Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

43 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Summary Forestry Operations 2016 to 2026 The Robin and Repton Forest Plan (FP) summaries proposals by the Forestry Commission for the management of five woodlands, Robin Wood (98.1ha), Repton Shrubs (83.4ha), Hartshorne Wood (31.7ha), Poppy Wood (26.6ha) and Stanton by Bridge Woodland (19.2ha) which lie in The National Forest, South Derbyshire. The plan area of 259ha lies between 10km south of Derby, 7km east of Burton on Trent and have easy access from both Woodland Name Grid Reference Total Area Felling (ha) Restocking, Nat- Open (ha) ural Regenera- Space the M1 and A38. tion & Enrich- ment planting

The Robin and Repton are largely dominated by productive mature conifer forest with Robin Wood SK 3600 2550 98.1 11.5 10.5 Hartshorne and Poppy Wood being new woodlands recently planted with mixed hardwoods and Stanton by Bridge ex-acgricultural land due to be planted in 2016. The management plans objectives will be to continue to grow commercial crops on a sustainable basis, Repton Shrubs SK 31572340 83.4 9.4 8.1 diversify the forest structure through harvesting operations, conserve ancient woodland Hartshorne SK 32622180 31.7 1.5 features, increase the number of deadwood habitat and Trees of Special interest, improve Poppy Wood SK 37192595 26.6 1 the value of the woodlands for butterflies and visitors. Stanton by SK 36462548 19.2 18 1.2

The principal ecological interest in the plan are some of the remenant ancient woodland features, new and emerging woodland habitats and fauna associated with it. The FP will help to develop a more diverse woodland structure through active forest management. This will be achieved specifically through the retention of some strands of trees in perpetuity, the development of mixed open stands along water courses, restoration of semi-natural woodland and increased length of woodland edge habitat. Recent felling operations have already begun to increase the available nesting site for birds.

1 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Central Forest District - Bagots Forest Plan (FP) Maps

Contents: Page No. Location Map 13 Summary 1 Recreation and Access 15 What are Forest Plans? 3 Survey Details 16 & 17 A Application for Forest Plan Approval Current Species 18 1. Introduction 4 Elevation Map 19 Fig 1 Forestry Commission England’s Planning Strategy Concept Map 20 & 21 1.1 Robin and Repton FP – Survey Data 5 Silvicultural Systems Robin, Poppy & Fig.2 Age Structure Stanton by Bridge 23 2. Management Objectives 6 Felling Periods for Robin, Poppy & 3.0 Forest Plan Objectives Stanton by Bridge 24 3.1 Woodland Intended Landuse for Systems Robin, Poppy & Fig.3 Current Species within Robin and Repton FP 7 Stanton by Bridge 25 Table.1 Current Species Silvicultural Systems Map – Repton & Hartshorne 27 3.2 Environmental Felling Map – Repton & Hartshorne 28 3.2.1 Harvesting Intended Land Use – Repton & Hartshorne 29 Fig.4 Production Forecasts

3.3 Social 8

3.4 Restocking and Future Management Appendix I—Forest Plan Brief 30 3.4.1 Habitat Management 9 Appendix II—Glossary 31 Table.2 Future Species Composition – 2066 Landscape Perspectives 33 Fig.5 Future Forest Structure 4. Meeting and Monitoring Management Objectives 10 5. 2016 Forest Plan comparison against the 2003 Forest Plan 11 6. Consultees 12

2 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

1. What are Forest Plans? A Application for Forest Plan Approval Forest Plans are produced by us, the Forestry Commission (FC), as a means of i Plan Area Identification: communicating our management intentions to a range of stakeholders. They aim to fulfil a number of objectives: Forest District: Central Forest District • To provide descriptions of our woodlands to show what they are like now. Beat: National Forest • To explain the process we go through in deciding what is best for the woodlands’ long-term Name: Robin and Repton Forest Plan future. Nearest Town: Burton on Trent • To show what we intend the woodlands to look like in the future. OS Grid Reference: Robin Wood SK 36002550 • To detail our management proposals, for the first ten years so we can seek approval from Repton Shrubs SK 31572340 the statutory regulators. Poppy Wood SK 37192595 Our aim is to produce a plan that meets your needs for the woodland; meets the needs of Hartshorne SK 32622180 the plants and animals that live there and meets our needs as managers. Stanton by Bridge SK 36462548 We have produced this draft plan to illustrate our management proposals thereby creating Local Planning Authority South Derbyshire an opportunity for you to comment on the plan, whether you are a user, a neighbour or a member of one of the many stakeholder groups that have an interest in the woodlands. ii Designations: Information on how to get your comments to us is on our webpage. This plan does not set out the detailed yearly management operations for each small piece Ancient Woodland Site (AWS)*, Plantation on an Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS)*, Secondary Woodland*, National Forest Community Woodland and lies within the Natural of a wood, known as a coupe*. It is not possible to say which year a particular operation will Character Area*, Profile No.70. Melbourne Parklands. take place, but we can say in which five-year period it should happen. All tree felling in the UK is regulated and a licence is required before trees can be felled; the iii Date of Commencement of Plan scale of tree felling in Central England Forest District, which this plan forms part of, is such As soon as possible once approved. that the Forest Plan is the best mechanism for applying for this licence. Responsibility for checking that the plan meets all the relevant standards and statutes lies with another part of the FC (Forest Services). If all the criteria are met, full approval is given for the management operations in the first ten years (2016 - 2026) and outline approval for the medium term vision (2026 - 2066). The plan will be reviewed after the first five years

(2021) to assess if the objectives are being achieved. We use some technical words and phrases in the text because they best describe what we are doing. There is a glossary at the back of the plan with some commonly used technical forestry terms and abbreviations. These technical words are identified with an *.

