Coleoptera Apionidae Protapion assimile 1986 2006 Coleoptera Apionidae Stenopterapion meliloti 2006 2006 Coleoptera Bruchidae Bruchus rufimanus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Bruchidae Bruchus rufipes 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Byrrhidae Byrrhus pilula 2006 2006 Coleoptera Byrrhidae Cyilus sericeus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Cantharidae Cantharis lateralis 2000 2006 Local Coleoptera Cantharidae Cantharis nigra 1986 2006 Coleoptera Cantharidae Cantharis rustica 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Acupalpus dubius 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Agonum afrum 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Amara aenea 2000 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Amara converxior 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Amara familiaris 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Amara lunicollis 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Amara montivaga 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Amara ovata 2000 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Amara similata 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Amara tibialis 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Anisodactylus binotatus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Anisodactylus poeciloides 2006 2006 UKBAP, RDB3 ERD species Coleoptera Carabidae Badister ballatus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Bembidon assimile 1986 1986 Coleoptera Carabidae Bembidon iricolor 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Bembidon lampros 2000 2006
96 Coleoptera Carabidae Bembidon lunulatum 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Bembidon minimum 2000 2000 Coleoptera Carabidae Bembidon properans 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Bembidon varium 2000 2000 Coleoptera Carabidae Brachinus crepitans 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Carabidae Calathus cinctus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Calathus fuscipes 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Carabus granulatus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Carabus violaceus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Cicindela campestris 2006 2006 Local ERD species Coleoptera Carabidae Curtonotus aulicus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Curtonotus convexiusculus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Demetrias atricapillus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Dicheirotrichus gustavii 2006 2000 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Dicheirotrichus obsoletus 2000 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Carabidae Dromius linearis 1986 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Dyschirius luedersi 2000 2000 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Harpalus affinis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Harpalus attenuatus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Harpalus rubripes 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Harpalus rufipes 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Harpalus serripes 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Carabidae Harpalus tardus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Microlestes mauruas 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Microlestes minutulus 2000 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Nebria brevicollis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Notiophilus palustris 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Notiophilus substriatus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Ophonus ardosiacus 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Carabidae Panagaeus bipustulatus 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Carabidae Poecilus cupreus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Pogonus chalceus 2000 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Pterostichus macer 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Pterostichus melanarius 1986 2006
97 Coleoptera Carabidae Pterostichus strenuus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Scybalicus oblongiusculus 2006 2006 RDB1+ Extinct ERD species Coleoptera Carabidae Syntomus foveatus 2000 2006 Coleoptera Carabidae Syntomus truncatellus 2000 2000 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Synuchus vivalis 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Carabidae Trechus obtusus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Altica palustris 2006 2006 Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Aphthona euphorbiae 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Cassida rubiginosa 2006 2006 Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Cassida vibex 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Chrysolina banksi 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Chrysolina hyperici 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Cryptocephalus fulvus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Cryptocephalus moraei 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Longitarsus dorsalis 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Longitarsus parvulus 2006 2006 Notable/Na ERD species Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Longitarsus pratensis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Neocrepidodera ferruginea 2006 2006 Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Phyllotreta nigripes 2006 2006 Coleoptera Chrysomlidae Sphaeroerma testaceum 2006 2006 Coleoptera Coccinellidae Coccidula rufa 2006 2006 Coleoptera Coccinellidae Coccinella septempunctata 2006 2006 Coleoptera Coccinellidae Harmonia axyridis 2006 2006 Introduction Coleoptera Coccinellidae Nephus redtenbacheri 2006 2006 Coleoptera Coccinellidae Playnaspis luteorubra 2006 2006 Notable/Na ERD species Coleoptera Coccinellidae Propyleaquattuordecimpunctata 20062006 Coleoptera Coccinellidae Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata 2006 2006 Coleoptera Coccinellidae Rhyzobius litura 2006 2006 Coleoptera Coccinellidae Scymnus frontalis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Coccinellidae Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata 2006 2006 Coleoptera Coccinellidae Tytthapsis sedecimpunctata 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Cryptophagidae Cryptophagus setulosus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Barypeithes pellucidus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Ceutorhynchus assimilis 2006 2006
98 Coleoptera Curculionidae Ceutorhynchus assimilis 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Curculionidae Ceutorhynchus contractus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Ceutorhynchus erysimi 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Glocianus distinctus 2006 2006 Local ERD species Coleoptera Curculionidae Gymnetron pascuorum 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Hypera nigrirostris 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Hypera ononidis 2006 2006 RDBK Coleoptera Curculionidae Hypera postica 2000 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Hypera venusta 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Lixuz scabricollis 2006 2006 RDBK ERD species Coleoptera Curculionidae Mecinus pyraster 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Nedyus quadrimaculatus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Orthochaetus setiger 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Curculionidae Orthochaetus ovatus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Curculionidae Orthochaetus raucus 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Curculionidae Phyllobius roborentanus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Phyllobiusvespertinus 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Curculionidae Phyllobius viridiaeris 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Curculionidae Rhinoncus pericarpius 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Sitona cylindricollis 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Curculionidae Sitona hispidulus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Sitona humeralis 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Curculionidae Sitona Lepidus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Sitona lineatus 1986 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Sitona sulcifrons 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Trichosirocalus trodlodytes 2006 2006 Coleoptera Curculionidae Tychius junceus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Curculionidae Tychius pusillus 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Dytisciade Agabus conspersus 2000 2000 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Elateridae Agriotes lineatus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Elateridae Agriotes sputator 2006 2006 Coleoptera Elateridae Agrypnus murinus2006 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Histeridae Kissister minimus 2006 2006 Unknown
