OUR SHARED FOREST Forest of Dean land management plan A consultation draft January 2019
Section name 1 2 Tel 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk CONTENTS PAGE
Our vision 4
Introduction 6
Trees and woodlands 10
Wildlife and wild spaces 16
Geology and soils 22
Water 28
Cultural heritage 34
Built heritage and archaeology 38
Community 42
Recreation 46
Photos courtesy of: The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism Association - www.wyedeantourism.co.uk
Section name 3 OUR VISION
4 Tel 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk TO NURTURE A SHARED FOREST UNLIKE ANY OTHER
By allowing the decisions we take to be guided by the potential of the land, as well as the varied influences of our ever-changing world, we will create a diverse and inclusive forest that is a global example of what can be achieved through forward-thinking forestry.
Section name 5 INTRODUCTION
6 Tel 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk OUR PAST AND PRESENT
Th’varest is ower wum which is weshed by them there rivers and vur zum time the varester allus kips izzelf to izzelf. Varum th stwuns, oods and ‘ills of these yer varest the varester byunt afeared of workin vur therzelves. We bin proud to zarve our varest land which is zo zed part of thic country of long eared uns, we byunt welsh either, we be varesters.
Forest Dialect - Derek Yemm
The Forest of Dean is a historic forest with and the scrub has taken over following the its origins as a royal forest pre-dating the steady decline in sheep grazing. Norman Conquest of 1066. The Forest has been Commoning of sheep is one of the historically isolated and bypassed, sitting as it long-standing cultural traditions in the Forest does between the Rivers Severn and Wye, on that is in danger of collapse in the modern era the border of England and Wales. due to a lack of people taking up the tradition. The Forest has long been used for its timber Freemining is another tradition unique to the as well as its rich mineral resources of iron Forest, and although there are several active ore, sandstone and coal. While the industrial mines it is still at risk going forward. nature of the Forest was at its height during the late 19th and early 20th Century, quarrying of The Foresters’ stone and timber production are still important Forest programme aspects of the local economy today. The Forest The Forest is much loved and cherished is scattered with a rich legacy of built heritage, by the Foresters and the local community, ranging from scheduled monument remains of but what is important about the Forest is iron works and furnaces through to hundreds not well understood, nor its historic roots of mine entry points and miles of disused valued - and this – and this was a driving force tramways and railways. behind a Heritage Lottery Funded Landscape Partnership Programme for the Forest of Dean. The Forest was the first National Forest Park, designated in 1938. Tourism has slowly Foresters’ Forest is a community-led developed, but has only recently become programme of 38 different projects delivering economically important for the area, with activity in support of our built, natural and significant growth in employment in thecycling cultural heritage. and overnight accommodation sectors. While Foresters’ Forest is hosted and fully The Forest is also a stronghold for nature, supported by the Forestry Commission, its with large areas of woodland and open space scope is much wider than land management providing a mosaic of habitats for a range of and the public forest estate. species. Of particular note are the colonies of However, we are committed to taking the Greater and Lesser Horseshoe Bats, the largest learning from Foresters’ Forest and embedding colonies of these bats in Europe. The Forest is it, where appropriate, in Our Shared Forest. also well known for its woodland and heathland In that respect, Our Shared Forest will be birds and invertebrates. However, the richness very much part of the Foresters’ Forest of these habitats has been in decline as the enduring legacy. open spaces in the Forest have become less,
Introduction 7
THE FUTURE
The Forest has a scale, diversity and a continuity of management over time that supports a depth and breadth of habitats and species that is on a par with, or better than, many celebrated national nature reserves and protected landscapes.
Our Shared Forest is a project to reshape and We want to seize the opportunity to shape redirect our land management – to set a new our future Forest together. We have – and you direction for the public forest estate here in have – the opportunity to think about what we the Dean. want the Forest to look like, feel like, be like in a 100 years time. The world is changing, it always has. The climate is changing, it always has. Society is We are searching for an agreed, understood, changing, it always has. But the pace of change and supported direction from which we, the is speeding up, and the impacts on our Forest Forestry Commission, will create the more over the next generation of trees and people detailed Forest Plans that will direct the will be profound. operational activity in the decades ahead.
At the heart of the plan will be an agreed vision:
TO NURTURE A SHARED FOREST UNLIKE ANY OTHER. By allowing the decisions we take to be guided by the potential of the land, as well as the varied influences of our ever-changing world, we will create a diverse and inclusive forest that is a global example of what can be achieved through forward-thinking forestry.
That vision will be supported by six primary ‘Principles of Land Management’ covering:
• Trees and woodlands We also recognise that how people use the Forest is of fundamental importance, so the • Wildlife and wild spaces plan has two secondary ‘Principles of Land • Geology and soils Management’ for: • Water • Community • Cultural heritage • Recreation • Built heritage and archaeology
8 TelIntroduction 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk
YOUR VIEWS
We would like to hear your views on the vision, and the eight ‘Principles of Land Management’, which are all Each of these principles of land management sets out the important characteristics of ‘what included within this document. have we got now’, identify the key targets or the future, ‘where do we want to get to’, This plan has been developed and then set out key commitments for through a series of workshops ‘what we are going to do’. with key groups such as our staff, There are also a number of key national delivery partners and stakeholders principles and strategies which have helped such as councilors and community set the context: representatives. • Principles of the European Landscape This is your opportunity to be Convention regarding local culture, quality of life, social well-being and transformation involved in the development of of landscapes. an ambitious long-term vision for the Forest’s future and set • Sir John Lawton’s ‘Making Space for Nature’ report recommending ‘more, bigger, better out new approaches to forestry and joined up’. and land management.
• The DEFRA 25 Year plan which sets a plan to What do you value that you ‘leave our environment in a better state than want to maintain or enhance? when we found it’.
• Forest Enterprise England’s strategy to What don’t you like? ‘connect everyone everywhere with the What do you want to change nation’s forest’. in the future? • Gloucestershire’s Local Nature Partnerships recognition of the Forest of Dean as a ‘Nature Improvement Area’.
• Concerns identified in the Forest of Dean and GET Lower Wye Valley National Character Area INVOLVED Profile around climate change and reduction of open space habitat. AND HAVE
• Forest of Dean Landscape YOUR SAY Character Assessment. www.forestryengland.uk/ oursharedforest
Introduction 9 TREES AND WOODLANDS WHERE ARE WE NOW?
The Forest of Dean is one of England’s largest areas of woodland. Its scale, coupled with its long and intricate history, and the complexity of the underlying geology and diversity of soils, gives a uniquely varied and important woodland resource.
The Dean is not all ancient woodland, as many Subsequently, the 1808 Dean Forest (Timber) areas have been cleared of trees for industry Act was passed. Accompanied by a renewed or agriculture since 1600. Nor is it all natural administrative vigour so the Forest was woodland as many thousands of trees have systematically inclosed and planted up. The been planted over many hundreds of years; trees planted were primarily oak, but other nor is it all native woodland, as many exotic species including conifers were also used and species have been planted over the last 200 the Forest became a test bed for new methods years. But those contradictions are largely and approaches. The 19th century plantations irrelevant, as the longevity of woodland in were accompanied by drainage and fencing on a this landscape has given rise to a diverse and scale not seen before. intimate mix of trees and related species of plants, insects and animals that has national In the 20th century, the Forestry Commission importance in its own right. came into being with the task of establishing the strategic reserve of timber, and a renewed The Dean is, and always has been, a productive energy was brought to planting and tending landscape, a working Forest. Timber has always tree crops. Through the 1950s, 60s and 70s, been prominent, finding use as firewood, different eras saw fast growing conifers charcoal and construction timbers for ships, favoured over the oak stands, until that too was houses and furniture. Timber has always sat reversed in the 1980s. alongside provision of food, and the extraction of minerals. Today we also talk about the The result today is a complex landscape that Forest’s role as a vast store of carbon, and a shows large tracts of high forest oak and equally provider of clean water and clean air. large tracts of conifer plantations being grown, often in mono-culture. There are precious few The Forest has seen three major phases of genuine veteran trees and little ancient old woodland activity in the past 500 years that have growth woodland and equally little traditional had a profound impact. First, in the 17th century, coppice, but what you do see are trees, hundreds the demands of the iron industry caused rapid of thousands of trees. and wholescale tree felling and coppicing of the standing trees to produce charcoal to fuel the Arguably, the forest contains more trees iron industry. Grazing animals threatened the today than it has ever done in its past. regrowth, and this decline triggered the 1668 Many of the historic open spaces have Dean Forest (Reafforestation) Act, an Act to scrubbed up, many of the fields identifiable systematically replant the Forest. The political in photos from as little as 50 years ago have intent was there, but the Forest administration been planted, but today, those trees are was weak, and the desired aim to widely replant under threat more than ever before. was not achieved.
