Woodland

Management Plan

Woodland Property Name Mardley Heath Local Nature Reserve

Case Reference Plan Period dd/mm/yyyy Approval Date: 1/10/2015 To: 1/10/2020 (ten years) Five Year Review Date October 2020

Status Reason for Revision No. Date (draft/final) Revision 1 March 2015 Draft End of previous plan period

The landowner agrees this plan as a statement of intent for the woodland

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UKFS Management Planning Criteria Approval of this plan will be considered against the following UKFS criteria, prior to submission review your plan against the criteria using the check list below.

Applicant No. UKFS Management Plan Criteria Approval Criteria Check Forest management plans should state Have objectives of management the objectives of management and set been stated? Consideration given 1 out how the appropriate balance to economic, environmental and between economic, environmental and social factors (Section 2.2) social objectives will be achieved. Forest management plans should Does the management strategy address the forest context and the (section 6) take into account the 2 forest potential and demonstrate how forest context and any special the relevant interests and issues have features identified within the been considered and addressed. woodland survey (section 4) In designated areas, for example Have appropriate designations national parks, particular account should been identified (section 4.2) if so 3 be taken of landscape and other are these reflected through the sensitivities in the design of forests and work proposals in the forest infrastructure. management strategy (Section 6) At the time of felling and restocking, the Felling and restocking are design of existing forests should be re- consistent with UKFS forest design 4 assessed and any necessary changes principles (Section 5 of the UKFS) made so that they meet UKFS Requirements. Consultation on forest management Has consultation happened in line plans and proposals should be carried with current FC guidance and out according to forestry authority recorded as appropriate in section 5 procedures and, where required, the 7 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. Forests should be designed to achieve a Do the felling and restocking diverse structure of habitat, species and proposals create or improve 6 ages of trees, appropriate to the scale structural diversity (refer to the and context. plan of operations) Forests characterised by a lack of Do the felling and restocking diversity due to extensive areas of proposals create or improve age 7 even-aged trees should be progressively class diversity (refer to the plan of restructured to achieve a range of age operations) classes. Management of the forest should Has a 5 year review period been conform to the plan, and the plan stated (1st page) and where 8 should be updated to ensure it is current relevant achievements recorded in and relevant. section 3 New forests and woodlands should be When new planting is being located and designed to maintain or proposed under this plan is it 9 enhance the visual, cultural and consistent with UKFS and FC ecological value and character of the guidance on woodland creation landscape.

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1. Property Details

Woodland Property Name

Name Mardley Heath Owner Tenant

Email [email protected] Contact Number 01707 357418

Agent Name (if applicable) Mr S Levy

Email [email protected] Contact Number 07740 718885

Welwyn Hatfield County Local Authority Borough Council

Grid Single Business TL 245185 107142304 Reference Identifier

Management Plan Area (Hectares) 37

Have you included a Plan of Operations with Yes No this management plan?

Location Plan

Reserve Infrastructure List the maps associated with this management plan Compartment Plan (to be referred to when reading Work Programme)

Habitats and features

Do you intend to use the information within Felling Licence the management plan and associated plan of Thinning Licence operations to apply for the following Woodland Regeneration Grant

Tick to declare management control and

agreement to public availability of the plan

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2. Vision and Objectives

To develop your long term vision, you need to express as clearly as possible the overall direction of management for the woodland(s) and how you envisage it will be in the future. This covers the duration of the plan and beyond.

2.1 Vision Describe your long term vision for the woodland(s).

Mardley Heath will continue to be an oak / hornbeam woodland but one where open sunny glades and clearings with regenerating heathland and grasslands on generally acidic soils will be sympathetically managed. Young oak and hornbeam saplings regenerating within the declining birch woodland will be promoted, hornbeam pollards maintained in appropriate condition and the hornbeam in Brokers Garden Wood regularly coppiced.

Woodland products such as woodfuel arising from thinning and glade enlargement will be harvested, where ground conditions allow, thus contributing to the local economy and helping to provide a small income to fund woodland conservation.