99 Coleoptera Histeridae Margarinotus brunneus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Histeridae Margarinotus neglectus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Histeridae Margarinotus purpurascens 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Histeridae Saprinus aeneus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Histeridae Saprinus semistriatus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Helophorus brevipalpis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Megasternum concinnum 2006 2006 Coleoptera Lathridiidae Corticarina fuscula 2006 2006 Coleoptera Lathridiidae Melanophthalma suturalis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Leiodidae Agathidium laevigatum 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Leiodidae Catops fuscus 2006 2006 Unknown Coleoptera Leiodidae Catops morio 1986 2006 Coleoptera Leiodidae Catops nigricans 2006 2006 Coleoptera Leiodidae Cloeva agilis 1986 1986 Coleoptera Leiodidae Leiodes rufipennis 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Leiodidae Ptomaphagus subvillosus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Melyridae Malachius viridis 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Meylridae Malachius vulneratus 2006 2006 RDB3 ERD species Coleoptera Mordellidae Mordellistena pseudopumila 2000 2000 RDBK ERD species Coleoptera Mordellidae Mordellistena pumila 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Nitidulidae Meligethes aeneus 2000 2006 Coleoptera Nitidulidae Meligethes nigrescens 2006 2006 Coleoptera Oedemeridae Nacerdes melanura 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Oedemeridae Oedemera lurida 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Oedermeridae Oedemera nobilis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Phalacridae Olibrus affinis 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Phalacridae Olibus flaviconis 2006 2006 RDBK ERD species Coleoptera Phaladridae Olibus liquidus 2000 2000 Local Coleoptera Phaladridae Phalacrus fimetarius 2006 2006 Unknown Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Amphimallon solstitiale 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Aphodius erraticus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Aphodius plagiatus 2006 2006 Notable/Nb Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Hoplia philanthus 2006 2006 Local ERD species Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Onothophagus joannae 2006 2006 Local
100 Coleoptera Scolytidae Hylastinus obscurus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Scraptiidae Anaspis garneysi 2006 2006 Unknown Coleoptera Scraptiidae Anaspis pulicaria 2000 2006 Coleoptera Silphidae Nicrophorus humator 2006 2006 Coleoptera Silphidae Nicrophorus interruptus 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Silphidae Nocrophorus vespillo 2006 2006 Coleoptera Silphidae Silpha strata 2006 2006 Coleoptera Silphidae Silpha laevigata 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Silphidae Silpha tristis 1986 2006 Local Coleoptera Silphidae Thanatophilus sinuatus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Aleochara bipustulata 1986 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Aleochara curtula 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Aleochara lanuginose 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Amischa analis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Anotylus sculpturatus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Bledius limicola 1986 2006 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Chatida longicornis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Dinaraea angustula 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Drusilla canaliculata 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Gyrohypnus wagneri 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Micropeplus staphylinoides 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Mocyta fungi 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Ocypus olens 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Omalium caesu, 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Othius laevisculus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Oxypodalurida 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Coleoptera Staphylinidae Philonthus cognatus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Philonthus succicola 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Platydracus stercorarius 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Platydracus cornutus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Quedius boops 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Quedius curtipennis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Quedius levicollis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Quedius shatzmayri 2006 2006 Local
101 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Quedius semiobscurus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Rybaxis longicornis 1986 1986 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Rybaxis longicornins 1986 1986 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Sepedophilus marshami 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Sepedophilus nigripennis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Stenus clavicornis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tachinus laticollis 1986 1986 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tachinus signatus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tachyporus hypnorum 1986 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tachyporus nitidulus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tachyporus pusillus 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tachyporus tarsus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tasgius ater 1986 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tasgius globulifer 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tasgius melanarius 2006 2006 Unknown Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tasgius morsitans 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Xantholinus jarrigei 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Staphylinidae Xantholinus linearis 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Xantholinus longiventris 2006 2006 Coleoptera Staphylinidae Zyras limbatus 2006 2006 Local Coleoptera Tenebrionidae Lagria hirta 1986 1986 Diptera Anthomyzidae Stiphrosoma sabulosum 2006 2006 Unknown Diptera Asilidae Dioctria atricapilla 2006 2006 Local Diptera Asilidae Dioctria baumhaueri 2006 2006 Local Diptera Asilidae Dioctria rufipes 2006 2006 Local Diptera Asilidae Leptogaster cylindrical 2006 2006 Diptera Asilidae Machimus cingulatus 2006 2006 Local Diptera Bibionidae Bibio marci 2006 2006 Diptera Bibionidae Dilophus femoratus 2006 2006 Diptera Calliphoridae Bellardia pandia 2006 2006 Unknown Diptera Calliphoridae Lusilia sericata 2006 2006 Diptera Calliphoridae Pollenia rudis 2006 2006 Diptera Chamaemyiidae Chamaemyia aridella 2006 2006 Diptera Chloropidae Aphanotrigonum femorellum 2006 2006 Local
102 Diptera Chloropidae Aphanotrigonum inerme 2006 2006 Unknown Diptera Chloropidae Chlorops pumilionis 2006 2006 Diptera Chloropidae Oscinella frit 2006 2006 Diptera Chloropidae Oscinella hortensis 2006 2006 Diptera Chloropidae Oscienella pusilla 2006 2006 Diptera Chloropidae Thaumatomyia hallandica 2006 2006 Unknown Diptera Conopidae Conops quadrifasciatus 1994 1994 Local Diptera Conopidae Physocephala rufipes 1995 1995 Local Diptera Conopidae Thecophora atra 1995 2000 Local Diptera Dolichopodidae Dolichopus strigipes 2006 2006 Scarce Diptera Dolichopodidae Dolichopus ungulatus 2006 2006 Diptera Dolichopodidae Medetera saxatilis 2006 2006 Local Diptera Dolichopodidae Poecilobothrus nobilitatus 2006 2006 Diptera Dolichopodidae Scellus notatus 2006 2006 Local Diptera Empididae Empis caudatula 2006 2006 Local Diptera Empididae Hilara lundbecki 2006 2006 Local Diptera Empididae Rhamphomyia simplex 2006 2006 Local Diptera Ephydriadae Discomyza incurva 2006 2006 Unknown Diptera Ephydriadae Psilopa nitidula 2006 2006 Diptera Fanniidae Fannia canicularis 2006 2006 Diptera Faniidae Fannia fuscula 2006 2006 Diptera Heleomyzidae Trixoscelis frontalis 2006 2006 Local Diptera Heleomyzidae Trixoscelis marginella 2006 2006 Notable/N Diptera Lauxaniidae Minettia fasciata (=rivosa) 2006 2006 Diptera Lauxaniidae Sapromyza quadripunctata 2006 2006 Unknown Diptera Limoniidae Symplecta strictia 2006 2006 Diptera Muscidae Coenosia albicornis 2006 2006 Diptera Muscidae Coenosia antennata 2006 2006 Local Diptera Muscidae Coenosia testacea 2006 2006 Diptera Muscidae Coenpsia tigrina 2006 2006 Diptera Muscidae Helina reversio 2006 2006 Diptera Muscidae Helina trivittata 2006 2006 Unknown Diptera Muscidae Musca autumnalis 2006 2006 Diptera Muscidae Musca osiris 2006 2006 Vagrants
103 Diptera Muscidae Phaonia tuguriorum 2006 2006 Diptera Muscidae Schoenomyza litorella 2006 2006 Diptera Opomzyidae Geomyza apicalis 2006 2006 Notable/N Diptera Opomzyidae Geomyza subnigra 2006 2006 Local Diptera Opomzyidae Geomyza tripunctata 2006 2006 Diptera Playstomatidae Rivellia syngenesiae 2006 2006 Local Diptera Rhinophoridae Melanophora roralis 2006 2006 Unknown Diptera Rhinophoridae Phyto melanocephala 2006 2006 Unknown Diptera Rhinophoridae Rhinophora lepida 2006 2006 Unknown Diptera Sarcophagidae Miltogramma germari 2006 2006 RDB3 Diptera Sarcophagidae Ravinia prenix 2006 2006 Diptera Sarcophagidae Sarcophaga hirticrus 2006 2006 Unknown Diptera Sarcophagidae Sarcophaga incisilobata 2006 2006 Diptera Sarcophagidae Sarcophaga nigriventris 2006 2006 Diptera Sarcophagidae Sarcophaga tetretirostris 2006 2006 Local Diptera Sarcophagidae Sarcophaga vagans 2006 2006 Diptera Sarcophagidae Sasrthopcophila latifrons 2006 2006 Notable/N Diptera Sarcophagidae Scathophaga litorea 2006 2006 Local Diptera Sarcophagidae Scathophaga stercoraria 2006 2006 Diptera Sciomyzidae Coremacera marginata 2006 2006 Local Diptera Sciomyzidae Pherbellia cinerella 2006 2006 Diptera Sciomyzidae Pherbina coryleti 1986 1986 Diptera Sciomyzidae Trypetoptrea punctulata 2006 2006 Diptera Sepsidae Sepsis cynipsea 2006 2006 Diptera Sepsidae Sepsis fulgens 2006 2006 Diptera Sepsidae Sepsis orthocnemis 2006 2006 Diptera Sepsidae Sepsis throacica 2006 2006 Local Diptera Sphaeroceridae Copromyza stercoraria 1986 1986 Diptera Sphaeroceridae Rachispoda lutosoidea 2006 2006 Diptera Sphaeroceridae Spelobia luteilabris 2006 2006 Diptera Stratiomydae Nemotelus notatus 2006 2006 Local Diptera Stratiomydae Nemotelus uliginosus 2006 2006 Local Diptera Syrphodae Cheilosia velutina 2006 2006 Notable/N ERD species Essex threatened