* NB The 8ha refers to the net area of felling that will take place within the next 10 years

3 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Total clear fell area 18.7ha Fig 1. Forestry Commission England’s Planning Strategy Forest Plan maps are attached

I apply for Forest Plan approval for the area described above and in the enclosed Forest Plan. National Forest Policy

I undertake to obtain any permission necessary for the implementation of the approved plan. The FC sets out its vision and aims for For-

estry in England at a national level. This is Signed …………………………… Approved ………………………… outlined in the Strategic Plan for the Public

FDM

District …..……………………….. Conservancy ……………………….

Forest District Strategic Plan Date …………………………… Date …………………………

The District Strategic plan sits between the national and local planning levels and sup-

ports the aims and objectives within the

districts, according to the FE England Na- tional Policy and gives direction for the

1. Introduction

This Forest Plan (FP) is updating an older plan prepared in 2003 and provides approval for felling and restocking over the next 10 years and sets out our management proposals for the Forest Plans next fifty years. FP’s are operational plans and although they do take into account the presence of social and environmental features, their management will be dealt with in Forest Plans are used by the FC to demon- separate documentation. strate sustainable forest management on the public estate in the long term and to define a 10 year programme of approved work. They explain how a local area of This FP is guided and directed by a number of policies and strategies - the main documents forest will be managed and why and is produced in consultation with internal and are summarised in Fig.1. Delivering this plan will require the Forestry Commission (FC) to external stakeholders, and following be responsive to shifts in our operating environment and increasingly flexible in our approach, and to sustain this responsiveness over decades to come.

Protecting and Expanding England’s Forests and Woodlands and Increasing their

Value to Society and the Environment Operational Site Plans (Ops 1’s)

Management plan for specific operations on site, undertaken in accordance with the above and by following national guidance 4 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

1.1. Robin and Repton FP – Survey Data The woodlands all lie within The National Forest and are used on a daily basis by locals. The only formal public facilities are at Poppy Wood where a small public car park, The Robin and Repton Forest Plan (259ha) comprises of five woodlands, Robin (98.1ha), waymarked trail with interpretation and art work attracts the greatest number of visitors. Repton (83.4ha), Hartshorne (31.7ha), Poppy Wood (26.6ha) and Stanton by Bridge (19.2ha) which lie in the Melbourne Parklands Natural Area, South Derbyshire. The plan Mature stands of Corsican pine dominate Robin and Repton woodlands with some Scots area of 259ha comprises of 69% high forest, 22% of new woodland, 10% is open land and pine and small blocks of broadleaves present. Felling operations have now begun in the 7% agricultural land now to be planted with trees. mature stands and have created some structural diversity in the uniform mature high pine forest. Robin and Repton were planted between 1957 and 1967 and are dominated by mature conifers with some mature broadleaves scattered amongst the conifer stands. These two The Corsican pine has been badly affected by Dothistroma Needle Blight (DNB) a fungal like woodlands are former Ancient Woodland Sites (AWS) and the design plan will focus on the pathogen that affects tree growth through defoliation which significantly reduces timber restoration of these woodlands. Poppy Wood and Hartshorne are new woodlands planted yields. It can also eventually lead to mortality. Scots pine has also become infected by DNB between 2007 and 2012 on agricultural land and they are now well established. These new but the impact currently has not been as great. Chalara dieback of ash is another serious woodland were planted with a mixture of species dominated by broadleaves. Stanton by disease now affecting the ash trees in Hartshorne and Poppy Wood. The disease is spread Bridge is a new acquisition which lies adjacent to Robin wood and will be planted in 2016 by a fungus called Hynenoscyphus fraxineus which causes leaf loss and crown dieback in winter period with conifers and some small groups of broadleaves. Fig1 shows the current affected trees, and in most cases leads to tree death. age structure across the FP area. The dominant local landscape character is rolling arable farmland with hedgerows and small Fig.2 Age Structure areas of mature ancient and plantation woodland. The extensive new woodland plantings associated to the National Forest, of which this plan forms part of, is changing the landscape charter of the area from its ex-industrial use back to the Parkland landscape it was once associated to.

The FP lies 10km south of Derby, 7km east of Burton on Trent and have easy access from both the M1 and A38.

5 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

2. Management Objectives clearfells will be used to remove the conifers creating adequate space and light levels for the site to be re-established with broadleaves by natural regeneration and enrichment planting.

In more mixed stands where there is either mature broadleaves or young trees which have become fully established Low Impact Silvicultural Systems (LISS)* will be used. The type of

LISS, frequency and intensity of harvesting within these stands will be decided by the Beat

The conservation, The continued production of sustain- forester* when they create their operational plan. The management objective will be to able and marketable woodland prod- maintenance and enhancement ucts to include infrastructure require- of cultural and heritage assets. create the correct woodland conditions to allow any existing broadleaves to develop fully and ments. create the correct microclimate for any restocking or natural regeneration to establish successfully. The provision and Improve species diversity The delivery of maintenance of recrea- And silvicultural techniques well-designed to regenerate commercially tion facilities. Mature broadleaved stands in Robin and Repton and young broadleaved stands in proposals that productive but more structurally - Support the development comply with Hartshorne and Poppy Wood will be managed using LISS allowing over time a mixed stand and species diverse resilient crops. of increased recreation pro- landscape design vision in The National For- structure to develop with trees of varying age, stocking density, species and crown cover. principles est. This will help diversify the woodland ecosystems* and link the food chain associated with the - Improve stand resilience forest floor up into the mature tree canopy’s. To enable these planned operations a new around recreation infrastructure. forest track will need to be created to allow access for forest machinery through Stanton by

Bridge into Robin Wood, see Access Map.

