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Chilterns Conservation Board Caring for the Chilterns

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Chilterns Conservation Board Caring for the Chilterns CONSERVATION BOARD 2014/2015 A N N U A L R E V I E W O F T H E Chilterns Conservation Board Caring for the Chilterns Celebrating Parish50 years & former 1965county boundary - 2015 hedge between Radnage & Stokenchurch CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD In this year of many anniversaries we also involving a large number of volunteers in have, in the Chilterns, our own anniversary. varied tasks and carrying out conservation It is 50 years since the Hills received national work which will have an impact for years to protection and recognition, and were come. I very much enjoyed attending some of designated as one of the country's finest the events the Projects ran. landscapes: the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Conservation Board will In 2014, our Chief Officer, Steve Rodrick, lead the celebrations for this year's golden retired. Steve worked enthusiastically to care anniversary, a landmark which provides an for the Chilterns for 20 years, first as AONB opportunity to reflect on the unique Officer and then as Chief Officer of the countryside that we are still all able to enjoy Conservation Board, which he was today and on the achievements of the last 50 years. instrumental in establishing in 2004. His contribution to the AONB was widely acknowledged. The Board's achievements Unfortunately, work to defend the Chilterns AONB from the under his management are numerous, and we all wish Steve proposals for HS2 has continued to take up large amounts a happy and well-earned retirement. of Board time during the year. A comprehensive petition was sent to Parliament's HS2 Select Committee, making the Kath Daly, the Board's Countryside Officer, was appointed case for protecting the Chilterns from the huge damage Acting Chief Officer from January 2015 and much of her and disruption caused by the project by proposing (along time was devoted to supporting the members in carrying out with the local authorities affected) to place the rail line in a management review. After 10 years of operation it was a fully-bored tunnel under the whole AONB. We have been right to look at the Board's internal processes and its lucky to have highly relevant expertise, on both railways external relations at a time of uncertain and declining and landscapes, amongst the Board's members and I am public funding. Kath stepped up to the plate magnificently grateful to members and staff for all their hard work this and I would like to thank her for her very hard work over year. this crucial period. During 2014-15 we saw two major projects move to a I am grateful to the Board's members for their contribution conclusion: the Commons Project and the Box Woodland this year and to the staff team for their dedication during Project. Both were funded through the Heritage Lottery this difficult time. I would also like to give thanks to those Fund with a range of partners, and enabled the Board to Board members who stood down during the year: Dr Simon raise the profile of some of the AONB's historic, cultural Mortimer, Cllr Roger Metcalfe, Cllr Chris Richards, Cllr and wildlife treasures. The Chilterns' commons are a source Marion Mustoe and Cllr Jeremy Ryman. of fascinating social history, and box is a fine grained wood used for intricate carved work, such as musical instruments. These projects have been hugely successful, Ian Reay, Chairman Bradenham village near High Wycombe ISSUES AND TRENDS 2014 – 2015 has been another year of successful activity including the Chilterns Farm Advice Project, the Chalk despite many changes and considerable pressures faced. Streams Project, the Chilterns Box Project and Chilterns Commons Project as well providing a Rural Skills training It is clear that people care passionately about the AONB. programme and support for practical management. The public appetite for activities which engage, inform and inspire them about the Chilterns has continued unabated 71% of all woodland in the Chilterns (and 79% of ancient and the Board provides and supports an enormous range of woodland) is considered to be benefitting from some form opportunities from Open Farm Sunday, the Countryside of woodland management. This is an impressive Festival and conferences on hill forts and commons to achievement but there remains more to do to look after our night-time events, school projects, art competitions and woodlands, not least in the face of climate change and training for volunteers to help monitor our chalk streams. pests and diseases. The Board has continued to support the work of the Chiltern Woodlands Project to provide With two major Heritage Lottery Fund projects drawing to invaluable assistance and advice to woodland owners. an end this year (Chilterns Commons and Box Woodlands), it is timely to mention the outstanding contribution of over With ongoing threats from major infrastructure and housing 350 