the strategy

THE NATIONAL FOREST 2004> 2014 Contents Chapter

1 Introduction 2

2 Forestry 7

3 Landscape 24

4 Biodiversity 29

5 Access, Recreation and Sport 38

6 Historic Environment 47

7 Community Participation 52

8 Regeneration and the Economy 60

9 Agriculture 65

10 Tourism 71

11 Mineral Workings, Landfill Sites and Derelict Land 85

12 Planning 90

13 Transport and Traffic 96

14 Research and Monitoring 102

15 References 104

Appendices

1 UK Sustainable Development Indicators and Defra’s Aim and Objectives 105

2 The National Forest Vision 106

3 Landscape Character, Indicative Planting Areas and Planting Design 108

4 National Forest Trees and Shrubs 117

5 National Forest Biodiversity Action Plan Targets. 118

6 Mineral, Landfill and Derelict Sites - Forest Related Afteruses 119

7 Socio-economic profile of the Forest area 120

8 Timing and Prioritisation of Strategy Actions 121

THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 In the ten years since the first Strategy was produced Foreword for the creation of The National Forest, we have moved from an exciting, ambitious and highly innovative concept to a great new Forest in the making. The Forest is quite literally taking shape and transforming the physical, social and economic landscape of a great swathe of central England.

The National Forest has been described as a symbol of hope for the nation. It is also very much a child of its time. It is a manifestation of a growing awareness of our duty of care for our environment, our need to cherish it and desire to pass it on undamaged, or even enhanced, to future generations. Furthermore the restoration and glorification of the landscape is intertwined with the regeneration of the area’s economy and the enrichment of the lives and well-being of its residents and growing numbers of visitors. Thus the Forest is also a living, practical example of that much sought-after but elusive concept – sustainable development.

At the heart of this whole great enterprise lies an ever-widening network of partnerships and supporters all actively engaged in bringing about the transformation. Spearheading and orchestrating this hive of activity is the National Forest Company established by Government in 1995 and now proudly sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

This new Strategy, covering the next ten years of the Forest’s development, builds on the successes of the early years, learns from the experience so far and faces the future with confidence and determination. Inclusivity and partnership lie at the philosophical heart of the Forest and its Strategy. In this spirit I wish it well and look forward to the continuing burgeoning of this inspiring Forest for the nation.

Ben Bradshaw MP, Minister for Nature Conservation & Fisheries tegy stra the

THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 1 Introduction 1.1 The Vision The National Forest encompasses 200 square miles of the heart of England (Map to the 1). Spanning parts of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, it is a quintessential slice of the Midlands - rich in historic, ecological and cultural strategy interest and reflected in a varied landscape.

Map 1 – The National Forest boundary and location

➔ to STOKE-ON-TRENT to DERBY ➔

A50 ➔ to NOTTINGHAM A50

24A A511 A38 24

River Trent ✈ East Midlands Airport A453

Melbourne A453 A515 BURTON 23A UPON TRENT A6 Hoar Cross Newchurch Ticknall A511 A514 Rangemore A42 M1 SWADLINCOTE A38 A444 Staunton Loughborough Barton-under- Harold Needwood Walton-on-Trent 23 Trent & ASHBY DE LA M A512 ersey C ZOUCH Manchester anal Rosliston Whitwick Sheffield Moira Alrewas Overseal Stoke Ravenstone Derby A513 Oakthorpe A42 COALVILLE Nottingham Donisthorpe Croxall Copt Oak A38 A447 Leicester A511 Birmingham Measham Heather 22 Markfield Coventry Northampton Ibstock 11 Newtown M1 Linford Oxford Lichfield Cardiff

➔ A50 Bristol London Tamworth M42 A444 A447 Thornton to BIRMINGHAM ➔ to COVENTRY ➔ 21A LEICESTER to Hinckley

Linking the remnant ancient forests of Needwood and Charnwood, the new Forest also covers a substantial area of the former Leicestershire and South Derbyshire Coalfield, the attractive farmland landscapes of South Derbyshire, the industrialised Trent Valley corridor and a number of towns and other settlements. The idea is to create, within this setting, a vast new forested landscape for the nation, that frames a mosaic of farms, open land, towns and villages. From its original 6% woodland cover, the eventual wooded area will spread over about a third of the area, thereby establishing a substantial working forest and transforming the landscape, the environment and the economy of the Forest area.

1.2 Origins The National Forest was conceived by the then Countryside Commission in 1987 (1). It proposed that a forest, on a similar scale to the New Forest, should be created in the middle of the country to demonstrate the many benefits that trees and woodland can bestow. By bringing forestry into the lowlands close to where most people live, it could be genuinely multi-purpose – a new resource for recreation and tourism, creating rich new wildlife habitats, restoring damaged landscapes and offering an alternative, productive use of farmland. Woodland could also be put to greater economic use beyond its traditional timber uses, as the basis for economic regeneration, particularly in an area much affected by mineral working and the demise of coal mining. tegy stra the

2 THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 throughout thedocument. chapter),education (CommunityParticipation plusmany others highlighted the Economy chapter); socialinclusion,healthy livingandenvironmental chapter); economicdevelopment (Regeneration and (Agriculture diversification to chapter); Frameworks (Forestry biodiversityForestry (Biodiversity chapter); access Regional Regional Strategies; Environment RegionalIntegrated Strategies; ofother to awiderange policyagendas, including: The Forest isalsocontributing (seeChaptersguidance strategies 11 and12). into anumberofpolicyandplanning andhasbeenwritten planning terms st isalsonon- designationandthisStrategy The National Forest isnot astatutory objectives (seeAppendix1). ofDefra developmentof UKsustainable indicators. Itisalsohelping to meet theaimand national exemplar to awide range development ofsustainable andiscontributing The National Forest isembeddedinGovernment policy(2,3),isrecognised asa 1.4 ThePoliticalimportanceofNationalForest activity.new jobsandvoluntary stewardshipcommunity willplay oftheForest akey inthelong-term through part Linked to this,awell motivatedenvironmental andskilledlocal andsocialbenefits. time. Asuccessfuleconomy willbethefoundation for achieving long-lasting provides anattractive setting for peopleto live in,work andspendtheirleisure Forest’s success.Animproved environment isaspurto neweconomicactivityand areSocial, environmental therefore andeconomicsustainability essential to the are allimproving people’s well being. environment, newrecreation accessto more facilities, localwildlife andnewjobs q re products), together withtheForest’s to broader economic role incontributing developing anew, Forest-related economy (linked andwood to leisure, tourism the environment where isbasedupon itismost needed.Economicsustainability outset. Environmentally theForest aimsto protect whatisvalued,whilst enhancing oftheForest’s developmentSustainable hasbeenattheheart philosophy from the 1.3 SustainableDevelopment (Defra). Affairs Food andRural PublicBody.Departmental for Itissponsored by Environment, theDepartment 1995 inApril established asacompany andaNon- limitedby guarantee Company (NFC)–to spearhead oftheStrategy. theimplementation TheNFCwas that itwasto set upanew, independentpubliccompany –TheNational Forest published, to widespread acclaimin1994. TheGovernment oftheday announced creation. Following three years ofresearch was thestrategy andconsultation aDevelopmentCommission established Team to draw for upastrategy its ideacaughtthepublicimaginationandin1991The inspiring theCountryside H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE uality oflife oflocalresidents andvisitors to thearea. Ahealthier, vastly improved atutory. Nevertheless, it is recognised as an important consideration instatutory atutory. consideration Nevertheless, itisrecognised asanimportant generation of the area. The Forest’s creation is also significantly improving ofthearea. TheForest’s the generation creation isalsosignificantly

the countryside (Access, chapter); Recreation andSport the countryside agricultural stra the to introduction tegy

3 the strategy introduction 1.5 The Story So Far The National Forest is becoming increasingly evident in the landscape. In its first to the 10 years it has more than doubled woodland cover (14% as at 31/03/03) and is strategy transforming the area and the way it is perceived. The Forest is: ■ creating a vastly improved environment; ■ becoming a vibrant place in which people want to live, work and spend their leisure time; ■ creating a new Forest identity and ‘sense of place’; ■ knitting together areas once blighted by derelict land and mineral working, open agricultural landscapes and urban areas (through urban forestry); ■ involving local people and creating renewed community pride and spirit; ■ regenerating the local economy, especially of the Coalfield, and creating new jobs; ■ creating a new tourism resource and ■ improving recreation and public access opportunities.

1.6 The Revised Strategy Since the original Strategy was published in 1994, much has changed in the Forest itself and in the context within which it is being created. This revised Strategy looks ahead to anticipate the opportunities and challenges for the Forest over the next 10 years.

Strategy audit and consultation exercise The revised Strategy is based upon a thorough, independently verified audit of the 1994 Strategy (4). This established what had been achieved so far and identified activities and targets that remain relevant, plus ones that are no longer relevant. A wide range of organisations and individuals were then consulted on the future issues that the Strategy should address. This was followed by a nationwide, three month consultation on the draft Strategy, which generated almost 1,000 responses. The comments arising from this consultation exercise have been taken into account in producing this Strategy document.

Principles of the Strategy The Strategy retains the overall Forest vision (Appendix 2) and the original Forest boundary. It is not a site-specific blueprint for the Forest, but provides the framework within which a wide range of individuals and partner organisations can participate in its creation. Its key principles are to: ■ create a coherent and identifiable new entity known as The National Forest; ■ transform the area through a purposeful conversion of land use on a significant scale and at an exceptional rate; ■ be a recognisable forest – by expanding wooded cover to about one-third of the area; ■ enrich a diversity of landscapes and wildlife habitats; ■ be enjoyable, welcoming and accessible for all; ■ involve local communities in the Forest’s creation; tegy stra the

4 THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 ■ stimulate and add value to social and economic development; introduction ■ be a working forest - contributing to national timber supplies; ■ be sustainable - environmentally, economically and socially; to the ■ be geographically diverse and sensitive to landscape, natural and cultural history, and strategy ■ help to integrate urban and rural environments.

Strategy content and cross-cutting themes The Strategy covers the main themes that were included in the original Strategy, plus many new topics (e.g. geographic focusing of Forest activities, developing a woodland economy, healthy living, business and skills training). There are also three important cross-cutting themes that are applicable to the Strategy as a whole: Social Inclusion - The Forest aims to appeal to all abilities, ages and groups irrespective of culture, social or economic background. Social Inclusion is a key objective in encouraging people to visit and enjoy the Forest’s many attractions and to getting people involved in its creation through community and voluntary activities. Particular attention will be paid to involving socially and economically disadvantaged, minority and disabled groups, especially from within and near to the Forest area. This will require partnership working with a wide range of stakeholders and interest groups. Marketing - Effective and sustained marketing of the Forest through information, education and awareness raising will be crucial to its success. Marketing cuts across all aspects of the Forest’s creation and is key to creating and maintaining support for the Forest and raising its profile amongst a wide range of audiences, both locally and nationally. Key audiences will include: ■ Government; ■ public and private sector organisations; ■ landowners; ■ special interest and voluntary organisations; ■ residents and the general public and ■ visitors to the area. Marketing is considered in more detail in the accompanying document to the Strategy which sets out the means of delivering the Strategy (see below). Maintaining Quality - It is essential that the ‘Forest infrastructure’ of new woodlands, wildlife habitats, recreation sites, trails and visitor attractions is maintained to the highest standards, for both local residents and visitors to enjoy. It is equally important to raise the environmental quality of the Forest area as a whole, so that it becomes valued and respected as a high quality environment. In some locations endemic problems such as fly tipping, litter and abandoned vehicles can detract from the high quality environment that the Forest is creating. To achieve and maintain high environmental quality will require concerted effort and partnership working by specialist agencies, local authorities, the NFC, landowners and local communities across the Forest area. tegy stra the

THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 5 introduction 1.7 Concise Strategy and delivery of the Strategy To accompany this Strategy a separate document encompassing a concise version of to the the Strategy and the means to implement the Strategy has also been produced. A range of means and partners have already been deployed in the successful strategy opening years of the Forest’s creation. The future means of implementation draws on the experience gained and sets out the types of financial mechanisms, partnership working and marketing activity that will be needed to deliver the Strategy’s Actions. The timing and priority for the Strategy’s Actions is set out in Appendix 8 to this document.

The principles of implementing the Strategy will continue to be based upon: ■ on-going Government support; ■ leadership by the National Forest Company; ■ voluntary participation by landowners and other partners; ■ no compulsory purchase of land; ■ targeting financial incentives within the Forest boundary; ■ partnership working with public, private and voluntary sectors; ■ involvement of local communities; ■ multiple ownership and management of land and ■ promotion of social inclusivity and equal opportunities. tegy stra the

6 THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 2.1 Introduction Forestry The Forest will create a major new wooded environment with new trees and woodlands ultimately covering around a third of the area. The strategic importance of forestry cannot be overstated. It is important in its own right as a means of creating rich new landscape and wildlife habitats; stimulating a new woodland- related economy; being a focus for recreation, tourism and community involvement; and in contributing to global environmental objectives, such as reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Forestry is also creating a major new structural framework for all the other land use activities in the area. This is resulting in a vastly improved environment for people living in the area, for business investment and visitors spending their leisure time here.

2.2 Tree planting targets and progress The original Forest Strategy set an overall target of achieving around a third wooded cover. (Types of planting contributing to this target are described in section 2.5). Considerable progress has been made as wooded cover has more than doubled from 6% to 14.3%, with over 5 million trees having been planted (31/3/03). Eventually around 15 million trees will be planted in all. Woodland target - 33% (16,566 ha). Existing woodland (1990/1) - 6% (3,012 ha). New planting target - 27% (13,554 ha). New woodland (31/3/03) - 8.3% (4,177 ha). Total wooded cover (31/3/03) - 14.3% (7,189 ha). There has been a good spread of woodland creation across the Forest (Map 2). The biggest impact has been in the Coalfield, particularly through planting on derelict and mineral worked land, and in the Mease Lowlands and Melbourne Parklands with significant new planting on farmland. The rate of new planting envisaged (70% of the 13,554 ha target in the first 10 years) has, however, proved too ambitious. This was reviewed in 1998 and a new annual target was set of 500 ha. per year. This rate of planting is now being achieved (Table 1).

