A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF 5. Tree and Woodland Priorities by Landscape Character Area

with local and regional experts. It is therefore The Principles for Tree and Woodland recommended that expert advice, including from Establishment and Management, as set out ecologists, is sought when interpreting these in Section 4, provide an important reference priorities where possible. For advice relating to for augmenting the benefits that trees and trees and woodland in a riparian (i.e. riverbank) woodlands can provide. However, in order to context, it is recommended that advice is sought ensure that the right trees are established in from the Avon Rivers Trust – their the right places, and thereby truly maximise the approach to tree planting is a useful starting benefits of trees and woodlands, it is necessary point. for landowners, delivery bodies, communities The tables below also indicate within which of and individuals to know the context in which the following three broader areas each GI Area they work. and LCA falls: The tables below set out a list of tree and l The Area of Outstanding Natural woodland priorities for each Landscape Beauty (AONB); Character Area (LCA) in the West of England, l The Cotswolds AONB; or organised by the numbered Green Infrastructure (GI) Areas as developed through the JGIS l The Forest of Avon, which is the West of and shown on the map in Figure 9. As the England’s Community Forest and covers the boundaries of the GI Areas do not always follow area in the West of England outside of the two those of LCAs, particularly at the borders AONBs. between local authorities, some LCAs are Definitions of any acronyms used can be found included under two GI Areas. Urban areas in Appendix II: List of Acronyms used. (for which LCAs are not provided for some local authorities) are included under adjacent Every effort has been made to ensure LCAs, which is made clear in the text. A map is consistency between these priorities and the provided at the start of each GI Area showing guidelines and plans in place in the AONBs. the subdivisions under which the priorities are However, in areas that are within the Cotswolds listed. AONB or the Mendip Hills AONB particular attention should be paid to ensuring that action It is intended that the priorities are used to is consistent with their character, including inform and prioritise tree planting, woodland referring to the Cotswold AONB Landscape creation and management in the LCAs, and Strategies and Guidance or the Mendip Hills also to highlight areas in which tree planting AONB Management Plan. is not or may not be appropriate. Their use could be both at the local (e.g. community tree The priorities have been determined through planting) and strategic (e.g. local authority plans interpretation of Nature Recovery Network for increasing tree and woodland cover) level. mapping; Landscape Character Assessment They will also inform delivery of the Strategic mapping and descriptions, in the context of Woodland Areas contained in Section 2.2.4 of MAGIC habitat, designation and grant scheme this document. mapping; and Agricultural Land Classification mapping. They reflect the Principles set out The priorities are expressed as actions for in Section 4 (reiterating aspects of these) brevity. However, it should be made clear that and are also consistent with the approach these priorities are for guidance only and place in a Community Forest Plan. For those LCAs no obligation on landowners or delivery bodies. within either of the AONBs, the relevant AONB Neither are the priorities a substitute for on- Management plan has been used to inform the-ground knowledge and local expertise, and, the priorities and the AONB Units have been ideally, they should facilitate further discussion consulted on the text.

67 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

Delivery against these priorities will require close working with landowners, as well as action by a wide range of partners, with specific reference to planning policy and guidance including, as appropriate, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and statutory consultation requirements65.

Figure 9 West of England Green Infrastructure (GI) Areas, as defined in the West of England Joint Green Infrastructure Strategy (JGIS). These GI Areas have been used to organise Tree and Woodland Priorities by Landscape Character Area. The numbering is consistent with that used in this section (e.g. GI Area 1 is within Section 5.1).

65 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/assess-environmental-impact-before-you-create-new-woodland

68 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

5.1 , Portishead and Gordano Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 1.1 Map Ref: 1.2 Clapton Moor (NSC A2) Portbury Settled Coastal Edge a. Work with Natural England, Avon Wildlife Trust (NSC C2) and other landowners to ensure all woodlands a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry have a Forestry Commission management plan Commission management plan (or equivalent), (or equivalent), addressing nature conservation addressing broad objectives, supporting their and also landscape objectives supporting their preparation and delivery. preparation and delivery. Set out a long-term b. Conserve and establish groups of high impact replacement plan for high landscape impact poplar landscape trees to screen and break up significant trees, maintaining these as a landscape feature. hard landscaping associated with Royal Portbury b. Ensure any new development requires the Dock. conservation and planting of trees within the site c. Ensure any new development requires the and as determined by scale and impact, includes conservation and planting of trees within the site off-site tree and woodland planting. and as determined by scale and impact, includes c. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries off-site tree and woodland planting. with an initial focus on those outside Grant d. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where with an initial focus on those outside Grant hedgerow trees are present. Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where d. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new hedgerow trees are present. ones at irregular spacings where absent within e. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new hedged boundaries, reflecting NNR and SSSI ones at irregular spacings where absent within guidance where applicable. hedged boundaries. e. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and f. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow. follow.

69 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

Map Ref: 1.3 Map Ref: 1.4 Clevedon & Portishead Ridges Ridges and Combes and Combes (includes NSC E4) (part of NSC E5) a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on the number of preparation and delivery. Focus on the ASNW first. ASNW and PAWS first. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing natural regeneration. areas for natural regeneration. c. Ensure any new development requires the c. Establish native trees and shrubs within conservation and planting of trees within the site greenspaces in Clevedon and Portishead through and as determined by scale and impact, includes the rewilding project, working with residents to off-site tree and woodland planting. deliver this. d. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries d. Establish individual and groups of trees and small with an initial focus on those outside Grant woodlands within primary and secondary school Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where grounds, with school responsibility for their care. hedgerow trees are present. e. Establish individual and small groups of trees e. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new in/ adjacent to streets, addressing inequalities in ones at irregular spacings where absent within tree canopy cover and with a strong community hedged boundaries. dimension to their location, size and care. Reflect f. Ensure public access routes are easy to use the historic character of Clevedon, by replacing and follow, working with landowner to support Clevedon’s pines with similar species when continued provision of permissive paths. necessary. f. Conserve areas of coastal scrub, absorbing Park Map Ref: 1.5 Homes and residential development into the wider Abbots Leigh Sandstone Uplands landscape. (part of NSC F1) g. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry and as determined by scale and impact, includes Commission management plan (or equivalent), off-site tree and woodland planting. addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on the number of h. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries ASNW and PAWS first. with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing hedgerow trees are present. areas for natural regeneration. i. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new c. Ensure any new development requires the ones at irregular spacings where absent within conservation and planting of trees within the site hedged boundaries. and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. j. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow d. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. e. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. f. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow

70 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

Map Ref: 1.6 Avon Rolling Valley Farmland (NSC J6) a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on the number of ASNW and PAWS first. b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing areas for natural regeneration. c. Establish native trees and shrubs within greenspaces in Clevedon and Portishead through the rewilding project, working with residents to deliver this. d. Establish individual and groups of trees, and small woodlands to address an increasingly fragmented landscape character, including through action by local groups, whilst conserving Grade 2 agricultural land and priority habitats, historic sites and viewpoints. e. Work with the owner of Leigh Court to support conservation of wood pasture, mature field trees, woodlands and hedgerows. Species of planted individual trees to reflect those already present or used in historic designed landscapes within the area. f. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. g. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. h. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. i. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow

Map Ref: 1.7 Clevedon and Portishead Bays (NSC L4) Not appropriate for trees and woodlands.

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5.2 Weston-Super-Mare and Environs Forest of Avon and Mendip Hills AONB

Map Ref: 2.1 f. Establish individual and small groups of trees Weston-super-Mare in/ adjacent to streets, addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover and with a strong community a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry dimension to their location, size and care. Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their g. Establish individual and groups of trees and preparation and delivery. small woodlands on private land, with strong involvement of businesses and their staff. Include b. Establish native trees and shrubs within a focus on the A370 corridor between the A371 greenspaces in across Weston-super-Mare junction and the town centre. through the rewilding project, working with residents to deliver this. h. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site c. Establish small, irregular groups of native large and as determined by scale and impact, includes willow on the south side of the A370 between West off-site tree and woodland planting. Wick and the A371, adding landscape character and screening urban development, whilst retaining j. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and outward views and conserving Coastal and follow. Floodplain Grazing Marsh priority habitat. d. Establish individual and groups of trees and small woodlands within parks and greenspaces addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover and with a strong community dimension to their location, size and care. e. Establish individual and groups of trees and small woodlands within primary and secondary school grounds, with school responsibility for their care.

72 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

Map Ref: 2.2 Map Ref: 2.4 Locking and Banwell Moors (NSC A4) Mendip Ridges and Combes a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry (part of NSC E1) Commission management plan (or equivalent), a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry addressing broad objectives, supporting their Commission management plan (or equivalent), preparation and delivery. addressing broad objectives, supporting their b. Conserve willow pollards, re-pollarding these preparation and delivery. as necessary to ensure long-term contribution b. In the context of AONB guidance, ensure any to landscape character and as a farm timber permitted development conserves and enhances resource. Establish small, irregular groups of the natural beauty of the Mendip Hills AONB by native large willow adjacent to watercourses. the conservation and planting of trees within the c. Ensure any new development requires the site and as determined by scale and impact; and conservation and planting of trees within the site includes off-site tree and woodland planting of and as determined by scale and impact, includes appropriate species in accordance with the Mendip off-site tree and woodland planting. Where Hills AONB’s Tree Planting Guide and relevant development is to take place at scale ensure that Nature Recovery plans. trees, woodland and other green infrastructure c. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and is planned in advance and not piecemeal, to follow. maximise benefits. d. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries Map Ref: 2.5 with an initial focus on those outside Grant Worlebury Ridges and Combes (NSC E2) Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), e. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new addressing broad objectives, supporting their ones at irregular spacings where absent within preparation and delivery. Start with ASNW. hedged boundaries. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for f. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and natural regeneration. follow c. Conserve Worlebury Hill Fort, opening out its setting through a programme tree felling approved Map Ref: 2.3 by Historic England. Manage remainder of Weston Bay Settled Coastal Edge Worlebury Wood to maintain its coherence as a (NSC C1) landscape feature whilst providing outward views. a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry d. Establish small woodlands and/or areas for Commission management plan (or equivalent), natural regeneration to consolidate the narrow addressing broad objectives, supporting their woodland corridors (including an ASNW) on preparation and delivery. the eastern ridge, whilst ensuring conservation b. Work with hospital and other landowners to of priority habitats, historic monuments and support conservation of woodland belts and viewpoints. landscape trees, establishing individual or small e. Ensure any new development requires the groups of trees on hospital and other private land conservation and planting of trees within the site linked to existing landscape character, with strong and as determined by scale and impact, includes involvement of staff. off-site tree and woodland planting. c. Ensure any new development requires the f. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and conservation and planting of trees within the site follow. and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. d. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow

73 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

Map Ref: 2.6 Middlehope Ridges and Combes (Part of NSC E3) a. Manage scrub in sheltered areas in line with a wider management plan for the SSSIs and Ramsar site. b. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow

Map Ref: 2.7 River Yeo Rolling Valley Farmland (part of NSC J2) a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on ASNW first. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for natural regeneration. c. Establish groups of trees and small woodlands, extending hillside woodland corridor onto sloping land, whilst ensuring conservation of bat corridors, priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. d. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. e. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. f. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. g. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow.