individual volunteers to the work of the Board and development pressures, the planning–related work of the these projects in particular. Without their enthusiasm, skills Board is crucial. In the current year this has entailed and commitment these projects would not have been provision of training and advice for local authorities, possible. Work has started on a proposal for a Chilterns commenting on planning applications and development Hillforts project which, if successful, will be a new plans and organising events such as the Buildings Design opportunity for people to engage with the heritage of the Awards (jointly with the Chiltern Society) and the planning AONB. conference. Recognition of the contribution of special landscapes such Engaging with wider audiences and promoting better as the Chilterns to the economy and the health and well- understanding of the value of the AONB to the environment, being of society is slowly growing. Around 260 million the economy and society is key to securing a sustainable people visit National Parks and AONBs each year, spending future for the Board and its work. It is heartening to see the in excess of £6 billion pounds. Within this, there are 55 year-on-year increases in take up of information via the million visits to the Chilterns AONB. As we face the future website, social media, e-bulletins and leaflets. Celebrating and anticipate further cuts in government support it is the 50th anniversary of the AONB in 2015 will provide worth recalling that public spending on AONBs and National opportunities to enthuse more people than ever before Parks is currently less than £1 per person per year. about this very special place. Sustainable tourism and support for the local economy is an increasing area of focus for the Board, this year reflected in continued support for the growing Chilterns Tourism Kath Daly Network. Projects such as Cycle Chilterns have Acting Chief Officer demonstrated their value to the local economy, not least through helping to secure a stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race in the Chilterns. With the new Countryside Stewardship scheme replacing Environmental Stewardship and Woodland Grant schemes from January 2015, it is as yet unclear what the implications of the new scheme will be in the AONB, particularly in light of funding restrictions. Against this backdrop of uncertainty the Board has continued to provide advice and support to farmers/land managers, local groups and volunteers through wide-ranging initiatives Chalk Habitats Day 2014 at College Lake near Tring 1 Conservation and Land Use The Board has continued to challenge government and the promoters of HS2 to meet statutory obligations towards the AONB. Along with many other petitioners, the Board is presenting the case for a fully-bored tunnel throughout the Chilterns as the best means for mitigating harm to the landscape, local communities and reputation of the AONB. Countryside Stewardship is the name of the new scheme replacing existing agri-environment and woodland grant schemes. Much work has yet to be done to clarify the opportunities available to landowners and land managers within the Chilterns, though concerns remain over the levels of funding available. The Chilterns Farm Advice Project, a joint initiative at Warden Hill, just north of Luton, in October, between the Board and the Environment Agency, drew to welcoming 60 professionals and volunteers representing a close with advice given to farmers managing some many organisations and groups from across the AONB. 7,155ha within 29 holdings. It has helped farmers to Significant areas of scrub were cleared to increase the achieve more sustainable land management practices area of open grassland. that will assist their business and improve soil and water Open Farm Sunday on 8th June again proved very quality. popular. Four events were promoted via the AONB Over 40 people attended the Chalk Grassland Managers' website, with staff and Board members helping at both Day held at BBOWT's College Lake Nature Reserve in July Field Farm near Lewknor and Shiplake Farm near Henley. to look at early succession and mosaic habitats managed Over 50 attended the Farmers' Forum in May held at by the Wildlife Trust at this former chalk quarry and Crowmarsh Battle Farm near Wallingford. The theme was geological SSSI. Farm-Based Renewable Energy, many taking the 14 chalk grassland and woodland sites across the AONB opportunity to visit the anaerobic digester plant at benefited from a programme of practical scrub Benson. management including 10 volunteer work parties in The 'South of England' style of hedgelaying was taught at partnership with the Buckinghamshire Natural two courses held at Bosmore Farm, near Henley and Environment Partnership. Goring Heath Parish Hall in January. 12 trainees laid over The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and 90m of hedge altogether. Our thanks to our expert Northamptonshire hosted the annual Chilterns' scrub bash trainers: Nigel Adams and Martin Wise.
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