Dynamic regeneration of a range of vegetation, along with appropriate management on this once open gravel pit will continue to support a wide range of locally important wildlife, especially rare invertebrates, many of them derived from its early history as a more open wood pasture common.

Mardley Heath will be an important recreational resource for local residents with good public access for all abilities along well-marked permissive trails and rights-of-way with places to sit and enjoy the woodland at all times of the year.

The Friends of Mardley Heath will continue to be important partners in the site’s future management.

2.2 Management Objectives State the objectives of management demonstrating how sustainable forest management is to be achieved. Objectives are a set of specific, quantifiable statements that represent what needs to happen to achieve the long term vision.

No. Objectives (include environmental, economic and social considerations) 1 To retain and enhance or extend by appropriate management those features derived from wood pasture common including heathy glades, pollarded trees and coppice. 2 To encourage, generally by thinning, coppicing and allowing natural regeneration, a varied age structure of primarily oak / hornbeam / birch woodland over the majority of the site, especially those areas regenerating after

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No. Objectives (include environmental, economic and social considerations) mineral extraction, but where this will not compromise Objective 1. Wherever practicable, outputs of thinning and coppicing will be sold as woodfuel to support local markets and provide a small income to offset costs of management. 3 To continue to monitor species populations , especially butterflies and solitary bees, so as to steer habitat management. 4 To provide a safe and attractive experience for adjacent residents and visitors, with anti-social elements controlled as far as possible 5 To encourage community involvement in management by supporting with training, PPE, tools and advice the Friends of Mardley Heath Add Box No. Objectives (including environmental, economic and social considerations) 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

3. Plan Review - Achievements

Use this section to identify achievements made against previous plan objectives. This section should be completed at the 5 year review and could be informed through monitoring activities undertaken.

Objectives Achievement Maintain and enhance wood pasture Glades on north and south side of reserve features have been extended by removal of birch and sycamore and maintained by mowing once annually. Heather (Calluna) has regenerated naturally following re-introduction. Heath milkwort has re-established from long- buried seed after absence of 130 years (only 2 other locations in Herts). 8 hornbeam pollards have had crown reductions.

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Maintain varied age structure of oak / Silver birch is naturally declining in several hornbeam woodland areas, allowing young oak to come through. Young invasive sycamore has been removed in some areas to encourage oak and hornbeam. Path-side vegetation has been coppiced to vary the structure Monitor species populations to steer Butterfly transect monitoring undertaken habitat management for 5-6 years has identified small recovery in populations of rarer woodland and heathland species, especially in sunny glades and rides. Monitoring of solitary bees/wasps has brought about out scrub coppicing to maintain open south-facing gravel banks Maintain safe and attractive woodland A surfaced 250m easy-access trail for less for neighbours and visitors mobile visitors has been created on level route between car park and south pit. An all-mobility trail for bicycles and horse- riders is now waymarked around perimeter of reserve. New interpretative boards have been installed in car park and south pit and a folding leaflet published. 6 benches have been installed by the Friends. A 4-year programme of coppicing was begun along south boundary in winter 2014/15. To support community involvement With council support, Friends of Mardley with management Heath continue to organise a monthly work programme of habitat and access management, ad-hoc litter clearance and seasonal species monitoring. The Friends have also occasionally worked with local Scouts on some tasks.

Add Box

4. Woodland Survey

This section is about collecting information relating to your woodland and its location, including any statutory constraints i.e. designations.

4.1 Description Brief description of the woodland property

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Location

Mardley Heath lies immediately to the north of Oaklands, a settlement between old and Woolmer Green which was developed on part of the former Welwyn Heath. The wood is divided into two roughly rectangular blocks lying north and south of Heath Road.

The A1(M) motorway abuts the wood at its west end, the settlement of Oaklands lies around the south and south west sides with agricultural land to the north and north east. To the north-west but now severed by the motorway lie other woodlands once a historic part of the Heath. To the south-east but now separated by housing is Harmergreen Wood. Mardley Heath forms a significant wooded backdrop to Oaklands and is prominently visible from the motorway and the London-Edinburgh mainline railway.