Trees and woodlands 11 Pests and diseases have multiplied in recent Minimum standards of woodland management years for numerous reasons. Grey squirrels are set out in the UK Forestry Standard. The are found in the Forest in plague proportions, management of the timber and woodland stripping bark and taking out leading growth resource in the Dean also meets the UK Woodland to disfigure and kill the trees, often in their Assurance Standard, which sets a higher standard teenage years. Many oaks are in poor health, to be achieved and acts as the audit protocol with increased mortality rates as a result of acute for Programme for the Endorsement of Forest oak declines. Ash stands may be on the verge of Certification (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship eradication from Chalara disease and many of Council (FSC) certification standards. the conifer species are similarly threatened. Forestry Commission Deer numbers may also be at their highest ever woodlands have levels, having recovered from extinction in the been certified in 19th century, but with exotic species such as accordance with the rules of the Forest muntjac expanding rapidly in the forest to the Stewardship Council®. detriment of our woodland flora.
WHERE DO WE WANT TO GET TO?
In 100 years, the trees and woodlands of the Forest of Dean will be vibrant, healthy, vigorous and thriving.
The woodlands will contain a dynamic mix of tree Veteran trees of all species will be very much in species that are healthy and productive: the right evidence, both as single trees and stands of old tree in the right place for the right reasons. growth timber.
The Forest will contain a diverse range of Woodland design will be wind firm (ie. designed woodland types that respond to and reflect to be as stable as possible in strong winds), and the changing soils and topography. There will designed to minimise fire risk, in particular the be a productive blend of broadleaf and conifer risk of a ground fire getting into the crowns trees, native and exotic species. There will be (tree-tops). an intimate mosaic of silvicultural systems for The overall look and feel of the Forest of Dean continuous cover including high forest, pasture will remain ‘wooded’. There will be significant woodland and coppice; as well as a proportion areas of functional open space, but they will of areas under clear-fell and restock systems aim to reflect and accentuate, through good to maximise diversity of stand structure. design, the importance and scale of the Growing capacity, the ability of the woodland surrounding woodland. to grow and capture atmospheric carbon and Those who live in or visit the Forest will produce usable timber, will be protected or understand the national and international enhanced so that the Forest retains relevance value of the Forest, and its contribution to the and value in the wider landscape, contributing wider environment and economy. Woodland to a healthy environment, climate change operations will be understood and appreciated mitigation and economy. as a legitimate and supportive vehicle to maintain and enhance the Forest.
12 Trees and woodlands Section name 13 WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? Our commitments:
Increase the range and Reduce the impact of pests 1 genetic diversity of our 3 and diseases on our existing trees - aiming for the right tree and new trees in the right place for the right reason Improve our operational 4 planning and Make site by site decisions implementation of 2 to develop and care for Forestry Standards our woodlands
Increase the range and genetic Make site by site decisions 1 diversity of our trees 2 to develop and care for Diversify the individual stands through use of our woodlands natural regeneration and enrichment planting to Diversify stand structure, taking a site by site encourage a wider palette of tree species, while approach to decision making to determine recognising the importance of local species and appropriate silvicultural systems and individual the importance of genetic diversity. The aim is interventions to maximise age class diversity, to establish the right tree in the right place for species diversity, manipulation of light levels the right reason. This will require knowledge (impacting on ground flora and regeneration), and practical understanding of, what tree and to maximise local character. This will include species will grow best where (including taking identification of non-intervention, old growth, account of soil type and soil water regimes and coppice woodlands, for example. now and as the projected result of changes to Our clear objective will be to reduce from management practice and climate change), how the clear-fell / restock system. they will interact with their neighbours, and what objectives they will fulfil and deliver.
14 Trees and woodlands Reduce the impact of pests We will steadily raise the standard we expect, 3 and diseases on our existing enforcing the application of the existing Forestry Standards, as we aim to set exemplary standards and new trees of woodland management. We will work with our We will improve our active management and teams and wider forest industry to upskill all of effectiveness of our actions to reduce the those who are working in the woods so there is impact of pests and diseases on standing trees greater common understanding of what we are and regeneration success. This will include, but trying to achieve, and how each individual can is not limited, to control of grey squirrels, deer, help contribute to that. insect pests and further improvements to, and enforcement, of biosecurity measures. We will These are our principles of land seek to reduce our reliance on fencing to protect tree crops from deer. management to safeguard and enhance our trees and Improve our operational woodlands in the Forest of Dean. 4 planning and implementation of Forestry Standards We will refine the operational planning systems to take account of the increasing need for more detailed site by site assessments, and encourage greater use of natural processes to achieve the required objectives. We will strengthen the link between operational plans and execution of those plans.
Section name WILDLIFE AND WILD SPACES
16 Tel 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk WHERE ARE WE NOW?
The Forest of Dean is of national and international importance for wildlife. The Forest is a stronghold, and even a last refuge, for individual species and the range of species that are supported through the diverse blend of differing habitats that have resulted from its geology and industrial heritage.
The Dean has never been entirely wooded. a wider matrix of agriculturally improved land, There has always been a matrix of open habitat with few opportunities to reconnect them. such as heathland, grassland, unimproved The net result is a reduction of natural open pastures and wetlands that linked to the habitats within the wider landscape, and a underlying geology, and topography – but reduction in site functionality due to isolation. also evolved and declined according to man’s activities. In general terms, the more sustained Wildlife conservation activity over the past and intensive man’s interventions have been, decade has focused on restoring open habitat, the more long-lived and species-rich the open with some 580 hectares of the public forest habitat has become. Broadly, this has been estate in the Forest of Dean now managed as because, left undisturbed, those open habitats permanent open space. will naturally scrub up and become wooded. Species conservation is often the driver Much of the specialised, site-specific species behind these initiatives, and projects such of plants, animals and insects have taken “Linking the Pearls” and Upper Wye Gorge advantage of habitats that are not stable, and SSSI management have focused on restoring are in transition. This results in a constant ebb small pearl bordered butterfly habitat and and flow of nature, of wildlife moving around endemic whitebeams – species that are on the the wild spaces within the Forest. brink of local extinction and require urgent Since the decimation in sheep numbers after interventions to save them. the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, many open habitats that had been kept open by sheep grazing have scrubbed up. Today when we have arguably more trees and, correspondingly, less open space in the Forest than ever before.
Over-grazing by deer, repeated damage by boar, predation from grey squirrels, and the spread of non-native species such as Himalayan balsam, are also having long-term negative impacts on our native wildlife.
Outside the statutory Forest, agricultural intensification and development has led to widespread and permanent loss of semi-natural open habitats. Now, they only exist as isolated islands of designated or protected sites within
Wildlife and wild spaces 17 The geology and topography of the Dean In summary, the Forest of Dean is a nationally dictate, and have in turn been influenced by, the and internationally important landscape for way water moves through the Forest landscape. nature. The intrinsic value of that nature comes Despite the massive impacts of mining, industry from the intimate and diverse relationship and surface drainage for woodland plantations between individual trees and woodlands, linkages with open spaces and grazing animals, over the last two centuries, there remains a and the relics left by our industry. While what remarkable degree of linkage between the we have is great, we can’t escape from the fact headwater streams and the tidal rivers of the that the Forest under-performs and has been Severn and Wye. Although much degraded, the in decline for many decades from a nature potential for restoration of riverine, wetland conservation perspective. The additional and mire habitats, and the resultant positive threats from climate change, and the increased impacts on associated species of plants, animals pace of change in the wider environment, and insects is huge. require a revitalised, landscape-scale approach focusing on the Lawton principles of bigger, better and more joined up.
WHERE DO WE WANT TO GET TO?
In 100 years, the Forest will be justifiably known as one of the top locations to see a vibrant, diverse, yet wild landscape where natural processes support a productive and species rich Forest.
Each habitat will be of a sufficient size and scale Diverse woodland structures, coppice, high to self-perpetuate through natural processes, forest, pasture woodland and increased where man’s interventions are few and far numbers of veteran trees of different species between. The landscape will be dynamic, and will form a varied wooded structure, providing habitats will naturally evolve as they respond shelter and security. The vibrant woodlands to differing conditions. The landscape will be will act to mitigate extremes of rainfall and permeable, with high degrees of connectivity temperature for wildlife and people. so that species can readily move to new sites as Woodland design and structure will act those habitats naturally transition. to minimise, or contain, fire risk during The Forest’s watercourses and wetlands will increased periods of intense drought and high enjoy functional connectivity between upland temperatures, providing increased protection bogs and headwater streams to the tidal and resilience of the wildlife and wild spaces. rivers. Ponds and lakes will have an ecological Management of the Forest’s built heritage, function, as well an aesthetic and storm water mines and quarries, will recognise the intrinsic storage one. values of those man-made structures for Grazing animals will play an important role in wildlife conservation. maintaining those open habitats, both domestic stock and wild. Iconic species, and the ability to see them, will be supporting a renewed engagement between people and the wildlife around them.