104 Diptera Syrphodae Cheilosia vernalis 2006 2006 Diptera Syrphodae Cheilosia vulpine 2006 2006 ERD species Essex vulnerable Diptera Syrphodae Chrysotoxum festivum 2000 2000 Local Diptera Syrphodae Chrysotoxum veralli 1996 2006 Local Diptera Syrphodae Episyrphus balteatus 2006 2006 Diptera Syrphodae Eristalis arbustorum 2006 2006 Diptera Syrphodae Eupeodes luniger 2006 2006 Diptera Syrphodae Helophilus pendulus 2006 2006 Diptera Syrphodae Helophilus trivittatus 2006 2006 Local Diptera Syrphodae Heringia heringi 2006 2006 Local Diptera Syrphodae Melanostoma mellinum 2006 2006 Diptera Syrphodae Paragus haemorrhous 2006 2006 Local Diptera Syrphodae Pipizella viduata 2006 2006 Diptera Syrphodae Platycherius fulviventris 2006 2006 Local Diptera Syrphodae Platycherius immarginatus 2006 2006 Notable/N ERD specoes Essex threatened Diptera Syrphodae Platycherius tarsalis 2006 2006 Local Diptera Syrphodae Scaeva pyrastri 2006 2006 Diptera Syrphodae Sphaerophoria rueppellii 2006 2006 Local Diptera Syrphodae Sphaerophoria scripta 2006 2006 Diptera Syrphodae Syritta pipiens 2006 2006 Diptera Syrphodae Xanthogramma pedissequum 2006 2006 Local Diptera Tabaidae Chrysops relictus 1995 2006 Diptera Tachinidae Cadurciella tritaeniata 2006 2006 Unknows Diptera Tachinidae Catharosia pygmaea 2006 2006 New to Britain in 1996 Diptera Tachinidae Eriothrix rufomaculata 2006 2006 Diptera Tachinidae Gonia picea 2006 2006 Local Diptera Tachinidae Gymnosoma nitens 2006 2006 RDB1 Diptera Tachinidae Phania funesta 2006 2006 Unknows Diptera Tachinidae Phasia obesa 2006 2006 Local Diptera Tachinidae Phasia pusilla 2006 2006 Local Diptera Tachinidae Phyrxe vulgaris 2006 2006 Diptera Tachinidae Soliera fenestrate 2006 2006 Unknown
105 Diptera Tephritidae Campiglossa plantaginis 2006 2006 Local Diptera Tephritidae Ensina sonchi 2006 2006 Local ERD species Diptera Tephritidae Merzomyia westermanni 2006 2006 Notable/N ERD species Diptera Tephritidae Sphenella marginata 2006 2006 Local Diptera Tephritidae Tephritis matricariae 2006 2006 RDBK Diptera Tephritidae Tephritis vespertina 2006 2006 Diptera Therevidae Thereva nobilitata 2006 2006 Diptera Tipulidae Nephrotoma flavescens 2006 2006 Diptera Tipulidae Nigrotipula nigra 2006 2006 Local ERD species Diptera Tipulidae Tipula veralis 2006 2006 Diptera Ulidiidae Ceroxys urticae 2006 2006 Local Diptera Ulidiidae Melieria omissa 2006 2006 Local Diptera Ulidiidae Melieria picta 2006 2006 Notable/N Hemiptera: Heterptrea Coreidae Bathysolen nubilus 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD speices Hemiptera: Heterptrea Coreidae Ceraleptus lividus 2006 2006 Local Hemiptera: Heterptrea Coreidae Coreus marginatus 2000 2000 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Coreidae Coriomerus denticulatus 2000 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Coreidae Syromastes rhombeus 2006 2006 Local Hemiptera: Heterptrea Cydnidae Legnotus limbosus 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Lygaeidae Ischnodumus sabuleti 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Lygaeidae Megalonotus antennatus 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Hemiptera: Heterptrea Lygaeidae Megalonotus chiragra 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Lygaeidae Megalonotus sabulicola 2006 2006 Notable/Nb Hemiptera: Heterptrea Miridae Adelphocoris lineolatus 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Miridae Calocrois norwegicus 2000 2000 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Miridae Capsus ater 2000 2000 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Miridae Leptopterna dolabrata 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Miridae Lygus rugulipennis 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Miridae Notostira elongata 2000 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Miridae Orthocephalus saltator 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Miridae Phytocoris varipes 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Miridae Stenodema calcarata 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Navidae Himacerus mirmicoides 2000 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Pentatomidae Aelia acuminate 2006 2006 Local
106 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Pentatomidae Podops inuncta 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Pentatomidae Sciocoris cursitans 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Hemiptera: Heterptrea Piesmatidae Piesma quadratum 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Rhopalidae Stictopleurus abutilon 2006 2006 RNB Appendix Hemiptera: Heterptrea Saldidae Saldula palustris 2000 2000 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Saldidae Saldula pilosella 2000 2000 Local Hemiptera: Heterptrea Tingidae Acalypta parvula 2006 2006 Hemiptera: Heterptrea Tingidae Kalama tricornis 2006 2006 Local Hemiptera: Heterptrea Tingidae Tingis ampliata 2006 2006 Homoptrea: Cercopidae Philaenus spumarius 2000 2006 Auchenorrhyncha Homoptrea: Cicadellidae Agallia ribauti 2006 2006 Local Auchenorrhyncha Homoptrea: Cicadellidae Aphrodes albifrons 2006 2006 Auchenorrhyncha Homoptrea: Cicadellidae Aphrodes makarovi 2006 2006 Auchenorrhyncha Homoptrea: Cicadellidae Aphrodes serratulae 2006 2006 Auchenorrhyncha Homoptrea: Cicadellidae Doratura stylata 2006 2006 Auchenorrhyncha Homoptrea: Cicadellidae Euscelis incisus 2006 2006 Auchenorrhyncha Homoptrea: Cicadellidae Mocydia crocea 2006 2006 Auchenorrhyncha Homoptrea: Cicadellidae Psammotettix confinis 2006 2006 Auchenorrhyncha Homoptrea: Delphacidae Eurybregma nigrolineata 2006 2006 Local Auchenorrhyncha Hymenoptrea Chalcididae Haltichella rufipes 2006 2006 Unknown Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena alfkenella 2006 2006 RDB3 ERD species Essex endangered Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena bicolour 1995 1995 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena dorsata 2006 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena flavipes 1995 2006 Local
107 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena haemorrhoa 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena humilis 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Essex vulnerable Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena labialis 2000 2006 pUKBAP, Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena minutula 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena nigroaenea 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena nitida 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena ovatula 1995 1995 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena scotica 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena synadelpha 2006 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Andrena wilkella 1993 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Adreninae Panurgus calcaratus 1995 1995 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Anthophorinae Anthophora plumipes 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Anthophorinae Epeolus cruciger 1995 2000 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Anthophorinae Epeolus variegates 1995 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Anthophorinae Nomada flava 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Anthophorinae Nomada flavopicta 2006 2006 Notable/Nb Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Anthophorinae Nomada fucata 1995 1995 Notable/Na Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Anthophorinae Nomada goodeniana 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Anthophorinae Nomada marshamella 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Apinae Bombus hortorum 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Apinae Bombus humilis 1997 2006 UKBAP, Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Apinae Bombus lapidarius 1995 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Apinae Bombus lucorum 2000 2000 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Apinae Bombus pascuorum 1999 1999 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Apinae Bombus pratorum 1995 1995 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Apinae Bombus ruderarius 2000 2006 pUKBAP, local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Apinae Bombus sylvarum 1999 2002 UKBAP, Notable/Nb Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Apinae Bombus terrestris 1999 2000 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Apinae Bombus vestalis 2000 2000 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Chrysididae Chrysis rutiliventris 1995 1995 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Chrysididae Hedychridium ardens 1995 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Chrysididae Hedychridium niemelai 1995 2006 RDB3 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Colletinae Colletes halophilus 1993 2006 pUKBAP, Notable/Na