History of Management

Until legal enclosure by act of parliament in about 1810, Mardley Heath was unenclosed heathland and wood-pasture common used for pannage for pigs and as a source of timber and wood fuel. The existence of almost 50 hornbeam pollards indicate its former use for grazing (probably by sheep and cattle). Not long after enclosure, the Heath was planted up and at the time of Bryant’s map of 1822, a woodland with boundaries is clearly shown. By the late 19th century, Dolesbury Firs and Pottersheath Plantation are named and shown planted with conifers but the large central area of the modern Mardley Heath is also still clearly indicated as open woodland with many trackways, of which Heath Road is one. There are records of timber extractions and sales and, interestingly, a court case where one local Lord was accused by another of theft of timber!

At some point in the mid-twentieth century, the land was acquired by Wallace-Inns, a gravel company who extracted sand and gravel throughout the central part of the site, leaving a belt of semi-natural woodland around the perimeter. This activity came to end in 1967 when the land was conveyed, un-restored, to the Rural District of Welwyn. In 1974, District Council acquired the land as a consequence of local government re-organisation. The largest pit on the north side of the site was used for land-fill until 1976 and a block of woodland adjacent to the London Road was conveyed to a developer in 1987 for further housing.

By the late1970s, the open derelict pits and waste ground at Mardley Heath had already become known as a good place to go with scramble bikes and ‘old bangers’ - the area to the north of Heath Road was even informally designated for this activity in order to prevent bikers making trouble elsewhere. Rubbish dumping and fly-tipping was a significant local problem. In the early 1980s, attempts were made to control illegal activity by installing heavy-duty barriers. By this time, birch woodland had regenerated across much of the excavated land, creating a wooded ‘moonscape’ of hills and hollows with patches of open wet and dry grassland, seasonal ponds, bare gravel banks and a network of discrete pathways.

In the late 1980s, the site attracted funding from the Manpower Services Commission and proposals were put forward for better management of public access, small scale habitat enhancements, the designation of a formal BMX area and the appointment of

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part-time ‘wardens’, some of which took place (but not the formal BMX area). A Woodland Grant helped to fund coppicing of hornbeam in the NE corner of the wood.

In the 1990s, the south pit was extended by felling birch and levelling the ground with the intention of creating conditions for the establishment of heather turves which were rescued from reservoir refurbishment in . At the same time, heather seed was obtained from a heathland reserve in Surrey and sown in other areas. Also during the 1990s, a friends group was established which is now a key partner in the care of the site.

From 2000, management has continued to enhance the site by widening several paths to allow regeneration of coppice including willow and hawthorn, the enlargement of the glade in the north pit to encourage heathland species to regenerate, the regular cutting of the former landfill area and other glades, the commencement of a restoration programme for the hornbeam pollards (and creation of new ones), the rotational coppicing of vegetation in the south pit to prevent reversion to woodland, the creation of two permanent ponds, small-scale control of rhododendron and installation of a further barrier to control bike access. Health and safety tree works have also been routinely undertaken.

During 2010-11, Landfill Tax funding and a Woodland Improvement Grant allowed the creation of two trails: one multi-user trail around the perimeter of the site and a second, shorter, level all-ability trail leading from the car park to a viewing point above the south pit where an interpretative board tells the story of the site. Additional new interpretation has been provided at key entrances and a site leaflet produced.

In winter 2014-15, contractors were employed to remove rhododendron spread over about 3 hectares, to enlarge a small glade by removal of mature sycamore trees and to begin a programme of coppicing along the southern boundary of the reserve.

Today, Mardley Heath still demonstrates its origins as a wood pasture common with its oak / hornbeam woodland, including coppice and pollards, surrounding a central area where birch, oak and hornbeam are now regenerating on land formerly used for sand and gravel extraction. Remnant heathland is rare in Hertfordshire with only 35 hectares remaining on the county. Much of the former heath at Mardley Heath has already been lost to housing so management to restore and enhance its ecological history is important in a county context.

Geology

Mardley Heath lies on the gravels and sands of the Reading beds which in the quarried areas are much disturbed and often exposed in large hummocks. The sands and gravels overlie the clays and chalk of the London basin. The reserve lies at a general height of 115-20m above sea level but slopes to the south.