The threat to timber production from climate change and more directly from pest and Restoration of PAWs Increase deadwood and and recruitment of Trees value of woodlands for diseases (DNB and Chalara fraxinea (ash die back) is already having a major impact in the

of Special Interest (TSI). butterflies. forests, with Corsican pine and ash being worst affected. To ensure longterm sustainable

timber production, the present tree species will be diversified in future rotations selecting species that are more resistant to the current and increased incidence of pests and disease.

Where natural regeneration is used to restock sites enrichment planting will take place to

allow for the introduction of alternative species and honorary natives. Corsican pine will be

targeted where possible for early removal in the future harvesting programme due to the

effect of DNB. 3.0 Forest Plan Objectives 3.1 Woodland The woodlands all lie on fertile soil that comes from the Triassic Mercia Mudstones that The key management objective for the forest plan woodlands will be the continued cover the area and gives rise to reddish soils. The yield classes recorded for the pine stands production of sustainable timber crops, whilst diversifying the forest structure and restoring ranges from 14-20m³ demonstrating how productive the woodland soils are. Robin and Repton Woods back to broadleaved woodlands. This will be achieved using a combination of silvicultural techniques selected by ground conditions and presence of 6 broadleaves within the existing crops. In conifer stands where there are few broadleaves Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Fig.3 Current Species within Robin and Repton Forest Plan 3.2.1 Harvesting

Through the harvesting programme that has now begun, and scheduled to be extended further across the mature woodlands, a patchwork of transitional open space will be created and over time a varied canopy level will begin to appear following restocking providing benefits for ground nesting birds. LISS will be used in existing broadleaved stands to develop a varied age structure, canopy cover and stocking density within these areas that will benefit the ground flora and increase available feeding and breeding habitat for woodland fauna. Coppice with standards will be reintroduced again on an area of over mature sweet chestnut coppice that is surrounded by a carpet of bluebells creating dappled shade of varying intensity through the coppice cycle. Chestnut will be cut on a 20-30 year cycle with individual stems been retained as standards. Thinning operations will begin during the plan period on many of the new woodland areas to open up stands and create space and light within the dense young stands. Several areas have been identified as minimum intervention and in these areas following any immediate restructuring, the stands will be left undisturbed creating an oasis for wildlife and allow the woodland ecosystem

within these areas to evolve naturally. Table 1. Current Species The proposed harvesting programme will generate approximately 75,000m³ over the next 50 Stanton by Poppy Repton Hartshorne Robin Wood Bridge Wood Wood Wood Total Percentage years as opposed to the old plan that would have generated 45,000m³. The additional Open Space 18.7 14.3 0.2 13.6 46.8 18.1 volume has come about due to new coupe shapes, update yield models and survey data for Broadleaves 34.6 12.4 35.4 18.2 100.6 38.8 the current crops and three additional woodland areas now being part of the new FP Fig.5. Corsican Pine 47.6 13 60.6 23.4 Lawson Cypress 0.8 0.8 0.3 To ensure the future harvesting programmes can be undertaken in Robin Wood and Stanton Weston Red Ceder 1 1 0.4 by Bridge a new forest road will be created following survey by our Civil Engineeers, Scots Pine 15.4 33.9 49.3 19.0 Grand Total 98.6 18.7 26.7 83.3 31.8 259.1 100 Environemental Impact Assessment (EIA) and planning approval.

The woodlands all lie on fertile soil that comes from the Triassic Mercia Mudstones that There are few Trees of Special Interest (TSI) and limited deadwood habitat in the cover the area and gives rise to reddish soils. The yield classes recorded for the pine stands woodlands. Through the provision of minimum intervention areas and the retention of ranges from 14-20m³ demonstrating how productive the woodland soils are. individual and small groups of conifers and broadleaf in perpetuity, the number of TSI and

volume of deadwood will gradually increase over time. This will provide valuable nesting 3.2 Environmental and feeding habitats for bats, birds and invertebrates. The FP area has a wide variety of conservation interests that will benefit both directly and indirectly from the active management programme put forward. The woodland structure in 7 both the mature and new woodlands is quite uniform which has limited the diversity of The Forestry Commission is working in partnership with Butterfly Conservation who have woodland habitats available. been monitoring Hartshorne and walking weekly transects between April and September Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

since 2014. They have recorded over 21 different species of butterfly including one of our There are no Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the plan area but there are a number of more elusive species the White-letter hairsteak. The FC has subsequently planted a variety historic features and these as well as any others that may be found in the future will be of elm including Wych elm which is the preferred food source for caterpillars of this species. conserved wherever possible.

Fig.4 Production Forecasts

3.4 Restocking and Future Management The current forest composition will change quite markedly over the next rotation in Robin

and Repton Woods moving away from what is now conifer woodland with isolated broadleaves to a woodland dominated by broadleaves which contains a few small groups

and individual conifers. This will be achieved through a combination of planting and natural regeneration. Felled areas will have trees planted in groups scattered across the felled area with the remaining area left to naturally regenerate. This will allow new species to be introduced onto the site and the origin* and provenance* of the planting stock to be selected

for its resilience to future threats from pest, disease and climate change. The stocking