18 Wildlife and wild spaces Section name 19 WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? Our commitments:
Identify habitats of Utilise open spaces 1 current and potential 4 for nature conservation conservation importance, to by developing grazing systems ensure they are made bigger, Use species reintroduction better and more joined up 5 to deliver positive Reduce the spread and changes to the environment impact of invasive species 2 Manage and monitor Improve habitats through 6 Sites of Specific Scientific 3 the development and care Interest (SSSI) of our woodlands
Identify habitats of current Reduce the spread and impact 1 and potential conservation 2 of invasive species importance, to ensure they are made There is a range of invasive species that are of bigger, better and more joined up long-term conservation concern for the Forest of Dean. These include, but are not limited Our initial priority will be to complete a high to, feral wild boar, deer (notably muntjac) and level habitat mapping exercise, linked to the grey squirrels, as well as plant species such existing Forest of Dean Landscape Character as Himalayan Balsaam, Giant Hogweed and work, to provide a landscape scale framework Japanese Knotweed. We will further develop to link habitats in a resilient and ecologically strategies and interventions to reduce the spread functional manner. Landscape connectivity and impact of these species, noting that the will be considered to ensure the habitat for presence of these species at low densities may be the internationally important bat colonies are beneficial to delivery of our long-term objectives. protected or improved.
During the Forest Planning process, this high Improve habitats through level mapping will be refined to take into 3 the development and care account specific sites of current and potential of our woodlands conservation importance, and how they will be We will diversify woodland structure, taking functionally linked and ecologically sustained in a site by site approach to decision making to reality. This will reflect our ambition for bigger determine appropriate silvicultural systems habitat units, where ecological functions / natural and individual interventions. In this way, we will processes are sustained with only minimal maximise age class diversity, species diversity, intervention by man. manipulation of light levels (impacting on ground flora and regeneration) and maximise local character. This will include identification
20 Wildlife and wild spaces of non-intervention, old growth, and coppice engineers, and can fundamentally change woodlands, for example. Our objective man-made water courses and drained valleys in will be to move away from the clearfell / a short space of time. There is scope to consider restock system. Attention to woodland edge further use of inclosed populations of beavers management will be increased to improve and, in time perhaps, potential to remove the habitat (and aesthetic) values. fences and let beavers naturally recolonise the catchments. Pine marten have the potential to Utilise open spaces for nature impact grey squirrel populations and lower the 4 conservation by developing density of squirrels, which will reduce damage grazing systems to trees and predation of other species. Other Historically, many of the open spaces in wooded species of plants, insects and animals may be environments have been both created and considered for reintroduction to play a beneficial maintained naturally by grazing animals. To role in the environment, to add to the species manage open spaces in an optimal way for diversity, or reinforce a declining species. In all nature conservation, we need to develop cases, proposed reintroductions will be carefully grazing systems appropriate to the size, assessed to ensure we don’t create an ecological scale and nature of the habitats we plan. Our or social problem, and to ensure the introduction challenge is to do this in a way that supports the has a good chance of success. cultural heritage of free roaming sheep, whilst Manage and monitor Sites of focusing grazing in the areas required – that Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI) may change over time, and in a way that reduces 6 the need for intrusive fencing. We recognise The existing network of Sites of Special that different animals graze in different ways, Scientific Interest will continue to be managed and thus a blend of hardy stock will be required. in accordance with the approved plans to retain or achieve ‘favourable condition’ status. Where Use species reintroduction to appropriate, Forest Plans will look to extend 5 deliver positive changes to the or buffer SSSI sites with habitat of a similar environment or supporting nature in line with the Lawton principles of bigger, better and more joined up. The ecological richness of the Forest has declined over the last few decades, and some species are at risk of extinction from the These are our principles of land Forest. Some species, such as beaver and pine management to celebrate our marten, have been identified as animal species wildlife and safeguard our that can be used to deliver positive change to wild spaces. the environment. Beavers are natural water GEOLOGY AND SOILS
22 Tel 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk WHERE ARE WE NOW?
The distinctive and diverse landscape of the Forest of Dean is determined by the nature of the rocks that lie beneath the surface and the processes that have formed them. In turn the Forest soils are closely related to the rocks from which they are derived.
Everything we see on the surface of the Forest The richness and complexity of the Forest’s of Dean – the changing topography, varied geology is represented in the relatively high natural habitats and vegetation, the patterns number of geological SSSIs, and the plethora of human settlement, culture and even the of current, mothballed and long-closed buildings – is shaped by the underlying geology. mineral extraction sites – stone quarries, An understanding of the geology of the Forest iron and coal mines. of Dean and how it influences the character of the area is of fundamental importance if we are Soil formation can also be incredibly complex, to retain the distinctive and diverse landscape. and is directly linked to the underlying geology, as soil derives from rock as well as deposited The geology of the Forest is exceptionally organic matter. As rock breaks down through diverse, with significant change across a small weathering and erosion, the resulting particles area. At its most basic, the Forest can be thought form the basis for soil. Soil evolves as a result of of as sitting upon the Old Red Sandstone. physical and chemical processes, and biological activity. It can vary from a very thin cover, or To the west and north, the high ground is none, to deep soils and peat. The underlying made up of the Carboniferous limestones. geology is important in determining the These are freely draining rocks, as the rock is chemical and physical nature of the developing cracked and fissured. Surface water percolates soil and the habitats and vegetation types it down these cracks and fissures, eroding out the supports. In turn, the nature of the vegetation, limestone to form complex cavern systems. cycles of vegetation decay, activity of earthworms and fungi also enrich and improve In the core of the Forest is the ‘coal basin’. The soil fertility and structure. rocks outcropping at the surface in the coal basin are the younger Carboniferous coal measures. In the Dean, the differences in geology, These include sandstones, the coal seams and and therefore soils, can easily be observed, associated clays. often over only short distances as you move
To the east of the ‘coal basin’ is a series of through the Forest. ridges and valleys. These ridges and valleys can Limestones lead to alkaline, well-drained be thought of as a crumple zone where all the and often quite shallow soils. The climax rocks so far mentioned outcrop at the surface, vegetation upon limestone is dominated by having been pushed upwards by huge forces. ash, beech, field maple woodland with pockets These outcrops are in a broadly linear fashion, of lime and an understorey of blackthorn, although this can be hidden in places by alluvial hawthorn, yew, privet and spindle. The deposits (most likely glacial in origin) that are ground layer consists of an assemblage of essentially ‘dumps’ of other rock material upon characteristic species including dog’s mercury the surface; mainly sands and gravels. (Mercuralis perennis), enchanter’s nightshade
Geology and soils 23 (Circaea lutetiana) and wood sedge (Carex Fine-grained rocks, such as the coal measure sylvatica). Where suitable conditions exist on clays, mudstones and shales, lead to poorly- remnant pockets of outcropping limestone, drained soils – and it is these soils that calcareous grassland supports uncommon and underlay the wetter areas of the Forest interesting plants such as bloody cranesbill of Dean. Where drainage is impeded, the (Geranium sanguisorba), common rock-rose climax vegetation that would naturally exist (Helianthemum nummularium) and soft- is pockets of wet woodland supporting leaved sedge (Carex montana). Species such species such as alder (Alnus glutinosa) as the Carboniferous hawkweed (Hieracium and willow (Salix spp.) with rain-fed mires pachyphylloides) and a variety of whitebeam which proliferated where the ground is too hybrids are endemic to the Wye Valley due to wet to support trees. This creates unique the unique geological conditions it provides. assemblages of wet heath and mire plants such as sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), bog Sandstones, sands and gravels lead to more myrtle (Myrica gale) and Sphagnum species. acidic, well-drained brown, podzolic soils – These wetlands not only provide habitat for more typical of the central basin of the Forest diverse and severely declining wetland plants of Dean. The natural climax vegetation of the and invertebrates, they also store carbon in Forest of Dean is sessile oak (Quercus petraea), the peat that gradually forms over millennia pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), and birch as sphagnum is compacted. Very little of the (Betula pendula), with rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) original wetland/mire communities still exist and holly (Ilex aquifolium) in the understorey. within the Forest of Dean, as the groundwaters When the climax vegetation is removed, as feeding them have been impacted through drainage for forestry or industry.
Many of our former mineral extraction sites have areas of minimal or no soil cover where the soil forming process is in its infancy after disturbance. These areas are nationally rare and have a value in their own right.