Map Ref: 2.8 Weston Bay (NSC L1) Not appropriate for trees and woodlands.

Map Ref: 2.9 Sand Bay (NSC L2) Not appropriate for trees and woodlands.

74 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

5.3 North Shoreline and Moors Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 3.1 outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut Kingston Seymour and Puxton Moors and/or where hedgerow trees are present. (NSC A1) f. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within a. Ensure woodlands have a current Forestry hedged boundaries. Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their g. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and preparation and delivery. follow b. Conserve small orchards scattered through this area, prioritising outside a grant scheme, Map Ref: 3.2 working to maintain locally distinctive varieties Kenn and Tickenham Moors (NSC A3) and extending orchards, whilst conserving priority a. Ensure woodlands have a current Forestry habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. Commission management plan (or equivalent), c. Conserve willow pollards, re-pollarding these addressing broad objectives, supporting their as necessary to ensure long-term contribution preparation and delivery. to landscape character and as a farm timber b. Conserve small orchards scattered through resource. Establish small, irregular groups of this area, prioritising outside a grant scheme, native large willow adjacent to watercourses working to maintain locally distinctive varieties where permitted by statutory conservation and extending orchards, whilst conserving priority designations. habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. d. Ensure any new development requires the c. Conserve willow pollards, re-pollarding these conservation and planting of trees within the site as necessary to ensure long-term contribution and as determined by scale and impact, includes to landscape character and as a farm timber off-site tree and woodland planting. resource. Establish small, irregular groups of e. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries native large willow adjacent to watercourses wherever possible with an initial focus on those

75 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

where permitted by statutory conservation Map Ref: 3.4 designations. Woodspring Bay (NSC L3) d. Ensure any new development requires the Not appropriate for trees and woodlands. conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. Map Ref: 3.5 e. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries Middlehope Ridges and Combes with an initial focus on those outside Grant (part of NSC E3) Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where a. Manage scrub in sheltered areas in line with a hedgerow trees are present. wider management plan for the SSSIs and Ramsar f. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new site. ones at irregular spacings where absent within b. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and hedged boundaries. follow g. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow.

Map Ref: 3.3 Locking and Banwell Moors (NSC A4) a. Ensure woodlands have a current Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. b. Conserve small orchards scattered through this area, prioritising outside a grant scheme, working to maintain locally distinctive varieties and extending orchards, whilst conserving priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. c. Conserve willow pollards, re-pollarding these as necessary to ensure long-term contribution to landscape character and as a farm timber resource. Establish small, irregular groups of native large willow adjacent to watercourses where permitted by statutory conservation designations. d. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. e. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries wherever possible with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/ or where hedgerow trees are present. f. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. g. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow.

76 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

5.4 Woodland and Parkland Uplands: Abbots Leigh, Tickenham, Failand Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 4.1 f. Work with Forestry England to enhance access to Abbot’s Leigh Sandstone Uplands and through their woodlands, including a walking (NSC F1) route from the neighbouring and well-visited Leigh Woods. a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry g. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries Commission management plan (or equivalent), with an initial focus on those outside Grant addressing broad objectives, supporting their Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where preparation and delivery. Focus on ASNW and hedgerow trees are present. PAWS first. h. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees which b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for are common, and plant new ones at irregular natural regeneration. spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. c. Establish new native woodland through natural i. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and regeneration and planting in a corridor linking follow ASNW complex at Leigh Woods, to ASNW/ PAWS sites at Old Park Woods/ Vowles Bottom and Leigh Wood/ Markham Bottom, also extending to Map Ref: 4.2 Forestry England woodlands. Failand Settled Limestone Plateau d. Work with Avon Wildlife Trust and adjacent (NSC G2) landowners to extend Prior’s Wood through a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry natural regeneration, including links south to other Commission management plan (or equivalent), ASNW. addressing broad objectives, supporting their e. Ensure any new development requires the preparation and delivery. Focus on ASNW and conservation and planting of trees within the site PAWS first. and as determined by scale and impact, includes b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for off-site tree and woodland planting. natural regeneration.

77 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

c. Establish small new woodlands consolidating the c. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for woodland corridor extending from the significant natural regeneration. ASNW at Leigh Woods through shelter belts and d. Establish new native woodlands linking to existing conifer woodlands to the more open landscape ones, creating a wider woodland corridor including around Failand, avoiding itself. wood pasture and parkland through this area, d. Linked to work in 4.1 and 4.3, establish new whilst ensuring conservation of priority habitats, woodlands to create a broad woodland corridor, historic monuments and viewpoints. related to local landscape, between Prior’s Wood e. Ensure any new development requires the and the southern fringe of the Gordano Valley to conservation and planting of trees within the site the wooded slopes of the Tickenham Ridge. and as determined by scale and impact, includes e. Work with residents in Failand to run a Garden off-site tree and woodland planting. Forest project to plant shrubs and trees in f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries front and back gardens, enhancing amenity and with an initial focus on those outside Grant softening the urban edge. Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where f. Ensure any new development requires the hedgerow trees are present. conservation and planting of trees within the site g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees which are and as determined by scale and impact, includes common, and plant new ones at irregular spacings off-site tree and woodland planting. where absent within hedged boundaries. g. Work with Forestry England to enhance access to h. Retain and enhance views from the ridgetop and through their woodlands. through careful tree management and design of h. Tackle landscape fragmentation by conserving and new planting to prevent loss of views as trees regenerating hedgerow boundaries with an initial mature. focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are i. Ensure the Community Forest Path and other not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are public paths are easy to use and follow. present. i. Conserve hedgerow and field trees and plant new Map Ref: 4.4 ones at irregular spacings where absent within Avon Gorge (NSC D1) hedged boundaries. j. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and a. Continue to work in partnership to conserve follow. nationally significant whitebeam spp. and ASNW as part of integrated management of the Avon Gorge NNR and SSSI. Map Ref: 4.3 Tickenham Ridges and Combes (NSC E5) a. Historic parklands with woodlands and parkland trees including ancient oak pollards at Ashton Court, are in the protective ownership of Bristol City Council (Ashton Court) and the National Trust (). Consider undertaking small-scale expansion of ASNW through natural regeneration. Update management plans as necessary to safeguard/ enhance landscape and biodiversity value. b. Ensure all other woodlands have a current Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on ASNW and PAWS first.

78 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

5.5 Open Plateau, Wooded Slopes Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 5.1 Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where Cleeve Ridges and Combes (NSC E6) hedgerow trees are present. a. Ensure all other woodlands have a current g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and Forestry Commission management plan (or plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent equivalent), addressing broad objectives, within hedged boundaries supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus h. Ensure public paths are easy to use and follow. on ASNW and PAWS first. Improve settings of public rights of way including viewpoints. Map Ref: 5.2 b. Open out the setting of Brockley Combe to enhance Broadfield Down Settled Limestone biodiversity value and landscape character. Plateau (NSC G1) c. Establish new woodlands linking across the a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry ‘Aldwick Gap’ to 6.3 to create a woodland corridor Commission management plan (or equivalent), between the extensive woodland complex linking addressing broad objectives, supporting their Wrington, Congresbury and and that preparation and delivery. Focus on the small along the northern fringe of the Mendip Hills. ASNW in the north of the area. d. Establish woodlands linking to those within 5.2. b. Establish new woodlands linking to those within e. Ensure any new development requires the 5.2. conservation and planting of trees within the site c. Ensure any new development requires the and as determined by scale and impact, includes conservation and planting of trees within the site off-site tree and woodland planting. and as determined by scale and impact, includes f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries off-site tree and woodland planting. with an initial focus on those outside Grant

79 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

d. Ensure any quarry developments are linked to off-site biodiversity, access improvements and woodland planting. e. Ensure any landfilling of quarries is linked to a restoration plan suitable for trees and woodlands. f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. h. Ensure public paths are easy to use and follow.

Map Ref: 5.3 Thrubwell Farm Plateau (part of B&NES1) a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. b. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. c. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. d. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. e. Ensure public paths are easy to use and follow.

80 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

5.6 Mendip Slopes, Lox Yeo Vale and Bleadon Hill Forest of Avon and Mendip Hills AONB

Map Ref: 6.1 Map Ref: 6.2 Bleadon Moor (NSC A5) Lox Yeo River Floodplain (NSC B2) a. In the context of AONB guidance, ensure any a. In the context of AONB guidance, ensure any permitted development conserves and enhances permitted development conserves and enhances the natural beauty of the Mendip Hills AONB by the natural beauty of the Mendip Hills AONB by the conservation and planting of trees within the the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact; and site and as determined by scale and impact; and includes off-site tree and woodland planting of includes off-site tree and woodland planting of appropriate species in accordance with the Mendip appropriate species in accordance with the Mendip Hills AONB’s Tree Planting Guide and relevant Hills AONB’s Tree Planting Guide and relevant Nature Recovery plans. Nature Recovery plans. b. Work with Thatcher’s Cider to ensure maximum b. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries integration of commercial orchards into the wider with an initial focus on those outside Grant landscape. Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where c. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries hedgerow trees are present. with an initial focus on those outside Grant c. Conserve hedgerow field trees and plant new ones Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where at irregular spacings where absent within hedged hedgerow trees are present. boundaries. d. Conserve hedgerow field trees and plant new ones d. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use at irregular spacings where absent within hedged and follow. boundaries. e. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes. f. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