Table 1 - Forest Planting by Year

600 575 500 502 502 501 480 400 407 300 370

200 240 209

100 114 119

Amount of Planning (Ha) 75 84 0 1990/1 1991/2 1992/3 1993/4 1994/5 1995/6 1996/7 1997/8 1998/9 1999/0 2000/1 2001/2 2002/3 YEAR tegy stra the

THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 7 8 the strategy forestry THE NATIONAL FORESTASAT JANUARY 2004 6 5 4 3 2 1 PRE-NATIONAL FORESTWOODLANDCOVERIN1991 - Charnwood - MelbourneParklands - Leicestershire &SouthDerbyshire Coalfield - Mease&SenceLowlands - Trent Valley Washlands - Needwood&SouthDerbyshire Claylands A ClassRoads Motorways Main UrbanAreas Major Water Features W oodland 1 1 Map 2Woodland CoverandLandscapeZones H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE 2 2 3 3 5 5 10km 10km 4 4 6 6 A and strategic impact.and strategic andforconnectivity; landscapeimpact, by creating woodland areas ofhighvisual a robust woodland framework -for biodiversity, by maximisinghabitat achieve landscape-scalechange across theForest area. Thisapproach willcreate Ne Landscape–scale change and West Midlands. thattheForest inter-relates important particularly withtheFC’s RFFfor theEast k The Forest shouldaimto beanarea ofexcellence for forestry. sustainable A st to meet best practice management. Withinthiscontext woodland certification Commission (FC)Concordat provide thecontext for forest sustainable Strategy, FrameworksForestry (RFF)andtheNFC/Forestry Regional Forestry potential England ofthewoodland Standard, purpose resource. TheUKForestry environmentally sensitive forest managementwillbeessentialto realise themulti- with themanagementofnewly plantedandmature woodlands. Sustainable, There willbeanincreasing needto balancethecontinuingjobofforest creation Sustainable Woodland Development 2.3 Forestry StrategyPrinciples A over timeto reachmake the10-year difficult itincreasingly target. Whilst landisphysically plentifultherefore (Table 2),other are factors likely to ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ including: offactors by arange be influenced ta w For thenext 10 years isproposed target of4-5,000ha.This anewaspirational H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ey partner inachievingey partner thisaimwillbetheFC.At aregional level itwillbe andards willbeahighpriority. ould move wooded cover to 22-25%(over 66%oftheoverall woodland cover rget). hasbeenchosen Aplantingrange asfuture planting decisionsare likely to to 2 Anaspirationaltarget of4-5,000hawoodland creation is ction F2: to 1 Thetarget to achieve around athird wooded cover willbe ction F1: w woodland plantingshouldaimto linkareas ofexisting woodlands to that islikely to beavailable for restoration over thenext 10 years (seeTable 3); re companiesthe willingnessofmineral to restore sitesto Forest than uses, rather land; agricultural higher grade particularly the willingnessoflandowners landforward, to continueto bring possible resistance topossible resistance plantinginsomeareas by localresidents. new orextended protective designationsoflandand competing usesofland; oralternative andavailabilitythe rate ofplantingincentives; tenancyconstraints; agricultural choices; diversification measures onfarm ofnewagri-environment the effect ofland; the price the availability oflandontheopenmarket; turning areas of land to agriculture; linked withadecreasing areas amountofland oflandto agriculture; turning y proposed for 2004-14. Thistarget willbereviewed in2009. re ear period. t ained andreviewed by NFCtowards the 10 endofthe the forestry

9 the strategy forestry Multi-purpose woodlands The Forest is recognised in the England Forestry Strategy as a national exemplar of multi-purpose forestry. The theme will be continued of creating genuinely multi- purpose woodlands which produce good quality timber, enhance the landscape, enrich biodiversity and create opportunities for recreation, access and community involvement. This recognises that not every use is suitable in every woodland, but all woods should have more than a single purpose.

Mixed species Forest The aim of Forest planting is to create a diverse forest of predominantly broadleaved character. The original Forest Strategy envisaged an overall balance of 60% broadleaves to 40% conifers. The majority of woodlands are likely to be either broadleaved or mixed species, with few being mainly conifers. Current planting is 84% broadleaves to 16% conifers (4). Nationally there has been a major shift towards broadleaved planting which coincides with greater public awareness of wanting to see more broadleaves. In The National Forest mixed woodland planting is likely to continue in some farmland schemes, but based upon current experience it is likely that the original 60% broadleaf planting target will be exceeded. The new English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) is planned to be introduced in 2005. It will be important to review the long-term balance of broadleaves to conifers when the EWGS has been in operation for a few years, to see if more broadleaved planting continues to be taken up by the Forest’s landowners. Action F3: The NFC will test views on the long-term balance of broadleaf to conifer planting in the medium term (2007-9).

2.4 Woodland Creation

Strategic Potential The Indicative Forestry Strategy (IFS) in the original Strategy, identified Preferred planting areas - those areas with best potential for woodland creation, which have few identified environmental constraints; and Sensitive areas - where new planting will be limited, but not excluded, by environmental considerations (Map 3). Broadly the IFS is still valid. However, there is a need to update constraints mapping for ecological, archaeological and heritage sites, geological exposures and river floodplains. The best way to capture and monitor this information is on the NFC’s Geographic Information System (GIS). This process has started, but it requires a concerted effort by partner organisations to continue to put their records onto GIS. Until this is complete the original IFS constraints framework will be retained. Increasingly, landscape will also become an issue that limits planting in certain places, as some areas reach an optimal level of tree cover. Map 4 identifies well- wooded landscapes that now generally only have scope for linkage planting. More sophisticated modelling and visualisation of landscape change is needed to help assess when planting capacity has been reached in certain landscapes (section 3.4, Landscape chapter). It will also be important to gauge public perceptions (see Action L3, Landscape chapter). tegy Action F4: A GIS constraints mapping system will be developed to

stra supersede the original Indicative Forestry Strategy. the

10 THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 Map 3IndicativeForestry Strategy H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE

2 Preferred Areas 1 Unsuitable Land 3 Main Existing Woodlands

5 Sensitive Areas* 7 11 4 * where new planting may be limited, but not 24 excluded by:- river floodplains; archaeological 7 BURTON 4 UPON TRENT sites; historic parklands; areas of ecological 21 value and geological interest. 2 6 24 0 5km 12 17 8 22 SWADLINCOTE Based on DOE Circular 29/92, Indicative Forest Strategies 25 11 23 9 10 33 16 18 20 ASHBY DE LA 13 35 ZOUCH 39 11 34 41 26 44 45 18 32 36 COALVILLE 15 19 30 14 31 40 14 27 40 44 29 40 44 28 37

Sensitive Areas 38

1. Historic parkland, ecological area, 13. Historic parkland, archaeological sites 25. Ecological area, archaeological sites 42 archaeological sites 14. Ecological area, river floodplain, 26. Ecological area, historic parkland, 43 2. Ecological area, historic parklands archaeological sites archaeological sites 3. Ecological area, historic parkland 15. Historic parkland, archaeological sites 27. Archaeological sites, ecological sites 4. Ecological area, historic parklands, 16. Archaeological sites, ecological sites 28. Archaeological sites, geological sites archaeological sites 17. Ecological area, geological site, 29. Archaeological sites, historic parkland, 38. Ecological area 5. Ecological area archaeological site ecological sites 39. Ecological area, archaeological sites 6. Archaeological sites, ecological sites 18. Ecological area, archaeological sites 30. Archaeological site, ecological sites 40. Ecological area, archaeological sites,

7. Archaeological sites 19. Ecological area 31. Archaeological sites historic parkland forestry 8. Archaeological sites, ecological area, 20. Geological sites 32. Archaeological sites, geological site 41. Ecological area, geological sites, historic parkland 21. Ecological area, historic parkland, 33. Ecological area, archaeological sites historic parkland, archaeological sites 9. Archaeological sites geological sites, archaeological sites 34. Ecological area, archaeological site 42. Ecological area 10. Archaeological sites 22. Ecological area 35. Ecological area, archaeological sites, 43. Ecological area, archaeological sites 11. Archaeological sites, river floodplain, 23. Archaeological sites, ecological sites historic parkland 44. Ecological area, geological sites, ecological area, historic parkland 24. Ecological area, historic parkland, 36. Archaeological sites, ecological sites historic parklands, archaeological sites 12. Ecological sites, archaeological sites archaeological sites, geological sites 37. Archaeological sites, ecological sites 45. Geological site

11 the strategy forestry Land availability There is a substantial land resource to achieve the remaining 18.7% planting, to reach the 33% woodland target. 28% of the land area is free from major constraints, with a further 39% having some potential within various limitations (Table 2).

Table 2. Land available for planting

Fixed constraints % land area Hectares Built development (existing) 10.5 est. 5,271 Built development (planned) 1.5 est. 753 Ecological sites (non woodland) 3.6 1,807 Open water 1.0 502 Archaeological sites 1.0 502 Geology 0.5 251 Service lines 0.25 125 18.35% 9,211 Potential land with some limitations Sensitive landscapes (well wooded and historic landscapes, 25.0 est. 12,550 river floodplains). Areas of Grade 2 agricultural land 10.0 5,020 Areas with development potential 4.0 est. 2,008 39.0% 19,578 Land without major land use constraints 28.35% 14,232 Existing woodland 14.3% 7,189 TOTAL 100.0% 50,210

Several broad types of land are available for woodland creation. Table 3 indicates the proportions that each are expected to make towards the 4-5,000 ha planting target. Planting on agricultural land will require the utmost priority. It will be important to monitor planting related to land types and to adjust target amounts as necessary.

Table 3. Planting Land Types

Land type 2004-14 planting contributions % ha Agricultural land 76 3,820 Mineral worked/derelict land 13 630 Urban areas/fringes* 4 200 Transport corridors* 4 200 Development-related land 3 150 TOTAL 100% 5,000 ha

(*these land types will also include some planting on agricultural land).

What counts as woodland creation? Many types of planting will contribute towards the Forest’s creation (see section 2.5). New woodlands are not intended however, to be ‘wall to wall’ trees. All schemes generally include at least 20% open ground and in many schemes this may be more. (Eg the National Forest Tender Scheme, allows for up to 50% unplanted land). There will also be a smaller number of schemes that will have less than 50% tree cover, for example: ■ sites for nature conservation, where more open habitats will be included; ■ certain mineral sites restored to water-based recreation uses, where fringe

tegy planting will create the effect of wooded enclosure; stra the

12 THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 tree cover. f The wooded framework oftheForest willtherefore beamosaicofwooded adjoining landscapes.Plantingoptions are similarto the connect existing woodlands –both withintheseareas andto connectwith major plantingto newplantingbutthe emphasis beonlinkage willgenerally Ne W New plantingonfarmland (Grangewood, Derbyshire) Charnwood, theTrent Valley andareas ofNeedwood). woodlands (especiallyin rotationcoppiceandconservation parks, short woodlands, communitywoods, commercial plantations, forestincluding farm unwooded landscape character. ofplantingtypesare suitable, Awide-range The mainareas for large-scalewoodland creation, to match thelarge-scale, W considered inmore wooded landscapes. landscapes, butsmall-scaleschemes thatmeet specialist objectives willalsobe below.described inmore newplantingwillbepreferred openunplanted Ingeneral types andscalesofplanting.Theseother cross-cutting plantingthemesare theForest into ninemaintypesofarea thatare suitedto different Map 4classifies Strategy.original theIndicative PlantingAreas further thatguidedwoodlanda stage creation inthe new plantingrelates to landscapecharacter (Chapter 3andAppendix3).Theytake have beendeveloped from assessmentofplantingpotential thestrategic andhow thenextIndicative phaseofwoodland plantingareas willunderpin creation. These 2.5 IndicativePlantingAreas ■ H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE areas w eatures, ofalandscapewitharound allcombiningto athird create theeffect ooded landscapes oodland linkage areas oodland expansion areas w planting has added considerably to theselandscapes.Therew plantinghasaddedconsiderably isscopefor some w parklands, where replacement tree planting,combinedwithmature trees and oodland willcreate theimpression wooded ofstrongly landscapes. , but with particular opportunities for conservation plantingadjoining for conservation opportunities , butwithparticular . w oodland expansion w ell

Christopher Beech forestry

13 the strategy 14 the strategy forestry

Woodland Major Water Features Main Urban Areas Motorways A Class Roads H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Map 4IndicativePlantingAreas

Woodland Expansion Areas Woodland Linkage Areas Well Wooded Landscapes Historic Enclosures Floodplain Farmlands Urban/Urban Fringe Ancient Woodland Priority Areas 10km Transport Corridors and Gateways Parklands Swadlincote Woodlands Urban Forest Park schemes.coppice andurbanforestry rotation woodlands,parks, development-related short planting,conservation framework for builtdevelopment. Options includecommunitywoods, forest Land islimitedfor large-scaleplanting,butthere iswidescopeto create agreen U fa to complement thelandscapecharacter.is appropriate, Plantingoptions include where onlysmall-scaleplanting pattern, field Areas withasmall-scale,largelyintact Historic enclosures w edgesblendinto Thefloodplain poplar plantingshouldbehighpriorities. belts ofplantingassociatedwithlakes coppiceandblack rotation andpools, short oftheRivers woodlands, Trent, TameIn thefloodplains andMease,floodplain Floodplain landscapes community woods, amenityandhedgerow tree planting. ex Ancient Woodland particularly plantingshouldbeapriority, Conservation many oftheSensitive Strategy. Areas highlightedintheIndicative Forestry st The most extensively wooded areas where there isonlyscopefor small-scale, We H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ra rm oodland expansion areas where farm woodlandoodland expansion plantingisalsosuitable. areas where farm rban/urban fringe tension andparkland woodlands, restoration. There isalsoscopefor farm tegic plantingthatlinksexisting woodlands. with Theselandscapescorrespond ll wooded landscapes

w oodlands, community woods, conservation andhedgerowoodlands, communitywoods, tree planting. conservation