density within the planted groups will be designed to grow trees of good shape and form with 3.3 Social reduced branching which will in turn lead to better quality timber production in the future. In The National Forest receives nearly 8 million visitors a year and the Robin and Repton FP is areas managed as LISS natural regeneration from the parent broadleaves will be used to an integral part of the landscape visitors come to enjoy. The current use across the FP is restock these areas with some enrichment planting to achieve full stocking and create the low although the daily use of Poppy Wood is very high as a proportion of the total number of opportunity to introduce new seed stock from different provenance and origin. people visiting each of the woodlands. Currently the only formal facilities provided are in Poppy Wood with a small car park, waymarked trails and information points leading visitors The new acquisition known as Stanton by Bridge will be planted in the winter/spring 2016/17 around the site. Picnic benches have been provided at both Poppy and Hartshorne Wood. with a mixture of 5 conifer species and groups of broadleaves. This is a new woodland site The FC open access policy into its freehold woodlands means that the public has access to and will be managed to produce quality timber. Small groups of conifers will be planted in all areas (except Repton Wood which is leasehold and has access restriction placed on it) both Poppy Wood and Hartshorne Wood primarily along rides and within the woodland edge. for informal recreational use. The FC is now receiving a number of inquiries from different These new plantings will group species into blocks to create strong changes of colour and user groups for permission to host events in the freehold woodlands and the FC will, where texture against the mixed broadleaved woodland especially in winter. Planting patterns will possible continue to work with these groups. be arranged to break up the linear parallel woodland edges and open corridors that are developing as the new woodland establishes, and to create a more natural irregular edge Forestry operations including new planting will create a more varied woodland edge effect effect and parkland feel along the access routes. along key access routes. This will help increase the aesthetic value of the trails to visitors by selecting and opening up frame trees with good shape and form and creating a tapestry of The new species that will be used to diversify the forest will be increasingly palatable to colour and texture between groups of trees. Varied cutting patterns of ride sides will also mammals and a greater level of protection may be needed to ensure successful create a mixture of soft and woody vegetation and provide ideal conditions for a more varied establishment and a combination of mammal control and fencing will be used to achieve this. 8 ground flora. Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

3.4.1 Habitat Management Fig.5 Future Forest Structure

The water courses will be actively managed moving back the tree line which will allow more light onto the water course and open space for a diverse aquatic and riparian zone to develop into. Individual trees with good crowns will be retained within these areas and Current Land Use 2016 provide cover for birds. These areas will act as buffer zones for when adjacent stands are felled and reduce the risk of siltation into the watercourse following felling operations. 18%

43% The rides within the mature woodlands will be gradually opened up during thinning Open Ground operations and subsequent restocking, creating a wide woodland edge where an Broadleaves understorey of trees and shrubs will develop to link the herbaceous vegetation associated Conifer Woodland with forest roads to the forest canopy. In both mature and new woodlands the edge effect 39% will be gradually broken up through harvesting and new planting to remove straight edges and create a more irregular edge. This will in turn increase the woodland edge habitat and increase sheltered sunny glades especially on the north side of rides which will receive more sunlight. This will benefit the indigenous ground flora and increase the available breeding and feeding habitats for the woodland fauna.

Intended Landuse 2066 Table 2 Future Species Composition – 2066

12% 20% 8% Open Ground Habitat Hectare Percentage Broadleaves Open Ground 51 20

Broadleaves 155.1 60 Conifer Woodland

Mixed stands dominated 32 12 by Broadleaves Mixed stands dominated by Broadleaves Conifer Woodland 21 8 60% Total 259.1 100

9 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

4. Meeting and Monitoring Management Objectives Objective Description Proposals Methods of Monitoring Woodland New Woodlands on The new woodlands at Poppy, Monitored by secondary woodland Hartshorne and Stanton by beat team and Objective Description Proposals Methods of sites. Bridge will be managed to through Sub- Monitoring produce commercial quality compartment Woodland The woodlands will be The existing conifer and Monitored timber. Final tree selection database. managed to produce broadleaves will be managed through Sub- systems will be used and target commercial broadleaf through a combination of compartment trees pruned to produce clean and conifer timber clearfell and LISS based on database. logs. Forestry operations will be using a variety of current health of crops, natural carried out sympathetically to silvicultural systems regeneration present and enhance the aesthetic value of which will be chosen landscape considerations. the woodland to visitors over to aid establishment. Stands will be thinned at time. regular intervals (5yrs conifer –

10years broadleaves) until the Pests and disease - Any stands badly affected by Monitored by end of their economic rotation Dothistroma Needle pests or diseases will be felled beat team and or until they have reached Blight (DNB) is now early and replanted with through Sub- market diameter. affecting the alternative tree species that will compartment

Lodgepole and be more resilient. database. Conifer stands will be managed Corsican pine stands. as uniform high forest while Chalara fraxinea (ash broadleaves stands will be die back) is a fungal encouraged to develop into disease effecting ash more structurally diverse trees and stands. Monitored Phytophthora Restocking and future through Sub- ramorum is now species. Natural regeneration with compartment present in Central enrichment planting will be the database. England and the risk preferred option across the plan to Sweet Chestnut is area. Stands throughout the likely to increase. FP area will be diversified using

a range of broadleaved and

conifer species best suited to Objective Description Proposals Methods of

the site conditions and Monitoring

resilience to predicted impact of Biodiversity Woodland edge The current uniform mature Monitored by

climate change, pest and habitat. high forest will be gradually wildlife ranger

disease. broken up as felling operations through

take place. The current straight Operational

Due to the limited seed source edges will be broken up to plans and at

for broadleaves in Robin and create space for an understory FP review.

Repton Woods restocking to to develop and trophic links

diversify indigenous species will between short vegetation along

be used to supplement the rides and canopy of high forest.

natural regeneration that has in

the past been limited to birch. Riparian areas. The riparian areas alongside Monitor by

On AWS sites restocking will water courses and ponds will beat team,

include up to 20% honorary be opened up to create varying Operational native and 20% non-native levels of dappled shade over plans and at 10 species in this next rotation. the water and space for an FP review. understory to develop.

Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Objective Description Proposals Methods of Monitoring Biodiversity Trees of special Standing snags will be left and Monitored interest (TSI) and individual and small groups of through deadwood. trees will be retained beyond Operational their economic rotation, to Plans and GIS become trees of special interest conservation and provide additional layer. deadwood habitats.

Objective Description Proposals Methods of Monitoring Social & The demand for The Forestry Commission will No monitoring Recreation access onto the Rbin continue to allow open access required. and Repton FP area onto its freehold land and to has increased over facilitate the future demand for recent years. recreation and tourism. No formal provision for new recreation facilities is planned at this time. Heritage There are no Any significant heritage Monitored scheduled features found will be taken through monuments in the FP into consideration when Operational area but a number of operations are planned and Plans and at historical features undertaken. FP review. have been identified.

5. 2016 Forest Plan comparison against the 2003 Forest Plan

The new FP has seen a major change in its management objectives for Robin and Repton Wood that were previously to be managed as productive conifer woodlands. The objectives now are to revert the woodlands back to ‘native’ broadleaved woodland due to their status as former AWS. To achieve this there will be a move away from large scale clearfells used in the old plan to a mixture of small scale felling and LISS. Restocking will now incorporate greater use of natural regeneration to help new stands become established with any restocking focusing on the introduction of new species and provenances which it is hoped will be more resilient to the current and future treats posed by disease, insects and climate. The harvesting programme being proposed will help deliver a number of ecological benefits through the diversification of woodland structure, creation of transitional open space and creation of more woodland edge habitats. 11 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

6. Consultees

The consultation undertaken in the preparation of this plan has been wide ranging and extensive. Full documentation including letters, notes of conversations etc. are held at our District Offices.

Consultee Date Contacted Date Response Issues Raised Forest District Response to Issues Received

To be completed following initial consultation outlining comments made

As part of the local consultation letters were sent to stakeholder, copies of the plan made available via the FC website, and notices placed on site. Comments received and the Forestry Commission’s responses are recorded above.

12 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Location Map

The Woodlands lie within the National Forest, Derbyshire covering 259ha. Robin and Repton are former Ancient Woodland sites now covered in mature conifers and areas of hardwood. Hartshorne and Poppy Wood are new broadleaved woodlands planted between 2007 and 2015. Stanton by Robin Wood Bridge is a new site yet to be planted in a level open landscape.

The surrounding landscape is rolling farmland with ancient and plantation woodland predominantly rural, often Repton Shrubs Poppy Wood abrupt contrasts with the urban areas. The new woodlands in The Stanton by Bridge National Forest are playing an important role in ecological and social benefits. The size and age of Robin and Repton Hartshorne Wood Woods make them significant features in the landscape.

13 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

All of the woodlands except Repton Shrubs are Freehold woodlands and have been dedicated as Open Access Land giving the public free access on foot throughout the woodland.

Repton Shrubs has restricted access as part of the lease agreement and the public is limited to 9 the designated public rights of way that run adjacent to it.

Robin Wood has a good network of forest roads and rides but no Viewpoints formal facilities. The access Poppy wood has a car park, routes are currently quiet and interpretation and marked enclosed due to the mature trails, dog agility trail and conifer stands adjacent to them. permissive bridleway. 1

3 2 Hartshorne Wood design has incorporated open spaces with 4 picnic benches, open view points, open spaces and a permissive horse route along its western edge.

5 6 15 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

An open riparian habitat containing Poppy Wood is a new woodland indigenous broadleaves and mixed planted on agricultural land. It has confers can be found along the north a wide variety of species creating -western edge of Robin Wood. dense mixed stands. There is little structural diversity within the stands and along ride sides.

Robin Wood has two streams which run with water except in extremely dry conditions.

The availability of a car park makes Poppy wood the most frequently used woodland within the plan area. It is particularly popular with dog walkers due to the deer fence around its perimeter.

Robin Wood is an ancient woodland now dominated by conifers. There is a good representation of mature and semi mature broadleaves in the Each of the woodland areas has its south-western half of the woodland. Corsican pine is the main species own unique conservation and heritage present in Robin wood and this is now features. These will be identified at being effected by Dothistroma Needle the coupe planning stage to ensure Blight which is effecting the health of these are incorporated into the future the trees management wherever possible.

16 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Repton Shrubs is an ancient woodland site which contains a Each of the woodland areas has its good assemblage of broadleaves own unique conservation and heritage trees of varying age and species. features. These will be identified at the coupe planning stage to ensure these are incorporated into the future management wherever possible.

The Corsican pine in Repton Shrubs is now being affected by Dothistroma Needle Blight which is affecting the health A woodbank runs of the trees and reducing its through the Repton annual yield. Shrubs along the Parish boundary and three large liner mounds lie to the south of the main forest road. A small section of Hartshorne Wood has been planted by Forest Research studying the impacts of climate change on various species. A number of water courses can be found in Repton Shrubs with associated indigenous vegetation.

Hartshorne is a new woodland planted on agricultural land with a wide mixture of broadleaf and shrub species. The young plantation has not yet become fully established and areas of ash that have now died due to Chalara need replanting. There is little structural diversity within the stands and across the new woodland.

17 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

The patchwork of colours represents the percentage of each species within mixed crops. The spatial representation does not reflect the position on the ground of each species, simply the overall woodland composition.

The current rotation of Scots and Corsican pine which were planted between 1958 and 1970 have had an average yield of 14-16.

With Robin and Repton being classified as Ancient Woodland sites and Poppy Wood, Hartshorne and Stanton by Bridge are new secondary woodlands.