Soils

In most of the wood, the soils are acidic but in the south-east of the wood, where chalk is closer to the surface more neutral conditions are evident in the vegetation. In the centre of the wood where mineral extraction has taken place, soil layers are very disturbed and there are areas where the sands have been removed down to the

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underlying clays leading to poorer drainage.

Hydrology

There is no flowing water on the Heath but the disturbed soils have left wet flushes and there are several seasonal ponds.

Vegetation

The original woodland across the entire site was primarily oak (Q. robur) with hornbeam and birch. This remains as a 'fringe' around the perimeter of the reserve and also through the centre, each side of Heath Road. Some of the oak grows as coppice indicating its past management. In the north-east corner known as Brokers Garden Wood, hornbeam grows more densely as coppice with few remaining oak standards. Bluebells form the major component of the ground flora.

In the south west of the wood there is mature oak with over-stored sweet chestnut coppice. In the central southern area outside the limit of extraction, there is a grove of mature beech known by some local residents as ‘the cathedral’. Two enormous beech pollards at the very edge of the pit have given the unofficial name ‘two-tree hill’ to this location. (Unfortunately, both of these trees have received tree surgery during the previous plan period to reduce weight in their crowns after the loss of two limbs). Also in this area is one of the densest concentrations of hornbeam pollards.

Secondary birch woodland with emergent oak and hornbeam grows in the central parts of each half of the Heath on extremely ‘humpy’ ground demonstrating very well the natural woodland succession on disturbed acid soils. It is quite unusual for this to occur without intervention or deliberate planting in Hertfordshire due to the lack of restoration conditions at the time of extraction. The birch is declining as it reaches the end of its natural lifespan and it is expected that oak with hornbeam will once again gradually form the dominant canopy vegetation.

Sycamore and ash also occur in several areas usually on more neutral soil as a result of planting and natural regeneration. Mature sycamore on an area of approximately 1 hectare has been harvested during the previous plan period to extend a glade.

Much of the site has little under-storey with the exception of the hornbeam coppice in the NE corner but in the tongue of land extending south to the B197 London Road, shrub communities of elder, holly and thorn exist. Honeysuckle and clematis are also found in places throughout the woodland. On the east side of the wood south of Heath Road, distinct areas of mature hawthorn scrub indicate a history of once open grassland on the area named Heath Field on old maps. Some of this scrub (in the same area as the sycamore, above) has been coppiced to encourage heath vegetation to regenerate in a restored glade.

Only very small patches of rhododendron now remain in the south–west of the wood, after the majority was removed by contractor during the previous plan period.

Heathy vegetation including heather (Calluna), heath speedwell, dog violets, heath bedstraw and rushes with low bramble is regenerating in the north pit beneath a light canopy of silver birch and goat willow. A further area of heather re-established by

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planting is located close to the A1(M).

In the more open and sunny south pit, heather flowers well in a mixture with gorse, broom, rosebay, birch, willow and oak scrub, wood sage, heath speedwell, bramble and bracken. Originally re-introduced as turves, the heather has been used as a seed source for the cultivation of new plants for the site, but is now regenerating naturally in more open areas. Another smaller open glade on the south side is underlain by more neutral soil. Black knapweed, wild basil, twayblade and common spotted orchids and bird’s-foot trefoil can be found here.

The largest area of open ground lies on the north side and comprises secondary grassland that has colonised imported soil used to cover the landfill site. Species here include teasel, ragwort, rosebay, centaury, St John’s wort, creeping thistle, forget-me- not, musk mallow and other species of disturbed ground. This field is maintained by annual silage-cutting to remove nutrients and prevent reversion to scrub.

The site is also important for brambles. With approximately fifty species having been recorded, Mardley Heath is one of the richest sites in Hertfordshire for brambles.

Fauna

The Heath supports a diverse bird population, including woodpeckers (green woodpeckers are regularly seen ‘anting’ on the landfill area), nuthatch, tree creeper, various tits and summer migrants. Jays are especially common in winter, as are flocks of siskins feeding on birch. Moles, rabbits and grey squirrels are all present but do not appear to have a severe impact. Muntjac deer are rarely seen although they must be present.