Christopher Beech forestry

15 the strategy 16 the strategy forestry ■ ■ ■ and willinclude: to interest theForest andvariety meaning. Thesefeatures addelementsofsurprise, There are many placeswhere tree plantingcanhave specialsymbolicinterest or Symbolic trees (see Chapter 4). whenhedgesare and newtree planted planting will beundertaken be encouraged fewgenerally younger replacements. Natural ofhedgerow regeneration trees will to strongly landscapecharacter.size andantiquity contribute However there are In many areas mature hedgerow trees are feature acharacteristic andthrough their Hedgerow trees Three cross-Forest willalsobepromoted: plantingthemes parkland shouldbeahighpriority. are found. Retaining andmanagingparklands areas andreinstating offormer r Parklands.Charnwood andtheMelbourne Theyrequire individualconsideration Pa Pa JIGSAW projects. Commission’sThis approach oftheForestry willdraw upontheexperience Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland to extend andconnectremnant AncientWoods. areas focus uponclusters Parklands of Charnwood andMelbourne areas. Priority Ancient Woodlands (section2.7)are mainlyclustered intheNeedwood, Ancient Woodland areas priority planting. and conservation to pointsto theForest, such asadjacenttoentry National Forest road signsandnear travelling into aforested atgateway landscape.Plantingwillalsobeencouraged be afocus for visualimpact strategic, plantingto develop theimpression of Tr Tr H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Ne Development-related planting A sites(seeChapter 11).landfill asanafter-usepromoting worked onmineral forestry land,derelict landand within theForest setting (section12.2, Chapter is 12). Equally important elated to their historic character,elated to theirhistoric ofthelandscapearea irrespective inwhich they to 5 Woodland creation regard willbeencouragedwith to the ction F5:

r ansport corridors give a vitally important first impression ofthearea. Theywill first give important avitally corridors ansport ansport corridors andgateways corridors ansport the Forest boundary. Priorities includeroadside, development-related, amenity the Forest boundary. Priorities r w built development will require appropriate landscaping to help integrate it w builtdevelopment landscapingto willrequire helpintegrate appropriate klands are spread throughout theForest area, butwithclusters inNeedwood, w planting –ofindividualtrees andspecialnew commemorative andmemorial points invillagesandurbanareas. f special landscapefeatures –includingarboreta, avenues oftrees andorchards. klands eature trees – marking the Forest boundary, parish boundaries andasfocaleature trees –marking boundaries the Forest boundary, parish oodlands (eg woodlands for green burial). oodlands (egwoodlands burial). for green new plantingschemes. re planting areas onMap4.TheIndicative PlantingAreas willbe viewed take dependentuponthe upof atregular intervals, A are many other woodlands thatremain unmanaged. Ancient Woodlands have beenbrought back into management(4).However there woodlandsestates managed.Inadditionover and are generally 250haoffarm needto stimulate managementinmature woodlands.particular Onlargeforestry economy andmaximising itspotential asarenewable timberresource. There isa to developing theForest’s Itisalsocritical woodland delivers multiplebenefits. W 2.7 Woodland management A Reproductive approved Material a Forestry source. Where trees are to begrown for highquality timberstock shouldbefrom seedfrom and plantingpartners. sources. between Effective linksneedto bemaintained seedsources, tree nurseries promotes theuseofbroadleaf stock from withintheForest area orother UK local provenance tree stock. alocalprovenance TheNFCoperates policythat ofusing The National Forest hasanexemplary role to play the profile inraising Provenance species willdependuponthemanagementobjectives for individualwoodlands. The tree speciessuitedto theForest area are listed inAppendix 4.Thechoice of Species e worked onderelict andmineral adjacenttobe opportunities landandonfarmland meansofextendingpreferred AncientSemi-Natural Woodlands. There may also W shelters degrade. w Sitemanagerswillneedto ensuredamage young that to disintegrate. trees ifleft changingshelters are increasingly thelookoflandscape.Theycanalso Most newwoods willbeplanted,withthetrees protected by tree shelters.Tree W safety. Designguidancefor theForest’s landscapetypesisinAppendix3. produce quality timber, diversity habitat andconnectivityto ensure public attentionshouldbepaidto Particular landscapecharacter anddesign topurpose. theindividualsiteandplanting guidelinesandtoCommission best reflect practice Ne Design 2.6 Woodland designandestablishment H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE xisting woods. oodlands donot appearuntidyto visitors, orthattrees becomedamagedastree ction F7: TheNFClocalprovenance policywill be reinforcedction and F6: oodland management is crucial to creating aworking,oodland managementiscrucial Forest sustainable that colonisation.Thiswillbethe by natural oodlands willalsobeestablished oodland establishment w woodlands Forestry shouldbedesignedto Standard, follow theUKForestry timber potential. w The NFCwillinitiateresearch to identifyunmanaged provenance trees. promotedfurther to stimulatesupply anddemandoflocal oodlands and assess their management optionsoodlands andassesstheir and forestry

17 the strategy forestry Newly planted woods Land managers need to ensure continued management of newly-planted woods. Replacing any failed planting, managing weed growth and maintaining access routes, visitor facilities, site signage and wildlife habitats will all be important. Woodland thinning and pruning is also essential, especially in commercial woodlands between the 10-15 year stage, to ensure that their timber potential is realised. Action F8: The NFC will work with the Forestry Commission to advise on and promote management plans for newly planted woods.

Small woodlands Diseconomies of scale and often difficult access for timber extraction can hamper cost-effective management of many farm and amenity woodlands. Many woodland owners also lack woodland management skills and an awareness of potential timber markets and the value of their woods. There is a need to raise awareness of woodland management issues and identify training needs for landowners. Action F9: The NFC will encourage the development of a forestry and rural skills base for the Forest area.

Ancient Woodlands Ancient Woodlands1 are irreplaceable national assets. They require protection and sensitive management to retain and enhance their biodiversity value. They cover only 2.3% of the Forest area, but represent the final core of sites that retain a link with the area’s historic forests. Of the remaining sites around half are Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands, which have the highest conservation value. obert Fraser R Ancient Woodland at Oakwood Pastures, Staffordshire

There is potential to extend Ancient Woodlands by natural colonisation or local provenance planting to create new areas of native broadleaf woodland. This will enhance the biodiversity of individual woods and help to link fragmented sites. Ancient Woodlands that have been planted with non-native trees and retain significant remnants of their former ecological diversity would also benefit from being returned to native broad-leaved stands, for similar conservation reasons, unless there are good reasons for not doing so. tegy

1 Ancient Woodland has had continuous cover since at least 1600AD and may be: Ancient Semi - Natural Woodland - sites retaining the stra native tree and shrub cover that has not been planted, but may have been managed by coppicing, felling or has regenerated naturally. Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites - where the original native tree cover has been felled and replanted, often with conifers. the

18 THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 ■ A andcondition. their distribution management to avoid thembeinglost ordamaged.Littleisknown however, about assetsthe area. Thesetrees are andrequire irreplaceable protection andsensitive landscape, which to localdistinctiveness addgreatly thebiodiversity andenrich of inparklandsAncient trees, andhedgerows, particularly features are inthe striking 2.9 AncientTrees ■ ■ A s Strategy, Ashby Woulds andtheNFC’s VisualImpact Strategy Strategic Sites area-based have strategies proved Urban successful.(Eg.the Burton Forestry very To 2.8 Area-based strategies A areas. intervention f species ofindividualwoods. Theywillincludesmallareas ofclearfelling, selective dependingupontheobjectives,Management techniques sizeandtree willvary landowners managementplans. to adopt willbeencouraged long-term Commissionguidanceshouldbefollowed andForestry Standard and UK Forestry The Forest willbecomeanexemplar ofbest woodland The managementpractice. W A A H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE elling incoupesto allow continuouscover managementandminimal tudy). ction F14: The NFC will raise the profile of the Forest’s ofthe ancienttrees by profile TheNFCwillraisethe F14: ction Area-based strategies willbeconsidered for:- ction F13: W ction F12: onAncientWoodland Plantations siteswillbetargeted to ction F11: ction F10: oodland management techniques

help focus woodland creation and management in particular parts oftheForest,help focus woodland parts creation andmanagementinparticular W Ancient Semi-Natural Woods onAncient Plantations andrestoring Ancient Woodlands –to bestpotential identifythe sitesfor extending t t The proposed Forest Park around Conkers Visitor Centre, owned by belt across Forest. the Swadlincote, Ashby delaZouch andCoalville inacombinedcentral U he centralForest area. National ofthe Foresthe Heart Foundation, andother woodlands in rban/urban fringe forestry -targeting forestry uponTrent, Burton rban/urban fringe oodland sites. management practicesfor woodland owners. to condition; andwillpromote bestpractice management commissioning survey work to locationand identifytheir provenance stock. re re ex re managed to biodiversity enhancetheir value. Natural Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands shouldbesensitively generation will be the preferredgeneration willbethe method for re-stocking and turn sitesto nativeturn broadleaf usingnatural stands, generation, direct seedingortree plantingoflocal

oodlands will be identified that demonstratebest that oodlands willbeidentified tending sites. landowners. forestry

19 the strategy forestry 2.10 Woodland Economy Woodland Economy Growing high quality timber will be a main aim for much woodland planting. The Forest offers a major long-term opportunity to develop a new woodland economy, centred on the Forest area and contributing to regional and national markets. National softwood timber markets are depressed due to the volume of cheap imported timber. However, there is a unique opportunity for the Forest to become a national showcase for growing high quality hardwoods, given the high percentage of broadleaf planting. In the future National Forest hardwoods can help to substitute some of the national demand for imported tropical hardwoods and thereby contribute to the Government objective of sustainable management of natural resources. This potential will only be realised by stimulating the timber market. Encouraging woodland management and timely thinning of new woodlands is crucial, and linking the resulting wood products to market outlets. This will create the incentive for landowners to manage their woodlands and is key to realising a high quality end product. It is essential therefore that planting and management decisions are made with both short and long-term timber markets in mind. It is also important that the woodland economy is not seen in isolation. It is an important aspect of the broader Forest-related economy, embracing tourism, leisure, farm diversification and rural business development (see Chapter 8). For many landowners timber production will be integrated with other rural business ventures.

Market opportunities Wherever possible the aim should be to achieve local value-added activity. A variety of market opportunities should be pursued: ■ wood as a renewable energy resource – using woodland thinnings and short rotation coppice as wood fuel for heat and power units and electricity generation. ■ manufacturing timber products such as fencing, garden products and rustic furniture. ■ niche markets, such as woodland crafts and charcoal production. ■ timber processing, including developing on-site saw milling. ■ furniture and joinery manufacture (in the longer term). ■ processing plants for panel and pulp products (beyond the Strategy period). tegy Christopher Beech Christopher stra Fountain Timber Products, Moira, Leicestershire the

20 THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 A ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ policy initiatives. initiatives, promotional mechanisms campaigns, businesssupport andcurrent seized both regionally andnationally andlinksshouldbemadewithmarketing w initiatives,best practice such asHeartwoodsintheWest Midlands, inrelation to areas andother woodland from creation initiatives. to learn There are opportunities network activity across theMidlands,thatincludesboth mature offorestry forest r Developing thewoodland economy willrequire working partnership withawide Pa A potential market outlets. coming ‘onstream’, potential timbervalue,thelikely endproducts andthe isalsoneededaboutwhentimberwillbe timber thatisbeinggrown. Information There isaneedto assessthevolume, ofspeciesandmarketable range quality of done onthisintheearly 1990s, butitnow needsupdating. theForest’s anddevelopingunderstand timberresource. current Initialwork was To The timberresource ■ st to stimulate marketand matures. Forothers it is important development atanearly willtakeMany timeto develop businessopportunities aswoodland cover expands Market development timber processing technologies. to oflocally-basedsmall theestablishment units innewpublicbuildings;encouraging v Over timetheForest shouldbecomeanationalexemplar for wood-based business H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ange of organisations. The National Forest can benefit from being part ofabigger from being part TheNational Forestange oforganisations. canbenefit entures. Forexample, theuseofwood-fuelled demonstrating heatandpower age to encourage new sustainable businessdevelopment. newsustainable age to Thiscanbeachieved encourage by: ood marketing techniques. New businessandmarketing needto be opportunities ction F15: The NFC will prime the establishment ofaNational establishment Forest the TheNFC willprime ction F15: to 1:TheNFCwillcommissionresearch and to current assessthe ction F16:

r medium sized enterprises; andpromoting theForest new locationto attract medium sizedenterprises; fuel heatandpower units). developing newbusinessskills(e.g.related to thetechnology wood ofoperating scheme for thearea shouldalsobeconsidered. ofdeveloping certification agroup small woodland owners. Thebenefits under theUKWoodland Scheme). Assurance Thiswould especiallybenefit (eg promoting theForest asapilot area woodland to encourage certification onpotential markets.information cooperative timbermarketing amongst woodland owners andpromoting Forest timber. developing National Forest ofwood branding products, madefrom National products. and garden promoting woodland management andusingthinningsfor wood fuel,fencing w promoting theuseofwood, wood products anddeveloping markets (eg. establishing strongerestablishing linkswithmarket outlets andthetimberindustry. niche marketing, for example of“National Forest Oak”. tnership working match timberavailability withmarket outlets, there isaneedto better ood fuel). coordinate market development. f timber potential. planned timberresource systems to andestablish monitor ocused Wood Marketing Associationto promote and forestry