108 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Colletinae Colletes marginatus 1995 2000 Notable/Na Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Colletinae Colletes similis 1995 1995 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Colletinae Hylaeus annularis 2000 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Colletinae Hylaeus cornutus 1996 2006 Notable/Na Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Colletinae Hylaeus hyalinatus 1995 1995 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Colletinae Hylaeus signatus 1995 1995 Notable/Nb ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Eumenidae Ancistrocerus gazella 1995 1995 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Eumenidae Ancistrocerus nigricornis 1995 1995 Local ERD species Essex threatened Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Formididae Formica cunicularia 2006 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Formididae Lasius fuliginosus 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Formididae Lasius niger sens. str. 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Formididae Myrmica bessarabica 2006 2006 RDB3 ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Formididae Myrmica ruginodis 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Formididae Myrmica sabuleti 2006 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Formididae Myrmica scabrinodis 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Halictus tumulorum 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Lasioglossum calceatum 1993 1993 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Lasioglossuml leucozonium 1993 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Lasioglossum malachurum 1993 2006 Notable/Nb Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Lasioglossum minutissimum 1993 1996 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Lasioglossum morio 1995 1995 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Lasioglossum pauperatum 1995 2006 RDB3 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Lasioglossum pauxillum 2006 2006 Notable/Na ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Lasioglossum puncticolle 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Lasioglossum smeathmanellum 1993 1997 Unknown ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Lasioglossum villosulum 1994 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Lasioglossum zonulus 1993 1993 Unknown Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Sphecodes crassus 2006 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species Essex
109 vulnerable Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Sphecodes ephippius 2006 2006 ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Sphecodes gibbus 1995 1995 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Sphecodes longulus 1995 1995 Notable/Na Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Sphecodes monilicornis 1993 2006 Local ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Sphecodes pellucidus 1995 1995 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Sphecodes puncticeps 1994 2006 Unknown Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Halictinae Sphecodes reticulates 1995 1995 Notable/Na ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Megachilinae Coelioxys conoidea 1995 1996 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Megachilinae Hoplitis claviventris 2006 2006 ERD species Essex vulnerable Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Megachilinae Hoplitis spinulosa 2006 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Megachilinae Megachile leachella 1995 1995 Notable/Nb ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Megachilinae Megachile maritima 1996 1996 Unknown Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Megachilinae Osmia caerulescens 2000 2000 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Melittinae Dasypoda hirtpes 1994 1994 Notable/Nb ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Mellittinae Melitta leporina 1995 2006 Local ERD species Essex threatened Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Mutillidae Mutilla europea 1992 2006 Notable/Nb ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Pompilidae Anopluis infuscatus 1995 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Pompilidae Caliadurgus fasciatellus 2006 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Pompilidae Episyron rufipes 1995 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Pompilidae Pompilus cinereus 1995 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Pompilidae Priocnemis exeltata 1995 1995 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Pompilidae Priocnemis parvula 2000 2000 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Pompilidae Priocnemis pertubator 2006 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Pompilidae Priocnemispusilla 2000 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Ammophila sabulosa 2006 2006 Local
110 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Cerceris arenaria 1994 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Cerceris quinquefasciata 1995 2006 UKBAP, RDB3 ERD species Essex threatened Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Cerceris rybyensis 1995 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Crabro cribrerius 2006 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Crabro peltarius 2006 2006 Local ERD species Essex endangered Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Crossocerus wesmaeli 1994 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Diodontus minutus 1995 1995 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Diodontus tristis 1995 1995 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Dryudella pinguis 1995 1995 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Ectemnius continuus 1994 1995 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Gorytes quadrifasciatus 1995 2006 Local ERD species Essex threatened Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Harpactus tumidus 1995 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Mellinus arvensis 2000 1995 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Mimumesa unicolor 1993 2000 Notable/Na ERD species regionally important Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Oxybelus uniglumis 1993 1995 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Pemphredon lethifera 1994 2000 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Philanthus triangulum 1994 1997 RDB2 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Tachysphrex pompiliformis 1995 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Trypoxylon attenuatum 1994 1995 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Trypoxylonfigulus sens. str. 1994 1994 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Sphechidae Trypoxylon medium 2006 2006 Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Tiphiidae Myrmosaatra 1994 1995 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Tiphiidae Tiphia femorata 1995 2006 Local Hymenoptrea: Aculeata Vespidae Vespula germanica 1995 1995 Isopoda Armadillidiidae Armadillidium vulgare 2006 2006 Idopoda Ligiidae Ligia oceanica 2000 2000 Isopoda Philosciidae Philoscia muscorum 2006 2006 Isopoda Porcellionidae Porcellio scaber 2006 2006 Lepidoptrea Arctiidae Arctia villiva britannica 2006 2006 Local Lepidoptrea Hesperiidae Thymelicus lineola 2006 2006 Local
111 Lepidoptrea Hesperiidae Thymelicus sylvestris 2006 2006 Lepidoptrea Lycaenidae Aricia agestis 2006 2006 Local Lepidoptrea Lycaenidae Callohrys rubi 2006 2006 Local ERD species Lepidoptrea Lycaenidae Polyommatus icarus 2006 2006 Lepidoptrea Nymphalidae Aglais urticae 2006 2006 Lepidoptrea Nymphalidae Inchis io 2006 2006 Lepidoptrea Nymphalidae Vanessa atalanta 2006 2006 Migrant Lepidoptrea Pieridae Anthocharis cardamines 2006 2006 Lepidoptrea Pieridae Colias croceus 2006 2006 Migrant Lepidoptrea Pieridae Pieris brassicae 2006 2006 Lepidoptrea Satyridae Maniola jurtina 2006 2006 Lepidoptrea Satyridae Pyronia tithonus 2006 2006 Lepidoptrea Zygaenidae Zygaena lonicarae 2006 2006 Myriapoda Julidae Brachyiulus pusillus 2006 2006 Myriapoda Julidae Tachypodoiulus niger 2006 2006 Myriapoda Lithobiidae Lithobius forficatus 2006 2006 Myriapoda Lithobiidae Lithobius melanops 2006 2006 Myriapoda Lithobiidae Lithobiusmicrops 2006 2006 Myriapoda Polydesmidae Polydesmus angustus 2006 2006 Myriapoda Polydesmidae Polydesmus coriaceus 2006 2006 Odonata Libellulidae Sympetrumsanguineum 2006 2006 Norable/Nb ERD species Orthoptrea Acrididae Chorthippus albomarginatus 20062006 Local Orthoptrea Acrididiae Chorthippusbrunneus 2006 2006 Orthoptrea Acrididiae Chorthippus parallelus 2006 2006 Orthoptrea Conocephalidae Conocephalus doscolor 2006 2006 Notable/Na ERD species Orthoptrea Tetrigidae Tetrix subulata 2006 2006 Local Orthoptrea Tettigoniidae Metrioptrea roselii 2006 2006 Notable/Nb
112 6. Higher Level Stewardship Management Plan
Incorporating Mucking Flats (former silt lagoons) and the Lower Meadow
0 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ...... 2
COALHOUSE FORT PARK SSSI (FORMALLY EAST TILBURY SILT LAGOONS...... 3
SECTOR 1...... 5
SECTOR 2...... 7
SECTOR 3...... 9
SECTOR 4...... 12
SECTOR 5...... 14
SECTOR 6...... 16
SECTOR 7...... 17
AREA LD...... 18
THE SEA ASTER MINING BEE (COLLETES HALOPHILUS) ...... 19
NEW ACCESS POINTS AND PATHWAYS ON SSSI GRASSLAND ...... 22
COALHOUSE FORT PARK SOUTH – LOWER MEADOW...... 25
SECTOR 8...... 27
SECTOR 9...... 28
SECTOR 10A & 10B ...... 30
1 Introduction
This management plan is being put in place to offer an outline of the ecology and its management for the next 10 years at Coalhouse Fort Park. This includes the area to the north of the fort which is formally known as the East Tilbury silt lagoons - a designated SSSI - and the area to the south of the fort known as the lower meadow. The lower meadow falls within the boundary of the scheduled ancient monument of Coalhouse Fort (p. 32) which means that any work carried out in this area that would require removal of earth, erection of fences etc, would need scheduled ancient monument consent from English Heritage in advance.