Of special importance to the site are at least ten species of solitary ‘mining’ bees and wasps, attracted by the exposures of sands and gravels and short turf maintained by rabbits. Butterflies are recorded weekly between April and September on a 'transect' walked by members of Friends of Mardley Heath. Purple emperor, silver-washed fritillary and purple hairstreak are woodland specialists that are returning to many woodlands, including the Heath.

Access

The site has open access throughout for pedestrians. There are also statutory public footpaths and bridleways. A multi-user trail suitable for horse-riders and cyclists as well as pedestrians follows the woodland perimeter and a shorter more-or-less level route parallel with Heath Road on its south side provides access suitable for visitors in wheelchairs or with buggies. About six benches have been provided by the Friends and more are planned.

With its history as unenclosed heathland, few of the wood’s perimeter boundaries are fenced or hedged, neither is there boundary fencing along Heath Road. This continues to make it very easy to enter the site on trail bikes. An eroded area close to the south pit is still used by BMX bikers, generally young teenagers. Their activities are not officially condoned so pits and ramps are levelled every few years.

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4.2 Information Use this section to identify features that are both present in your woodland(s) and where required, on land adjacent to your woodland. It may be useful to identify known features on an accompanying map. Woodland information for your property can be found on the ‘Magic’ website or the Forestry Commission Land Information Search.

Within Adjacent to Feature Cpts Map No Woodland(s) Woodland(s) Biodiversity - Designations Site of Special Scientific Interest Yes No Yes No Special Area of Conservation Yes No Yes No Tree Preservation Order Yes No Yes No Conservation Area Yes No Yes No Special Protection Area Yes No Yes No Ramsar Site Yes No Yes No National Nature Reserve Yes No Yes No Local Nature Reserve Yes No Yes No Other (please Specify): County Yes No Yes No Wildlife Site designated 1997 Notes

Within Map Feature Cpts Notes Woodland(s) No Biodiversity - European Protected Species Bat Species (if known) Yes No All Common Pipistrelle, Noctule & Serotine recorded within 10Km sq. Dormouse Yes No Great Crested Newt Yes No Otter Yes No Sand Lizard Yes No Smooth Snake Yes No Natterjack Toad Yes No Biodiversity – Priority Species Schedule 1 Birds Species Yes No Mammals (Red Squirrel, Water Yes No Vole, Pine Marten etc) Reptiles (grass snake, adder, Yes No common lizard etc) Plants Yes No All Highest species diversity of

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Bramble (Rubus) on any site in Herts with over 50 species. Fungi/Lichens Yes No All Regular foray lists indicate MH is one of Herts best woodland sites.

2011 lichen survey recorded 45 species Invertebrates (butterflies, moths, Yes No Rarer woodland beetles etc) species returning e.g. Purple Emperor, Purple Hairstreak & Silver-washed fritillary. Update on solitary bees/wasps requested. Amphibians (pool frog, common Yes No Common frog and toad) common toad Other (please Specify): Yes No Historic Environment Scheduled Monuments Yes No Unscheduled Monuments Yes No Registered Parks and Gardens Yes No Boundaries and Veteran Trees Yes No Wood banks & hornbeam pollards Listed Buildings Yes No Other (please Specify): Yes No Landscape National Character Area (please Specify): 111 - Northern Thames Basin National Park Yes No Area of Outstanding Natural Yes No Beauty Other (please Specify): Yes No Area 133b: Rableyheath Settled Upland - Welwyn Hatfield Landscape Character Assessment (April 2005) People CROW Access Yes No

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Public Rights of Way (any) Yes No Public bridleways and footpaths Other Access Provision Yes No perimeter all- mobility trail and shorter easy- access trail Public Involvement Yes No Friends of Mardley Heath volunteer group Visitor Information Yes No Interpretive board in car park and at edge of south pit. Folding leaflet published 2012. Public Recreation Facilities Yes No Car park Provision of Learning Yes No No special Opportunities provision but Welwyn Primary School use reserve for school visits Anti-social Behaviour Yes No Occasional all-night parties with alcohol Other (please Specify): Yes No Local scout troop has meeting hall in SW corner of site Water Watercourses Yes No Lakes Yes No Ponds Yes No 3 more or less permanent. Several more seasonal Other (please Specify): Yes No