18 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

The western aspect of Robin Wood reveals some strong geometric patterns where the broadleaves and conifers meet. Recent felling operations have helped address this and future management operation will soften these edges further.

The landscape analysis is used to assess landform patterns and character.

Your eye is naturally drawn up gullies and down ridges and these principles will be used to help design new management coupes.

This will ensure that the size and scale of future felling operations does not detract from the natural Repton Shrubs is a prominent feature in appearance of the the local landscape when travelling north woodlands and softens and south along the B Road that runs any existing hard edges. along the western edge of the woodland.

The size and shape of the new woodlands (Poppy and Harsthorne) fit well in the gently rolling local landscape that is dominated by agriculture interspersed by small broadleaved woodlands and hedgerows.

19 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

The network of forest roads within Robin Wood will be gradually opened up as adjacent stands are Thinning operations will be undertaken managed. When restocking takes place the new tree within Poppy Wood to diversify the line will be moved back from the roads creating an current dense uniform structure. Some irregular woodland edge with space for woodland further planting will take place along rides edge vegetation to become fully established. to create varying blocks of colour and texture and break up uniform hard edges.

The woodland habitat along the main water courses will be opened up to create a more structured transition from aquatic to riparian through to high forest.

The current access facilities within Poppy Wood will be maintained.

The new land acquisition adjacent to Robin Wood know as Stanton by Bridge will be The phased removal of conifer has already planted with a mixture of conifer and begun in Robin Wood focusing on the broadleaves. The proposed forest road will removal of stands worst effected by DNB. provide easy access for visitors from the road Due to the scale of conifers and limited seed (adjacent to Poppy Wood) into Robin Wood and source for broadleaves enrichment planting provide visitors with new long circular walks will be needed to ensure full stocking of leaving from Poppy Wood car park. Its broadleaves following the removal of conifers. construction will be subject to a survey by Civil Engineers, EIA and planning approval.

20 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Corsican pine stands worst effected by DNB will be removed before the Scots pine who’s growth The main water course within the has not been as severely effected. woodland will be opened up to create a wide open glade with some individual feature trees retained.

The woodbank and mounds will be left undisturbed and no machinery will be used within 10m of these features. Trees that regenerate on Ash stands will be replanted or adjacent to the woodlbank and with a variety of species bounds will be removed. including evergreen conifers. This will add to the structural diversity within the stands, provide cover for birds and colour in the landscape during the winter months. Hartshorne woodland is a young The broadleaves of good quality woodland and not yet full or TSI within the conifer stands established. It will be another 15 – will be retained wherever 20 years before the first major possible to form part of the next thinning operations are undertaken. rotation. The whole area will see a phased return to becoming a broadleaved woodland again.

The wide straight uniform grass paths will be broken up by the planting of some small groups of trees. Species selected will be grouped to help add colour and texture. 21 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

The Corsican pine stands will be managed as small scale clearfells which will create adequate light levels for the light demanding broadleaved species that will be used to restock the woodland.

An area of Alder, Grand fir and Oak have been selected as an area of minimum intervention due to its remote locality and diverse mixed age structure.

Area of mature Sweet Chestnut will be managed as coppice with standards. Thinning will begin in the new woodlands to provide the existing crops with adequate space to become fully established and reach maturity. Thinning intensities will differ throughout the stands to reduce branching on timber trees and create more open space around amenity trees which will allow a full crown to develop.

In this current rotation the broadleaved Riparian zones will be managed using LISS stands will be managed through LISS. This to give management the flexibility they need will ensure a continuity of woodland cover to selectively remove small groups and and create internal space for regeneration individual trees to create the woodland edge to become established and a diverse habitat that will link the aquatic vegetation woodland structure to develop over time. through to high forest. 23 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Two small coupes at the northern end of Robin wood will create good vistas down No felling operations are the slope to help with mammal control planned for Stanton by when these stands are restocked. Bridge during the life of this plan other than thinning operations that will Coppicing will begin in the commence in 2035. mature Sweet Chestnut leaving an overstory of approximately 80standards/ha (gradually reducing to 30stems/ha). Coppice will be cut on a 20 year cycle recruiting new standards from the coppice stems.

Coupes managed as LISS will agree the details of any felling at the Ops1 planning stage based on the areas management objectives (Restoration of AWS, Riparian zones, Limited Intervention, Coppice with Standards)

The felling coupes have been designed to straddle the forest roads The medium to longterm felling periods diversify the woodland structure and shown for the Corsican pine stands may open up internal views. be reviewed at FP renewal (every 10 years) due to the impact DNB has on the health of these stands.

24 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Stanton by Bridge is a new secondary woodland site and will be planted with a mixture of conifer species planted in single coupes interspaced by small block of broadleaves. This woodland will be managed to produce commercial conifer logs.

Poppy Woods young mixed broadleaves will be managed over the next 50 years to create mixed stands which contain some specimen trees with good shape and form.

Some small groups of conifers will be planted along rides and within the current woodland edge to diversify the shape, colour and texture of the woodland for visitors, especially through autumn, winter Over the next 100 years the stands of pine and spring. in Robin Wood will be gradually removed and the woodland reverted back to broadleaves. Some small groups and individual conifers will be retained for aesthetics and biodiversity, providing winter colour and cover for high nesting birds. 25 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

The conifer stands will be managed as small scale clearfells which will create adequate light levels for the light demanding broadleaved species that will be used to restock the woodland. In this current rotation the broadleaved stands will be managed through LISS. This will ensure a continuity of woodland cover and create internal space for regeneration to become established and a diverse woodland structure to develop over time.