81 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

Map Ref: 6.3 j. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries Mendip Ridges and Combes (NSC E1) with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry hedgerow trees are present. Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their k. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and preparation and delivery. Focus on significant plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent number of ASNW first. within hedged boundaries. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for l. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use natural regeneration. and follow. c. Establish new native woodlands linking existing woodlands, creating a wider woodland corridor Map Ref: 6.4 along the northern fringe of the Mendip Hills, Lox Yeo Rolling Valley Farmland whilst ensuring conservation of bat corridors, (NSC J1) priority habitats, historic monuments and a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry viewpoints. Commission management plan (or equivalent), d. Establish new native woodland and/or broad addressing broad objectives, supporting their hedgerow boundaries on the east side of Loxton preparation and delivery. Hill to consolidate the woodland corridor from b. Establish small areas of native wet woodland the north to south sides of Bleadon Hill, reflecting through natural regeneration and/or planting landscape considerations, bat corridors, priority adjacent to existing areas, whilst conserving bat habitats and historic monuments and viewpoints. corridors, priority habitats, historic monuments e. Establish new native woodland and/or broad and viewpoints. hedgerow boundaries linking across the ‘Sandford c. In the context of AONB guidance, ensure any Gap’ to consolidate the woodland corridor running permitted development conserves and enhances along the northern fringe of the Mendip Hills. the natural beauty of the Mendip Hills AONB by f. Establish new native woodland linking across the the conservation and planting of trees within the ‘Star Gap’ to create a corridor between woodlands site and as determined by scale and impact; and running along the northern fringe of the Mendip includes off-site tree and woodland planting of Hills and the northern fringe of Wavering Down. appropriate species in accordance with the Mendip g. Establish new native woodland linking across the Hills AONB’s Tree Planting Guide and relevant ‘Aldwick Gap’ to 5.2 to create a woodland corridor Nature Recovery plans. between the northern fringe of the Mendip Hills d. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries and extensive woodland complex in 5.2 linking with an initial focus on those outside Grant Wrington, Congresbury and Flax Bourton. Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where h. In the context of AONB guidance, ensure permitted hedgerow trees are present. development is linked to conservation and planting e. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and of trees within the site and as determined by scale plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent and impact, off-site tree and woodland planting. within hedged boundaries. i. Ensure any development is linked to planting f. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use of individual and groups of trees of appropriate and follow. species within each developed site and, also to off-site woodland planting of appropriate species and access improvements related to scale and impact, in accordance with Mendip Hills AONB’s Tree Planting Guide and the Mendip Hills AONB Management Plan.

82 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

Map Ref: 6.5 Mendip Slopes (B&NES4) a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on significant number of ASNW first. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for natural regeneration. c. Establish new native woodlands linking existing woodlands, creating a wider woodland corridor along the northern fringe of the Mendip Hills, whilst ensuring conservation of bat corridors, priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. d. Conserve and enhance small orchards often associated with villages, prioritising those not covered by grant schemes, working to maintain locally distinctive varieties and extend these whilst conserving bat corridors, priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. e. In the context of AONB guidance, ensure any permitted development conserves and enhances the natural beauty of the Mendip Hills AONB by the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact; and includes off-site tree and woodland planting of appropriate species in accordance with the Mendip Hills AONB’s Tree Planting Guide and relevant Nature Recovery plans. f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. Also conserve walled boundaries. g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. h. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

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5.7 Forest of Avon and Mendip Hills AONB

Map Ref: 7.1 e. Establish new woodlands reflecting catchment Chew Valley (B&NES5) management priorities identified by BART and partners, and other priority habitats, which with a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry those in 7.2 below, providing a corridor between Commission management plan (or equivalent), the woodland in b. above to the woodland on the addressing broad objectives, supporting their northern slopes of Mendip Hills. preparation and delivery. Focus on significant number of ASNW first. f. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for and as determined by scale and impact, includes natural regeneration. off-site tree and woodland planting. c. Establish new woodlands linking and consolidating g. Conserve and enhance small orchards, prioritising the complex of established and more recent those not covered by grant schemes, working to woodlands in the area east of Pensford, reflecting maintain locally distinctive varieties and extending catchment management priorities identified these whilst conserving priority habitats, historic by BART and partners, avoiding small areas monuments and viewpoints. of Grade 1 agricultural land and conserving priority habitats, historic monuments such as the h. Conserve and regenerate generally well-managed Wansdyke, access opportunities and viewpoints. hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut d. Establish woodlands in the valley west of Chew and/or where hedgerow trees are present. Magna of a scale, pattern and species mix appropriate to landscape character. Reflect i. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and catchment management priorities identified plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent by BART and partners, avoiding small areas of within hedged boundaries. Grade 1 agricultural land and conserving priority j. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. and follow.

84 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

Map Ref: 7.2 Map Ref: 7.3 Upper Chew and Yeo Valleys (B&NES3) Chew Rolling Valley Farmland a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry (NSC J3) Commission management plan (or equivalent), a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry addressing broad objectives, supporting their Commission management plan (or equivalent), preparation and delivery. addressing broad objectives, supporting their b. Establish new woodlands of a scale, pattern and preparation and delivery. species mix appropriate to landscape character. b. Ensure any new development requires the Reflect catchment management priorities identified conservation and planting of trees within the site by BART and partners, avoiding areas of Grade 1 and as determined by scale and impact, includes agricultural land between Chew Magna and Bishop off-site tree and woodland planting. Sutton and conserving priority habitats, historic c. Conserve and enhance orchards, prioritising monuments, access opportunities and viewpoints, those not covered by grant schemes, working to which with those in 7.1 above, create a woodland maintain locally distinctive varieties and extending corridor from east of Pensford to the northern these whilst conserving priority habitats, historic slopes of the Mendip Hills, monuments and viewpoints. c. In the context of AONB guidance, ensure any d. Conserve and regenerate generally well-managed permitted development conserves and enhances hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those the natural beauty of the Mendip Hills AONB by the outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/ conservation and planting of trees within the site or where hedgerow trees are present. and as determined by scale and impact, includes e. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and off-site tree and woodland planting of appropriate plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent species, in accordance with the Mendip Hills within hedged boundaries. AONB’s Tree Planting Guide and relevant Nature Recovery plans. f. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow. d. Conserve and enhance orchards, prioritising those not covered by grant schemes, working to maintain locally distinctive varieties and extending these whilst conserving bat corridors, priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. e. Conserve and regenerate generally well-managed hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/ or where hedgerow trees are present. f. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. g. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

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5.8 Yeo Valley and Spring Line Villages Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 8.1 these whilst conserving priority habitats, historic Yeo Valley Rolling Valley Farmland monuments and viewpoints. (NSC J2) f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where Commission management plan (or equivalent), hedgerow trees are present. addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent b. Establish new woodland linking across the within hedged boundaries. ‘Aldwick Gap’ between 5.2 and 6.3 to create a woodland corridor between the northern fringe h. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use of the Mendip Hills and the extensive woodland and follow. complex in 5.2 linking Wrington, Congresbury and Flax Bourton. c. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. d. Work with Thatcher’s Cider to ensure maximum integration of commercial orchards into the wider landscape. e. Conserve and enhance orchards, prioritising those not covered by grant schemes, working to maintain locally distinctive varieties and extending

86 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

Map Ref: 8.2 Upper Chew and Yeo Valleys (part of B&NES3) a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. b. Establish new woodlands of a scale, pattern and species mix appropriate to landscape character. Reflect catchment management priorities identified by BART and partners, and other priority habitats, which with those in 7.1 above, create a woodland corridor from east of Pensford to the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills. c. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. d. Conserve and enhance orchards, prioritising those not covered by grant schemes, working to maintain locally distinctive varieties and extending these extending these whilst conserving priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. e. Conserve and regenerate generally well-managed hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant Schemes, which are not low cut and/ or where hedgerow trees are present. f. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. g. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

87 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

5.9 , Backwell, and Environs Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 9.1 and as determined by scale and impact, includes Colliter’s Brook Rolling Valley Farmland off-site tree and woodland planting. (NSC J4) f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where Commission management plan (or equivalent), hedgerow trees are present. addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on ASNW first. g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for within hedged boundaries. natural regeneration. h. Ensure the Community Forest Path and other c. Establish new native woodlands in a corridor public paths are easy to use and follow. between the A38 and Long Ashton linking with the ASNW in a. above, reflecting other priority habitats and providing new access opportunities. Extend Map Ref: 9.2 towards the fringe of Bristol, linking with new Land Yeo and Kenn Rolling Valley planting at Colliter’s Wood and opportunities on Farmland (NSC J5) Yanley Landfill. a. Historic parkland with woodlands and parkland d. Work with landowner at Barrow Court to support trees is in the protective ownership of National conservation of parkland character including Trust. Consider undertaking small-scale expansion existing field trees, woodlands, and hedgerows. of ASNW through natural regeneration. Update Individual parkland trees to reflect species management plans as necessary to safeguard/ present/ characteristic of the area. enhance landscape and biodiversity value. e. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site

88 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

b. Ensure all other woodlands have a current e. Ensure any new development requires the Forestry Commission management plan (or conservation and planting of trees within the site equivalent), addressing broad objectives, and as determined by scale and impact, includes supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus off-site tree and woodland planting. on ASNW and PAWS first. f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries c. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for with an initial focus on those outside Grant natural regeneration Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where d. Create small-scale woodlands consolidating hedgerow trees are present. the woodland corridors in 4.3 and 5.1, reflecting g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees (which priority habitats, historic monuments and include oak) and plant new ones at irregular viewpoints. spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. e. Ensure any new development requires the h. Ensure public paths are easy to use and follow. conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes Map Ref: 9.4 off-site tree and woodland planting. Nailsea Farmed Coal Measures f. Conserve and enhance orchards, prioritising (included NSC K1) those not covered by grant schemes, working to maintain locally distinctive varieties and extending a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry these whilst conserving priority habitats, historic Commission management plan (or equivalent), monuments and viewpoints. addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. g. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Grant b. Establish native trees and shrubs within Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where greenspaces in through the rewilding project, hedgerow trees are present. working with residents to deliver this. h. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees (which c. Establish individual and groups of trees and small include oak) and plant new ones at irregular woodlands within primary and secondary school spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. grounds, with school responsibility for their care. i. Ensure public paths are easy to use and follow. d. Establish individual and small groups of trees in/ adjacent to streets, addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover and with a strong community Map Ref: 9.3 dimension to their location, size and care. North Somerset Area B1: Land Yeo, e. Work with residents in Nailsea to run a Garden Kenn River and River Avon Floodplain Forest scheme to plant shrubs and trees in a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry front and back gardens, enhancing amenity and Commission management plan (or equivalent), softening the urban edge. addressing broad objectives, supporting their f. Ensure any new development requires the preparation and delivery. Focus on the small conservation and planting of trees within the site ASNW first. and as determined by scale and impact, includes b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for off-site tree and woodland planting. natural regeneration. g. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries c. Create small-scale woodlands consolidating with an initial focus on those outside Grant the woodland corridors in 4.3 and 5.1, reflecting Schemes, which are not low cut and/or where priority habitats, historic monuments and hedgerow trees are present. viewpoints. h. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees (which d. Work with residents in Nailsea to run a Garden include oak) and plant new ones at irregular Forest project to plant shrubs and trees in spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. front and back gardens, enhancing amenity and i. Ensure public paths are easy to use and follow. softening the urban edge.