In comparison to the highly disturbed, ploughed and fertilised soils of much of the surrounding agricultural landscape, Forest soils remain relatively intact in terms of their composition and structure. Within some agricultural landscapes, the annual damage done by arable cropping is destroying the soil’s structure and fertility faster than natural soil forming was the case when areas of the original wild processes can replenish it. There is growing wood were felled, the resulting acid grasslands recognition in agriculture that active soil and lowland heaths support bramble (Rubus conservation has to become part of modern fruticosus), bracken (Pteridium aquifolium) farming to maintain productivity. and, on the most acidic soils, light demanding ericaceous shrubs such as ling (Calluna vulgaris), The same is true of forestry and timber cropping bell heather (Erica ciliaris), bilberry (Vaccinium – but with significantly different time horizons. myrtillis) and tormentil (Potentilla erecta). Over time, repeated timber cropping will have a negative impact on many of the natural
24 Geology and soils processes that underpin a healthy functioning ability to support beneficial soil organisms, and surface and soil ecosystem in co-existence with the free movement of soil water are negatively the underlying geology. Through disruption to affected. Healthy, aerated and well-structured these processes, the soil’s ability to support soil is thus vital for woodland resilience. vegetation and tree growth is reduced, and its
WHERE DO WE WANT TO GET TO?
In 100 years, we want to have retained or enhanced the distinctive diversity of habitats and species of wildlife that are thriving within the Forest. We will have realised the ecological and productive potential of the Forest, and maintained or increased its carbon storage capacity.
We will have provided functional ecological greater use of permanent extraction / access linkages to have reduced the negative routes (which themselves will inevitably be implications of ‘island sites’ for species more degraded as a result). conservation, which reflect the underlying We also wish to increase awareness of the soils and geology. We will be actively Forest’s geological diversity, and how that managing dynamic, site-appropriate habitats diversity has influenced the natural, built and to maintain a range of ecosystems, linked to cultural heritage of the Forest. healthy soil regime.
We will have a resilient Forest, where extremes of climate may have an impact on the diverse woodlands and other habitats, but the natural and managed resilience ensures that no single climatic event has a devastating impact. Restoring natural processes is an important long-term aim to improve the Forest’s resilience, and its ability to adapt in the face of climate change.
This means we will give time and space for nature and natural processes, with greater shared understanding of the objectives in place for each area or compartment. Site by site decision making and based upon sound objectives and professional judgment, coupled with patience, will be promoted over our current silvicultural philosophy of making artificial interventions every few years. We will have the right tree, in the right place for the right reason.
We wish to reduce soil damage through compaction, erosion or pollution to an absolute minimum through good site management and
Geology and soils 25 WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? Our commitments:
Identify optimum sites Improve extraction and 1 for lowland heath, mire 3 access routes for forest and other wetlands and link operations to reduce soil these to open spaces compaction by machines
Move away from felling Promote the story of 2 blocks of trees to reduce 4 our geological sites the impact on soil qualities of interest
Identify optimum sites for Move away from felling blocks 1 lowland heath, mire and 2 of trees to reduce the impact other wetlands and link these on soil qualities to open spaces We will evolve our approach away from the We will critically examine the Forest as a whole, plantation system of clear-fell/restock towards and determine where the optimum sites are more continuous cover systems, to preserve for lowland heath, mire and other wetlands, woodland cover and reduce the negative as directed by the underlying geology and impact of large scale clearances on soil potential of the soils and landform. We will look processes, such as soil moisture regimes and to link those areas with ecologically functional soil micro-organisms. corridors of open space and riparian woodlands. Open habitats will be sufficiently extensive and Improve extraction and access connected to allow a more naturalistic approach 3 routes for forest operations to to their management, using grazing ponies, reduce soil compaction by machines cattle and sheep. Wooded habitats will also be We will refine our operational planning systems matched to soil type and land form, recognising to take account of the increasing need for that different tree species have different soil more detailed site by site assessments, and preferences for nutrient and soil moisture encourage greater use of natural processes regimes, for example. to achieve the required objectives. We will
26 Geology and soils strengthen the link between operational plans and execution of those plans, with more robust monitoring post-operation to assess whether the objectives were met.
We will steadily raise the standard we expect in the Forest, surpassing the application of the existing Forestry Standards, as we set our ambitions to reach exemplary standards of woodland management.
We will ensure extraction and access plans are included for all forest operations to reduce soil compaction by machines, and ensure that additional focus is given to control of erosion and sedimentation. This will include greater support for suspending works when control of sedimentation cannot be guaranteed due to ground or prevailing weather conditions.
Promote the story of our 4 geological sites of interest We will maintain our suite of geological SSSIs in favourable condition, and maintain access to them, where it is safe to do so. We will endeavour to understand the relevance of each site to the story of our landscape so that appropriate sites can feature in the interpretation programme.
These are our principles of land management to celebrate our geological heritage and safeguard our soils.
Section name WATER
28 Tel 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk WHERE ARE WE NOW?
The Forest of Dean’s complex geology underpins a distinctive and diverse landscape. Water moving through that landscape has naturally responded to the different topographies and permeability of the underlying rock over thousands of years.
On the limestone geologies, surface water the Environment Agency as being in a ‘rapid would have readily percolated underground, response’ catchment, where a catastrophic leaving a fairly dry surface much more conducive flood event is possible with risk to life. to people moving through, and settling in the landscape. On the coal measures in the core of It is, however, important to note that the the forest, a much wetter natural habitat would intrinsic ‘roughness’ of woodlands and have existed, with dense wet woodlands, braided associated habitats results in water moving stream channels, sphagnum bogs and mires, more slowly across the surface before finding which would have made it an unwelcoming place its way into a drainage channel than either for people. urban or agricultural land uses. It is also worth noting that the largest water bodies of Cannop Over time, as people settled in the landscape Ponds, Soudley Ponds, Woorgreens and and started to exploit it the Forest has become Mallards Pike Lakes are all man-made. significantly drier. Underground mine workings have provided many more points for surface Despite the impact man has had on the way water to drain underground and be channelled water moves through the Forest landscape, effectively out from the Forest. Centuries of there remains a remarkable level of connectivity woodland management have led to the creation between the sea, the large tidal rivers (the of effective drainage patterns across much of Severn and Wye), and the Forest’s streams and the land surface. The channelling of water to headwaters. This degree of connectivity, and power industries in the 19th century also had the relatively benign conditions of woodland a dramatic impact in some locations. The result management, provide huge potential for a wetland of those human activities is a well-drained network of national importance for aquatic flora landscape in which water moves more rapidly and fauna. The Forest is already home to the through the Forest than would naturally be endangered white claw crayfish, and the critically the case. endangered European eel, for example.
There are two contrasting impacts of water Urban development and modern living can moving through the Forest rapidly. Firstly, mask the linkages between water flowing in during periods of drought, low and no-flow the natural environment and water coming conditions in the waterways have significant out of your taps, or sewage down your toilets. negative impacts on the ecology of streams and But those linkages are very real. For example, associated ponds. Secondly, in periods of high much of Cinderford’s drinking water comes rainfall, the speed of water in the main channels from the underlying limestone aquifer, which can cause increased erosion leading to excessive is fed and maintained by rainwater percolating sedimentation and damage to infrastructure, through from the woods above. The broken such as bridge supports and culvert pipes, as nature of the geology in places allows springs well as down-stream flood risk to properties. to emerge in the woods, either as lines across a This is of particular concern for the Soudley hill side or as a single point, often identified as and Ruspidge areas, that are recognised by a well.
Water 29 Poorly maintained septic tanks, or poor linkage a discolouration as mineral contaminants are of surface drains to the public sewer system, deposited on the surface after the water emerges can lead to contaminated water getting into from underground. The ground water movements natural streams and Forest drains, leading to are complex, and numerous ‘dip-wells’ are both short and long-term pollution. Although maintained by the Environment Agency to track largely unreported, a number of properties the levels. A number of properties in the Forest in the Forest suffer from occasional, but suffer from ground water flooding, albeit less predictable, surface water flooding. frequently than surface water flooding; but it is still a significant issue for those affected. The impact of the porous limestones, and the extensive mining through the coal measures, Ponds in the Forest are predominantly means that ground water and ground water flows man-made, and are in a generally poor are significant. The main mine ‘drain’ point is at condition due to encroachment by trees. Norchard, where water can be heard roaring out Artificial stocking of the larger lakes with fish of the ground as you approach the Dean Forest also poses a risk to the native aquatic fauna Railway’s main visitor base. But other drains due to direct predation and risk of disease. exist throughout the Forest, often evident by
30 Water WHERE DO WE WANT TO GET TO?
100 years from now, we will see a Forest where the streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands no longer require anything but the most minor interventions for natural processes to function and for a healthy water environment to prevail.
Our vision is that water in the Forest will be seen, perhaps for the first time, as a vitally important, life-giving asset to be cherished and treated with respect.