Crown thinning will take place around the semi–mature broadleaves that are present within the conifer stands. This will help them develop larger crowns and increase seed production. When the conifer stands are felled the existing broadleaves will be retained wherever quality allows as seed trees and become part of the next rotation.

The belt of trees along the western edge of the wood will open up to 40stems/ha then managed as minimum intervention. The other two areas of minimum intervention will not have any restructuring undertaken and left for the mixed stands to evolve naturally.

Thinning will begin in Hartshorne in the next 15-20 years to provide the existing crops with adequate space to become fully established and reach maturity. Thinning intensities will differ throughout the stands to reduce branching on timber trees and create more open space around amenity trees which will allow a full crown to develop.

27 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

The first phase of felling will open up the water course and push back the conifer tree line up the slope to the east. A selection of specimen broadleaves and conifers with good shape and form will be retained within the area to be managed as open space. Any broadleaves which will remain windfarm after the felling will be retained to form part of the next rotation.

The second phase of felling in Repton will No felling operations are remove a block of Corsican pine. This planned for Hartshorne stand is quite mixed with dense patches of Wood during the life of this broadleaves through to areas of pure plan other than thinning pine. Broadleaves within the clearfell area operations that will will be retained wherever quality allows to commence from 2030. form part of the next rotation.

Coupes managed as LISS will agree the details of any felling at the Ops1 planning stage based on the areas management objectives (Restoration of AWS, Riparian zones or Limited Intervention)

28 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Over the next 100 years Repton Shrubs will be gradually reverted back to broadleaves through the removal of conifers and restocking with broadleaves.

Some small groups and individual conifers will be retained for aesthetics and biodiversity, providing winter colour and cover for high nesting birds.

Hartshorne Woods young broadleaves will be managed over the next 50 year to create mixed stand which contain some specimen trees with good shape and form.

29 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Appendix I planted in the next year and their will now be income generated through harvesting operations of these new woodland sites over the next 20 years.

The Robin and Repton Forest Plan Brief The is no income regeneration through recreation at this time although opportunities for

events may generate some revenue to offset management costs in the future. Introduction

This Forest Plan (FP) summaries proposals by the Forestry Commission for the management of five woodlands, Robin (98.1ha), Repton (83.4ha), Hartshorne (31.7ha), Environmental Poppy (26.6ha) and Stanton by Bridge (19.2ha) which lie in the National Forest, South The woodland structure in both the mature and new woodlands is quiet uniform which has Derbyshire. The plan area of 259.1ha lies 10km south of Derby, 7km east of Burton on limited the diversity of woodland habitats available. The new plan will diversity the structure Trent and have easy access from both the M1 and A38. through a combination of phased clearfell operations and Low Impact Silvicultural Systems. The forest plan will address the fact that there is limited deadwood habitats and no Landscape setting ecologically mature trees within the plan area. This will be achieved through the retention of The plan area comprises of mature plantation on ancient woodland sites (PAWs) and new some trees of special interest (TSI) in perpetuity and leaving some areas of woodland secondary woodland Situated in rolling, predominantly arable, countryside rising from the unmanaged and to evolve naturally. Water courses have not been managed and the plan flood plain on the southern side of the River Trent. The area has a long history going back will begin to restructure the dominant mature stands that have prevented an understory to when Repton village was the capital of Mercia in AD653 with many of the fields having developing in the riparian zone. Ride side management is taking place in the new ancient names handed down through the century’s. Principal views of Robin, Poppy, woodlands and this is having a positive effect on the butterfly population that is monitored Hartshorne and Stanton by Bridge are from the A514 that runs between Swadlincote north to annually.

Derby. Repton Wood is more remote and only clearly visible from a few minor roads west of Repton village. 3.3 Social

The FC will continue to promote access into its freehold woodlands (Robin, Poppy, Economic Hartshorne and Stanton by Bridge) but due to the lease restriction under which Repton The woodlands are all situated on fertile free draining soils producing high yields. Repton Wood is managed for forestry purposes the FC is prevented from allowing public access into and Robin wood were planted between 1958 and 1968 with 50% pure conifer crops and Repton Wood. There is a car park in Poppy Wood used regularly on a daily basis by dog 50% mixed conifer and broadleaves. Corsican and Scots pine were the main species walkers and it is hoped that through the acquisition of Stanton By Bridge this will help link planted and now at the end of their economic rotation, harvesting operations have now paths that lead from Poppy Wood into Robin Wood creating circular walks. commenced. The plan will phase in the harvesting over the next 50 years to ensure a continuity of woodland cover which will mean retaining some stands past their economic rotation. This will ensure a sustainable harvesting programme can be delivered in the Consultation mature woodlands throughout the life of this plan. The consultation period will run from Oct 2016 through to Nov 2016 after which time the Forest Pan will be finalised and submitted onto the public register for approval. Poppy and Hartshorne Wood were recently planted (2002 onwards) with a mixture of 30 broadleaved species. The first thinning operations will begin in the next 10 year period to help restructure some of the more densely planted area. Stanton by Bridge is due to be Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Appendix I—Glossary Landscape Character England is renowned for its rich, diverse and beautiful landscapes which have their own distinct local character. These have been shaped over many thousands of years by natural Biological Diversity influences such as soil and landform and by generations of human activity. The richness and variety of wildlife and habitats. Long Term Retention Canopy Trees that are being retained beyond their economic rotation. The mass of foliage and branches formed collectively by the crowns of trees. Low Impact Silvicultural Systems (LISS) Clearfell System Describes a number of felling systems (shelterwood, group felling, selection systems) which The removal of all trees in one operation >0.5ha. avoid large scale felling coupes and the forest canopy is maintained at one or more levels.