89 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

5.10 Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 10.1 Map Ref: 10.2 Dundry Settled Hill (NSC H5) Dundry Plateau (B&NES5) a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Ensure recent and preparation and delivery. developing woodlands on the ‘Northern Slopes’ b. Ensure any new development requires the are managed to maximise biodiversity and do conservation and planting of trees within the site not encroach lowland meadow and other priority and as determined by scale and impact, includes habitats. off-site tree and woodland planting. b. Ensure any new development requires the c. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries conservation and planting of trees within the site with an initial focus on those outside grant and as determined by scale and impact, includes schemes, which are not low cut and/or where off-site tree and woodland planting. hedgerow trees are present. c. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries d. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and with an initial focus on those outside grant plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent schemes, which are not low cut and/or where within hedged boundaries. hedgerow trees are present. e. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an d. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and initial focus on those outside grant schemes. plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent f. Ensure the Community Forest Path and other within hedged boundaries. public access routes are easy to use and follow. e. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an g. Avoid woodland creation that has negative impacts initial focus on those outside grant schemes. on the Maes Knoll Scheduled Monument and its f. Ensure the Community Forest Path and other environs. public access routes are easy to use and follow.

90 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

5.11 Cam, Wellow and Somer Valleys Around Norton Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 11.1 e. Establish trees and small woodlands to reduce the , Cam and impact of light industrial use and trading estates. Valleys (Including B&NES12) f. Establish individual and groups of trees and small woodlands within parks and greenspaces a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover Commission management plan (or equivalent), and with a strong community dimension to their addressing broad objectives, supporting their location, size and care. preparation and delivery. Focus initially on the number of ASNW and PAWS, including Cleaves g. Establish individual and groups of trees and small Wood SSSI. woodlands within primary and secondary school grounds, with school responsibility for their care. b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing areas for natural regeneration. h. Establish individual and small groups of trees in/ adjacent to streets, addressing inequalities in c. Establish new native woodlands of a scale, tree canopy cover and with a strong community pattern and species mix appropriate to landscape dimension to their location, size and care. character within the ‘Camerton Gap’ to 21.1, as part of an overall corridor linking woodlands in i. Ensure any new development requires the the Cam and Wellow Valleys through Peasedown conservation and planting of trees within the site St. John. Conserve priority habitats, historic and as determined by scale and impact, includes monuments and viewpoints. off-site tree and woodland planting. d. Establish new native woodlands of a scale, j. Conserve and enhance orchards, prioritising pattern and species mix appropriate to landscape those not covered by grant schemes, working to character within the ‘Radstock Gap’ to 11.2, as maintain locally distinctive varieties and extending part of an overall corridor linking woodlands in these whilst conserving priority habitats, historic the Wellow and Cam Valleys through Peasdown monuments and viewpoints. St. John. Conserve priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints.

91 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

k. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries front and back gardens, enhancing amenity and with an initial focus on those outside grant softening the urban edge. schemes, which are not low cut and/or where c. Plant small native woodlands linking existing sites, hedgerow trees are present. whilst ensuring conservation of other priority l. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent d. Ensure any new development requires the within hedged boundaries. conservation and planting of trees within the site m. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and as determined by scale and impact, includes and follow. off-site tree and woodland planting. e. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries Map Ref: 11.2 with an initial focus on those outside grant and Peasedown St John Ridge schemes, which are not low cut and/or where (B&NES13) hedgerow trees are present. f. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent Commission management plan (or equivalent), within hedged boundaries. addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. g. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow b. Establish woodlands of a scale, pattern and species mix appropriate to landscape character in a corridor between the woodland complex on the Map Ref: 11.4 southern fringe of Bath to Peasedown St. John, Hinton Charterhouse and Baggeridge linking to woodlands in 11.1. Ensure conservation Plateau (B&NES17) of other priority habitats including semi-improved a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry agricultural grassland, historic monuments and Commission management plan (or equivalent), viewpoints. addressing broad objectives, supporting their c. Ensure any new development requires the preparation and delivery. Focus on the number of conservation and planting of trees within the site ASNW and PAWS first. and as determined by scale and impact, includes b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing off-site tree and woodland planting. areas for natural regeneration. d. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries c. Establish new native woodlands of a scale, with an initial focus on those outside grant pattern and species mix appropriate for landscape schemes, which are not low cut and/or where character across the ‘Freshford Gap’ to 11.5 linking hedgerow trees are present. woodlands in the Wellow and Avon Valleys, whilst e. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and conserving priority habitats, bat corridors, historic plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent monuments and viewpoints. within hedged boundaries. d. Ensure any new development requires the f. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use conservation and planting of trees within the site and follow. and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. Map Ref: 11.3 e. Work with landowners at Hinton House and Norton Radstock Southern Farmlands surrounding estate land to support conservation (B&NES15) of parkland character including existing field trees, woodlands, hedgerows and walled boundaries. a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries addressing broad objectives, supporting their with an initial focus on those outside grant preparation and delivery. schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. b. Work with residents in Radstock to run a Garden Forest scheme to plant shrubs and trees in

92 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and Map Ref: 11.6 plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent Hollow Marsh (B&NES7) within hedged boundaries. a. Ensure any new development requires the h. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an conservation and planting of trees within the site initial focus on those outside grant schemes. and as determined by scale and impact, includes i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use off-site tree and woodland planting. Any tree and follow. planting or woodland creation to avoid Grade 1 agricultural land and to consider the distinctive Map Ref: 11.5 landscape character of the area. Freshford and Limpley Stoke Valley b. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries (B&NES18) with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry hedgerow trees are present. Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their c. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and preparation and delivery. Focus on the number of plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent ASNW and PAWS first. within hedged boundaries. b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing d. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use areas for natural regeneration. and follow. c. Establish small native woodlands linking existing sites, whilst ensuring conservation of good quality Map Ref: 11.7 semi-improved grassland, priority habitats, bat Farrington Gurney Farmlands corridors, historic monuments and viewpoints, with (B&NES8) specific consideration of the Bath World Heritage a. Ensure any new development requires the Site setting and B&NES emerging guidance. conservation and planting of trees within the site d. Establish new native woodlands across the and as determined by scale and impact, includes ‘Freshford Gap’ to 11.4 linking woodlands in the off-site tree and woodland planting. Tree planting Wellow and Avon Valleys, whilst conserving to avoid extensive Grade 1 agricultural land. priority habitats, bat corridors, historic monuments b. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries and viewpoints, with specific consideration of with an initial focus on those outside grant the Bath World Heritage Site setting and B&NES schemes, which are not low cut and/or where emerging guidance. hedgerow trees are present. e. Ensure any new development requires the c. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and conservation and planting of trees within the site plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent and as determined by scale and impact, includes within hedged boundaries. off-site tree and woodland planting. d. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries and follow. with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. h. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes. i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

93 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

5.12 Shoreline and Levels Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 12.1 f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries Oldbury Levels (SGC19) with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry hedgerow trees are present. Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and preparation and delivery. plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. b. Conserve the few small ‘withey beds’ (growing of different species of willow for coppicing) h. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use scattered through the area, undertaking small- and follow. scale expansion of these and woodlands, whilst conserving priority habitats, historic monuments Map Ref: 12.2 and viewpoints. Levels (SGC20) c. Conserve and enhance orchards, prioritising a. Ensure all woodlands have a current Forestry those not covered by grant schemes, working to Commission management plan (or equivalent), maintain locally distinctive varieties and extending addressing broad objectives, supporting their these whilst conserving priority habitats, historic preparation and delivery. monuments and viewpoints. b. Conserve the few small ‘withey beds’ (growing d. Conserve willow pollards, re-pollarding these of different species of willow for coppicing) as necessary to ensure long-term contribution scattered through the area, undertaking small- to landscape character and as a farm timber scale expansion of these and woodlands, whilst resource. Establish small, irregular groups of conserving priority habitats, historic monuments native large willow adjacent to watercourses and viewpoints. where permitted by statutory conservation c. Conserve and enhance orchards, prioritising designations. those not covered by grant schemes, working to e. Ensure any new development requires the maintain locally distinctive varieties and extending conservation and planting of trees within the site these whilst conserving priority habitats, historic and as determined by scale and impact, includes monuments and viewpoints. off-site tree and woodland planting.

94 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

d. Conserve willow pollards, re-pollarding these as necessary to ensure long-term contribution to landscape character and as a farm timber resource. Establish small, irregular groups of native large willow adjacent to watercourses where permitted by statutory conservation designations. e. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. Where development is to take place at scale ensure that trees, woodland and other green infrastructure is planned in advance and not piecemeal, to maximise benefits. f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. h. Ensure that the Community Forest Path and other public access routes are easy to use and follow.

Map Ref:12.3 Avonmouth Area (Pilning Levels in Bristol) a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing multiple objectives and work with landowners to deliver these. b. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. Where development is to take place at scale ensure that trees, woodland and other green infrastructure is planned in advance and not piecemeal, to maximise benefits. c. Conserve hedgerow boundaries which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. d. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. e. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow.