21 the strategy 22 the strategy forestry A towards,and contribute nationalresearch programmes. withinthecontext of, Thisworkcarbon sequestration rates. willbedesignedto fit from updatedresearch andpredictedForest would to assessitscurrent benefit ofwoodlandand theeffects managementuponthecarboncycle. TheNational developed ofcarbonuptake to rates monitor tree thedifferent species indifferent Since theseestimations were made,better modellingtechniques have been 17 by to someextent Thiswillbeoffset 1 milliontonnes ofCO2willhave beenfixed. R gr Government’s Development headlineSustainable Indicator ofcombating towards ofclimatechange.helping to reduce theeffects Thiscontributes the dioxide (CO2)intheatmosphere through woodland plantingandthereby carbon symbolicrole to playThe Forest inhelpingto hasanimportant fix 2.12 CarbonSequestration A increase (5). could significantly to Equally climatechange for may forestry, openupnewopportunities by beingable Commission.Many over signsmay onlyoccurincrementally Forestry time. and woodlands thatcouldresult from climatechange theseto the andreport W in relation to trees andforestry. aw Government andacademiawillbeessentialto get better and understanding have implications for theirfuture management(5).Ongoingresearch by Climate change islikely to have ontrees andwoodlands ofeffects andwill avariety 2.11 Climatechange H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE cause isalsoimportant. Publiceducationofthedamage thattheycan managementstrategies. long-term inwoodlands,habitats through browsing ofplants.Alltheseanimals willrequire crops andwildlife agricultural damageto trees.considerable Deercanalsoaffect Toand rabbits. many peopletheseanimalsare adelight,buttheycancause forThe Forest deer, iscreating habitat largenewareas of natural squirrels grey 2.13 Deerandwoodlandpests A to 1:TheNFCwill commissionresearch to carbon assessthe ction F19: TheNFCwillwork to produce partners with bestpractice ction F17: ction F18: The NFC will contribute to nationalresearch TheNFCwillcontribute by encouraging F18: ction esearch estimated thatby Strategy year for 50around undertaken theoriginal

eenhouse gas emissions. eenhouse gas ,000 tonnes of CO2 will be fixed each year.,000 tonnes ofCO2willbefixed oodland owners willneedto bevigilantinlookingfor signsofdamageto trees

areness ofthepotential impacts ofclimatechange andhow thesecanbemanaged gr emissions from visitor traffic. Nevertheless, thenetwillbethatsome14- effect emissions from visitor traffic. ow

a wider range of tree species; and timber yield classes of certain species oftree species;andtimberyieldclassesofcertain a widerrange to sequestration progress andfuture potential Forest of the and climate change ontrees andwoodlands. advice for woodland owners of effects onmanagingthe of mature andnewly plantedwoodlands across Forest. the oftreemonitoring growth, andcondition inasample health

develop aframework monitoring. for longterm Ac cooperative managementwillalsobeneededbetween landowners. neighbouring Where problems ofdeer, woodland weeds cross pests landholdings orinjurious best practice. W includes anationalresearch linked programme to thecreation oftheUK’s largest intheForest. Innovativetrialed silviculture isalsopromoted andtheForest project (examining woodland creation techniques), are two nationalinitiatives National Forest Tenderpioneering Scheme Woodland andDemonstration researchbest practice, related anddemonstration to trees andwoodlands. The resourceThe National Forest andlocationfor shouldbeusedasanationallearning 2.15 Bestpractice,research andinnovation A specialist advicefrom CountyFire Services. plansfor theirlandholdingsandto landowners seek encourages to prepare fire prevention. This hasproduced guidanceonwoodland best practice fire Services Derbyshire andLeicestershire withtheStaffordshire, Fire The NFCinpartnership safeguarding isessential. both peopleandproperty new plantingisaddedeach year. Protecting theeconomicwoodland resource and Fire prevention issueasmore inwoodlands important willbecomeanincreasingly 2.14 Woodland fire prevention wo weeds Effective willrequire control (e.g.ragwort). ofragwort injurious partnership As thewoodland area expands itisalsolikely to result inanincrease incertain advice/mechanismsappropriate are available. Equivalent activitywillbeneededto control damagewhen Grey Squirrel locations (deerfencing), ofdeermanagementgroups. andtheestablishment r specialist populationranges, including,landowner seminars,monitoring underway The NFCisamemberoftheDeerInitiative. Deermanagementactivityisalready H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Ac extensivelywhich collectively, from. nationwide canbenefit industry theforestry innovation. have Alloftheseorganisations theirown strengths andexperience, bodies), to work together to promote excellence research inbest practice, and U andTimber Association,CommunityForests, NationalForestry Urban Forestry Commission, bodies(egtheNFC,Forestry forestry There isa needfor thevarious esearch (e.g. into traffic accidents),sitedesignandmanagementincertain esearch (e.g.into traffic to 2:TheNFCwillpromote guidanceto National Forest fire ction F21: nit, Woodland Trust, National SmallWoods Associationandforest industry alnut woodland. inF0 TheNFCwillwork relevant with organisations to partner tion F20: inF2 TheNFCwillwork relevant with organisations to partner tion F22: r king with statutory authorities andlandowners, following authorities national king withstatutory injurious weeds inForestinjurious schemes. promote bestpracticemanagementofwildlife pestsand initiatives developed inTheNational Forest. disseminate bestpracticeandresearch from forestry arising w oodland owners. forestry

23 the strategy 24 the strategy Landscape built development. Ne used to disguiseorscreen development which isbadlysitedordesigned. Forest’s aimsand will sitdiscordantly inthelandscape. Trees shouldnot simply be Development the thatisbadlylocated,oroutofscalewithitssetting, undermines w to withintheirForest itthrough setting andcontribute developments needto fit The builtenvironment Buildings Farm, Derbyshire nearHartshorne, Forest concept envisaged thattheoriginal isbeingrealised. transformation character oftheexistingalready andvaried rich landscape.Thescaleoflandscape mosaicofactivityisaddinganewlayerThis rich oflandscapecharacter to the V andintheTrent This activityhasbeenonalargescale,especiallyintheCoalfield, having landscapesare to returned amajor attractive Forest impact, uses. asdegraded havehabitats andderelict becomemore landrestoration evident.Mineral isalso marginsandotheras newwoodlands andbetter managementofhedgerows, field landscapesare changingand biodiversity ofthelandscape.Farmland significantly, andhelpingto thevisualtexture enrich are addingmajor newareas ofopencountry Within thiswooded framework extensive newwetlands, meadows andheathlands of linkingtheremnant ancientForest landscapesofNeedwood andCharnwood. A newwoodland landscapeisunifyingtheForest aim area andmeeting theoriginal The changing Forest landscape 3.1 Introduction H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE gr Built development isalsoamajor component ofthechanging landscape. Natural alley where major newwetlands are beingcreated. oodland landscaping(seeChapter 12). ow ve th of urban areas is an integral part oftheForest’s part evolution. However,th ofurbanareas isanintegral new rt heless, awell-wooded setting andenhancenewexisting cantolerate

Robin Weaver A to locallevel. guidelanduse change information atavery supplementary which provides oflandscapetypeshavewider range valuable beendefined, by landscape assessmentalsorelates well to thecounty-based assessmentsundertaken Agency. produced TheForest’s by theCountryside MapofEngland Character The Forest’s landscapecharacter areas coincidewiththenationalCountryside N oftheForest. creation parts suitedto different types ofhabitat inhelpingtoThe landscapecharacter guideother areas andtypesare alsoimportant includes plantingdesignguidancefor each landscapetype. Forest’s landscapetypesandtheindicative plantingareas (Map4,Chapter 2).Italso withtheircharacter. thelinkbetween Appendix3illustrates landscapes andfits the Forest. Thisisessentialto ensure thatnewplantingmatches thescaleofdifferent ofthe guide thetype,scaleanddesignofwoodland parts plantingsuitedto different inlandscapethatoccuracross theForestdifferences area. Thelandscape typesalso Ta the landscapecharacter areas andtypesare inAppendix3. ex orlesser to agreater andsixlandscapetypes,which are defined Forest boundary; ofwiderlandscapesthatextendindividually distinctive beyond parts andform the sixlandscapecharacter areas, which are The landscapeassessmentidentifies Forest landscape. w assessment in1994. (Map5)inresponse to Thisassessmentwasupdatedin2004 and quality ofitslandscapes.Thiswasachieved alandscape through undertaking andthecharacter landuseinfluences ecologicalandcurrent its physical, historic, to creating theForest thearea’sFundamental isunderstanding landscapeevolution, N 3.3 Landscapecharacter of theland. dependinguponlandscapecharacter andfuture uses density ofwoodland willvary new woodland landscapewillbecohesive across theForest area. However, the urbanareas wildlife andother land-uses.The framework habitats, for agriculture, The Forest aimsto create amosaicoflandscapeswithnewwoodlands providing the A cohesive landscape continually addsto thequality ofthelandscapeoverall. with theexisting character ofthelandscape,to ensure thattheForest’s creation enhance landscapecharacter. Theaimisto blendnewwoodlands andother habitats thattheForest’sIt willremain fundamental creation continuesto respect and Respecting landscapecharacter 3.2 LandscapeStrategyPrinciples H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A oodland and other habitat creation havingoodland andother changed ofthe habitat dramatically parts to 1 TheNational Forestction landscapecharacter framework will L1: ction L2: The NFC will use its grant mechanisms The NFCwilluseitsgrant to develop Forest- ction L2: tent by woodland, agricultural, urban and industrial influences. Descriptions of Descriptions influences. urbanandindustrial tent by woodland, agricultural, ational andcountylandscapecharacter assessment ational Forest landscapecharacter

k Staffordshire, Derbyshire andLeicestershireStaffordshire, CountyCouncils.InDerbyshire a en together thesubtle thelandscapecharacter areas andtypesdescribe continue to Forest’s guidethe creation. r Fo elated schemes which addto character the andquality ofthe re st’s landscapes. landscape

25 the strategy 26 the strategy landscape

Greaves NEEDWOOD & SOUTH DERBYSHIRE CLAYLANDS

Handbury Needwood Burton West MELBOURNE PARKLANDS Hoar Cross Burton East Map 5LandscapeCharacterAreas andLandscapeTypes H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Byrkley Bretby Dunstall Calke

Smisby Yoxall Swadlincote

Blackbrook Shepshed

Barton under Needwood Ashby Coleorton Overseal de la Thringstone Zouch Coton in the Elms Trent Charley

TRENT VALLEY MEASE & SENCE WASHLANDS LOWLANDS Packington Coalville CHARNWOOD

Stanton Newton Linford under Ibstock Bardon Markfield Ellistown LEICESTERSHIRE & SOUTH Wooded Parklands DERBYSHIRE COALFIELD Enclosed Farmlands Floodplain Farmlands Thornton Groby Coalfield Village Farmlands Urban / Urban Fringe Historic Settlements & Enclosures 0 10km Countryside Character Areas National Forest Landscape Types Boundary particular landscapes. particular in creation habitats activitytoenable better linkfragmented ofhabitat targeting change picture Thiswill ofhabitat ingeneral. to buildageographic necessary capable ofabsorbingmore plantingthanothers (Map4,Chapter 2).Itwillalsobe av areas, inorder to achieve aspread ofwoodland cover across theForest andto across theForest’s willbeespeciallyimportant landscapecharacter Monitoring thisscaleoflandscapechangeAssessing andmonitoring presents abigchallenge. linked withclusters ofnewwoodlands. ParklandsMelbourne areas, where largeareas are ofrough andmeadow grassland we landscape changes are prominent intheTrent Valley of withitsconcentration Forest area andare linked to newwoodland schemes. However, more extensive to by Meadow, heathandwetland creation hasalsobeenextensive habitat (400ha)and and monitor landscape change. Thisneedsto address: to System (GIS).However Information approachGeographic along-term is needed spread andextentThe NFCrecords of Forest thegeographic creation onits Recording landscape change A to andby involvingvisitor surveys; localpeopleinthedesignofnewwoodlands close through specialprojects (eg.communityvisioning/planningfor real techniques); some areas ‘have enoughtrees’. Communityviewswillbesought by theNFC Their viewswillneedto betaken into account,especiallyifthere isafeeling that The changing landscapewillbemost noticeable to localresidents andvisitors. Community views onlandscapechange to to assessthecapacityofalready well-woodedimportant landscapes andtheirability landscape characterappear discordant itwillbe area. inaparticular Increasingly impact. Inother casestoo much woodland couldoverburden alandscapeand to achieveacceptable massofwoodland thathashighvisualandstrategic acritical to ofwoodlandThe effects creation are most noticeable whenseveral woods coalesce 4, Chapter 2). by creation. Theseincludeareas where unwooded landscapeshave beentransformed oftheForest areAlready becomingwell-wooded someparts asaresult ofForest st visible inthelandscapeandby 2014 22-25%ofthelandarea willbeundervarious over thenext 10significantly years. Young woodlands andestablished willbemore Whilst trees take timeto grow, andlookofthelandscapewillchange thegrain ofthe Forest’sThe effects creation 3.4 Landscapechange H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ages ofwoodland cover. cti wa

oid an over domination in certain areas.oid anover Thisaccepts thatsomelandscapes are dominationincertain

where theylive. ta tlands; and in the Bagworth/Thornton, MeaseandSence Lowlandstlands; andintheBagworth/Thornton, and the Forest. are Most relatively sitessofar small(1-5ha), are spread across the new plantingandareas where newplantinglinkswithmature woodlands (Map 2014 will have 600haofthesehabitats itisestimated beenadded thatafurther make a significant impact inalocalarea. Inmany thismay instances be make asignificant ke on rd

s developing more sophisticated recording andimagingtechniques to assess additional planting. L3: optimum levels oftree planting. visitingpublicwillbeconsultedon Residents andthe landscape