Streams will choose their own courses across their flood plains, forming blockages, islands, braided channels and backwaters. The flood plains will largely be riparian woodland, with tree species that are appropriate to this wet situation such as willows, aspen and alder.
The wooded slopes of the valleys and plateaus will include areas of mire and wet heathland that will act as sponges, holding up sufficient water for our streams to flow healthily throughout the summer months, maintaining good water quality and providing a habitat for fish and other aquatic species. The fish and other aquatic animals in the streams will have The streams, ponds, flood plains and wetlands free passage to move from the Wye and Severn will be accessible to people for leisure and for right up into the headwaters of the brooks, sustainable exploitation of resources, including as manmade barriers have been removed or timber production and the provision of drinking bypassed. The natural corridors along the water. People will more fully understand the brooks and their tributaries will provide vital links between water in the Forest, and the connectivity between other patches of semi- water in their homes, and value the wildlife natural habitat within the Forest. supported by a healthy system.
Beavers will have established territories After heavy rainfall, water will no longer rush in many parts of the Forest, bringing with down our rivers in torrents to cause flash- them dams, ponds and wet meadows. flooding in our towns and villages. It will pass These, in turn, will provide a home for a slowly through the system via well-structured plethora of wildlife such as water voles, fish, and rich soils; along complex, meandered and invertebrates, such as dragonflies, and a messy channels and flood plains; reaching range of wetland plants. our communities in a naturally controlled and predictable flow.
Water 31 WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? Our commitments:
Identify and develop and reduce volumes of water 1 riparian zones to enhance flowing down and out of the connectivity and functionality Forest in storm conditions of watercourses Create and maintain ponds Naturalise water channels 5 to support ecology by creating natural 2 Manage water flow on structures to build habitat operational sites to reduce diversity and slow the flow 6 soil erosion and excessive of water sedimentation, and modify Remove non-functional our approaches to woodland 3 artificial barriers that drainage to allow them to restrict the movement function more naturally of water and fish Use beavers for Restore active mires and 7 engineering watery 4 bogs to create habitat landscapes
Identify and develop riparian channel should be functioning in a naturally 1 zones to enhance connectivity diverse and ever changing way, connected to its flood plain. and functionality of watercourses Our initial priority will be to complete a high Naturalise water channels by level habitat mapping exercise, linked to the 2 creating natural structures to existing Forest of Dean Landscape Character build habitat diversity and slow the work, to provide a landscape-scale framework to link habitats in a resilient and ecologically flow of water functional manner. Currently a great many of the Forest’s stream, river and drainage channels have Connectivity, and ecological functionality of been artificially straightened and deepened. the watercourses, will be enhanced through This needs to be reversed to slow the water identification and development of functional down, allowing channels to meander and braid riparian zones. A functional riparian zone (split into numerous smaller channels). This intercepts surface water flows before they can be done in numerous ways, but each site meet a flowing stream or other drainage needs to be assessed on its own merits with channel – forcing the surface water to slow appropriate assessment of risk, and respect for down and filter through the ground vegetation other land management principles (including before meeting the main channel. This slows built heritage). When naturalising streams, the water down, and allows carried sediment we will look to create a variety of naturalistic to drop out. Within the riparian zone, the main structures to build in habitat diversity.
32 Water Remove non-functional We will refine the operational planning 3artificial barriers that restrict systems to take account of the increasing need for more detailed site by site assessments for the movement of water and fish water management, and encourage greater The free movement of water and fish is use of natural processes to achieve the restricted in numerous places by artificial required objectives. We will strengthen the barriers. Some of those barriers no longer link between operational plans and execution form any useful function and could be removed. of those plans. Others are still required, and more careful assessment of options needs to be made. Management of surface flows from and across In the main, forestry culvert pipes and bridges operational sites will be improved to reduce are too too small and, as they are replaced, soil erosion and excessive sedimentation we will look to increase the space for natural downstream. water flows. Our larger lake systems are all We will modify our approaches to woodland man-made, and often large volumes of water drainage, and drain maintenance, aiming are artificially held back by aging or otherwise to reduce the artificiality of drains, and vulnerable dams. While we are not proposing encouraging them to function more naturally to remove those lakes, we will review options – acknowledging that civil engineering assets to reduce risk and increase ecological values, need to be maintained, and that protection while aiming to preserve amenity values, from water damage may require pro-active through re-engineering dams and out-falls. interventions. In making those interventions, we will be aware of the potential down-stream Restore active mires and bogs or down slope impacts. Equally, we will need 4 to create habitat and reduce to continue to manipulate soil water levels in volumes of water flowing down and some wooded locations, such as oak woods, to out of the Forest in storm conditions maintain conditions for healthy tree growth. Within the upper parts of the Forest core, we Use beavers for engineering will look to areas of relict mire as the starting watery landscapes point to restore active mire / sphagnum bog. 7 This is an important habitat in its own right, While the return of beavers to part of their but will also have an important role in acting former native range is a good conservation story as a reservoir of water that can be naturally in its own right, our interest in them is largely released during drought conditions to maintain as a ‘tool’ for engineering watery landscapes to stream flows. These bogs will also hold water store water, mitigate storm flows and filter out in storm conditions, thus reducing the volumes contaminants to improve water quality. Beavers flowing down and out of the Forest. will provide much of the ecological functionality that we are looking to recreate through Create and maintain ponds naturalisation of stream channels. The challenge 5 to support ecology with beavers is getting them to work in areas We will look to supplement the existing pond we want them, and stopping them straying network with collections of ponds within into areas we don’t. Currently, this is achieved suitable locations (soils/ topography) where through heavy duty fencing, but we don’t want natural processes can operate to support an to see significant, large-scale fencing in the ecologically functional system, acknowledging Forest long-term. that tree felling and scrub management may be required through time. These are our principles of land management to safeguard and Manage water flow on enhance our waterways and 6 operational sites to reduce soil erosion and excessive sedimentation, wetlands in the Forest of Dean. and modify our approaches to woodland drainage to allow them to function more naturally Water 33 CULTURAL HERITAGE
34 Tel 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk WHERE ARE WE NOW?
The Forest of Dean has a long and complex social history linked to the exploitation of its mineral wealth and timber resources.
The way people have engaged with the HM Verderers are a direct descendent from landscape over hundreds of years has shaped the Norman’s administration of Forest Law. a unique and complex cultural identity. This The Verderers were locally elected officials identity is anchored in the landscape, and who oversaw the application of Forest Law celebrated through a vast range of texts, within their court. The Verderers’ Court poems and songs. was more properly known as the ‘Court of Attachment’, and more popularly known as the Whilst the integral parts of this culture are ‘Speech Court’. The Verderers were stripped hard to separately define and categorise, of their remaining legal powers in the 1970s there are broadly four key aspects of cultural but are still elected in the traditional way, and heritage that directly link to land management, meet in their courtroom at the Speech House as follows: on a quarterly basis. 1 Crown and Forest law The Crown’s governance of forests evolved over time, moving to a mixed economy where 2 Grazing and the inclosures the Crown took revenues for common grazing, 3 Forest structure venison, mineral royalties, property rents, and the sale of timber – as well as the fines levied 4 Freemining (and free quarries) for abuses against the forest.
Crown and Forest law Grazing and the inclosures The Forest’s origins pre-date the Norman The tradition of sheep grazing has long been Conquest of 1066. However, many of the a cause of contention. Long ago, all manner cultural characteristics of the Forest’s of domestic stock grazed the Forest, with the landscape today have their roots in the 1217 ‘Charter of the Forest’ granting a right concepts of ‘Forest’ and ‘Forest Law’ introduced for ‘freemen’ to ‘agist their stock’ (graze the by the Normans. For the Normans, the word Forest for a fee) and to have ‘pannage’ for forest described a large area of wild land given their pigs. The current position, arguably, over for hunting. This wild area would have had its origins in the 1668 Dean Forest contained a diversity of habitats, and little or no (Reafforestation) Act that followed the Civil settlement to impede the hunt. Forest Law was War and devastation to the timber resource draconian, designed to prevent local people caused by the iron industry. from reducing the value of the area for hunting The 1668 Act established the Inclosure by protecting the ‘vert’ and ‘venison’. Vert was Commissioners to oversee the creation of the greenery upon which the deer and boar inclosures for the protection of planted trees, depended for food and shelter, and venison with those inclosures freed from common rights being the game animals. While some property for a period. Under the 1668 Act, those who within the bounds of a forest could be privately could exercise common rights were those who owned, the majority was deemed to be owned had proven entitlement to such rights in 1634. by the Crown, outside of the ownership of the manors and parishes; or ‘extra-parochial’.