95 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

5.13 Bath and Environs (Bathscape) Forest of Avon and Cotswolds AONB

Map Ref: 13.1 e. Establish individual and groups of trees, and City of Bath (World Heritage Site) small woodlands to extend a loose treed corridor extending north east from the city centre to a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission the Bath skyline and then linking with existing management plan (or equivalent), addressing woodlands from Grosvenor to Batheaston. broad objectives, supporting their preparation and Ensure detailed design fits with WHS designation, delivery. Focus on ASNW first. conserves priority habitats, bat corridors, historic b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for monuments and viewpoints. natural regeneration, where this does conflict with f. Establish individual and groups of trees and WHS designation and also priority habitats. small woodlands within parks and greenspaces c. Establish individual and groups of trees, and addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover small woodlands to create tree and woodland and with a strong community dimension to their corridors which consolidate the broad woodland location, size and care. Ensure detailed design framework extending south of the city centre to conforms with management plans, landscape and the Bath skyline and then on to Claverton Down heritage requirements in designated historic parks and Combe Down. Ensure detailed design fits with and gardens. WHS designation, conserves priority habitats, bat g. Establish individual and groups of trees and small corridors, historic monuments and viewpoints. woodlands within primary and secondary school d. Establish individual and groups of trees, and small grounds, with school responsibility for their care. woodlands to extend loose treed corridors, linking h. Establish individual and small groups of trees north from the city centre to Fairfield Park and in/ adjacent to streets, addressing inequalities in Primrose Hill. Ensure detailed design fits with tree canopy cover and with a strong community WHS designation, conserves priority habitats, bat dimension to their location, size and care. Ensure corridors, historic monuments and viewpoints.

96 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

street tree proposals within the city are assessed Map Ref: 13.3 against World Heritage Site (WHS) outstanding Enclosed Limestone Valley (ELV 1-8) universal values. (Cotswold AONB Landscape Strategy i. Establish trees along the river Avon westwards Area 4: Enclosed Limestone Valley). from Bath Bus Station, including within riverside a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission developments. management plan (or equivalent), addressing j. Establish individual and groups of trees and broad objectives, supporting their preparation and small woodlands on private land, with strong delivery. Focus on the number of ASNW, PAWS and involvement of businesses and their staff, whilst Inwood SSSI first. ensuring that small woodlands accord with WHS b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing designation and outstanding universal values. areas for natural regeneration. k. Ensure any new development requires the c. Establish small native woodlands linking existing conservation and planting of trees within the site woodlands on the upper and steeper slopes and as determined by scale and impact, includes on enclosed valleys, particularly Northend, St. off-site tree and woodland planting. Catherine’s and the Cam and l. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and valleys. Ensure conservation of priority habitats, follow. bat corridors, historic monuments and viewpoints. Maintain character of long views from Bath, and Map Ref: 13.2 consider the findings of the Bath and North East Escarpment (ESC1) (Cotswold AONB Somerset landscape sensitivity assessment for Landscape Strategy trees and woodlands. Area 2: Escarpment). d. Establish small native woodlands extending the valley side woodland framework of the Avon and a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission By Brook valleys, whilst ensuring conservation of management plan (or equivalent), addressing priority habitats, bat corridors, historic monuments broad objectives, supporting their preparation and and viewpoints. delivery. e. Ensure any new development requires the b. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site conservation and planting of trees within the and as determined by scale and impact, includes site, and as determined by scale and impact, off-site tree and woodland planting. Any new includes off-site tree and woodland planting. planting should reflect the detailed guidance Any new planting should take into account the set out in Cotswolds AONB Landscape Strategy WHS Setting SPD recommendations and reflect Area 4: Enclosed Limestone Valley and emerging the detailed guidance set out in Cotswold AONB B&NES landscape guidance. Landscape Strategy Area 2: Escarpment, including landscape character and views. New planting must f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries not obscure views from historically important with an initial focus on those outside grant viewpoints. schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. c. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside grant g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and schemes, which are not low cut and/or where plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent hedgerow trees are present. within hedged boundaries. d. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and h. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent initial focus on those outside grant schemes. within hedged boundaries. i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use e. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an and follow. initial focus on those outside grant schemes. f. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

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Map Ref: 13.4 b. Ensure any new development requires the High Wold Dip Slope (HWDS 1-5) conservation and planting of trees within the site (Cotswold AONB Landscape and as determined by scale and impact, includes Strategy Area 7: High Wold). off-site tree and woodland planting. c. Any new planting should reflect the detailed a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission guidance set out in Cotswold AONB Landscape management plan (or equivalent), addressing Strategy Area 11: Dip Slope Lowlands. broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on the number of ASNW and PAWS d. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries first. with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing hedgerow trees are present. areas for natural regeneration. e. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and c. Ensure conservation of priority habitats, bat plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent corridors, historic monuments and viewpoints. within hedged boundaries. Maintain character of long-views from Bath. f. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an d. Ensure any new development is linked to planting initial focus on those outside grant schemes. of individual and groups of trees within each developed site and where considered appropriate g. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use by the AONB Team, off-site woodland planting, and follow. wider biodiversity and access improvements related to scale and impact. Map Ref: 13.6 e. Any new planting should reflect the detailed Low Limestone Plateau (LLP1) (Cotswold guidance set out in Cotswold AONB Landscape AONB Landscape Character Area 13: Strategy Area 7: High Wold and emerging B&NES Low Limestone Plateau) landscape guidance. Amongst other things, they a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission would need to reflect the open character of this management plan (or equivalent), addressing area of protected landscape and the historic broad objectives, supporting their preparation and pattern of woodlands and settlements. delivery. Focus on the ASNW first. f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for with an initial focus on those outside grant natural regeneration. schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. c. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and and as determined by scale and impact, includes plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent off-site tree and woodland planting. within hedged boundaries. d. Any new planting should reflect the detailed h. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an guidance set out in Cotswold AONB Landscape initial focus on those outside grant schemes. Strategy Area 13: Low Limestone Plateau. i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use e. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries and follow. with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where Map Ref: 13.5 hedgerow trees are present. Dip Slope Lowlands (DSL1) (Cotswold f. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and AONB Landscape plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent Strategy Area 11: Dip Slope Lowlands) within hedged boundaries. a. Buffer adjacent ASNW, PAWS and Inwood g. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an SSSI by establishing fringing areas for natural initial focus on those outside grant schemes. regeneration. h. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

98 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

Map Ref: 13.7 c. Work with the owners of Kelston Park to support Eroded Plateau and Valleys (EPV1) conservation of wood pasture, mature field trees, woodlands, hedgerows and walled boundaries, in a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission accordance with requirements of the managment management plan (or equivalent), addressing plan for the registered historic park Replacement broad objectives, supporting their preparation and planting of individual trees to reflect species delivery. Focus on the number of ASNW first. already present. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for d. Work with the owners of Newton Park to support natural regeneration. conservation of wood pasture, mature field trees, c. Establish small woodlands appropriate to woodlands, hedgerows and walled boundaries, landscape character and especially landform, in in accordance with the requirements of the a corridor between Englishcombe and Priston, management plan for the registered historic park. avoiding Grade 2 agricultural land and conserving Replacement planting of individual trees to reflect priority habitats, historic monuments and species already present. viewpoints. Follow guidance in emerging B&NES e. Ensure any new development requires the landscape sensitivity assessment for tree and conservation and planting of trees within the site woodlands. and as determined by scale and impact, includes d. Establish small native woodlands and/or areas off-site tree and woodland planting. of natural regeneration on the fringe of Odd f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries Down, whilst conserving the open setting of with an initial focus on those outside grant the Wansdyke, other historic monuments and schemes and which are not low cut and/or where viewpoints. hedgerow trees are present. e. Ensure any new development requires the g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and conservation and planting of trees within the site plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent and as determined by scale and impact, includes within hedged boundaries. off-site tree and woodland planting. h. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries initial focus on those outside grant schemes. with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes and which are not low cut and/or where i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use hedgerow trees are present. and follow. g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. Initial focus on river and stream valleys, managing and planting trees to manage water quality, flood risk and enhance biodiversity. h. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes. i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

Map Ref: 13.8 Settled Open River Valley (SORV1) a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on the number of ASNW first. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for natural regeneration.

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5.14 Cotswold Scarp and Dip Slope Cotswolds AONB

Map Ref: 14.1 management plans, and conserving other priority Badminton Plateau (SGC1) (Cotswolds habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. AONB Landscape Strategy Area 7: e. Work with landowners to reduce the impact of High Wold). existing large agricultural buildings by small-scale tree planting. a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing f. Ensure any new development requires the broad objectives, supporting their preparation and conservation and planting of trees within the site delivery. Focus on the number of ASNW, and PAWS and as determined by scale and impact, includes first, restructuring PAWs and other woodlands off-site tree and woodland planting. Any new away from conifers and to resilient native species planting should reflect the detailed guidance set characteristic of ASNW in the area. out in Cotswold AONB Landscape Strategy Area 7: High Wold. b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing areas for natural regeneration. g. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside grant c. Work with the Badminton Estate to support schemes, which are not low cut and/or where conservation of wood pasture, mature field trees, hedgerow trees are present. woodlands, hedgerows and walled boundaries. Planted species to reflect those used in historic h. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and designed landscapes within the area. plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. d. Establish new native woodlands in the ‘Main Line Gap’ linking woodlands on the Badminton Estate i. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an to those in 14.4 at the Dodington Estate, whilst initial focus on those outside grant schemes. avoiding Grade 2 agricultural land, responding j. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use to requirements of any registered historic park and follow.