27 the strategy 28 the strategy landscape the making’. andto photography record theForestlandscape andaerial landscape‘10 years into (section 6.11, to Chapter draw together 6),presents aspecialopportunity historic of theForest’s changing landscape.TheNational project Forest LANDshapes recordsForest a‘timeline’ofphotographic willbekept stages to capture thevarious creating amajor newlayer oflandscapehistory. Given theunique nature ofthe dimension,astheForest is historical The changing landscapealsohasanimportant Historical landscaperecording A design terms. togetherindividually well inbroader designedschemes landscape collectively fit to monitor,setting. Theissueofsitescoalescingwillbeimportant to ensure that c Complementing to GIStechnology landscapesurveys there isaneedfor periodic Landscape surveys A management across theForest. ‘bigpicture’,This would change present anintegrated, ofthescalehabitat and mature woodlands andthecreation andmanagementofother wildlife habitats. landscapeimpact Integrated Forest to stakeholdersthe ‘virtual’ andthepublic. landscapes;aswell asprovidingcertain apowerful promotional tool to demonstrate ofnewplantingschemes andacceptability in This would help to judgethe‘fit’ across theForest over ofnewplanting. time;andto assessthelocallandscapeeffects Landscape visualisation H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE heck that new woodlands and other habitats are fitting well intoheck theirlandscape thatnewwoodlands are fitting andother habitats to 5 TheNFCwillcommissionresearch to landscape assess the ction L5: cti on L4 : demonstrate the landscape effects of the Forest’s ofthe landscapeeffects demonstrate the creation. GIS systems willbedeveloped to assess,monitor and Fo ofnew creationeffects plantingandhabitat across the re st’s landscapes. - To show how woodlands andlandscapeswillmature - To linksbetween show thegeographic newand for over10years. classified as county level Sites of Biological Importance (Table ascountylevel SitesofBiologicalImportance 6). classified 2.8% oftheForest’s 1.7% protection wildlife siteshave andafurther are statutory * T which shows therelative (Table thatnow paucityofother habitats survive 5). r almost halfofthisinterestSignificantly, inCharnwood. isconcentrated Whilst a The Forest’s ecologicalresource isdiverse andcovers some9%ofthearea (7). The existing resource 4.2 BiodiversityoftheForest f helpto thatthearea redress has thelossofhabitats In sodoingitwillsignificantly of more commonwildlife species,aswell asmany species. decliningandsomerare biodiversity change thousands across thearea. TheForest andsupport willattract hedgerows, meadows, heathlandsandwetlands willcreate landscape-scale The knittingtogether ofsome19,000 haofnewandexisting woodlands, ofpeopletofuture enjoy. generations a large-scale,ecologicallydiverse newwoodland environment and for current to growth create anddevelopment.sustainable opportunity arare TheForest offers to theForest’s –iscentral Biodiversity oflife onearth creation –thevariety andits 4.1 Introduction H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE day living. pressures ofmodern world aboutthenatural andto andlearn relaxa placeto from experience the people visitNational Forest theForest sites(6).Increasingly willbecomeknown as asnature andwildlife for isoneofthemainreasons tourism, whyalso important well to physical being.Itis andspiritual andcontributes environment isinspiring close to where theylive, work andspendtheirleisure time.Anecologicallyrich Forest isre-connecting peoplewithnature by creating new, space accessiblegreen Biodiversity isalsoimproving thequality oflife oflocalresidents andvisitors. The aced inthepast. This figure includes around 550 ha of parish/district wildlife sites the current status of which is unknown, as many have notb have asmany This figureincludes ofwhichis unknown, around550haofparish/districtwildlifesitesthecurrentstatus ange of habitats are represented, 64% iswoodland are represented,ange ofhabitats 64% orwood pasture/parkland, pnwtr34h 0.7% 0.3% 334ha 140ha 2.3% 2.3% 1,132ha 1,143ha Open water Heathland Grassland 946 W W woodland Plantation Ancient woodland Habitat Type 1.9% ha* te elns24h 0.4% 214ha T Other wetlands able 5 – Principal Habitats able 5–Principal tl457h 9.3% 4,587ha otal twoln 0h s.0.1% 1.3% 40haest. 638ha ood pasture/parkland et woodland ra(etrs %ofForest area Area (hectares) een surveyed een surveyed Biodiversity

29 the strategy 30

the strategy biodiversity projects andwildlife recording, willallbeimportant. andinvolvingenvironmental educationprogrammes; peopleinconservation forsites; providing andfacilities watching interpretation wildlife; developing Forest for accessto present Developing wildlife andfuture generations. appropriate thebiodiversity oftheneedto ofthe will helpto conserve engenderunderstanding biodiversity This amongst localresidents andvisitors willbeespeciallyimportant. awareness lives.peoples’ andbroadening theappealof everyday Raising The Forest’s to make creation opportunity presents awonderful of biodiversity part W Forest’s landscape. isolated wildlife sitesandenablewildlife anddisperseacross speciesto the thrive increase theviabilityof ofhabitats, reduce the fragmentation This willsignificantly around 1,000 willbeaddedto theexisting haofother habitats ecologicalresource. ot wildlife withfragmented areas sites,through ofhighquality woodland habitat and The Forest’s creation aimsto achieve connectivityby Forest–wide linking habitat Habitat connectivity Plan willguidethisapproach. N withrespectwildlife to theecologicalcharacter habitats, ofthearea. English will bemaximisedthrough thesympathetic design,creation andmanagementof Wildlife sitesandprotected specieswillcontinueto besafeguarded andbiodiversity Retaining andenhancingecologicalcharacter 4.3 BiodiversityStrategyPrinciples into management. In addition600haofexisting wildlife sites(Table 5)have beenbrought By 2003,4,177 haofnewwoodland hadbeencreated. and400haofother habitats ex The Forest’s creation isaddingawholenewlayer ofecologicalinterest, through New Forest activity T H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ie fBooia motne8 1.7% 4.8% 5 84 1,350est. 1 25 1 %ofForest area Numberofsites T District andparishlevelecologicalsites Sites ofBiologicalImportance Other classifications Reserves Local Nature Sites ofSpecialScientificInterest Reserve Nature National Special Area forConservation Designated areas Description/classification able 6–Wildlife sitesclassification her habitat creation. Overher habitat thelife oftheForest 13,554 haofnewwoodland and ature’s Natural Areas framework (8)andtheNational Forest Biodiversity Action tensive newwoodland plantingandthecreation ofmany other habitats. tl1469.3% 1,466 otal ildlife andpeople 2.8% } by targeted approach, from amore geographically In thefuture theBAP willbenefit The Otter-National Forest species BAP ■ ■ ■ The objectives ofTheNational Forest BAP are to: which 216 ornationallythreatened. are recognised asglobally 570 of key oflocalimportance. are 7habitats specieshave alsobeenidentified, are present intheareaof the38UKBAP’s habitats andthere nationallyimportant 1 in A BAP for partners theForest area wasproduced by theNFCandconservation 4.4 BiodiversityActionPlan(BAP) H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE re (e.g.hay meadows,habitats heathlandandhedgerows) thatotters and thefact have nationally important madeagainst levels. are gains Especiallynotable international to biodiversity from targets localto significantly that theForest area iscontributing 5 sets outtheBAP annually(9)andthisshows TheNFCmonitors targets. progress These objectives are beingmet andspeciesactionplans.Appendix through habitat by The BAP 5years. reviewed willbeformally Reviews every willbeguided management, creation andspecies enhancement works. Forest. Theideaofa‘BAP map’willbedeveloped to habitat helptarget A Forest area. Derbyshire andLeicestershireStaffordshire, BAPs thatcover ofthe parts 998. This identifies national and local habitats andkey13 nationalandlocalhabitats species ofimportance. 998. Thisidentifies to 1 TheNational Forest area BAP willcontinueto provide the ction B1: turned to rivers inthearea. to rivers turned

f English Nature’sEnglish Natural Areas framework (8)andwork for undertaken the re enhance theirstatus; andspecies habitats nationalandlocallyimportant international, conserve ecosystems anddiversity ofthearea; ofspeciescharacteristic andenhancethequality,maintain extent ofwildlife andrange habitats, prevent degradation. further ocusing on habitats and species that are characteristic of certain parts ofthe parts andspeciesthatare of certain characteristic ocusing onhabitats st ore andecosystems andextend where theyhave and habitats beendegraded f ocus for habitat and species conservation action. ocus for andspeciesconservation habitat

National Forestry Company biodiversity

31 the strategy 32

the strategy biodiversity management andto extend creation. sitesthrough habitat withinnewwoodlandthese habitats schemes, to secure theirlong-term ecologically sensitive areas potential (Map3,Chapter to 2).There isgreat integrate landscapes,thoughthere are distinct clusters ofsitesinseveral within agricultural heathlandandwetland tendto beisolated ofgrassland, habitats The majority Other habitats (using localprovenance stock atwood pasture sites). creation andnewtree planting grassland sitesthrough appropriate fragmented willbesoughtto reinstate managementisessential.Opportunities appropriate ofsitesandencouraging (section 6.6,Chapter 6).Retaining theintegrity The NFChasresearched thepotential to enhanceandextend parkland sites these habitats. homes to wildlife rare species.Unimproved associatedwith isoften grassland trees trees (wood (parklands), which pasture) andmature are ornamental often W W chapter.trees are discussedintheForestry W ■ ■ ■ ■ ecological diversity. Thiswillbeachieved by: Sympathetic managementofwoodlands and willaimto increase structural W oftheForest (e.g.heathlandsinCharnwood).parts ta r aslackThere managementofallhabitats isaneedto ofmanagementcan encourage 4.5 Habitatmanagement H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Heathland atCharnwood Lodge, Leicestershire esult in the decline and loss of ecological interest. Priority willbegiven to BAPesult inthedeclineandlossofecologicalinterest. Priority rget habitats, especially concentrations of habitats thatare ofcertain characteristic ofhabitats especiallyconcentrations rget habitats, ood pasture and parkland are particularly important for theirremnantood pasture ancient andparkland important are particularly oodland managementandthespecialrequirements ofAncientWoodlands and ood pasture andparkland oodland andAncienttrees creating irregularly shapededgestocreating improve irregularly diversity. habitat and enhancing woodland oftrees regeneration edgesby andshrubs natural re including under-storey planting,and shrub wetlands rides, andother habitats; glades, grassland incorporating t aining selectedold,over-mature trees andareas ofdecaying wood;

Robert Fraser A attracting Bitterns). attracting species(e.g.reedbeds needto for beatleast 20hainsizeto besuitable of certain to heathland andAncientWoodland creation extension). willhelp Large-scalehabitat f butcouldincludetheTrent areas Valley would needto beidentified, Priority (eg The Forest hasthepotential to create large-scale,showcase, projects. conservation e meadows, heathlands,wetlands willbeto extend andhedgerows. Thepriority including to ofother createitself, butthere awiderange habitats are opportunities The most extensive willbeachieved biodiversity gains through planting theForest 4.6 Habitatcreation ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ These include: linksbetweenas theyprovide important existing andnewly created habitats. Many needmanagementto linearwildlife enhancetheirwildlife habitats interest, W H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Ag openingbyBarbara Young,The official ChiefExecutive ofthe Environment ocusing onwet woodland andother wetland andCharnwood (eg habitats) xisting habitats and to link fragmented ones. andto linkfragmented xisting habitats to 2 TheNFCwillpromote management andencouragehabitat ction B2: maximise biodiversity gains by maximisebiodiversity andmeet creating more theneeds gains viablehabitats ency ofKelham Bridge Nature Reserve ildlife corridors fo we wa inparticular; enhancing theecologicalinterest ofgrasslands r hedgerow management; f thicker (e.g.4metres (over wide)andtaller 1.5 metres); hedgerows –through andallowing hedgelaying, replanting gaps hedgesto grow w oadside verges –identifyinganddesignatingroadside verge and nature reserves ield margins–retaining wideheadlands,linked wherever possiblewith oodland. rm tercourses – encouraging a range ofopenwater,tercourses arange –encouraging wet andmarginal grassland tland habitats and tland habitats er railway lines – encouraging grasslands and regenerated scrub and scrub andregenerated grasslands er railway lines–encouraging mechanisms operatedby other organisations. th r ough its grant schemesough itsgrant andby targeting financial

Martyn Pitt biodiversity

33 the strategy biodiversity Habitat creation will be targeted towards: ■ arable farmland and improved grassland; ■ the restoration of mineral workings and landfill sites; ■ the reclamation of derelict land (recognising that such land can have intrinsic biodiversity interest) and ■ landscaping of new built developments.

New woodlands For biodiversity there is a major opportunity to increase core areas of native broad- leaved woodland. Conservation planting will be especially focused in Ancient Woodland priority areas; areas of well-wooded farmland; and in floodplain farmland landscapes (Map 4, Chapter 2). However all new woodlands should seek to enhance ecological interest by the ways in which they are designed, established and managed. Creating a range of habitats will increase species diversity, and grassland glades, rides, wetland habitats, shrub and hedgerow planting should all be considered. Care will be needed when siting new woodlands to ensure that as trees mature they do not shade out or naturally colonise, on adjoining habitats, such as ecologically valuable grasslands and heathlands. New woods will take time to develop the species diversity of mature woodlands. This process can be helped by siting new woods close to existing habitats (e.g. species-rich hedgerows), to help the spread of flora and other wildlife species. Young woodlands can also be enhanced by introducing woodland flora through direct seeding and planting. Action B3: The NFC will encourage woodland flora habitat creation projects to demonstrate and promote best practice techniques.

Creating other habitats Habitat creation will relate to the natural ecological character of the area. Certain parts of the Forest will therefore provide a focus for particular types of habitat creation. Targeting habitat creation will be addressed through the BAP review. Until this has been undertaken the priorities for non-woodland habitats identified in the original Forest Strategy will continue to be pursued (Table 7).

Table 7 – Priorities for non-woodland habitat creation

Habitat type National Forest landscape area Heathland and acid grassland. Charnwood and the Leicestershire and South Derbyshire Coalfield. Hay meadows. Agricultural and parkland landscapes. Calcareous grassland. Specific locations in the Melbourne Parklands. Wet grassland, reedbeds and grazing marsh. Trent Valley and watercourse corridors. Open water (large scale). Linked to the restoration of mineral workings in the Trent Valley and the Leicestershire and South Derbyshire Coalfield. Field ponds. Agricultural landscapes, but especially in the Mease and Sence Lowlands. Wood pasture and parkland. Remnant sites, particularly in Needwood, Charnwood and the Melbourne Parklands. Short rotation coppice. Agricultural landscapes in general. Hedgerows and field margins. Agricultural landscapes in general. Post industrial sites, parks and gardens. Derelict land sites and urban areas. tegy stra the

34 THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 Action B4: The NFC will encourage the creation of new habitats through biodiversity its grant schemes, agri-environment schemes, restoration of mineral, landfill and derelict land sites, development landscaping and riverside improvements.

Demonstration sites The nature, variety and scale of habitat creation lends itself to establishing demonstration sites which exemplify different techniques being used. Demonstration sites will trial, document and promote best practice from which other landowners and projects outside of the Forest can learn. This will build upon innovative approaches already developed on a number of wetland, heathland and grassland habitat schemes. The Forest should also be used as a venue to trial ecologically sustainable initiatives. For example, demonstrating the best species to select for short rotation coppice, to maximise ecological benefits and provide a sustainable economic resource for wood fuel. Action B5: The NFC, with conservation partners, will develop and promote best practice in habitat creation through demonstration projects.