Cultural heritage 35 The 1668 Act was largely repeated in the boundaries, pasture woodland has arisen. 1808 the Dean Forest (Timber) Act. Many of These are areas that have been grazed for many the surviving inclosure boundaries date from centuries, but also have a well-developed tree the decades immediately after 1808 when cover. As the pasture woodlands fell outside of the Crown, under Deputy Surveyor Machen’s the areas managed for ‘timber’, they tend to be leadership, systematically inclosed and replanted home to the oldest trees. the Forest. This vigorous approach directly This long lived Forest structure gives a led to the ‘Warren James riot’ of 1831, and well-established pattern of open space being the Dean Forest Commission that regularised most commonly found on the Forest edge, much of the custom of the Forest, including with the larger trees of the pasture woodlands the boundary, settlement encroachments and crowding the road ways and tracks through the the freemining. However, the common rights wooded core, and then denser tree plantings were not satisfactorily dealt with – Cyril Hart and plantations, in the inclosures. This gives rise relates that the evidence to the Commissioners to a strong sense of being within a woodland, was disjointed and conflicting. In 1898, Deputy in amongst the trees when passing through the Surveyor Bayliss tried to stamp out sheep Forest. This is actually quite rare, with relatively grazing in the Forest, and referred the matter few other places in the country having such to the Crown’s Law Officers, who ruled that an intimate relationship between people and ‘there is no Right of Common in the Forest of trees. This is reflected in much of the literature Dean, instead the Crown suffer the privilege of of the Forest, with authors such as Winifred sheep grazing’. This is the position the Crown has Foley, Leonard Clark and Dennis Potter painting taken consistently and the Forestry Commission a picture of living in the trees and of a closeness maintains today. with nature. Forest structure In many ways, the Forest we enjoy today is The historic use of the landscape, coupled different from many. There are simply so many with the topography and soils (both defined by trees, overhanging roads and hugging paths the geology) has given a spatial structure with little open space. There is no denying that of forest wastes, wooded inclosures and you are in a thick, dense woodland – and that is pasture woodlands. quite rare. The wooded inclosures are those areas that Freemining have been planted and cropped as a timber (and Free Quarrymen) resource over hundreds of years. The Forest The proud tradition of Freemining, uniquely wastes are those areas of the Forest that are codified into law through the 1838 Dean Forest either unsuitable or otherwise unwanted for Mines Act, has its roots long before 1400. tree planting, and thus are those areas that The earliest of the Dean’s miners sought iron remained outside of the inclosures. The Forest ore. Ochre and coal came to prominence later, wastes are most prevalent on the fringes of although the era of the deep mines of the late the Forest, and were encroached upon in the 19th and early to mid-20th centuries had the 19th century to create the ring of ‘squatter’ most profound impacts on the development settlements that evolved into the Forest of our communities. villages of today.
Within the core of the Forest, the classic ‘forest The surface quarries have extracted the lawn’ structures of many so-called royal hunting sandstones and limestones in an industry that forests are not evident – although place names of has continued without pause for as long as the Moseley Green and Serridge Green, for example, miners have worked. While the remnant mine may be indicative of their past locations. Instead, and quarry structures can be dealt with by within the Forest core, between the inclosure the Principles of Land Management for Built Heritage and Archaeology, and the interest
36 Cultural heritage in the geology is covered by the Principles the mines and quarries and those who worked of Land Management for Geology and Soils, them. The more obvious manifestations of there is a continuing social legacy that needs those stories today are the memorials sited at safeguarding. These are the stories related to many of the former mine sites. WHERE DO WE WANT TO GET TO? In 100 years, we want the Forest to be a distinctive safeguarded by people practising the and cherished landscape shaped by man, where skills of running sheep or digging out our our story can be traced and understood through mineral wealth. the practice of traditions, such as freemining However, the Forest will not be a manicured and sheep badgering. The essence of lives lived theme park. It will still feel like a wild place and described in poetry, texts and music will where nature retains the upper hand and trees echo loudly and resonate clearly with the lives loom large. It will be a place where a person can of those who have yet to come. immerse themselves, get lost, and be at one Our cultural heritage will be better understood with nature. by more people, and those traditions will be
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? Our commitments: Respect and support Commoners Association and the partners of the 1 the HM Verderers Sheep Liaison Group. Shape a wider appreciation and understanding of the role that grazing Continue to support HM Verderers and their animals play in maintaining and improving the court, the Court of Attachment, in the Speech ecological and aesthetic qualities of the Forest. House, encouraging the Verderers to take a more active role in preserving, and encouraging Strengthen the feel engagement with our cultural heritage and the 4 of a Forest of trees overall structure of our Forest. Strengthening the feel of being in amongst Respect and support HM the trees, and of being at one with the Forest’s 2 Inclosures Commissioners wildlife through land management decisions, and aesthetic landspace considerations that use trees Maintain as far as possible the historic to frame views, provide for longevity of trees (ie. woodland structures of inclosure boundaries, encourage more ancient and veteran trees) and wooded inclosure and the pasture woodlands, challenge decisions that unnecessarily urbanise and continuing support for HM Inclosure the Forest environment. Commissioners. Support and promote Support and encourage mining and quarrying 3 the traditional privilege 5 We will continue to support and promote of sheep grazing small-scale mining and quarrying following Support and encourage the privilege of sheep the traditions set out over hundreds of years, grazing, maintaining a focus on responsible adapting to necessary changes in the legislative shepherding through regular dialogue with the or regulatory frameworks.
These are our principles of land management to safeguard our cultural heritage in the Forest of Dean. BUILT HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGY
38 Tel 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk WHERE ARE WE NOW?
The Forest of Dean has a long and complex history of exploitation for its mineral wealth and timber resources.
While that exploitation has, at times, Many of the features have already been, or are been brutal, the continuity of woodland in the process of being, reclaimed by nature, management across a very large area has greening up, or becoming buried. These natural resulted in an incredibly rich legacy of built process of decay and woodland renewal are heritage and archaeological features surviving valued and appreciated aspects of our Forest within the Forest landscape. heritage.
These features trace the patterns of our While, individually, sites can be incredibly use of the landscape over thousands of exciting, and some, such as the DarkHill / Titanic years of change. steel works complex, are of international importance, it is very much the density and The Forest has a relatively small number of mass of surviving features in the landscape scheduled ancient monuments, but a myriad that make the Forest of Dean nationally of remnant structures surviving as ruins or important for built heritage and archaeology. wall lines or just earthworks. In addition to the Much of the local distinctiveness is the ability surviving built heritage, there is a wealth of to find, trip over, or stumble across these buried archaeological features – some known and features without the ‘theme park’ approach of recorded associated with surface features, and protective fencing and interpretation signage. probably far more unknown and unrecorded, with no obvious surface features to attract attention.
WHERE DO WE WANT TO GET TO?
In 100 years, the Forest will be a distinctive and of new sites, and / or completed excavations cherished landscape shaped by man, where or other investigations of those known sites. our story can be traced and understood on Management planning for the category one the ground, with key heritage sites preserved, sites will have been completed and subsequent understood and interpreted for locals and visitors monitoring will show those sites to be in alike. The heritage of the Forest will be better good condition with active management and understood, and we will be able to confidently interpretation in place. state that we have a comprehensive record of known features and a robust understanding of what those features are and what they represent. There will be a myriad of built heritage features being reclaimed by nature, or becoming buried, but no built features will have been deliberately destroyed or damaged.