Due to the complex nature of the site and its many different habitats, it has been decided to divide the site into manageable sectors. These are slightly different to previous maps provided to Natural England and enable appropriate management regimes to be put into place for each area. It is hoped that this makes things easier in future for calculating managed sectors and associated costings.
Although a full listing of species could be included, it would be impossible to accommodate a plan for each and every one of them in this document. As such, it has been decided to just include in the management plan the names of key species. However, it is hoped that this does not deter anyone from observing the full ecological value of this rich and varied site.
Ray Reeves,
Thurrock Council Ranger Service, Coalhouse Fort Park.
2 Coalhouse Fort Park SSSI (formally East Tilbury Silt Lagoons
East Tilbury silt lagoons were formed from river dredging approximately 30 years ago. During this time the lagoons have dried out leaving a very rich and complex grassland. This area has not been managed until a few years ago, starting with the removal of many invasive species, such as Buddlia, Goat Willow, Birch and Poplar.
Area overview map
3 Late last year, 4 areas of grassland were cut, selected on the basis of:
(i) The different grassland habitats they covered, (ii) The potential to investigate responses to different cutting regimes.
All areas to be cut in the future will be monitored before and after any work takes place. This is to safeguard present habitats and better understand the impact that planned management will have on wildlife in the area.
All Willow throughout this area is now coppiced on a 1 to 2 yearly cycle to ensure an early pollen and nectar source during the spring period for invertebrates in the area. Cuttings are stacked in habitat piles.
Generally, bramble throughout the area is not touched as it is an important habitat for invertebrates and provides nesting sites for Whitethroat, Linnets, Stonechat and other bird species. However, where encroachment into key habitats occurs, this will be kept in check as part of key habitat maintenance.
The grasslands contain many varied habitats including:
Calcareous grassland Reed beds Lichen heath Tussock grassland Rough grassland Seasonally wet areas (low salinity) Scrub areas (bramble)
All these areas will be managed in varying degrees over the next 10 years. Due to their sensitivity, some areas will require greater management than others whereas other areas may be better suited to limited intervention in cases where management may be detrimental to the wildlife in that area (e.g. Tussock grass areas). When uncertain, there is always the option to test management in small areas in order to enable any impacts to be properly witnessed.
Untouched bramble forms important habitats within the area
4 Sector 1
North (Red) HK7
Sector 1 area map
Sector 1 is an area consisting of mainly calcareous grassland. It contains 7 species of Orchid and the only Essex recording of the Chalk fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea). Last year, the late flowering Orchid, Autumn Ladies Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis) was found on one of the managed Colletes Halophilus sites in the area.
It is also an important nesting area for Skylark and Meadow Pipits, however due to a build up of thatch in some of this grassland, nesting in these areas is now declining.
Late 2011, 2 areas in Sector 1 were cut to mainly see the effect and response a cutting regime would have. There were also 3 small areas cut on Bee Orchid areas with a lawnmower to see the response, if any, that cutting would have.
Under the new management plan, Sector 1 would be cut on a 33% rotation each year. This would be as cut and collect, with all leavings removed to a suitable location on site or baled for removal. Cutting would take place during the last 2 weeks of August up until the end of September. The later September cutting is the preferred option, due to the potential disturbance of Colletes and Bombus humilus (UKBAP) breeding/nesting sites in the area.
5 This will be reviewed at Year 5 to ensure robust vegetation is adequately kept in check for the duration of the plan.
The overall management of the area would be reviewed at year five to look at any issues that may have arisen due to the management and will enable modifications to management for the remainder of the plan period. As noted in the introduction, any areas to be cut will be monitored before any work commences.
Willow in this area will be coppiced on a 1 to 2 year cycle. Any small willow found will be removed by pulling or lifting roots and will be carried out on an annual cycle between October and the end of February. This task will be carried out by the CFPCV (Coalhouse Fort Park Conservation Volunteers) under supervision of the site Ranger.
Bombus Sylvarum (UKBAP)
6 Sector 2
North west (Blue) HK16
Sector 2 area map
Sector 2 is an area of rough grassland containing some very valuable seasonally wet areas with reed beds. Due to the salinity of the soil the deeper areas still contain Sea Club Rush (Scirpus maritimus) and Sea Aster (Aster tripolium) which could provide important breeding sites for the Scarce Emerald Damselfly (Lestes dryas) and winter feeding areas for waders. The outer shallow and adjoining areas have, over the years, seen thatch growth from the surrounding encroaching grasslands.
During year 1 (if possible) or year 2, thatch will be removed from some of the shallow areas to create extended areas and opportunities for the brackish wetland habitat to expand and support early succession stages. Should opportunities exist, it would be beneficial to create scrapes in the shallow areas to a dept of 100-150mm adjoining the deeper areas on a 15-20% coverage. The areas would be left and monitored over a 1-2 year period and if re-growth/spread was slow over this period, the area would be left for another 1 to 2 years and monitored prior to further work taking place. Any soil removed can be made into low bunds, which may become suitable breeding sites for Colletes, Dasypoda or species from the Sphecidae group of wasps, depending on soil type.