4.7 Wildlife species The mosaic of habitats being created will benefit a wide range of wildlife species. Key species are being targeted for conservation action through the BAP (Appendix 5). Over time as the Forest matures and its biodiversity increases, it has the potential to attract other nationally rare species, such as goshawk and red kite. There will be a need to review and monitor species enhancement programmes. Actions geared towards certain species may become less necessary if their populations expand and become sustainable. Equally, other species may warrant attention if populations decline, or if new species colonise the area and need help to establish viable populations. Action B6: The NFC and conservation partners will periodically review the BAP species to target for conservation action.

4.8 Earth Sciences Geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Regionally Important Geological Sites are unique features of the landscape warranting conservation. A special feature in the Forest are the Pre-Cambrian rock outcrops in Charnwood. There is a need to raise awareness of earth science issues through their inclusion in Geodiversity Action Plans and by interpreting geological features that have public access, or can be seen from view points. Action B7: The NFC will encourage the production of a Geodiversity Action Plan for the Forest area. tegy stra the

THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 35 36

the strategy biodiversity A ■ ■ ■ ■ involved inbiodiversity activity, including: to get encouraged are anumberofways inwhich peoplewillbespecifically involvement chapter. isdiscussedintheCommunityParticipation However, there people withnature through theprocess of creating theForest. Community educationalandawareness roleThe Forest to raising helplink hasanimportant 4.10 Communityinvolvement A ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ The following typesofschemes willbeencouragedinurbanareas: the Urban WhitePaper (10) andtheForest area BAP. community involvement. Such towards initiatives contribute meeting objectives in projects have beendeveloped,nature conservation withastrong emphasis on Biodiversity improves thequality oflife intheForest’s urbanareas. Many urban 4.9 UrbanNature Conservation H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A schemes iftheNational Forest policywaswidenedto includelocal provenance flora. managementandcreation habitat non-woodland Itwould benefit habitats. greatly There isnoequivalent policyhowever, within for usingother plantorseedmaterial schemes. to other forestry ecologicalcontribution making animportant woodland schemes, orientated aswell as for conservation benefits has significant The NFCpromotes theuseoflocalprovenance trees (Action F6,Chapter 2).This 4.11 LocalProvenance ction B9: The NFC will encourage and support the promotion the TheNFCwillencourageandsupport of ction B9: ction B8: The NFC will encourage and support the development the TheNFCwillencourageandsupport of ction B8: ction B10: wildlife astheForest develops over time. andrecording,wildlife by helpingto surveying monitor changes to local Volunteers Trust for Conservation British and involvement projects eg.through thework ofthe conservation inpractical nesting by birds; ofplantsandseasonallyearly climate change, eg.recording early flowering environmentthe natural are responding to seasonalchanges brought aboutby initiative, which volunteers encourages to monitor how plantsandanimalsin climate change –through theWoodland monitoring Trust’s phenology 7. atForest visitor centres (seesection run environmental educationprogrammes land and linkedcreating habitats to newdevelopments andonredundant industrial allotments institutional andalongroadside grounds, verges;cemeteries, sympatheticencouraging wildlife managementinpublicparks, churchyards, wildlife schemes; andcommunity through urbanforestry greenspace creating newinformal protection andmanagementofremnant wildlife habitats; developing nature areas inschool grounds. 7,

Chapter 7). nature conservation projects.nature conservation gr urban wildlife projects. biodiversity schemes. policyandpromote itsusein local provenance flora a The NFCwilldevelop partners conservation with eater publicawareness ofbiodiversity andinvolvement in A ofactivity. approach to realising thisprogramme A partnership willbecrucial ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ future willneedtoIn the focus monitoring on: and speciesmonitoring. System (GIS)hasthepotential Information for habitat wide-ranging Geographic ecologicalchangea viewto monitoring over time.InadditiontheNFC’s have atseveral Baselinesurveys Forest alsobeenundertaken sites,with distribution. (Derbyshire), roadside verges andotter ofgrasslands (Staffordshire) surveys work and The NFChashelpedto fundphase1ecologicalsurvey (Staffordshire) r schemesdesigning ecologicalmonitoring thatare cost and effective, accurate to change the Forest’sareas ofthecountry. Monitoring development isintegral and The scaleandpaceofecologicalchange intheForest from many sets itapart other 4.13 Monitoringecologicalchange re The Forest’s andimprovements biodiversity gains quality to are being habitat 4.12 BiodiversityDesignations H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A needed to assesswhether Nature’s theymeet English designationcriteria. help withtheirmanagement.Periodic LNRsiteswillbe auditsof‘contender’ ‘leading’, new, biodiversity sitesandmay Nature accessfundingthrough English to designating more Forest sitesasLNRs.Thiswould give addedprotection to As theForest’s biodiversity isenhanced,there islikely scopefor to befurther N National Nature andnewForest sitesatLount, Reserve; become theareas’ first andSSSI;Charnwood Lodgehas has beendesignatedaSpecialArea for Conservation A whensitesare linkedparticularly withnewwoodland creation schemes. management; designated wildlife sites(especiallySSSIs),through appropriate to The process ofcreating theForest alsoprovides to contribute anopportunity eliable presents a considerable challenge.eliable presents aconsiderable ction B13: ction B11: The NFC will encourage appropriate sitesto TheNFCwillencourageappropriate beputforward ction B11: to 1:TheNFCwillwork to helpimprovection partners with the B12: f wards theGovernment’s to target improve sustainability theconditionof ature Alive and Billa Barra haveature Alive beendesignatedasLocalNature (LNRs). andBillaBarra Reserves lected in more land being designated for its conservation value.TheRiver Mease lected inmore landbeingdesignatedfor itsconservation could helpto deliver ecologicalmonitoring. landownersencouraging to adopt theUKWoodland Scheme, Assurance which R through theBiodiversity to nationalreporting information Action contributing r to monitor theecologicaldevelopmentsite surveys, ofasmallnumber which have not for beensurveyed over 10 years); wildlife sites,many anddistrict of needsto parish begiven to surveying priority updating ecologicalrecords heldby CountyEcologicalRecords Centres (ahigh for theregional data woodland birdwill alsocontribute index; Government development headlinesustainable indicator). Such monitoring ofwildbird where populations (a possible,to themonitoring contributing, across theForest area; monitoring including geographic B epresentative, newly created sitesover time; AP habitat creation andmanagementspeciesenhancementmonitoring, AP habitat eporting System andtheNational Biodiversityeporting Network and monitoring work.monitoring ecological The NFCwillencourage andsupport as LocalNature Reserves. condition ofdesignatedwildlife sites. biodiversity

37 the strategy 38 the strategy r and sport ecreation A ccess, Carriage driving atGrangewood, driving Carriage Derbyshire fo committedto theForest ofthelandsofar havinghas beenmade,with84% some progress Creating awelcoming andaccessibleForest andsignificant isparamount 5.2 Current progress mature to provide thesetting for activities. someformal willhowever,opportunities take timeto develop, asnewwoodlands willneedto Creation oftheForest willprovide thesetting for many of activities.Thefullrange f towardscontribution theGovernment’s objective sustainability of‘acountryside based uponoutdooractivity. InsodoingtheForest willmake asignificant diverse ofhigh-quality experiences range recreation, publicaccessandsporting appeal to localresidents, day visitors andlonger-staying visitors. Itwillprovide a The Forest aimsto create amajor newresource andrecreation for thatwill sport 5.1 Introduction H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE promotion. The towards greatly healthandfitness activitiescontribute sports of theForest thiswillcreate for localresidents andvisitors. Walking, cycling and gr ofNational to awiderange Forest andrecreation goals.The contributes Sport toContributing National Forest goals 5.3 SportandRecreation StrategyPrinciples Pa the Football Association’s atByrkley centre isbeingestablished nationaltraining championships. In addition andorienteering driving carriage horseriding, country Increasingly, theForest isalsousedasavenue events for such sporting ascross- courses andthesecondphaserestoration oftheAshby canal(4). bike andmountain driving carriage orienteering, cycle trails, routes, horseriding including,footpath hasalready beenestablished ofnewfacilities wide range and The Forest isalsoaddingto thearea’s andrecreation pursuits.A ofsport variety 2000, to which theForest canmake amajor contribution. andRightsofWayespecially withinthecontext oftheCountryside (CRoW) Act or allto enjoy’ (11). rm eater the range of opportunities thatare created themore appealandenjoyment ofopportunities eater therange rk

in the Staffordshire part oftheForest. part in theStaffordshire of public access (4). Access issues will continue to be a prime concern, of publicaccess(4).Access issueswillcontinueto beaprime

Christopher Beech visit thecountryside. – allkey to targets develop reasons intheForest why -are people three oftheprime ru anestimated £9billionperyear andthesegenerate to nationaland countryside (13) Day VisitsSurvey highlightsthat24%ofday visits are to the The Great Britain 5.4 DemandforSportandRecreation ta partnerships, TheNFCwillactasanenablertoand potential helpform usergroups. Commission,localcommunities theForestry governing bodies, localauthorities, andrecreation stakeholders willinclude,sport Keybest and practice. partners Ac Pa should not however, bepitched atlevels thatdeter peopleonlower incomes. onlybasis).Charging onapermit whenitisoffered types ofaccess(eg.horseriding, carparking atsomeForest by permit), sitesandcertain (eg.fishing leisure facilities Thesemayvisitor (seeChapter facilities. includevisitor attractions 10), certain aspossible.However,specialist facilities thepublicwillbeexpected to pay for special asmuchThe NFCaimsto encourage free publicaccessto theForest andto Charging for facilities public accessmay needto berestricted. sensitive where orspeciesconsiderations, there wildlifeinstances, are very habitats f from willneedto quieterones. Noisy beseparated sports activitiesandonsitesused potentially pursuits,butzoningwillbeneededto separate different conflicting Thearea islargeenoughto accommodatemany activities andavoid conflicts. development. Goodplanningandlandmanagementisessentialto integrate The planningsystem provides andrecreation thebasisfor sport sustainable Land useplanningandzoning f andrecreation shouldbe sport thatguidesustainable pursuits. National principles Lowlands, Parklands Melbourne andCharnwood) for more quiet, informal and Trent Valley) andretaining lessaccessibleareas (eg.Needwood, Mease location. Abalanceisneededbetween ‘honeypots’ ofactivity(eg.intheCoalfield to, theirForest setting.contribute Activities to their alsoneedto beappropriate safeguard theenvironment andensure thatdevelopments with,and are inharmony andrecreation development should Sport Sitingoffacilities must besustainable. Sustainable development Forest andinhelpingto market theForest overall. andrecreation to ofthe theeconomicandenvironmentalof sport sustainability regionally andnationally.the Forest’s isthecontribution profile Equally important Forest willalsobepromoted asavenue events, for which sports willhelpto develop H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE or multiple activities it may be necessary to zoneby areas andtimes.Incertain or multipleactivitiesitmay benecessary ollowed organisations. (12), by sporting asshouldCodesofConductoperated rget resources andidentifymechanisms to enablenewinitiatives to develop. r hieving theForest’s potential willrequire working from partnership andlearning r al economies.Walking (10.5%) (26%ofvisits),playing sport andcycling (4%) tnership working and sport and sport r access, ecreation

39 the strategy 40 the strategy r and sport and sport ecreation access, A A re condition ofthelandtransfer, subjectto any (eg. specialsiteconsiderations st r through landacquisition, andderelict landreclamation mineral anddevelopment- to Forest accessinperpetuity willbegiven sites,especially to securing High priority Scheme (4). uptakeevidenced by thesubstantial ofaccessthrough theNational Forest Tender landowners as access.Thishasespeciallyappealedto private providing voluntary Public accessachieved oflandowners hasbeenbasedupontheprinciple sofar fo w willcomethrough creating accessto new publicaccessgains The most substantial Site-based access needs to belinked areas. withaccessplanningandprovision inneighbouring Improvement Improved PlansandLocal Access Forums. accessintheForest also onRightsofWay Agency and thework andCountryside ofthelocalauthorities The Forest’s accessagendaneedsto becloselytiedinwiththeCRoW Act 2000 Forest area willalsobeimportant. settlements withtherural Trails locationsandlinkinto trails. nearby longdistance thatlink andtourism sport c environment. network). (Map6highlightsthemainaccessareas andtrails Akey of Way andcycle thatenablevisitors to andnewtrails, walk,ride inasafe The Forest aimsto develop anextensive network ofForest siteswithaccess,Rights 5.5 Trails andAccess H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A and to Tender Scheme sites. could applyto landthattheNFCacquires withothers directly orinpartnership for woodlandopportunity owners dedicatelandfor access.This to voluntarily dedicated for accessinperpetuity, for example heathland.TheAct alsoprovides the The CRoW Act, 2000may alsoresult inother typesoflandintheForest being Pe A oncetheyexpire.agreements through time-limited accessgained permissive willbeto maintain high priority Environment A Schemes by localauthorities. operated andAccess Agreements suchagreements astheNational Forest Tender Scheme Agri- (NFTS), elated schemes. WhentheNFCacquires landitisrequired to putinplaceanexit hallenge isto develop thatconnectmajor interlinking trails access,recreation, ra oodlands. Thisalsoprovides for creating thebest multi-useaccess opportunities to R:TheNFCwillpromotection landacquisition to develop Forest SR1: ction SR2: ction SR3: The NFC will encourage the dedication of landfor TheNFCwillencourage the accessin ction SR3: to R:TheNFCwillexplore options for retaining accessonNFTS ction SR4: st r walkers, cyclists, anddisabledusers. horseriders r tegy to transfer thelandto athird party. Providing isa accessinperpetuity r missive site-based access will also be encouraged through long-term missive through long-term site-basedaccesswillalsobeencouraged icting accessto sensitive wildlife areas). sites that providesites that accessinperpetuity. linked builtdevelopments. with schemes developed onrestored mineralandderelict landand accessto Forest-The NFCwillencouragepermanent accordance CRoW the with Act, 2000. sites when their contract periods expire. contractperiods sites whentheir Map 6AccessAreas andForest Trails H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE

Woodland Major Water Features Main Urban Areas Motorways A Class Roads Rivers

Main Trails Potential Trails Proposed National Forest Long Distance trail and sport and sport r access,