100 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

Map Ref: 14.2 Map Ref: 14.3 Marshfield Plateau (SGC2) (Principally Ashwicke Ridges (SGC3) (Cotswold AONB Cotswolds AONB Landscape Strategy Landscape Strategy Area 4: Area 7: High Wold). Enclosed Limestone Valley). a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation broad objectives, supporting their preparation and and delivery. Focus on the small number of ASNW delivery. Focus on the number of ASNW, and PAWS and PAWS first, restructuring PAWs and other first, restructuring PAWs and other woodlands woodlands away from conifers and to resilient away from conifers and to resilient native species native species characteristic of ASNW in the area. characteristic of ASNW in the area. b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing areas for natural regeneration. areas for natural regeneration. c. Work with landowners to reduce the impact of c. Work with landowners to reduce the impact of existing large agricultural buildings by small-scale existing large agricultural buildings by small-scale tree planting. tree planting. d. Work with landowners to establish small areas d. Ensure any new development requires the of native woodland including through natural conservation and planting of trees within the site regeneration, to consolidate and extend the and as determined by scale and impact, includes diverse wildlife corridor Broadmead Brook, whilst off-site tree and woodland planting. Any new conserving other priority habitats. planting should reflect the detailed guidance set e. Ensure any new development requires the out in Cotswold AONB Landscape Strategy Area 4: conservation and planting of trees within the site Enclosed Limestone Valley. and as determined by scale and impact, includes e. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries off-site tree and woodland planting. Any new with an initial focus on those outside grant planting should reflect the detailed guidance set schemes, which are not low cut and/or where out in Cotswold AONB Landscape Strategy Area 7: hedgerow trees are present. High Wold. f. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent with an initial focus on those outside grant within hedged boundaries. schemes, which are not low cut and/or where g. Conserve irregular mature trees along hedgerow trees are present. watercourses and Freezing Hill beech trees, g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and prominent on the skyline plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent h. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an within hedged boundaries. initial focus on those outside grant schemes. h. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use initial focus on those outside grant schemes. and follow. i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

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Map Ref: 14.4 i. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries Cotswolds Scarp (SGC4) (Principally with an initial focus on those outside grant Cotswold AONB Landscape Strategy Area schemes, which are not low cut and/or where 2: Escarpment). hedgerow trees are present. j. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent management plan (or equivalent), addressing within hedged boundaries. broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on the small number of ASNW, k. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an and PAWS first, restructuring PAWS and other initial focus on those outside grant schemes. woodlands away from conifers and to resilient l. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use native species characteristic of ASNW in the area. and follow. b. Buffer ASNW and PAWS by establishing fringing areas for natural regeneration. c. Work with the owners of Park (in the protective ownership of the National Trust) and Dodington Park to support conservation of wood pasture, mature field trees, woodlands, hedgerows and walled boundaries. Planted species to reflect those used in historic designed landscapes within the area. d. Establish new native woodlands in the ‘Main Line Gap’ linking woodlands at the Dodington Estate to the Badminton Estate in 14.1, whilst avoiding Grade 2 agricultural land and conserving other priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. e. Establish new native woodlands in the ‘Lower Woods Gap’ linking the Lower Woods complex with woodland on the escarpment and valleys beyond it, whilst conserving Grade 2 agricultural land, calcareous grassland and other priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. f. Establish new native woodlands in the ‘ Gap’ consolidating a woodland corridor between Dyrham Park to Dodington, whilst conserving priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. g. Work with landowners to reduce the impact of existing large agricultural buildings by small-scale tree planting. h. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. Any new planting should reflect the detailed guidance set out in Cotswold AONB Landscape Strategy Area 2: Escarpment.

102 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

5.15 Ridges Landscape from Shirehampton to Tytherington Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 15.1 g. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and and Tytherington Ridge plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent (SGC17) within hedged boundaries. h. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission initial focus on those outside grant schemes. management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use delivery. Focus on the small number of ASNW first. and follow. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for natural regeneration. Map Ref: 15.2 c. Establish new native woodlands in the ‘A38 Gap’ Severn Ridges (SGC18) as part of a loose accessible woodland framework a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission around the fringes of Thornbury (15.2), whilst management plan (or equivalent), addressing conserving Grade 2 agricultural land, priority broad objectives, supporting their preparation and habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. delivery. Focus on the small number of ASNW first. d. Establish trees and small woodlands, b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for consolidating the on and off-carriageway planting natural regeneration. adjacent to the M5. c. Establish small native woodlands and/or e. Ensure any new development requires the natural regeneration corridors to link ridge conservation and planting of trees within the site top ASNW north of Thornbury to those in 18.2, and as determined by scale and impact, includes whilst conserving other priority habitats, historic off-site tree and woodland planting. monuments and viewpoints. f. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries d. Establish small native woodlands or broad with an initial focus on those outside grant hedgerows (where Floodplain Grazing Marsh schemes, which are not low cut and/or where dictates) linking the network of woodlands hedgerow trees are present.

103 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

(including ASNW) on the slopes at Rockhampton Map Ref: 15.3 across lower land to those on land east of Hill, Shirehampton and Blaise Ridges whilst conserving other priority habitats, historic (Bristol City Areas) monuments and viewpoints. a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission e. Establish small woodlands, reinforcing the management plan (or equivalent), addressing woodland and parkland landscape structure to broad objectives, supporting their preparation the east of Thornbury, linking existing woodlands and delivery. Focus on ASNW first and update and extending the woodland framework across Bristol City Council management plans for all of its the higher land to Littleton on Severn, whilst woodland, when necessary. Focus on the number conserving other priority habitats, historic of ASNW first. monuments and viewpoints. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for f. Establish small woodlands, linking existing natural regeneration. woodlands, to establish a loose woodland framework to the west, south and east of c. Establish small woodlands and/or natural Thornbury, whilst conserving Grade 2 agricultural regeneration corridors linking the woodland land, other priority habitats, historic monuments complex centred on the Blaise Castle and and viewpoints. This would provide a new Kingsweston Estates, to woodlands on the slopes recreational and wellbeing resource for the at Lawrence Weston and north towards Hallen growing town, robust corridors for wildlife to (19.4), whilst conserving priority habitats, historic move across the wider landscape and a robust monuments and viewpoints. landscape framework able to accommodate any d. Establish individual and groups of trees and development should it be permitted. small woodlands within parks and greenspaces g. Establish small native woodlands and/or natural addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover regeneration corridors to link ridge top ASNW and and with a strong community dimension to their other woodlands, to consolidate the woodland location, size and care. corridor centred on the M5 (south of Junction e. Establish individual and groups of trees and small 15) whilst conserving Grade 2 agricultural land, woodlands within primary and secondary school other priority habitats, historic monuments and grounds, with school responsibility for their care. viewpoints. f. Establish individual and small groups of trees h. Establish individual and small groups of trees in/ adjacent to streets, through the Greenstreets in/ adjacent to streets, greenspaces and school project, addressing inequalities in tree canopy grounds addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover and with a strong community dimension to cover and with a strong community dimension to their location, size and care. their location, size and care. g. Establish individual and groups of trees and i. Ensure any new development requires the small woodlands on private land, with strong conservation and planting of trees within the site involvement of businesses and their staff. and as determined by scale and impact, includes h. Ensure any new development requires the off-site tree and woodland planting. conservation and planting of trees within the site j. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries and as determined by scale and impact, includes with an initial focus on those outside grant off-site tree and woodland planting. schemes, which are not low cut and/or where i. Support the role of Bristol Tree Forum’s Tree hedgerow trees are present. Champions, championing tree care and tree k. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and planting in wards across the city. plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent j. Ensure the Community Forest Path and other within hedged boundaries. public access routes are easy to use and follow. l. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes. m. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

104 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

5.16 Ridge, Boyd and Golden Valleys Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 16.1 Golf Course through the ‘ Gap’, Pucklechurch Ridge and Boyd Valley ensuring conservation of priority habitats, historic (SGC6) monuments and viewpoints. f. Establish woodlands (with 17.1) linking with a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission others, in a corridor linking to Chipping management plan (or equivalent), addressing Sodbury, ensuring conservation of priority broad objectives, supporting their preparation and habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. delivery. Focus on the small number of ASNW and PAWS first. g. Establish small native woodlands linking existing ones in a corridor based on the Boyd Valley b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for between Wick and . natural regeneration. h. Ensure any landfilling of quarries is linked to a c. Work with residents to create a Garden Forest in restoration plan suitable for trees and woodlands. Pucklechurch and Wick, planting shrubs and trees in front and back gardens, enhancing amenity and i. Ensure any new development requires the softening the urban edge. conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes d. Establish woodlands (with 17.1), linking to off-site tree and woodland planting. others, in corridors between Forestry England’s Overscourt Wood and Forest Park, and j. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries also to Shortwood Landfill Site, whilst ensuring with an initial focus on those outside grant conservation of commons and priority habitats, schemes, which are not low cut and/or where historic monuments and viewpoints. hedgerow trees are present. e. Establish woodlands (with 17.1), linking with k. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and others, in a corridor linking Wapley to Kendleshire plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries.

105 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

l. Consider the needs of dormice in woodland and hedgerow management. m. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

Map Ref: 16.2 Golden Valley (SGC11) a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. b. Work with residents to create a Garden Forest in Wick, planting shrubs and trees in front and back gardens, enhancing amenity and softening the urban edge. c. Work with the landowner of Tracy Park to support conservation of wood pasture, mature field trees, woodlands, hedgerows and walled boundaries. d. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. e. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. f. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. g. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

106 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

5.17 Valley, Westerleigh Vale and Ridge Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 17.1 monuments and viewpoints. Westerleigh Vale and Oldland Ridge f. Establish groups of trees and woodlands to further (SGC12) integrate diverse land uses in the wider landscape, with a particular focus on road and rail corridors. a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing g. Ensure any new development requires the broad objectives, supporting their preparation and conservation and planting of trees within the site delivery. Focus on the number of ASNW first. and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for natural regeneration hi. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside grant c. Establish woodlands (with 16.1), linking to schemes, which are not low cut and/or where others, in corridors between Forestry England’s hedgerow trees are present. Overscourt Wood and Warmley Forest Park and also to Shortwood Landfill Site, whilst ensuring i. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow and other field conservation of commons and priority habitats, trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings historic monuments and viewpoints. where absent within hedged boundaries. d. Ensure the restoration of Shortwood Landfill Site j. Ensure that the Community Forest Path and other is suitable for and linked to tree and woodland public access routes are easy to use and follow. planting. e. Establish woodlands in a corridor linking Kendleshire Golf Course through the ‘Westerleigh Gap’ to woodland at (16.1), whilst ensuring conservation of priority habitats, historic

107 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

Map Ref: 17.2 Frome Valley (SGC13) (part of M32 corridor included in 19.1) a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. b. Establish woodlands (with 16.1), linking to others, in a corridor between and the M32, whilst avoiding Grade 1 and Grade 2 agricultural land and ensuring conservation of priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. Ensure that planting benefits catchment management priorities for the River Frome. c. Establish groups of trees and woodlands to further integrate diverse land uses in the wider landscape, with a particular focus on road and rail corridors. d. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. e. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. f. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. g. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes. h. Ensure that the Community Forest Path and other public access routes are easy to use and follow.