Coupes Natural Character Areas (NCAs) Areas of forest that have been or will be managed together. England is divided into 159 distinct natural areas. Each is defined by a unique combination of landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity and cultural and economic activity. Ecosystems An ecosystem includes all of the living things (plants, animals and organisms) in a given Natural regeneration area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments (weather, earth, The growth of trees from seed found in the soil or cast from adjacent trees and sun, soil, climate). shrubs.

England Forestry Strategy (now England’s Trees Woodlands and Forests) Operational Plans (Ops1) Describes how the Government will deliver its forestry policies in England and sets Detailed site plans that are prepared in advance of all major forest operations and out the Government’s priorities for the next five to ten years. identify site constraints, opportunities and areas requiring special treatment or protection. Forestry and Water guidelines 5th edition 2011 Forests and Water is one of a series of seven Guidelines that support the United Kingdom Origin Forestry Standard (UKFS). The UKFS and Guidelines outline the context for forestry in the The geographic locality within the natural range of a species where the parent seed source UK, set out the approach of the UK governments to sustainable forest management, define or its wild ancestors grew. standards and requirements, and provide a basis for regulation and monitoring including national and international reporting. Provenance The geographic locality of a stand of trees from where the seed was collected. Forestry Commission Guidelines Outline the principles and standards of good management practices in forests and Public Rights of Way (PROW) woodlands for landowners, land managers and their advisors. Access routes open to the public through legal designation.

Forest Plan (FP) Restocking An approved plan that outlines felling operation over a 10 year period, outlining proposals The re-establishment of trees where felling has taken place. Restocking may be over the next 50 years. The FDP’s are reviewed every 5 years and redrawn and approved achieved through natural regeneration but as a term, it is more usually associated every 10 years. with replanting.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Ride An internationally recognised body made up of non-government organisations promoting Forestry term for unsurfaced roads, paths and tracks within a woodland. sustainable forest management to the forest industry and consumers. Scheduled Monuments Historic Environment Nationally important archaeological sites which are protected under the Ancient These are the physical remains of every period of human development from Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act, 1979. 450,000 years ago and include earthworks, buried remains, structures and buildings. Secondary Woodland Woodlands that have been established on land that was formally used as pasture, 31 meadows, arable, quarries etc and has not continually been wooded Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Selective Felling Where individual trees of varying sizes are selected and removed from a stand. The whole stand is worked and its aim is to maintain full stocking of all tree sizes and ages, from seedlings to mature trees, in any one area.

Silvicultural Systems Techniques of managing a forest through a variety of cutting / felling patterns and time scale.

Sub-compartments Areas of forest comprising a more or less homogeneous crop in terms of age, species composition and condition. Their boundaries may change as the forest develops after felling and restocking.

Strategic Plan Serves as a guide to the management of woodlands within Central England Forest District. It divides the district into zones for the purpose of management and ensures that forestry activities reflect the local ecological, social and cultural individuality of woodland. Strategic objectives for each zone are presented within the context of the Government’s strategic priorities for forestry in England (e.g. forestry for rural development; forestry for economic regeneration; forestry for recreation, access and tourism and forestry for the environment and conservation).

Thinning The removal of a proportion of the trees in a sub-compartment to improve the quality of the remaining trees, accelerate individual tree growth and provide income.

UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) Outlines the Government’s criteria and standards for the sustainable management of forests in the UK.

UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS) A voluntary scheme for the independent assessment of forest management in the UK. The Scheme has been developed by a partnership of forestry and environmental organisations in response to the growing consumer demand for timber products from sustainably managed forests. It has been designed to ensure that it reflects the requirements of both the Government's UK Forestry Standard - and through this the guidelines adopted by European Forestry Ministers at Helsinki in 1993 - and the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC's) GB Standard.

Trees of special interest (TSI) A tree that is of interest biologically, aesthetically or culturally because of its age, or a tree that is in the ancient stage of its life, or a tree that is old relative to others of the same species.

Yield Class Yield class is a measure of the growth rate of a tree crop and is the maximum average rate of volume increment (increase) that a particular crop can achieve. For example, a crop capable of a maximum annual increment of 14 m3 per hectare 32 has a yield class of 14. Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Perspective No. 1 – View of the north west side of Repton Wood 2016

The recent clearfell site which is visible from the road blends into the landscape and is now becoming established with broadleaves.

Perspective No. 1 – View of the north west side of Repton Wood 2003

33 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Perspective No. – View of the western side of Repton Wood 2016

No visible change in the landscape has taken place or is planned in the next 10 years.

Perspective No. – View of the western side of Repton Wood 2003

34 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Perspective No. 3 – View of the southern side of Repton Wood 2016

The use of LISS means that the outward appearance of Repton Wood from the southern side should not see any major changes.

Perspective No. 4 – View from picnic benches overlooking Hartshorne Wood 2016

Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Perspective No. 5 – View of the west side of Hartshorne Wood 2016

Perspective No. 6 – View of Open wildflower meadow on the Southern side of Hartshorne Wood 2016

Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Perspective No. 7 – View of the south side of Robin Wood 2016

Recent clear fell operations have lowered the tree line in two locations.

Perspective No. 7 – View of the south side of Robin Wood 2003

Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Perspective No. 8 – View of the east side of Robin Wood 2016

New private woodland planting scheme is becoming established in field and obscuring the view of Robin Wood from the public road.

Perspective No. 8 – View of the east side of Robin Wood 2003

Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Perspective No. 9 – View north over Poppy Wood 2016

Perspective No. 10 – View west over Poppy Wood 2016

39 Robin & Repton Forest Plan 2016-2026

Perspective No. 11 – View of from car park onto Poppy Wood 2016