Due to potential ground contamination, work of this order may not be able to take place, so removing thatch by hand rather than machine might be the only
7 viable option. Contact with the Environment Agency may help resolve this issue through taking of soil samples, analysis of contaminants and the depth at which these now occur. Planned access points and fencing around the site will also reduce the likelihood of pedestrians walking in these areas.
For Year 2, 2 small areas in the reed beds will be cut and removed. This may have to be done by hand due to the undulating surface condition. All work would need to be started in October due to surface conditions and all cut reeds would be added to habitat piles in the area.
For Year 4, 2 further areas will be cut and removed, continuing on 2 yearly cycles with monitoring prior to any work being carried out. The two-year cycle will be reviewed at Year 5.
Northern end of Sector 2
8 Sector 3
West (Purple) HK16
Sector 3 is the largest sector on the site, with around 60% of the seawall boundary forming its western boundary. The north of the sector contains reed beds, coppiced willow, semi-stressed grassland and important areas of bramble.
Moving south from the middle section of the sector, the reed beds disappear and make way for rough grassland. The sector also includes some seasonally wet areas close to the western boundary (cross hatched on map) which are sometimes used as feeding areas for Snipe and Redshank during the winter months.
There are 2 Colletes halophilus nesting areas in this sector, the “A” site to the south and the “E” site to the north (p. 19).
During 2011, an area of grass was cut to the north east of the sector. This is an area of semi stressed grassland, which is an important nesting site for Skylark and Meadow Pipit and also contains a few scattered Bee Orchids. The results of the grass cutting will be monitored over the coming months.
Year 1: 2 areas of the rough grassland to the west of the sector will be cut, though this will not be more than 10% of the total sector area. These areas will be closely monitored over the following year.
Year 2: 2 further areas to be cut in the same vicinity, again, this will be monitored over the following year. Some of the grassland will not be cut given the undulating surface conditions and some tussock grass areas.
Year 3: 3 areas to be cut following a mosaic, which will to be monitored over the following year with this cycle being continued beyond year 3. No more 15% cuttings will be made in a year. All cuttings will be used as habitat piles, or baled and removed. Grass cutting will take place from mid August to the end of September, with the latter being the preferred option.
Reed beds to the north of the sector are important summer nesting sites for Reed Warblers and Reed Buntings. Bearded tits have also been seen in this area along with snipe, during the winter months.
Year 1: the reed beds will have 2 small areas cut. This will be monitored over the following year with all cuttings being stacked as habitat.
Year 3: 2 further areas to be cut and effects monitored. This action will continue on 2 yearly cycles, with work in this area taking place from October to February depending on ground conditions.
No more than 20-25% reed cut will be undertaken in any one year.
9 Coppicing in the area will take place between October and February on a 1 to 2 yearly cycle with all cuttings being stacked as habitat piles in the area. Bramble and habitat piles in the north of the area play an important role in providing habitats for reptiles in this sector, especially the Adder population and also nesting Linnet, Whitethroat and Stonechat. The spread of Bramble does not seem be a significant problem at the moment, but will be monitored over the coming years. The overall plan is to actively prevent more than 10% scrub to cover the sector.
Sector 3 area map
10 The seasonally wet areas to the west and south (cross hatched) have over the years been invaded by the encroaching rough grassland. The areas to the west of the sector as mentioned earlier are sometimes used as a winter feeding area for Redshank and snipe, and as in sector 2 it is recommended that surface thatch should be removed by hand in the few areas that have grassed over. Should opportunities exist, it would be beneficial to create scrapes in the shallow areas to a dept of 100-150mm adjoining the deeper areas on a 15-20% coverage. These would be monitored over the following year to see how they responded, and further areas could be scraped if results were satisfactory.
The most southern seasonally wet area which runs alongside the seawall is a much deeper area with Sea Club Rush and Sea Aster growing. This could also provide an important habitat for the Scarce Emerald Damselfly (Lestes dryas). Again, this area could be shallow scraped in areas which have been encroached with grass, restoring the habitat. Any soil removed could be used to provide a ramp from the seawall to the grassland for easy access to the site. This work would need permission from the Environment Agency, given the close proximity to the seawall.
Lichen heath within sector 3
11 Sector 4
East (Yellow) HK16
Sector 4 overview map
Sector 4 has seen much work take place over the last 4 years with the removal of Buddlia, Willow and Birch. This has taken place to protect and enhance the important lichen heath and stressed grassland which the area contains. It is also an important nesting site for Skylark and Meadow pipit, and due to the stressed nature of the area, it is the perfect habitat for the 2 Coloured mason bee, (Osmia bicolour), which was found in this area last year.
3 small areas were cut with a lawn mower last year to give an idea of what effect, if any, grass cutting would have. This will be monitored over the coming year.
12 During 2012 a yearly cutting regime will start in this sector. This will begin around the outer areas of the Lichen heath and will cover an area of up to 10% every year. This will be accompanied by soil disturbance in these areas to promote surface drainage and the spread of the Lichen heath. This soil disturbance will be carried out using hand tools, and if a mechanical means is available and is suitable for the work this could also be used. Buddlia or scrub will be removed from all Lichen heath, with this work being carried out from September until the beginning of March.
It is very important that all work carried out in this area is monitored prior to any further work that takes place. The checking of sealed snail shells (Osmia bicolor) in the work areas would also need to be considered and could be carried out by the CFPCV following training by the site ranger. Any sealed shells would need moving to a safe area of the sector. Monitoring will also be important throughout the following year to check results and modify the plan if the need arises.
Coppicing of willow will be carried out on the 1 to 2 yearly cycle and as with the rest of the site, all cutting shall be put on existing habitat piles. For the southern edge of Sector 4 adjoining Sector 5, there is an area of Bramble which will be left as habitat. There are also log piles in this area which provide important habitat for reptiles (Adder and Common lizard).
CFPCV at work
13 Sector 5
South East (Blue) HK16
Sector 5 area map
Sector 5, is an area of rough grassland with small areas of Bramble. There are also small patches of Blackthorn which are coppiced every 3 to 4 years. The central area of this Sector also has some very important tussock grass areas that provide good habitat for the many different Bombus species on site (Sylvarum, Ruderatus, Ruderarius (these UKBAP), Lapidarius) that all use this area for nesting purposes. To the north of the Sector the grassland remains rough due to the differing soil type, but is mixed with Common Reed.
The areas of tussock grass will be left due to the fragile nature of the area and to avoid the destruction of anthills which are abundant in this area.
14 The rough grassland with reeds will have a 15% cut during years 1 and 2. Follow up cutting will continue in years 6 and 7 with another 15% cut. These cut areas will be monitored afterwards to see how the area responds, with all cuttings being used as habitat piles in this area, or baled for removal.
Bramble in the area is to be left due to its important habitat qualities, but it is planned to not let it cover more than 5% of the sector. This will be monitored on a yearly basis, with any cuttings from coppicing being stacked as habitat piles.
Views of sector 5
15 Sector 6
South (Green) HK7
Sector 6 area map
Sector 6 is an area of species rich grassland. During late 2011, an area was cut to the western side of this sector to see the effect of cutting. The area selected for the cut has over the years seen a decline in the number of Bee and Pyramidal Orchids due to the build up of grass thatch in this sector. The intention is that a cutting regime will reverse this trend and also make the area more suitable for other species such as Skylark and Meadow Pipit. Bumble bees are also a site priority and removal of thatch will make the area more suited for nesting sites, especially for Bombus Humilis, Pascuorum and Sylvarum. The sector also contains a high amount of Vetch, Common and Tufted, which provides an important pollen and nectar source for invertebrates in the area.