Proposed Linking Trails 10km ecreation Main Access Areas Canals Canals Planned

41 the strategy 42 the strategy r and sport and sport ecreation access, A villages andurbanareas. from majorshould betargetedthatradiate locations, access,recreation andtourism using RoW andnewForest siteshave already beenput inplace.New circular walks oftheForest. walkswillbeabasicresource Many inallparts Short localroutes N fa A tiered approach isbeingtaken to developing to provide newwalkingtrails short, Fo A secured. R landownersThe NFChasalsohadsomesuccessinencouraging to dedicatenew up RoW improvements through localRoW Improvement Plans. Agency. setpolicy targets TheCRoW by theCountryside Act willhelpto speed condition andwaymarking ofRoW, butalot remains to bedoneto meet national 13% only6%asagainst nationally.comprising Much hasbeen doneto improve the area. 90%ofthenetwork isfootpaths, poorly represented, withbridleways Rights ofWay (RoW) basicaccessresource provide across theForest animportant, Rights ofWay H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A newly created woodlands.will beupdatedto incorporate landowners. Map6highlightsthepotential to addnewroutes. Periodically routes have and beendeveloped withother organisations by theNFCinpartnership oftheForest. Several parts trails new Forest inparticular sitesandother attractions aimto provide trails Medium distance longerroutes, typically5-15 miles,thatlink Wa mily walks, medium distance Forest through tomily walks,mediumdistance trails, amore challenging to R:The NFCwillcontinueto work to develop partners with a ction SR6: continueddevelopment TheNFCwillencouragethe ction ofa SR5: to R:TheNFCwillwork to complete partners with andpromote ction SR7: oW on woodland sites. This enables new strategic and permanent accessto be oW onwoodland andpermanent sites.Thisenablesnewstrategic ational Forest path. longdistance o lkers atRosliston Forestry Centre, Derbyshire tpaths Fo new RoW. and promote RoW, dedicationof andwillencouragethe systematic programme to improve, waymark maintain, t he medium distance trailsnetwork.he mediumdistance re st-wide network walks. ofshort

Christopher Beech A e R byas demonstrated theAshby Woulds Trail andAshby Canaltowpath. Heritage all abilitiesusers.Derelict railway linesand canal towpaths have potential, particular cyclists Theseshouldfavour horseriders, conditionspermit. and space andground needto beexplored whereOpportunities to multi-usetrails, develop appropriate Multi-use trails A ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ st approach routes. A a partnership thecreation to ofmore encouraging riding network There strategy, isaneedfor isfragmented. aForest-wide horseriding plus routes. Whilst anumberofnewroutes havehorseriding beencreated (4)theoverall safe, off-road meansthatthere are insufficient The paucityofbridleways Bridleways A r safe network areas. Thedevelopment ofasegregated, urban andrural ofcycle e the Forest routes area. (asthere thecreation Thistargets are ofmore few off-road produced andSustrans aCycling forIn 2002theNFC,localauthorities Strategy uponTrentBurton (4). Routes ofSustrans uponTrent 54,Alrewasparts to Burton and63,Leicester to Forest (seeChapter 13). Anumberofnewcycle routes have beencreated including f R Cycleways A Millennium Way andLeicestershire Round. r appealto overnightparticularly visitors over to walkinstages several days. The Forest (Map6).Thiswillbeanew, national,60-70mileroute, thatwill looppathwillbedevelopedA longdistance thatspanstheeast-west extent ofthe H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE or visitors. Cycling planningfor isalsoakey the transport aspectofsustainable outes shouldbeahighpriority. oute shouldlinkto routes nearby includingtheStaffordshire longdistance xplored. xisting ones);creating safe routes alongquiet lanes;anddeveloping linksbetween ra ction SR11: ction SR10: The NFC willwork to co-ordinate implementation ofthe ction SR9: development the TheNFCwillfacilitate andpromotion of ction SR8: outes through certain woodlands and by agreement across farmland willalsobe woodlands across farmland andby agreement outes through certain ecreational cycling is growing in popularity and will be an important attraction ecreational cycling andwillbeanimportant isgrowing inpopularity tegy willneedto address: as much free accessaspossible; the relationship between free andtoll routes withanemphasis onencouraging margins; along field developing restoration newroutes onmineral schemes, woodland sitesand funding of a horseriding network.funding ofahorseriding horse box parking locationsand atstrategic dedication ofnewbridleways; creation oflocalcircular rides; the potential for route; alongdistance use trails. developmentThe NFCwillencourage the of multi- implementation ofaNational Forest strategy. horseriding The NFCwillcoordinate development the and Cycling Strategy. a National Forest path. longdistance and sport and sport r access, ecreation

43 the strategy access, All abilities access The National Forest should be developed as a centre of excellence for all-abilities recreation countryside access. This will require site owners to make special efforts to meet the and sport requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. All-abilities access to appropriate Forest sites and trails will be a prime consideration. A number of sites already provide all-abilities access and the Leicestershire Standing Committee on Disabled Access has helped the NFC to produce a disabled access sites guide. Disabled user groups should continue to be involved in the design and promotion of new all-abilities access. Action SR12: The NFC will encourage site owners to provide all-abilities access and will promote the opportunities available.

Waymarking The NFC has initiated waymarking of Forest trails in agreement with local authorities. This is an important element of branding the Forest for visitors. The Forest and visitors to it would benefit greatly if this branding principle was extended to the waymarking of RoW and other trails in the area. This would require a long-term initiative to replace waymarking posts and discs (as they decay), with ones that include the Forest logo. Such an initiative would need the support of local authorities, the Countryside Agency and landowners. Action SR13: The NFC will discuss with key partners the benefits of Forest-branded waymarking of RoW and trails.

5.6 Developing new sport and recreation opportunities The Forest has the potential to develop a wide range of new sport and recreation activities, given its strong base of water resources, the potential to restore derelict and mineral-worked sites, opportunities to diversify farmland and scope to incorporate activities suited to a woodland setting. To achieve its full potential it will require the commercial leisure sector to take a lead, with the encouragement of the NFC. Partnership working is also needed between stakeholder groups to: ■ review and monitor leisure trends and their applicability to the Forest; ■ assess and periodically review both latent and expressed demand for sport and recreation activities; ■ review the locational requirements of various sports and ■ identify mechanisms to develop, fund and operate different activities.

Water recreation There is potential to establish accessible water on a large-scale for a wide variety of high-quality water sports. The area already includes a variety of enclosed waters, with six Severn Trent Water reservoirs, several lakes and many fishing pools. It also has good waterway networks, including several rivers, the Trent and Mersey Canal and part of the re-watered Ashby Canal. There are many opportunities to add to and make better use of these resources, including: ■ the restoration of mineral workings in the Trent Valley for multiple water sports, including motorised and non-motorised activities. Progressive tegy restoration of Barton Quarry, in particular, will provide a competitive water skiing course, jet skiing, rowing and canoeing courses, boating and fishing. stra ■ restoration of coal and clay workings to multiple uses. the

44 THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 ■ farm diversification – providing water areas for angling and introductory access, canoeing. ■ The River Trent – extending rowing facilities to create a major rowing centre; recreation and increasing access for canoeing. ■ encouraging use of the Trent and Mersey and Ashby canals for canoeing. and sport ■ continuing the re-watering of the Ashby Canal to link into the national canal network. ■ promoting canal cruising on the Trent and Mersey canal and the use of Barton and Shobnall marinas to visit the Forest. ■ encouraging greater and/or more flexible use of existing water areas, including Severn Trent Water reservoirs. Action SR14: The NFC will encourage the development of sites for a range of water sports. Christopher Beech Christopher Canoeing on the Ashby Canal, Leicestershire

Woodland, field and air-based sports The Forest offers a variety of settings that could accommodate a wide range of woodland, field and air-based sport and recreation activities (Table 8). These include both challenging and more informal pursuits. Suitable sites will need to be identified through the local planning system and suitable sports clubs or organisations should be encouraged to establish and operate facilities.

Table 8. Woodland, field, air-based and other activities

Woodland-related activities Field-based activities Air-based and other activities Orienteering Archery Ballooning Mountain bike/BMX courses Boulder parks/climbing walls Gliding Paintball Cross-country courses Flying Fitness trails Carriage driving Abseiling Adventure play areas Clay pigeon and game shooting Rock climbing Picnic areas Golf (beginners courses) Pitch sports

Action SR15: The NFC will help to develop new land and air-based sport and recreation activities.

Motor sports The original Forest Strategy highlighted the need to identify suitable new locations for motor sports - which often have difficulty in securing sites due to planning restrictions and environmental health issues (eg. the potential effects of noise). In certain parts of the Forest there is also illegal use of sites for scrambling, which tegy organised venues could help to overcome. Attempts to identify new sites have so far proved unsuccessful. stra the

THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 45 access, There are already motor sports venues near to the Forest that cater for a range of activities including, Donington Race Circuit, Fradley karting track and recreation Curborough motorcycle sprint course. At Lawns Farm in the Forest there is also a motorcycle scrambling course. and sport Provision of new facilities should complement what is already available and look to meet local needs. Suitable activities might include sites for hill climbs, motorcycle trials, scrambling and trail riding. Some of these activities could be grouped together on discreet sites, whilst others (eg. trail riding) will need on and off-road linear routes. New sites would need to be located in appropriate locations away from settlements and avoid quieter zones of the Forest; be in areas where ambient noise levels are already high; and where natural or created topography and woodland planting can be used to ameliorate any noise impacts. Derelict land or mineral worked sites may offer some of the best opportunities. Action SR16: The NFC will support the identification and development of suitable new venues for motor sports.

Mineral and derelict land sites Due to their large scale, certain mineral and derelict land sites may offer some of the best opportunities to accommodate multiple sport and recreation uses (see Appendix 6). Restoration of appropriate sites should aim to provide one or more of the following: ■ multiple access - for all-abilities users, cyclists and/or horseriders. ■ facilities that need a planned landscape - eg. motor or water sports. ■ appropriate land or air-based activities (see Table 8).

Improving local leisure facilities The Forest area includes many locally-used leisure facilities. Whilst these are unlikely to be major visitor attractions in their own right, many could be used by visitors when they come to the area. Visitors will therefore help to support the use of local facilities. Over time this may warrant further investment by leisure providers, for example in improved swimming facilities, tennis courts, sports centres and play facilities.

5.7 Information and marketing Developing the sport and recreation resource needs to be matched by high quality marketing and information, to let potential visitors know what is available. Sport and recreation marketing will be integral to marketing the Forest overall. Much has already been achieved with the production of a National Forest access pack; trails, cycling, horseriding and disabled access guides; visitor attraction promotions; and promotion of activities through the National Forest website www.nationalforest.org In the future there should be a concerted effort to ‘Forest brand’ sport and recreation activity to contribute towards the overall branding of the Forest area. This can be achieved by adopting a common approach towards on-site information and interpretation; Forest-branded trails; and developing promotional literature

tegy within an overall Forest theme. Action SR17: The NFC will promote and raise awareness of the sport and stra recreation opportunities in the Forest. the

46 THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 Moira Furnace andAshbycanal,Leicestershire 13 Forest area (14). There are 26Scheduled AncientMonumentsplustheremains of archaeological whichSome 640 cover siteshave about1%ofthe beenidentified, 6.2 TheHeritageresource a valuablerole to play inenvironmental education. isalsoakeyknowledge. elementoftheForest’s resource Heritage andhas tourism potential aboutthearea’s to andoffer increaseinformation ourfuture history sitesandarchaeological irreplaceable remainsthe past, contain asheritage time-linewith places andlandscapeswithintheForest. acrucial Italsoestablishes localdistinctiveness of to strongly environment defining The historic contributes resource. heritage to this walls,allcontribute the landscape,such ashedgerows andstone field buildings, archaeological of remains andfeatures grain which thevery form uponTrent. andbrewing inBurton by miningindustries Historic influenced ancient forests (Needwood heritage andCharnwood) industrial andarich sites,remains ofmedievalsettlement, pre-historic remnant nationally important environment.The Forest area historic hasarich Itsexceptional includes variety its creation addawholenewlayer oflandscapehistory. oftheareaThe Forest andthrough aimsto helpprotect andenhancetheheritage 6.1 Introduction H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE County SitesandMonuments Records. layers ofarchaeological activity. aboutarchaeological Details sitesare held by ofhumanoccupationoverlieisolation, astraces oneanother complicated to form r T to evidencecanbedetected. which andthedegree buried survived oftheextent to which visiblesiteshave incomplete. areflection Thisis partly Knowledge ofarchaeology isreasonably good insomeareas, butfor largeareas itis these needvalidatingto seeiftheyremain ‘inthefield’. many previously unrecorded of sites,thoughthemajority area. Thisidentified ofthe survey photographic anextensivealso undertook mapandaerial historical In 1994 the(then)Royal MonumentsofEngland CommissionontheHistorical epresented intheForest. donot Inreality occurin relics from these periods able 9highlightssomeofthekey features from themainarchaeological periods

parklands, 4ofwhich Parks are listed ontheHistoric andGardens Register.