4.3 Habitat Types This section is to consider the habitat types within your woodland(s) that might impact/inform your management decisions. Larger non-wooded areas within your woodland should be classified according to broad habitat type where relevant this information should also help inform your management decisions. Woodlands should be designed to achieve a diverse structure of habitat, species and ages of trees, appropriate to the scale and context of the woodland.

Within Map Feature Cpts Notes Woodland(s) No Woodland Habitat Types Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland Yes No

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Planted Ancient Woodland Site Yes No Sweet chestnut and (PAWS) beech with very occasional Scots pine remaining Semi-natural features in PAWS Yes No Lowland beech and yew Yes No woodland Lowland mixed deciduous Yes No woodland Upland mixed ash woods Yes No Upland Oakwood Yes No Wet woodland Yes No Wood-pasture and parkland Yes No Wood pasture Other (please Specify): Yes No Mature hawthorn scrub on former heathy grassland Non Woodland Habitat Types Blanket bog Yes No Fenland Yes No Lowland calcareous grassland Yes No small neutral- calcareous glade Lowland dry acid grassland Yes No Lowland heath land Yes No restoring from gravel extraction Lowland meadows Yes No Lowland raised bog Yes No Rush pasture Yes No Reed bed Yes No Wood pasture Yes No pollarded hornbeams Upland hay meadows Yes No Upland heath land Yes No Unimproved grassland Yes No grassland established over former tip Peat lands Yes No Wetland habitats Yes No permanent and seasonal ponds Other (please Specify): Yes No Exposed gravel and sand

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4.4 Structure This section should provide a snapshot of the current structure of your woodland as a whole. A full inventory for your woodland(s) can be included in the separate Plan of Operations spreadsheet. Ensuring woodland has a varied structure in terms of age, species, origin and open space will provide a range of benefits for the biodiversity of the woodland and its resilience. The diagrams below show an example of both uneven and even aged woodland.

Percentage of Mgt Notes (i.e. understory or natural Age Structure Woodland Type Plan Area regeneration present) Native Broadleaves 75% Uneven Aged Birch with regenerating oak and hornbeam on former gravel pits including open glades and standing/ fallen dead wood. Bramble understorey Coppice 2.5% Uneven Aged Young hornbeam coppice in NE corner with occasional mature oak Non Native Broadleaves 10% Even Aged Mature sweet chestnut coppice. No understorey but occasional oak, cherry Native Broadleaves 10% Even Aged Oak woodland surviving from former wood pasture/heath. Bluebells Native Broadleaves 2.5% Even Aged Beech plantation with few remaining pine

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5. Woodland Protection

Woodlands in England face a range of threats; this section allows you to consider the potential threats that could be facing your woodland(s). Using the simple Risk Assessment process below woodland owners and managers can consider any potential threats to their woodland(s) and whether there is a need to take action to protect their woodlands.

5.1 Risk Matrix The matrix below provides a system for scoring risk. The matrix also indicates the advised level of action to take to help manage the threat.

High Plan for Action Action Action Medium Monitor Plan for Action Action Impact Low Monitor Monitor Plan for Action Low Medium High

Likelihood of Presence

5.2 Plant Health Threat Acute Oak Decline (Other Please Specify) Likelihood of presence Low Impact Low Response (inc protection measures) Monitor Add Box Add Box Add Box

5.3 Deer

Likelihood of presence Medium

Impact Low

Response (inc protection measures) Temporary deer fencing around regen areas

5 .4 Grey Squirrels

Likelihood of presence High Impact Low Response (inc protection measures) None at present

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5.5 Livestock and Other Mammals Threat Rabbit (Other Please Specify) Likelihood of presence High Impact Low Response (inc protection measures) None - low level of grazing on heathland is beneficial Add Box