108 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

5.18 The Vales Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 18.1 it, whilst conserving Grade 2 agricultural land, Ridge and Vale (SGC5) Calcareous Grassland and other priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing e. Establish woodlands in a corridor from the multiple objectives and work with landowners southern end of the Lower Woods woodlands to deliver these. Focus on the extensive and complex to woodlands along the northern fringe significant areas of ASNW and also PAWS. of , potentially creating a large woodland area, providing diverse benefits, whilst conserving Semi- b. Work with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and improved grassland and other priority habitats, other landowners to buffer ASNW by establishing historic monuments and viewpoints. fringing areas for natural regeneration. f. Ensure any new development requires the c. Establish native woodlands, including through conservation and planting of trees within the site natural regeneration, in the area fringing the and as determined by scale and impact, includes Lower Woods woodland complex, whilst ensuring off-site tree and woodland planting. the hydrology of the Little Avon River is not adversely affected (is enhanced) and Semi- g. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries improved and Lowland Meadow priority habitats/ with an initial focus on those outside grant common are conserved. Respect valley landform schemes, which are not low cut and/or where of the Little Avon River and the need for views and hedgerow trees are present. variety along public paths. h. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and d. Establish native woodlands, tree and/or wide plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent hedgerow boundaries in the ‘Lower Woods Gap’ within hedged boundaries. linking the Lower Woods complex with 14.4. i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use woodland on the escarpment and valleys beyond and follow.

109 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

Map Ref: 18.2 j. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and Vale (SGC7) plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing k. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use multiple objectives and work with landowners to and follow. deliver these. Focus on areas of ASNW and also l. Run programmes of woodland management and PAWS. planting activities, as appropriate with staff and b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for inmates from local prisons. natural regeneration. c. Establish native woodland in a broad corridor Map Ref: 18.3 across the ‘ Gap’ linking woodlands in Yate Vale (SGC8) Tortworth Park to outlying woodlands (many of a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission which are ASNW), including extending northwards management plan (or equivalent), addressing to Michael Wood across the county boundary broad objectives, supporting their preparation and and southwards towards Tytherington. Conserve delivery. wood pasture and other priority habitats, historic b. Establish accessible woodlands in a corridor monuments and viewpoints within this. fringing the north side of Yate, linking existing d. Establish native woodlands in the area to the woodlands and extending to the woodland complex north of and outside the Cotswolds around and south of Lower Woods, whilst ensuring AONB, ensuring conservation of Semi-improved conservation of Semi-improved Grassland and Grassland priority habitat, historic monuments and other priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. viewpoints. e. Establish native woodland in a broad corridor c. Work with the River Frome Reconnected across the ‘M5 Gap’ linking woodlands at , partnership to develop a co-ordinated approach across the M5 to woodlands at to tree planting in suitable locations along the and then potentially to the south of Thornbury, river corridor and associated green spaces. Work ensuring conservation of priority habitats, historic with landowners to support effective riparian tree monuments and viewpoints. and hedge management for the benefit of wildlife, f. Working across the boundary with 15.2, conserve public safety and flood management. and enhance complex of Ancient and Semi-Natural d. Establish individual and groups of trees and Woodlands between the A38 and Rockhampton, small woodlands within parks and greenspaces linking them together through areas of natural addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover regeneration and/or new native planting, and with a strong community dimension to their ensuring conservation of priority habitats, historic location, size and care. monuments and viewpoints. e. Establish individual and groups of trees and small g. Work with the Tortworth Estate and other woodlands within primary and secondary school landowners as appropriate, to support grounds, with school responsibility for their care. conservation of wood pasture, mature field trees, f. Establish individual and small groups of trees woodlands, hedgerows and walled boundaries in in/ adjacent to streets, addressing inequalities in the context of its status as a Registered Park and tree canopy cover and with a strong community Garden. dimension to their location, size and care. h. Ensure any new development requires the g. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. off-site tree and woodland planting. i. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries h. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside grant with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. hedgerow trees are present. 110 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

i. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and f. Ensure any new development requires the plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent conservation and planting of trees within the site within hedged boundaries. and as determined by scale and impact, includes j. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use off-site tree and woodland planting. and follow. g. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside grant Map Ref: 18.4 schemes, which are not low cut and/or where Tytherington Plain (SGC9) hedgerow trees are present. h. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent management plan (or equivalent), addressing within hedged boundaries. broad objectives, supporting their preparation and i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use delivery. and follow. b. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. c. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. d. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. e. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and follow.

Map Ref: 18.5 Vale (SGC10) a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on the ASNW first. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for natural regeneration. c. Establish native woodlands in a corridor linking those associated with leisure uses east of M5 Junction 15, towards Corporation Wood, whilst ensuring conservation of priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. d. Work with landowners to reduce the impact of existing large agricultural buildings by small-scale tree planting, avoiding Grade 1 agricultural land. e. Establish individual and groups of trees in village envelopes, working with the Parish Council and residents more widely.

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5.19 Greater Bristol Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 19.1 and Gardens), open hillsides and viewpoints, City of Bristol (includes small part of 17.2 ensuring planting positively contributes to water Frome Valley: relating to M32 Corridor) management along the River Frome and is not on Grade 1 agricultural land. a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission e. Establish individual and groups of trees, and small management plan (or equivalent), addressing woodlands in parks and greenspaces in a broad broad objectives, supporting their preparation corridor, linking the M32 woodland corridor to the and delivery. Focus on ASNW first and update woodlands in the Avon Valley, with a particular Bristol City Council management plans for all its focus on the Speedwell area (‘The Whitehall Gap’), woodland, when necessary. working with residents there to establish a Garden b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for Forest of planting in front and back gardens. natural regeneration, where this does conflict with f. Establish individual and groups of trees in and other priority habitats/ SSSI. around St. Anne’s Valley to consolidate links with c. Continue to work in partnership to conserve the River Avon woodland corridor. nationally significant whitebeam spp. and ASNW as g. Establish individual and groups of trees in streets part of integrated management of the Avon Gorge and parks and greenspaces in a broad corridor SSSI. linking Stockwood Open Space to Arnos Vale d. Establish individual and groups of trees and small Cemetery. woodlands to consolidate the broad woodland and h. Establish individual and groups of trees and open space corridor centred on the M32 (including small woodlands to extend the woodland corridor Stoke Park and Oldbury Court Estates) linking centred on the Blaise Castle Estate, to woodlands it to the heart of the city. Conserve hedgerows in the Avon Valley, whilst conserving Wood Pasture and trees, Wood Pasture and other priority and other priority habitats, Historic sites (including habitats, historic sites (including Historic Parks

112 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

Historic Parks and Gardens) and viewpoints within woodlands within primary and secondary school this. grounds, with school responsibility for their care. i. Establish individual and groups of trees and f. Establish individual and small groups of trees small woodlands within parks and greenspaces in/ adjacent to streets, addressing inequalities in addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover tree canopy cover and with a strong community and with a strong community dimension to their dimension to their location, size and care. location, size and care. g. Establish individual and groups of trees and j. Establish individual and groups of trees and small small woodlands on private land, with strong woodlands within primary and secondary school involvement of businesses and their staff. grounds, with school responsibility for their care. h. Ensure any new development requires the k. Establish individual and small groups of trees conservation and planting of trees within the site in/adjacent to streets, through the Greenstreets and as determined by scale and impact, includes project, addressing inequalities in tree canopy off-site tree and woodland planting. Where cover and with a strong community dimension to development is to take place at scale ensure that their location, size and care. trees, woodland and other green infrastructure l. Establish individual and groups of trees and is planned in advance and not piecemeal, to small woodlands on private land, with strong maximise benefits. involvement of businesses and their staff. i. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and m. Ensure any new development requires the follow. conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes Map Ref: 19.3 off-site tree and woodland planting. Kingswood (SGC14) n. Support the role of Bristol Tree Forum’s Tree a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission Champions, championing tree care and tree management plan (or equivalent), addressing planting in wards across the city. broad objectives, supporting their preparation and o. Ensure the Community Forest Path and other delivery. public access routes are easy to use and follow. b. Establish individual and groups of trees and small woodlands within parks and greenspaces Map Ref: 19.2 addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover , and the Stokes and with a strong community dimension to their (SGC15)) location, size and care. a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission c. Establish individual and groups of trees and small management plan (or equivalent), addressing woodlands within primary and secondary school broad objectives, supporting their preparation and grounds, with school responsibility for their care. delivery. Focus on the ASNW first. d. Establish individual and small groups of trees b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for in/ adjacent to streets, addressing inequalities in natural regeneration. tree canopy cover and with a strong community dimension to their location, size and care. c. Establish individual and groups of trees, and small woodlands linking the Three Brooks Nature e. Establish individual and groups of trees and Reserve in broad corridors to woodlands and small woodlands on private land, with strong green space north of the M5 and in Filton, whilst involvement of businesses and their staff. conserving other priority habitats, historic sites f. Ensure any new development requires the and viewpoints. conservation and planting of trees within the site d. Establish individual and groups of trees and and as determined by scale and impact, includes small woodlands within parks and greenspaces off-site tree and woodland planting. addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover g. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and and with a strong community dimension to their follow. location, size and care. e. Establish individual and groups of trees and small 113 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

5.20 and Environs Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 20.1 and with a strong community dimension to their Keynsham and Avon Valley location, size and care. east of Keynsham Hams/ e. Establish individual and groups of trees and small (includes B&NES14 and SGC16) woodlands within primary and secondary school grounds, with school responsibility for their care. a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing f. Establish individual and small groups of trees broad objectives, supporting their preparation and in/ adjacent to streets, addressing inequalities in delivery. tree canopy cover and with a strong community dimension to their location, size and care. Ensure b. Establish new native woodlands linking existing any new development requires the conservation community woodlands as part of an accessible and planting of trees within the site and as woodland framework around the southern, eastern determined by scale and impact, includes off-site and northern fringes of Keynsham, integrating tree and woodland planting. recent and any future development into the wider landscape, whilst conserving priority habitats, g. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries historic monuments and viewpoints. with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where c. Establish groups of trees, to reduce the impact of hedgerow trees are present. the urban edges of Keynsham upon Stockwood Vale, whilst conserving priority habitats and h. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and viewpoints. plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. d. Establish individual and groups of trees and small woodlands within parks and greenspaces i. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use addressing inequalities in tree canopy cover and follow.