In 10 years, we will have completed the categorisation of all known sites, and have extended our knowledge through identification
Built heritage and archaeology 39 WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? Our commitments:
Categorise our Pragmatically manage 1 built heritage and 4 public safety through archaeological features inspection and fencing
Involve members of the Establish a new advisory 2 local community to help 5 group, to be known monitor and maintain our as the ‘Built Heritage and built heritage and Archaeology Advisory Panel archaeological features for the Forest of Dean’, to assist with decision making Continue investigation 3 and research into our built heritage and archaeological features
Categorise our built heritage importance in telling the story of the Forest. 1 and archaeological features These sites or structures will be protected from Our approach in the Forest of Dean will be to degradation through site management actions manage to three distinct categories of built such as vegetation control, managing erosion heritage and archaeological features. or other low input site stabilisation measures. They will not have a site-specific management Category One: Scheduled ancient plan, but will be identified in Forest Plans. monuments and listed buildings. These will have individual management plans that will Category Three: All other sites and separately lay out the agreed management structures that are known about by us in the actions to protect and enhance the social and Forest will be recorded on the Commission’s historical values of those structures. These GIS system and operational maps. As far plans will be approved by Historic England. as is practically possible, these sites will be Additional structures or sites that have no protected from damage by Forest Operations statutory protection may be identified and or other works but will not receive any specific agreed by us to be treated as Category One interventions to prevent their degradation sites. These will be structures or sites that have through natural processes – such as erosion, particular importance in telling the story of decay or vegetation growth. the Forest. The plans for these sites will not be submitted to Historic England for approval. Involve members of the local community to help monitor and Category Two: Sites or structures that are 2 locally or regionally important examples of maintain our built heritage and their type that are not nationally scheduled archaeological features or listed, nor identified as being of particular
40 Built heritage and archaeology We will look to support community that become dangerous, but that may be engagement in monitoring and maintaining unavoidable in some cases. built heritage and archaeological features by facilitating appropriately trained and Establish a new advisory experienced community groups (and / or 5 group, to be known as the ‘Built individuals) to do so. Our initial focus will be Heritage and Archaeology Advisory on completing the ground survey of the LIDAR Panel for the Forest of Dean’, to points started by Gloucestershire County assist with decision making Council and currently being worked on by The sheer number of known (and unknown) Worcestershire County Council, with volunteers sites within the Forest presents an immediate through the Foresters’ Forest Programme. challenge for categorising. For the avoidance of Continue investigation and doubt, all unscheduled, unlisted sites that are 3 research into our built heritage currently mapped by us will be deemed to be and archaeological features Category Three until categorised differently. As funds allow, we will look to expand our A new advisory group will be formed, knowledge of known features, completing the to be known as the ‘Built Heritage and ground testing of LIDAR results and undertaking Archaeology Advisory Panel for the Forest focused archaeological investigations to further of Dean’. This group will provide advice to our knowledge and understanding of specific us regarding categorisation, as well as make features, sites or the landscape as a whole. recommendations for future works to improve This work will link to the research priorities the condition of, and our shared understanding published by Gloucestershire County Council. of, the historic features / sites / landscape. The categorisation process will need to be Pragmatically manage public largely completed before the development of 4 safety through inspection the more detailed Forest Plans, as it would be and fencing expected that the categorised sites will As a responsible manager of public land, we be mapped in each Plan (and the Category have a duty to maintain that land in a safe One Management Plans will be captured in condition. By their nature, structures that are each plan). left to decay naturally will pose, at various The Panel will support us by providing advice times, a hazard. In the context of the Forest, on site management, advice on future there are two main categories of risk – collapse archaeological investigations, and support of an upstanding structure (falling masonry etc) to maintain accurate recording of features and / or collapse of an underground structure on our systems. (tunnel, mine shaft etc). To discharge our duty The Panel will have representation from of care, we will ensure that structures that are organisations with a statutory interest in the deemed to pose a risk from collapse are placed built or archaeological heritage of the Forest, upon an inspection register. As and when the as well as local voluntary / interest groups. This risk to the public is assessed as moving from will include representation from any volunteer low to medium, remedial action will be taken to group that is engaged in site maintenance and mitigate that risk. For category one sites, this monitoring for us. is likely to be action to repair or stabilise the structure. For category two sites, this is likely to These are our principles of land be stabilisation or fencing off the risk zone. For management to safeguard the category three sites, we will normally just look built heritage and archaeology to fence off the risk zone. We will actively seek to avoid demolition or removal of structures in the Forest of Dean.
Built heritage and archaeology 41 COMMUNITY
42 Tel 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk WHERE ARE WE NOW?
The Forest of Dean is the quintessential hosted by another national or regional community Forest, where the community organisation. These projects are very has evolved in a very close relationship diverse in the way they are organised with its Forest over hundreds of and funded, the subjects covered and years. The community is exceptionally people involved. These projects provide passionate about the Forest, but the an important mechanism to aid social level of shared understanding of how cohesion and grow community capacity and why the Forest is as it is varies as a whole, as well as deliver direct significantly between individuals. benefits to those engaged with them.
The Forest is very well used by visitors The Foresters’ Forest Landscape to the area and also on a daily or weekly Partnership Programme is a Heritage basis by hundreds of local people, for Lottery Fund funded project hosted walking, dog exercising and cycling. by the Forestry Commission. The The Forest is a backdrop to the lives of programme supports a large number many thousands of people, as they drive of different local organisations and through on the way to and from school individuals to deliver a wide range of or work. projects that collectively generate positive outcomes for built, natural We host a growing number of community and cultural heritage across the Forest, projects working at very local or county engaging with and involving many levels, frequently run by locally based hundreds of local residents. community groups, and sometimes
WHERE DO WE WANT TO GET TO?
In 100 years, we want the Forest to be Communities will benefit from a vibrant, a distinctive and cherished landscape, sustainable woodland economy with loved and cared for by local people who valued employment, learning and can experience nature and wildlife, training opportunities on their doorstep. and learn about our shared story in an engaging and inspirational way. However, the Forest will not be a manicured theme park. It will feel like Communities will be using the Forest as a wild place where nature retains the individuals or groups on a daily or weekly upper hand and trees loom large. It will basis for a diverse range of purposes be a place where a person can immerse that collectively help support active and themselves, get lost, and be at one with healthy lifestyles, and build community nature – a respite from an increasingly capacity, cohesion and inclusiveness. frenetic world.
Cultural heritage 43 WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? Our commitments:
Maintain, and enhance Promote adherence 1 community access points 5 to our Wild Trail Policy for mountain biking, Encourage community encouraging local riders groups to work with 2 to increase their us on meaningful and understanding and sustainable projects respect for other users Provide structured and local wildlife 3 opportunities for volunteering across the Mitigate the impacts Forest, both directly 6 of climate change for the Forestry Commission and severe weather on and through partner the community organisations Tell our story – Identify quiet zones, 7 celebrate what is 4 and respect those special about our Forest, zones through the routing and improve communication of waymarked trails of what we do and why and management of we do it permitted events
Maintain, and enhance Encourage community groups 1community access points 2 to work with us on meaningful Through our Forest Plan revisions, we intend to and long-lived projects identify the more significant and heavily used The Forest represents a large space with a access points and formally designate them as myriad of opportunities for community based ‘community access points’. We will then work projects. The challenge for many such projects to improve their visual and physical qualities is sustaining a good idea to deliver positive to encourage greater and easier use by local outcomes in the medium and long term. people. We will seek to recruit a network of This requires local champions to engage volunteer wardens who can help maintain positively and flexibly to work through the those accesses and / or report on condition so challenges of project development with us. remedial works can be scheduled. Ideally this We will favour those projects that support work will be done in tandem with the Parish healthy lifestyles and active engagement and Town Councils. with our cultural, built and natural heritage. We will focus our limited financial resources on supporting initiatives that reach out
44 Community to disadvantaged or otherwise excluded and other woodland users – not with a view to individuals within our community. stopping their activity, but to help them shape We accept that for some community based more optimal routes in less sensitive areas. projects, a degree of financial return will Mitigate the impacts of climate be required to secure longevity of project change and severe weather on outcomes. While this can be challenging for us, 6 the community we will endeavour to overcome these issues to reach workable solutions that stand up to Trees and woodland will be impacted by climate external scrutiny. change, but also play an important role in mitigating or softening the worst impacts at a Provide structured local level. The principles for Water, and Trees 3 opportunities for volunteering and Woodlands will collectively mitigate against across the Forest, both directly extremes of rainfall – both high and low. Trees for the Forestry Commission and and woodlands act to reduce temperature at local level, and provide an element of shelter through partner organisations from storm force winds. Good design, and pro- We will continue to build our, and our partners’, active approaches to tree safety will reduce capacity to engage with a growing number risk from falling trees in high winds, or branch of volunteers on meaningful and rewarding drop in extreme drought. Choice of tree species, opportunities that will collectively support and structural diversity can be manipulated the individual in living a healthy and rewarding to reduce fire risk and, more precisely, reduce life, but also support the maintenance the risk of a ground fire from crowning (which and / or enhancement of our cultural, leads to more rapid spread). We will design and built and natural heritage. manage the woodland to reduce fire risk.