5 .6 Water & Soil

Threat Soil Erosion (Other Please Specify) Likelihood of presence Medium Impact Low Response (inc protection measures) None

Add Box

Add Box

5.7 Environmental

Threat Fire

(Other Please Specify) Anti-social behaviour Likelihood of presence Medium Impact Low Response (inc protection measures) Council response at present is that damage, although irritating, is not severe enough to warrant special measures e.g. local legislation Prohibition signs will be erected during early part of plan period, along with seasonal 'Fire' warning notices. Add Box Add Box

5 .8 Climate Change Resilience

Threat Other (Other Please Specify) Increasing likelihood of winter storms coupled with heavier rainfall Likelihood of presence High Impact High

Response (inc protection measures) Southern boundary of woodland adjacent to

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residential areas will be managed as medium rotation coppice in order to reduce risk of larger trees falling onto property. Declining silver birch could fall down more quickly thus aiding good regeneration of oak and hornbeam Add Box Threat Lack of Tree Species Diversity (Other Please Specify) Likelihood of presence Low Impact Low Response (inc protection measures) Non-native sweet chestnut will be retained and managed as coppice Add Box

6. Management Strategy

This section requires a statement of intent, setting out how you intend to achieve your management objectives and manage important features identified within the previous sections of the plan. A detailed work programme by sub-compartment can be added to t he Plan of Operations.

Management Obj/Feature Management Intention Ancient semi-natural Minimal intervention except where essential health and woodland safety is necessary or where thinning will encourage regeneration of wood pasture habitat or young tree replacements. Hornbeam pollards Continue programme of tree surgery for existing old pollards aimed at maintaining the trees in healthy condition. Create new pollards from young hornbeams close to mature ones Secondary Birch woodland Minimal intervention apart from where young oak and over former tip hornbeam would benefit from releasing or where glade creation would be appropriate Glades Extend by removal of trees, especially birch but including oak and sweet chestnut saplings if necessary. Maintain by annual silage cutting where ground suitable for machinery or by flail otherwise. Ponds Minimal intervention except for occasional removal of accumulated wood thrown in by visitors, and coppicing of surrounding vegetation where overshading becomes an issue Paths Undertake safety audits / condition surveys and carry out any necessary tree safety work, clearance of overgrowth. Maintain way-marking on key routes. Flail

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cut sides of wider paths once annually to maintain sunny conditions for invertebrates. Boundaries Undertake tree safety audits according to agreed zone management strategy. Continue coppicing along southern boundary. Aim to begin a programme of coppicing / hedgelaying along north and east boundaries. Exposed sand/gravel banks Monitor condition and remove overgrowth when necessary to retain in right condition for solitary bees/wasps

Add Box

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7. Stakeholder Engagement

There can be a requirement on both the FC and the owner to undertake consultation/engagement. Please refer to Operations Note 35 for further information. Use this section to identify people or organisations with an interest in your woodland and also to record any engagement that you have undertaken, relative to activities identified within the plan.

Individual/ Date Date feedback Work Proposal Response Action Organisation Contacted received Boundary coppice Immediately December Nil management and adjacent 2014 removal of rhododendron residents (by letter)

Scouts (by November December 2014 Gave permission for email) 2014 timber to be stacked in their car park

Friends of January At planning In favour of work Friends will monitor Mardley Heath 2014 meetings in regen of rhododendron (at work January and and weed where planning july 2014 possible meeting)

Ward December Almost Positive Councillors (by 2014 immediately email) from one councillor

Publication of WHBC March 2015 management plan Environment

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Individual/ Date Date feedback Work Proposal Response Action Organisation Contacted received revision Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Welwyn Parish May 2015 Council