Cutting would take from mid August to the end of September and would coincide with all other Grassland cutting, with later cuts being preferred over earlier ones. All cut grass is to be used as habitat piles or baled and removed with the cuttings covering 25% of the total sector area per year. There is also the option of not cutting the sector in 1 year in 5.
16 Sector 7
South (Orange)
Sector 7 area map
Sector 7 is a small strip which runs along the lower boundary of sector 6, up to the bund at the edge of the upper moat and consists of an area of rough grassland and brambles. Due to unevenness of the ground in this area, it has been decided not to include it in the cutting regime of sector 6. The brambles at the western end however provide habitats for nesting birds during the spring and summer months and it is also a habitat for reptile species, including Adder, Slow Worm and Common Lizard given the habitat piles present in the area. It is also likely that these provide habitats for nesting Bombus species during the year, as well as providing good cover for small mammals. At present, this sector will be classed as an area of low intervention.
View of sector 7
17 Area LD
(Red) HQ1
Area LD area map
Area LD is part of the old moat system situated to the north of the fort. Due to no longer having a constant water supply, it has become a seasonally wet area and an important habitat for the Scarce Emerald Damselfly (Lestes dryas), where breeding has proven very successful over the last few years. It is also the only body of water on site which provides habitat for the Smooth newt. Sea Club Rush (Scirpus maritimus) and Common Reed (Phragmites australis) provide most of the vegetation in this area. Gradual encroachment of Bramble and surrounding scrub will have an impact on the habitat in the future.
Year 1: Clear encroaching brambles and scrub away from edges of habitat with hand tools. This will be accomplished by the CFPCV under supervision of the site ranger. All cuttings will be placed around the bank, where access is usually possible in order to deter members of the public from entering the area. The work would be carried out in the late summer/autumn period when conditions are dry and when there is less risk of disturbing nesting birds. As little access as possible will be made into the Reed and Rush areas, to avoid damage to habitats. The area will be monitored over the following year, and repeated once encroachment again becomes apparent.
18 The Sea Aster Mining Bee (Colletes Halophilus)
The Sea Aster Mining Bee plays a unique part in the overall Coalhouse Fort Park Management Plan and goes back about 5 years when the total number of breeding females numbered only a few dozen along a pathway. There are now many thousands of bees over 5 different sites. The management of the breeding areas has been fundamental to this success and as the adopted management techniques had not been utilised anywhere else prior to this, experimentation has been key. Through study of scent marking, sexual behaviour, foraging, flight distance, nesting preference and other such factors, changes have been made to the nesting/breeding areas over the years accommodating the lessons learnt so that all sites are now managed in a similar way. The adopted techniques reflect the most successful experimental management methods.
Location of Colletes Halophilus management sites
There are 5 Colletes sites at this present moment: A, B, C, D, E,
19 Site A is the oldest site and located where the original colony was found along a pathway. This site represents the yard stick for all the other sites and is where the first work was carried out on any Colletes Halophilus habitat, anywhere. The pathway was first cleared through some rough strimming and the following year some ground was cleared on each side. The following year more areas were cleared and this was followed by the cutting of squares and lines and transitional areas. Last year the lines and transitional areas proved very successful, but we will have to wait until August to see further results.
Management of Colletes Halophilus ‘Site A’
Site A will be expanded to the north and south this year. Work will begin to clear the area in March and will be performed by the use of strimmers and lawnmowers. All grass will be removed from site. Some soil disturbance with the strimmer will take place during mid June to the beginning of July when the site will be cut again, leaving strips of grass 150- 250mm wide with cut areas in between around 600-700mm wide. All leavings will be removed from site. The final cut will be at the beginning of August, which will be 450mm wide on the previously cut strips, which will leave a transitional area up the side of each strip, with 150-250mm of 1 month grass growth. This process will be repeated on B, D and E, sites. All measurements are approximate.
Site B, has been in existence for the same number of years as the A site, but not for Colletes. It was an experiment with the Hairy Legged Mining Bee, (Dasypoda altercator) in this location which looked at how ground clearance and grass growth patterns affect its breeding/nesting behaviour. Dasypoda, although a rare bee, has very large nesting aggregations in certain areas of the site. They have also used the prepared areas prior to the emergence of
20 Colletes over the last 2 years. Colletes numbers on the B site have risen substantially and it is now the largest nesting aggregation of all 5 sites.
Site C was founded 2 years ago on the northern bund next to the new fitted gate. Work progressed on this site early last year with restoration of the bund in the area where vegetation was removed and the soil disturbed. Colletes numbers were quite low last year but expectations are high in the hope of migration into these new prepared areas. Site C will be expanded over the coming years in an easterly direction along the bund area given that the soil type is right. This site holds great potential for Colletes.
Site D, was founded last year (2011) in an area of rough grassland, approximately 30 metres north west of the B site. This area has lately been cleared and will have the same management regime as the A site.
Site E was also founded last year and is situated in Sector 3 to the west of the site. Very low numbers of nesting females were seen here. The site has now been cleared and will undergo the same management regime as A site.
All colletes sites will be monitored extensively over the breeding/nesting season in order to give a better insight into our current management practices and to amend them accordingly in the future should the need arise.
Colletes Halophilus (photo courtesy of Lea Roberts)
21 New Access Points and pathways on SSSI grassland
Due to the threat of motor cycles and 4 wheel drive vehicles, it has been decided that a fence should be erected around the SSSI grassland (red dotted line). This would be erected around the 3 landward sides to the north, west and south and would in turn be complemented by 4 kissing gate access points (labelled 1-4). At point 4 there would also be a vehicular access point, with the kissing gates being located in at spots where visitors access the site the most.
Access point 2, which runs into a lightly used pathway, is further north than previous plans in order to avoid conflict with the Colletes A site. This would run in conjunction with moving the access point at 3 south to make a new access point between both original access points. This would also deter people from walking through reed beds and seasonally wet areas. This new suggested pathway (P5E) and access point is marked on the following map (p. 23).
New pathways and the widening of current pathways are also planned. These will double as firebreaks during the summer months with the new paths providing greater access within the site. It is also hoped that they will deter people and animals from venturing into and disturbing the more fragile habitat areas.
Pathways:
P1 (Red) is the main existing central pathway which runs from the proposed access point 3 in a northerly direction until it reaches the northern boundary at access point 1.
P2 (Purple) is an existing pathway which runs from access point 4 in the south-east, northwards along the eastern side of the site to access point 1. This pathway will be widened at appropriate points and diverted around the Colletes B site.
P3 (Orange) is an existing pathway between access point 4 and access point 3. It is very well used and is also an important habitat for Toothed Medick, (Medicago polymortha).
P4 (Green) is a suggested new pathway which could be put into place. At the moment some visitors use this area as a cut across. However, not being a defined pathway, visitors do tend to stray onto the tussock grass areas. Formalising the pathway in this area may help alleviate this problem.
P5 (Brown) pathway P5 only exists at the present moment, running from the central path P1 to the eastern path P2. It is proposed that this could be extended to the western side of the site (P5E), with the new access point as mentioned above.
22 P6 (Grey) is an existing lightly used pathway, connecting P1 to P2 at the north of the site. This will be widened for better access and to deter visitors from walking across the grassland in this area.