Identify quiet zones, and Tell our story – celebrate what 4 respect those zones through 7 is special about our Forest, and the routing of waymarked trails and improve communication of what we management of permitted events do and why we do it The concept of quiet zones or tranquil areas can We will develop and implement a new only ever be a relative one as, in our increasingly communications strategy that will actively busy and crowded world, fewer and fewer areas support interpretation of the six themes of land are going to be truly devoid of man-made noise. management (Water, Geology and Soils, Built However, we can and we will use our Forest Heritage and Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, Plan process to identify areas where we will Wildlife and Wild Spaces, Trees and Woodlands) not encourage access via waymarked trails or using all channels of communication to include permitted events. These may be areas of higher digital media, mobile phone apps, press, face- nature conservation value. to-face engagement, such as walk and talks, Promote adherence to our Wild and on-site signage for the benefit of the local 5 Trail Policy for mountain biking, community, including schools, and visitors. encouraging local riders to increase We will improve our consultation around Forest their understanding and respect for Plans, and interpretation of what those plans other users and local wildlife mean. We will improve our communications around specific operations to increase Many mountain bike riders who ride away from the formal trail network are people from the awareness of why we do what we do, and how local community. We accept and tolerate the to access the Forest safely. creation and use of ‘Wild Trails’ as long as they meet the requirements of our national Wild These are our principles of Trail Policy. We would like to work with wild trail land management to support riders so that there is a greater appreciation community involvement. of their impact upon wildlife, heritage sites Community 45 Section name RECREATION
46 Tel 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk WHERE ARE WE NOW?
The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley was Forest Lodges operated by Forest Holidays declared as a National Forest Park in 1938, (a company part-owned by the Forestry and has steadily developed as a national Commission); and Biblins Youth Camp visitor destination. Early provision of (now operated for the Forestry Commission recreation infrastructure focused on camping by Woodcraft Folk, a registered charity). and hostel accommodation, picnic areas, The waymarked trail network has reduced promotion of nature trails and rambles, and over the years to lower costs, but the scenic drives. A series of official guide books flagship Sculpture Trail (managed by were produced during the 1950s and into the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust) at the 1970s to promote the area and support Beechenhurst remains the most popular and visitors after arrival. well used of our walking trails. The current visitor offer is focused upon While we aim to provide facilities for all ‘visitor hub sites’ where car parking, café, users, specific provision for those with toilet and additional facilities are provided mobility needs is restricted mainly to our for day visitors. All of the cafés, cycle hire hub sites. Disabled access toilets, cafés and provision and more adventurous charged better surfaced trails are provided at those facilities are operated by third party hub sites, and we encourage our tenants to commercial tenants from the hub sites. These make additional provisions as well. are linked to a number of waymarked walking, cycling and running routes. A specialist cycle The Forest hosts a growing number of centre is provided to focus the cycle offer organised events each year, ranging from of the family cycle trail and the specialist national mountain bike competitions to downhill trails in a dedicated facility. The ‘hub horse riding and orienteering events. sites’ in the Dean (Symonds Yat, Cannop Cycle These events bring in large and growing Centre, Beechenhurst and Mallards Pike) numbers of competitors from across the collectively support over a million day visits country and provide additional revenues for each year. accommodation providers and other visitor businesses in the area. The hub sites are supported by a second tier of car parks, such as Cannop Ponds and The capacity of the Forest to absorb people Speculation, to act as both ‘overflows’ when is huge, but, on more and more days each additional parking capacity is required, year, our hub sites are at – or over – capacity. and as facilities for local people who would This leads to crowding of car parks, queuing prefer to use ‘quieter’ sites to access for toilets and cafés and conflict on multi- the Forest. Some of the second tier sites user trails. The capacity issues are most currently provide direct access on to the acute at Cannop Cycle Centre, with that site waymarked routes and some don’t. reaching capacity by mid-morning on most weekend days all year round. The popularity Overnight accommodation is provided by the of the Forest as a venue for national, regional Bracelands Campsite (now run by Camping and local events also challenges capacity, and in the Forest, a joint venture between we are increasingly refusing permission for the Commission and the Camping and events for this reason. Caravanning Club); the Christchurch Cabin site that has evolved from a camp ground into
Cultural heritage 47 We are a member of the Outdoor Recreation Tourism Association provides an excellent Network, a multi-partner body that promotes vehicle for networking and promotion of an research into outdoor recreation, and integrated visitor offer. Other organisations establishes and shares best practice. promote a variety of guided walks and trails on the public forest estate, some with our The area also supports a much greater array of knowledge, and many without. tourist facilities and overnight accommodation providers. Wye Valley and Forest of Dean
WHERE DO WE WANT TO GET TO?
In 100 years, we want the Forest to be a encouraging healthy lifestyles as people enjoy a distinctive and cherished landscape loved and varied range of activities. enjoyed by people who can experience nature and wildlife, and learn about our story in an However, the Forest will not be a manicured engaging and inspirational way. theme park. It will feel like a wild place where nature retains the upper hand and trees loom Our facilities will be well maintained and large. It will be a place where a person can of a quality that meets the expectations immerse themselves, get lost, and be at one of our diverse visitor base, supporting and with nature. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? Our commitments: Maintain and enhance Focus our visitor 1 our main hub sites as 4 interpretation on our the focus for day visitors hub sites and core network to the Forest of waymarked trails using digital technologies Maintain and enhance 2 our second tier car parks Publish a framework for managing public events Review and extend our 5 3 network of waymarked Identify recreation zones trails for people of all 6 around each main hub site abilities to walk, Establish a Visitor run or ride 7 Advisory Group for the Forest of Dean
Maintain and enhance our main the short- and medium-terms we will look to 1 hub sites as the focus for day expand parking (and attendant facilities) at visitors to the Forest those sites we believe can sustain higher peak visitor numbers. In addition, we will critically We will maintain our network of hub sites examine new potential hub sites in the future (Beechenhurst, Symonds Yat Rock, Mallards where land currently used for purposes other Pike, and Cannop Cycle Centre) providing a than woodland or nature conservation may consistent level of site maintenance and quality come forward for leisure development. of offer so that visitors have an enjoyable, active and safe visit, connecting with nature and Maintain and enhance our our heritage, and are encouraged to return. 2 second tier car parks To keep pace with visitor expectations in our A second tier of car parks in strategic locations modern world, we will seek to steadily enhance around the Forest will be maintained and our sites with improvements to surfacing, enhanced to act as ‘overflows’ for peak periods signage, electric vehicle charging and car park when the hubs are full, or as alternatives for payment systems, for example. All of our hub those who don’t wish to use the extra facilities sites will have direct access on to the refreshed at the hubs. Over time, we expect all car parks trail networks. operated by us to be charged, albeit at different rates to reflect demand and facilities provided. Our hub sites all have capacity issues, yet the Second tier car parks won’t necessarily align to simple response of expanding the number of the trail network, although we will review the parking spaces, café seating and toilet facilities, waymarked trails (see commitment 3) with the for example, is not sustainable in the long- intention of linking sites where possible. term. Different approaches to managing total demand need to be considered. However, in
Recreation 49 Review and extend our network Publish a framework for 3 of waymarked trails for people 5 managing public events of all abilities to walk, run or ride The increasing popularity of the Forest as a We aim to provide a network of multi-user trails venue for national, regional and local events, that start and finish at our hub sites. such as running and mountain biking, is such that a framework to guide decision making is The walking trail network will be planned to necessary. This framework will guide decisions provide a minimum of a short all-ability circular on event locations and routes, frequency and surfaced route on relatively level ground, capacities. The framework will be published to and a longer circular route. We also aspire aid event organisers arrange their events, and to introduce a new circular Forest Trail to be provide greater transparency regarding our suitable for walkers and horse riders. decision making. The waymarked downhill cycling trails will be confined to the Cannop Cycle Centre / Sallow Identify recreation zones Vallets area of the Forest, and the Family 6 around each main hub site Cycling trail (and community links) will be To support the spatial management of the retained largely as it currently is. Forest, recreation zones will be identified New waymarked running trails will be introduced around each visitor hub site. These zones will as part of our Active Forests programme. be managed in a more intensive way to provide a safe, welcoming gateway to visitors who are The trail routes will be designed to take in unused to visiting the countryside. However, different Forest habitats and sites of built and in doing so we will work to ensure that the cultural heritage which respect and respond to Forest environment is is not overly manicured. the ‘quiet zones’. The trails will be supported by an interpretation strategy that utilises digital Establish a Visitor Advisory technologies, such as mobile phone apps, so visitors can learn about our natural, cultural 7 Group for the Forest of Dean and built heritage without reliance on This group will provide a forum to help shape traditional panels. delivery of facilities and event management, and improve customer services within the Focus our visitor interpretation Forest of Dean. The terms of reference 4 on our hub sites and core need to be developed, but we will seek network of waymarked trails using representation from Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism Association, our recreation digital technologies business tenants, and user groups. In addition, Our interpretation strategy will include a focus the group may wish to set up smaller task on visitors using the hub sites and formal trail groups to explore the potential around network. The digital interpretation will focus specific recreation activities. on ‘telling our story’, and will variously cover woodland management, natural, cultural and These are our principles of built heritage. This will allow for seasonal land management to maintain changes to the messaging, and be able to respond to forest operations more flexibly. and enhance our recreation On site signage will be focused on directional facilities for all. and orientation signing, and ‘tasters’ of the story telling to encourage people to engage with the digital mediums.
50 Recreation Section name GET INVOLVED AND HAVE YOUR SAY www.forestryengland.uk/oursharedforest
52 Tel 0300 067 4800 www.forestry.gov.uk