County Wildlife May 2015 Trust

Welwyn Natural May 2015 History Society

Friends of May 2015 Mardley heath

Add Box

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8. Monitoring

Indicators of progress/success should be defined for each management objective and then checked at regular intervals. Other management activities could also be considered within this monitoring section. The data collected will help to evaluate progress. Management Indicator of Method of Frequency of Responsibility Assessment Results Objective/Activities Progress/Success Assessment Assessment To retain and enhance or Increase in species Botanical Annually Landscape Heather is now 'holding extend by appropriate of heath such as survey where possible Officer and its own' and increasing management those heather, heath agent with with many seedlings in features derived from speedwell. practical south pit. Increased wood pasture common assistance of variety of species and including heathy glades, Continung good Condition Every 2-3 Friends of vegetation structure in pollarded trees and condition of survey. years Mardley heath both pits and other coppice. pollarded trees and Taking glades. their recovery photographs following remedial All hornbeams that have surgery had crown reduction are growing well. To encourage, generally Healthy Every 2-3 Landscape Young oaks of 10-30 by thinning, coppicing and regeneration of Visual years officer and years growth present allowing natural coppice re-growth. Agent throughout central area.

regeneration, a varied age Regeneration of Young hornbeams are structure of primarily oak oak in gaps created present but not in such / hornbeam / birch by natural collapse quantity as young oaks. woodland over the of birch. majority of the site, especially those areas regenerating after mineral

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Management Indicator of Method of Frequency of Responsibility Assessment Results Objective/Activities Progress/Success Assessment Assessment extraction, but where this Landscape will not compromise Timber sales officer Objective 1. Wherever practicable, outputs of thinning and coppicing will be sold as woodfuel to support local markets and provide a small income to offset costs of management. To continue to monitor Maintenance and transect Weekly Friends of General abundance and species populations , increase of species walk between 1st Mardley Heath species diversity of especially butterflies and undertaken April and 30th and Landscape butterflies reflects what solitary bees, so as to by two September Officer is happening in similar steer habitat observers habitats elsewhere in management. any one year. Rarer Field Survey Occasional Recorder for woodland species are bees and re-colonising as habitat wasps, Herts responds to on-going Natural History management Society To provide a safe and Number of Feedback Ad-hoc Landscape Formal complaints attractive experience for complaints received from Friends Officer received about general adjacent residents and especially those of Mardley site condition are very visitors, with anti-social relating to trees Heath and few elements controlled as far hanging over from other as possible properties and local people. those arising from Conversation anti-social activities with visitors during school on site

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Management Indicator of Method of Frequency of Responsibility Assessment Results Objective/Activities Progress/Success Assessment Assessment holidays

Add Box

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FC Approval – FC Office Use Only

UKFS Management Plan Criteria Approval Criteria Yes No Notes Forest management plans should state Have objectives of the objectives of management, and set management been stated? out how the appropriate balance Consideration given to between economic, environmental and economic, environmental and social objectives will be achieved. social factors (Section 2.2) Forest management plans should Does the management address the forest context and the strategy (section 6) take into forest potential, and demonstrate how account the forest context the relevant interests and issues have and any special features been considered and addressed. identified within the woodland survey (section 4) In designated areas, for example Have appropriate national parks, particular account designations been identified should be taken of landscape and other (section 4.2) if so are these sensitivities in the design of forests and reflected through the work forest infrastructure. proposals in the management strategy (Section 6) At the time of felling and restocking, Felling and restocking are the design of existing forests should be consistent with UKFS forest re-assessed and any necessary design principles (Section 5 of changes made so that they meet UKFS the UKFS) Requirements. Consultation on forest management Has consultation happened in plans and proposals should be carried line with current FC guidance out according to forestry authority and recorded as appropriate procedures and, where required, the in section 7 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. Forests should be designed to achieve a Do the felling and restocking diverse structure of habitat, species proposals create or improve and ages of trees, appropriate to the structural diversity (refer to scale and context. the plan of operations) Forests characterised by a lack of Do the felling and restocking diversity due to extensive areas of proposals create or improve even-aged trees should be age class diversity (refer to progressively restructured to achieve a the plan of operations) range of age classes. Management of the forest should Has a 5 year review period conform to the plan, and the plan been stated (1st page) and should be updated to ensure it is where relevant achievements current and relevant. recorded in section 3 New forests and woodlands should be When new planting is being located and designed to maintain or proposed under this plan is enhance the visual, cultural and consistent with UKFS and FC ecological value and character of the guidance on woodland landscape. creation Approving Officer Name Plan approved

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