Access points and pathways map
At access points 1, 3 and 4, it is planned to have new interpretation signs put in place for the benefit of visitors using the area.
Work is hoped to progress on the widening and cutting of new pathways
23 during year 1 or 2, depending on consent from Natural England this work will take place during the Autumn/ winter period.
New access points, fencing and interpretation boards are awaiting funding details from Natural England. This work will begin when details are verified.
Access point 5 leading to paths 2 and 3
Access point 1 prior to gate installation
24 Coalhouse Fort Park south – Lower meadow
Lower Meadow area map
The lower meadow lies to the south of Coalhouse Fort Park. It forms a triangular segment which runs from the lower moat heading south towards Coalhouse Point. The soil make up is mostly clay resulting from alluvial deposits from the River Thames. The meadow is a small sector of the larger East Tilbury marshes created when a sea wall was built along its eastern boundary during the middle ages. On the inner edge there are borrow dykes running the full length of the meadow, as the seawall is no longer the primary flood defence for the area. To the western side of the meadow is a raised tarmac footpath. In the 19th century this path was a railway that brought supplies from the river to the fort. As highlighted in the introduction, the whole area is part of the designated scheduled ancient monument. Any work carried out in this area which includes soil removal, erection of fences etc requires
25 approval from English Heritage.
Ditches (borrow dykes) were completed over the last 7 years, which have made the management of water levels in the flood meadow possible. Prior to this, the ditches dried up during the summer months due to the lack of regular water supply. After the gate valves were restored and the pipes cleaned out, it has become possible to supply water to the area once more. Water vole (Arvicola terrestris - UKBAP) has since been quick to recolonise the area.
The ditches are supplied with water from the River Thames, which is carried via a valved pipe into the large upper moat. This is then fed through another gated valve into the lower moat which then supplies the ditch system. All water is salt/brackish. During the summer months, water levels to the ditches are regularly managed, due to evaporation and soak away. This lessens during the winter, spring and autumn due to the higher rainfall during these periods.
Water levels are managed by the on site ranger, who monitors the ditches on a daily basis. Mink rafts are distributed in certain areas, usually on adjoining farmers land due to the threat of vandalism on site. Up till now, no evidence of mink have been found.
Flood Meadow
26 Sector 8
(Red), Water level management for water vole habitat HB14
Sector 8 area map
The northern edge of the lower moat is also used as a habitat for water vole (UKBAP). The grass in this area is now left as an uncut strip of approximately 3 metres width. This has been quite successful in keeping the public away from the moat edge, as it adjoins the formal parklands in this area. The area is maintained by the grounds maintenance team on instructions from the ranger.
Moat edge
27 Sector 9
(Yellow) Lower meadow HK15
Sector 9 area map
Sector 9 is a small area that lies between the southern edge of the lower moat and the borrow dyke which runs across the meadow. Along the southern edge of the moat there is a pathway which runs in an east to westerly direction. Just to the south of the pathway the area is seasonally flooded by rainfall and leach from the moat and due to this there is an abundance of salt marsh plants. To the south of the seasonally flooded area, is a strip of rough grass land, which provides a buffer between the pathway and the water vole habitat (ditches). Many of the plants here are nationally scarce such as Sea Barley & Borrer’s saltmarsh grass and Slender hare’s ear. The grassland is also an important habitat for the yellow meadow ant.
The northern edge of the pathway is an important habitat for Slender Hares- ear (Bupleurum tenuissimum). The pathway is cut wider along the northern edge with a lawn mower during the spring period. This may be done once or twice due to the growth rate of grass in the area. Follow up cuts will take place with a triple cylinder mower during the summer and autumn months, which will not touch the previously cut strip along the northern edge of the pathway with the lawn mower. This will be allowed to grow, providing habitat for the slender Hares Ear in the late summer period. This area will be monitored on a yearly basis with the cutting regime remaining flexible depending on the results of the monitoring process.
28 The seasonally wet area (hatched area) floods in the winter months and provides an important habitat for many salt marsh plant species such as Sea Barley (Hordeum marinum), Borrer’s salt marsh grass (Puccinellia fasciculate), Salt Marsh Rush, Glasswort, Annual Sea-Blite and Sea Aster.
Year 1: Remove grass thatch from the west of the area in order to improve the habitat for the Sea Barley in this vicinity and allow better seeding. It may even disturb the underlying seed bank and allow germination of other species in the area. This work will be carried out during the mid to late summer months depending on ground conditions with all work being monitored and results checked over the ongoing year. This will influence the continuation of the work that is to take place in the future based on the results of other small areas cleared in Sector 10. The work here will be an ongoing feature for future years.
There is no plan for work to be carried out to the strip of rough grassland as at this present moment it provides an important buffer for the water vole habitat in the ditch area. Also, given the large anthills it would be very hard to cut. It also provides habitat for reptiles, small mammals, crickets/grasshoppers and bumble bee species.
Flood meadow
29 Sector 10A & 10B
10A (Blue) Lower Meadow HK15 10B (Red) Winter flooded area HK6
Sector 10A & 10B area map
Sector 10A (blue): The lower meadow lies to the south of Coalhouse Fort. It is flanked to the north and east by Borrow dykes and are now very important Water Vole habitats. To the north of the sector is an area of rough grassland
30 this is not managed at the moment but does provide habitat for small mammals, reptiles, crickets/grasshoppers and nesting sites for Bombus sylvarum, humilis, ruderarius (UKBAP) and other bumble bee species. Also, many of the plants here are nationally scarce such as Sea Barley & Borrer’s saltmarsh grass, Slender Hare’s ear, Annual Beard Grass and Divided Sedge. Given the nature of this habitat, it will be classed as a low intervention area at this present time.
Sector 10B (red): The south of the sector is now a saline flood meadow, which is annually flooded during the winter months. This provides habitat for the salt marsh plants which flourish here in the summer and autumn months: Glasswort, Annual sea-blite, Sea Aster, Salt-marsh Goosefoot, Divided Sedge, Annual Beard Grass, Perennial Beard Grass and Bulbous Meadow grass have all been found in this area of the lower meadow.
Pathways have been cut in the grassland areas for approximately 7 years. These were initially put in place to manage the public access in the lower meadow to firstly, allow visitors access to the area and secondly, create natural barriers for the Water Vole habitats. This has been very successful over the years and the pathways have now become a well used part of the parklands. The pathways in turn, have become habitats for plants such as Bulbous Meadow Grass, Marsh Fox Tail, Lesser Sea Spurrey and Hairy Buttercup.
Year 1: ongoing. The lower meadow will be flooded in the late autumn and be managed by the site ranger who will increase the ditch water level in depth by approximately 50mm. This will be returned to normal during mid/ end of March. Ditches are monitored throughout the year.
Year 1: ongoing. Remove surface thatch with mattocks from areas that were flooded over the winter period (care must be taken not to remove soil). These will be chosen by the on-site ranger. This has been very successful over the past 2 years and has seen the return of Salt-marsh Goosefoot and the recolonization of the area by Annual Beard Grass, Perennial Beard Grass and Divided Sedge. This work will commence during the early/mid summer months, preceding the end of July.
Year 1: ongoing. Cutting of the pathways will resume in the spring and depending on ground conditions, pathways will be cut every 3/4 weeks in the summer months. This may be left for 5/6 weeks as part of the planned maintenance schedule during dry conditions.
31