114 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

Map Ref: 20.2 d. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries Avon Valley west of Keynsham Hams/ with an initial focus on those which are not low cut Willsbridge (SGC14, SGC16) and/or where hedgerow trees are present. e. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent management plan (or equivalent), addressing within hedged boundaries. broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Focus on ASNW and SSSIs in the area f. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use first. and follow and establish a route linking the Avon Valley and Stockwood Open Space. b. Establish areas of native trees and small woodlands to buffer ASNW/SSSIs and extend the woodland corridor into urban areas north Map Ref: 20.4 and south of the River Avon, and consolidate Stockwood Vale (B&NES9) the landscape towards , while a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission conserving Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh management plan (or equivalent), addressing and other priority habitats, historic monuments broad objectives, supporting their preparation and and viewpoints. Use natural regeneration where delivery. possible, adjacent to ASNW/SSSIs. b. Establish small native woodlands linking those c. Ensure any new development requires the existing within the valley bottom, whilst conserving conservation and planting of trees within the site priority habitats, historic monuments and and as determined by scale and impact, includes viewpoints. off-site tree and woodland planting. c. Establish groups of trees, to reduce the impact d. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries of the urban edges of Keynsham and Stockwood with an initial focus on those outside grant upon the valley, whilst conserving priority habitats schemes, which are not low cut and/or where and viewpoints. hedgerow trees are present. d. Ensure any new development requires the e. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and conservation and planting of trees within the site plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent and as determined by scale and impact, includes within hedged boundaries. off-site tree and woodland planting. f. Ensure that public access routes are easy to e. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries use and follow, creating routes to help manage with an initial focus on those which are not low cut recreational use of sensitive sites. and/or where hedgerow trees are present. f. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and Map Ref: 20.3 plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent Hicks Gate (B&NES10) within hedged boundaries. a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission g. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use management plan (or equivalent), addressing and follow. broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. b. Establish groups of trees and accessible native woodlands linking the woodlands of the Avon Valley to Stockwood Open Space, integrating a diverse land uses in the wider landscape, while conserving priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. c. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting.

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Map Ref: 20.5 Dundry Plateau (B&NES5) a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. b. Establish groups of trees and small native woodlands in the ‘A37 Gap’ linking woodlands in Stockwood Open Space to those in the Chew Valley, conserving priority habitats, historic monuments and viewpoints. c. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. d. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or where hedgerow trees are present. e. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. f. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes. g. Ensure the Community Forest Path and other public access routes are easy to use and follow.

116 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

5.21 Settled Undulating Plateau Newton St. Loe to Hinton Blewitt Forest of Avon

Map Ref: 21.1 the existing and potential woodland area in 7.1, Hinton Blewett and Newton St. Loe Plateau conserving priority habitats, historic monuments Lands (B&NES6) and viewpoints. f. Ensure any new development is linked to planting a. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission of individual and groups of trees within each management plan (or equivalent), addressing developed site and off-site woodland planting, broad objectives, supporting their preparation and wider biodiversity and access improvements delivery. Focus on small number of ASNW first. related to scale. b. Buffer ASNW by establishing fringing areas for g. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries natural regeneration. with an initial focus on those outside grant c. Establish small woodlands appropriate for the schemes and which are not low cut and/or where landscape character and especially related to hedgerow trees are present. landform, in a corridor between Englishcombe h. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and and Priston, conserving priority habitats, historic plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent monuments and viewpoints. within hedged boundaries. Initial focus on river d. Establish small woodlands of a scale, pattern and stream valleys, managing and planting trees and species mix appropriate for the landscape to manage water quality, flood risk and enhance character in the ‘Camerton Gap’ linking c. above biodiversity. to woodlands in 11.1, conserving priority habitats, i. Conserve and restore dry stone walls, with an historic monuments and viewpoints. initial focus on those outside grant schemes. e. Establish woodland of appropriate scale, pattern j. Ensure that public access routes are easy to use and species mix in a broad corridor north of and follow. Farmborough, linking across the ‘Nap Hill Gap’ to

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5.22 River Avon and other riparian habitats Forest of Avon

The recommendations below are intended to be other development into the wider river corridor. applicable to trees and woodland within the River Ensure any new development requires the Avon corridor GI Area, as defined in the map at the conservation and planting of trees within the site start of this section. For guidance relating to trees and and as determined by scale and impact, includes woodland in a riparian (i.e. riverbank) context, please off-site tree and woodland planting. Ensure public refer to Bristol Avon Rivers Trust’s approach to tree access routes are easy to use and follow. planting. b. Lower Avon Valley (see also 1.6 Area J6). Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission Map Ref: 22.1 management plan (or equivalent), addressing Linear area including floodplains, broad objectives, supporting their preparation and defined by the River Avon from its mouth delivery. Establish groups of trees and woodlands at Avonmouth, to Dundas Aqueduct, to better integrate existing settlement edges into including the Kennet & Avon Canal. the wider valley landscape, through small-scale tree planting. Ensure that public access routes are (Priorities draw from North Somerset Council’s easy to use and follow. LCA and the Waterspace Study. Priorities for the c. Avon Gorge (see also 4.4 Area D1). Continue wider corridor are addressed under other areas.) to work in partnership to conserve nationally significant whitebeam spp. and ASNW as part a. Avonmouth (see also 1.2. Area C2). Ensure small of integrated management of the Avon Gorge woodland areas have a Forestry Commission NNR and SSSI. Manage recreational use of the management plan (or equivalent), addressing wider Leigh Woods area as part of this integrated broad objectives, supporting their preparation approach ensuring ecological, historic and and delivery. Plant individual and groups of trees geological sites are conserved. Ensure public to help integrate extensive car storage areas and rights of way are easy to use and follow.

118 A TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND

d. River Avon in Bristol (see also 19.1). Ensure any new development requires the conservation all woodlands have a Forestry Commission and planting of trees within the site and as management plan (or equivalent), addressing determined by scale and impact, includes off-site broad objectives, supporting their preparation tree and woodland planting. Ensure public access and delivery. Establish individual and groups of routes are easy to use and follow. (Waterspace trees within streets, greenspaces and gardens, Area 4). integrating built development into the river i. Weston Island (see also 13.1). Conserve well- corridor, with a strong community dimension to treed character through advice to landowners and their location, size and care. small-scale replacement tree planting. Ensure any e. (see also 20.1). Ensure all woodlands new development requires the conservation and have a Forestry Commission management plan planting of trees within the site and as determined (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, by scale and impact, includes off-site. Ensure supporting their preparation and delivery. public access routes are easy to use and follow. Conserve character of the meandering tree lined (Waterspace Area 5). river edge, through advice to landowners and j. Windsor Bridge, Bath (see also 13.1). Conserve small-scale replacement tree planting. Ensure well-treed character through advice to landowners public access routes are easy to use and follow. and small-scale replacement tree planting. Ensure (Waterspace Area 1). any new development requires the conservation f. Keynsham (See 20.2). Ensure all woodlands and planting of trees within the site and as have a Forestry Commission management plan determined by scale and impact, includes off-site. (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, Ensure public access routes are easy to use and supporting their preparation and delivery. Ensure follow. (Waterspace Area 6). any new development requires the conservation k. Norfolk Crescent, Bath (see also 13.1). Establish and planting of trees within the site and as individual and groups of trees on private land, determined by scale and impact, includes off-site with strong involvement of businesses and their tree and woodland planting. Ensure public access staff. Ensure any new development requires the routes are easy to use and follow. (Waterspace conservation and planting of trees within the site Area 2). and as determined by scale and impact, includes g. Saltford (see also 20.2). Ensure all woodlands off-site tree and woodland planting. Ensure have a Forestry Commission management plan public access routes are easy to use and follow. (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, (Waterspace Area 7). supporting their preparation and delivery. l. Green Park, Bath (see also 13.1). Conserve existing Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries trees through advice to landowners and undertake with an initial focus on those outside grant small-scale replacement tree planting. Ensure schemes, which are not low cut and/or where public access routes are easy to use and follow. hedgerow trees are present. Conserve hedgerow (Waterspace Area 8). and other field trees and plant new ones at m. Bath Quays (see also 13.1). Enhance public park irregular spacings where absent within hedged with additional tree planting. Ensure public access boundaries. Ensure public access routes are easy routes are easy to use and follow. (Waterspace to use and follow. (Waterspace Area 3). Trees and Area 9). woodland on the floodplain may be appropriate in certain locations; however, for further guidance, n. North Parade Bridge, Bath (see also 13.1). please consult BART. Conserve well-treed character through advice to landowners and small-scale replacement h. Newbridge (see also 13.1). Ensure all woodlands tree planting. Ensure any new development have a Forestry Commission management plan requires the conservation and planting of trees (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, within the site and as determined by scale and supporting their preparation and delivery. impact, includes off-site tree planting. Ensure Establish individual and groups of trees and public access routes are easy to use and follow. small woodlands on private land, with strong (Waterspace Area 10). involvement of businesses and their staff. Ensure

119 THE FOREST OF AVON PLAN

o. Pulteney Bridge, Bath (see also 13.1). Conserve s. Claverton and Dundas (see also 13.1). Ensure existing trees through advice to landowners and all woodlands have a Forestry Commission small-scale replacement tree planting. Ensure any management plan (or equivalent), addressing new development requires the conservation and broad objectives, supporting their preparation planting of trees within the site and as determined and delivery. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow by scale and impact, includes off-site tree planting. boundaries with an initial focus on those outside Ensure public access routes are easy to use and grant schemes, which are not low cut and/or follow. (Waterspace Area 11). where hedgerow trees are present. Conserve p. Cleveland Bridge, Bath (see also 13.1). Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones well-treed character through advice to landowners at irregular spacings where absent within hedged and small-scale replacement tree planting. Ensure boundaries. Ensure public access routes are easy any new development requires the conservation to use and follow. Trees and woodland on the and planting of trees within the site and as floodplain may be appropriate in certain locations; determined by scale and impact, includes off-site however, for further guidance, please consult tree and woodland planting. Ensure public access BART and refer to WHS Setting SPD in relation to routes are easy to use and follow. (Waterspace Georgian landscape context. Area 12). q. City Canal, Bath (see also 13.1). Conserve existing trees through advice to landowners and small- scale replacement tree planting. Ensure any new development requires the conservation and planting of trees within the site and as determined by scale and impact, includes off-site tree and woodland planting. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow. (Waterspace Area 13). r. Bathampton. Ensure all woodlands have a Forestry Commission management plan (or equivalent), addressing broad objectives, supporting their preparation and delivery. Conserve and regenerate hedgerow boundaries with an initial focus on those outside grant schemes, which are not low cut and/ or where hedgerow trees are present. Conserve hedgerow and other field trees and plant new ones at irregular spacings where absent within hedged boundaries. Ensure public access routes are easy to use and follow. Trees and woodland on the floodplain may be appropriate in certain locations; however, for further guidance, please consult BART and refer to WHS Setting SPD regarding Georgian landscape context.

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