Robert Fraser environment Historic

47 the strategy environment 48 the strategy historic activity linked to the national curriculum andlifelong learning. activity linked to thenationalcurriculum initiatives, promotional for information visitors andeducation in localheritage andForest sites,communityinvolvement ofheritage the interpretation permeate andlinkingthearea’s withthedevelopingCelebrating Forest should history aims to address this. its evolution. TheNational project Forest (section6.11, LANDshapes Chapter 6) to draw of togetherimportant ofthearea, thediverse to ‘tellthe story’ past history the Forest makes inthemaking’. itessential to capture thisnew‘history Itisalso to The Forest’s creation presents anewchapter andaunique opportunity ofhistory Linking past, present andfuture r sites.Forest- They willcontinueto bedesignedto enhancethesetting ofheritage archaeological character thehistoric ofthelandscape. remains andundulyaffecting r siteswillcontinueto beprotected Forest plantingand from inappropriate Heritage development. in thecontext ofsustainable Thisisespeciallyimportant and constraints. environment to creating theForest isfundamental asitpresents both opportunities elementsinthelandscape.Respecting vulnerable thearea’sare often historic The Forest’s andnon-renewable resource archaeological and remains are afinite Protecting the historic environment 6.3 HistoricEnvironment StrategyPrinciples T H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ■ ■ features through Forest creation. Thefollowingheritage willbeencouraged: There iswidespread potential to protect andpromote sensitive managementof 6.4 Integratingthehistoricenvironment elated builtdevelopments willadhere to nationalplanning policyguidance(15). elated developments. New woodlands willavoid damagingorobscuring Industrial archaeology. Historic landscapes. Representativefeatures Medieval sites. Prehistoric andearlysites. Archaeological period able 9-Key archaeological features

link the past and present into the future. The historic, national, significance of link thepast andpresent national,significance into thefuture. The historic, conservation areas through newplanting; conservation enhancing thesetting ofvisiblearchaeological buildingsand sites,historic re st oration of historic parkland landscapes; ofhistoric oration ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ blast furnaces, collieries and pottery works. collieriesandpottery blast furnaces, limeworkings, ironworks, 18th and19thcentury coalminingbellpits. 15th century sites. moated castleearthworksand sites, Deserted village Brewery buildings. Brewery T P Ancient woodlands. settlements. Commons andrelated andenclosureRidge andfurrow fieldsystems. Ecclesiastical sites. Deer parks. P hillfortsandenclosures.Bronze andironage andcropmarks. barrows Henges, ramways andcanals. arkland landscapes. ossible Romanroutewaysandsettlement. A ■ ■ ■ Historic ParksHistoric II. Park andGardens Register andBradgate isgrade II*onthe Harold ParkStaunton Hallare designatedasgrade andColeorton deer parks and18th parklands. Calke and19th Abbey, ornamental century st parkland andwoodland are distinctive features inthelandscapeandcontribute pleasure by parkland grounds, theirgardens, landscapes,characterised Historic 6.6 Parklands A that plantingmay insomecases. not beappropriate but baseduponreasoned professional judgementby thesespecialists, itisaccepted w andthissystem works (asappropriate) Heritage andEnglish Officers Conservation overConsultation individualschemes involves CountyArchaeologists, County the nature oftheinterest. w w andearthworkan iron new agehillfort andawindmillsite(4).Inother instances gr features ofhistoric areA widerange beingprotected andmanagedinthe‘open 6.5 Woodland creation schemes ■ ■ H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Pa r oodland and the heritage feature beingdependentupon -thesizeofbuffer oodland andtheheritage oods may needto besitedanddesignedto provide zonebetween abuffer the ell. Sitesofunknown archaeological potential cansometimes present problems, ction H1: ction H2: The NFC will encourage the siting,designandmanagement TheNFCwillencouragethe ction H2: ound’ elementsofnewwoodland schemes, andfurrow, includingareas ofridge r ongly to theForest’songly wooded resource. ofboth Fineexamples medieval survive kland atStaunton Harold Hall,Leicestershire management. promotion andvisitorlandscapes andbuildingsthrough interpretation, publicenjoymentencouraging andappreciation ofarchaeological sites,historic themasareas ofopenlandinnewplantingschemes and incorporating improving theconditionofarchaeological cultivationby sitesunderarable diversification; buildingsfor therepair andre-useencouraging Forest-related ofhistoric st landscapefeatures historic such andrestoring maintaining ashedgerows and associatedwiththem; often sensitive managementofAncientWoodlands andthearchaeological remains one field walls; one field inclusion of heritage featuresinclusion ofheritage inForest projects. schemesThe NFCwilluseitsgrant to encouragethe of new woodlands to respect sites. setting the ofhistoric

Robert Fraser environment historic

49 the strategy environment 50 the strategy historic A intentions ofindividualparks andto seekspecialist adviceisessential. When planningparkland design restoration theneedto respect theoriginal Forest-wide approach to bedeveloped for parkland enhancementandrestoration. isreviewed theNFCwillseekchangesHLF’s to fundingcriteria itto enablea A assetspeople’s withintheForest. enjoyment andappreciation ofheritage to ofthearea helpsto educateandexplainaccess to thehistory them.Interpretation public sitesandto create appropriate potential heritage There to is great interpret 6.8 Interpretation andpublicaccess A couldbeideallysuitedasnewusesfor such buildings. enterprises leisure andwood-based andnewtourism, opportunities business diversification areas. TheForest’sbuildings, inboth creation willgenerate urbanandrural historic newusesfor redundant and‘atrisk’ istheneedto find Equally important can beachieved. Thisprocess needsto continue. are successfulexamples ofwhat DieuPriory Pottery andGrace (phase II),Sharpes have beenset upto theAshby restore Canal Furnace, anumberofthese.Moira projects assets intheForest. Highprofile There builtheritage are many important 6.7 Thebuiltheritage A r Architecture andtheBuiltEnvironment (CABESpace)isresponsible for their of publicparks isrecognised intheUrban WhitePaper (10). TheCommissionfor Forest environment. Many oftheseare alsoinneedofrenovation. Theimportance toPublic parks theurban intheForest’s contributions towns alsomake significant Un A scheme to achieve alltheseelementsneedsto bedeveloped intheForest area. r scopefor betterThis highlightedgreat managementofparkland features, astudy ofthepotential Fund(HLF),undertook for parkland restoration.Lottery from theHeritage management andrestoration. In2002theNFC, with support Pa H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE enaissance, withfundingalsoavailable through theHLF. parkland. areas eplacement tree offormer plantingandrestoring ction H3: The NFC will encourage the restoration TheNFCwillencouragethe andmanagementof ction H3: ction H6: The NFC will encourage interpretation andpublicaccessto TheNFCwillencourageinterpretation ction H6: restoration Localplanningpoliciesshouldencouragethe of ction H5: to bidfor funding TheNFCwillencouragelocalauthorities ction H4:

r local residents andvisitors. Linked to withpublicaccess,thiswilladdgreatly klands have potential to addto theForest’s wooded resource through sensitive fo r tunately current HLFfundingisnot settunately current upto enablethisto happen.When historic parklands. historic wo sitesthrough schemes itsgrant andthrough the heritage Fo features re-use buildingsforbuilt heritage andthe ofhistoric to

re r rk enovate publicparks. st-related uses.

of other organisations. A v appreciation oftheForest by localresidents andvisitors, aswell asproviding issues across theForest. enjoyment Itwillalsoaddto theunderstanding, and ofandinterest inheritage theprofile raise This ambitiousproject willsignificantly features. oftheForest’s landscapesandheritage different interpretation archive history library, anoral andsite-based aphotographic material, ofthearea, website The endproducts willincludeapublishedbookonthehistory inthearea. that operate and educationinitiatives. initiatives Theproject willcomplement existing heritage about the area histories andwritten projects, oral developing locally-basedheritage Fund.Itsfocus isbaseduponcommunityinvolvement,Lottery withtheaimof forunique 3years by project theHeritage willrun from June2003andissupported initiative thataimsto draw together oftheForest area. andrecord This thehistory intheMaking’project isanexciting –‘Heritage new The NFC’s LANDshapes 6.11 HeritageintheMakingproject A are ofacommonstandard. ensure thatthefindings assessments, butthere isaneedto complete theprocess across theForest andto andDerbyshire CountyCouncilshaveStaffordshire character historic undertaken landscapes andprovides sites. a fullercontext for individualheritage character andvalueofwider assessment. Thisprovides ontheheritage information ispromoting landscapecharacter theconcept ofhistoric Heritage English environment. withthelandscapeandnatural how To itintegrates helpachieve this environmentBetter isneededaboutthehistoric understanding asatotality and 6.10 Historiclandscapecharacterassessment wo There System willalsobeaneedfor (GIS)format. Information survey Geographic There is aneedto develop ina is important. ofinformation acommonstandard fullest thatisavailable picture ofinformation why andto understand theresource To 6.9 Archaeological records andsurveys H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A aluable new sources of information toaluable newsources addto ofinformation thearea’s records. historical ction H9: landscape historic TheNFCwillencourageandsupport ction H8: to 7 TheNFCwillwork to develop partners with GIS-based ction H7:

rk ensure thebest protection environment ofthehistoric itisessentialto have the

to

k eep records upto date. L The NFCwillwork to implement partners the with c archaeological records. haracter assessmentwork. ANDshapes project. environment historic

51 the strategy participation Community 52 the strategy commitment to it, play a part in its long term stewardship. initslongterm commitment to it,play apart creation, managementandenjoyment oftheForest and,through their inthe to participate thatallshouldbeencouraged will promote theprinciple to developnational participation theconcept of‘aForest for thenation’. TheNFC scale ofchange. there more willbeaneedto Increasingly regional encourage and area, aswell residents, withthe asto whowillbemore longerestablished familiar to promote theForestimportant to thegrowing numberofpeoplemoving into the ow Local communityinvolvement to foster asenseof willremain ahighpriority A Forest for the nation thatitoffers. education facilities possible are aware oftheForest andenvironmental andtherecreation, tourism nearby towns andcities.Theaimwillbeto ensure thatasmany audiencesas interestswill bedeveloped withintheForest’s withminority settlements andin disabledandinnercitycommunities.Stronger links including ethnic minorities, willbemadeto involveabilities andages.Specialefforts interests, minority involvement. willbeinvolved, Allsocio-economicgroups includingpeopleofall The NFCwillcontinueto adopt an allinclusive approach to community Social Inclusion 7.2 CommunityParticipationStrategyprinciples becomes more widelyknown nationally. the next decadecommunity involvement astheForest willgrow inimportance suchvisit thearea andattractions asConkers andRosliston Centre. Over Forestry theForestIncreasingly isalsobecomingbetter known regionally asmore people itsdevelopment. need to feel ownership oftheForest andbeableto influence for theForestLocal support ishigh.Itessentialthatthiscontinuesaslocalpeople and many specialinterest groups. schools, from across thecountry, visitors, publicsupporters landowners, businesses The Forest’s communitiesofinterest andincludelocalresidents, are wideranging is alsoakey awareness aspectofraising oftheForest. the Forest, andhealthpromotion. environmental educationandlifelong It learning to publicenjoyment of andunderstanding contributes Community participation andenthusiasmfor itbothcontinued publicsupport locallyandnationally. isakeyCommunity participation objective, astheForest’s successdependsupon inthearea. andpride and newjobsare allhelpingto instil newcommunityspirit vastly improved environment, newrecreation accessto more facilities, localwildlife improves thequalitysignificantly oflife oflocalresidents andvisitors to thearea. A The National Forest aimsto create alocalandnationalcommunityasset that 7.1 Introduction H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE and implemented. new Forestwill helpto generate initiatives thatare locallyinspired, supported intheForest anddeveloping skills withincommunities Building confidence andenablelocalcommunitiestoseeks to take encourage actionfor themselves. gr f The NFCaimsto continuallyimprove communities.Improving ways to engage Community engagement anddevelopment eedback from local communities and undertaking awareness surveys andfocus awarenesseedback surveys from localcommunitiesandundertaking oup work Involving to identifynewideaswillallbeimportant. localpeoplealso nership and pride in the Forest and to harness voluntary activity. voluntary inthe Forest Itwillbe andto harness nership andpride T T and festivals, which helpto draw peopleinto thearea for leisure andrecreation. ‘sense ofplace’. TheForest alsoprovides anattractive setting for communityevents to localdistinctiveness theForest’s andcontributes making. Thishelpsto define inthe anditslinkswiththeForest’s thearea’sinterpret heritage heritage cultural are and community projectsplanting projects. thatcelebrate Equally important Forest, through thedesign,plantingandmanagementofnewwoodlands andtree The Forest for presents aunique helpcreate peopleto the literally opportunity 7.4 Communityprojects andinitiatives education centres linked are increasingly Forest withpractical projects. f linked which Thearts, andlasting richer communityexperiences. canresult infar exchangeinformation andmarketing activities.Many inter- oftheseare often vo P ofcommunityactivityalready inplace(4). programme communities developing theirown projects. There isanextensive, well-established consulted onForest proposals, getting involved inprojects andevents, through to a numberoflevels, abouttheForest, from peoplereceiving being information takes andlocalstakeholders. place on community groups Communityparticipation Forest-related activities,which of by are thentaken awiderange forward by promoting communityparticipation andsupporting The NFCfacilitates 7.3 InvolvingPeople–waysandmeans Pa H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A plus many specialinterest groups. f Blacklinking into CommunityStrategies), Environment Network, Trust British (particularly Partnerships LocalStrategic Community Councils,localauthorities, local communities.Thesewillinclude,amongothers, Councils,Rural Parish or example, usedto inspire are communityevents often and school visitsto Forest or Conservation Volunteers,or Conservation Woodland Trust, Wildlife Trusts, disabilitygroups, eople will be engaged intheForest’seople willbeengaged creation through communityprojects, ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ T able 10 ofcommunityprojects thatwillbeencouraged. highlightstherange ction C1: able 10 -National Forest CommunityProjects ree andwoodlandactivities r lunteering andhealthpromotion activities,environmental education,thearts, lunteering tnership working willbeessentialto engage oforganisations withawiderange (see Action L3, Chapter 3). Chapter (see Action L3, onoptimumlevelsoftreeplanting consultation T suchasNational involvement inevents, new woodlands. tohelpdesign ‘planning forreal’exercises, projects. woodland management projects. urban forestry nurseries. community treeandwildflower trees. andreplantinghedgerow tagging NFC’s Plantand Adopt a Tree schemes. community orchards. treesfromseed. growing gardens. and villages free treesschemesfortowns, community treeplantingschemes. ree Week. community projects, activitiesandevents. Forest-relatedThe NFCwillencourage andsupport ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Other Forest-relatedactivities wildlife surveying andrecording. wildlife surveying wardenschemes. voluntary P Ashbycanalfestival). local festivals(eg. ForestNational festivals. developing ‘Friends ofGroups’forForest sites. features. village including community artsprojects, W 6). (Chapter involvement inNFC’s project, LANDshapes recreation andsportsevents. recreation projects. practical conservation arish plans and mapping projects. arish plansandmapping alking the Way toHealthschemes. participation community

53 the strategy participation 54

the strategy community wo planting andother Forest over projects andtheBTCV organise 2,500volunteer local people.Each year several thousand peopleare involved incommunitytree V 7.5 Volunteering A ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ country. Anumberofapproaches willneedto bedeveloped, such as: need to begiven to involving from around the visitors andpublicsupporters As theForest becomesbetter known regionally andnationallyspecialattentionwill H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Forest through: activitiesandwillbe encouraged manyhelp create Forest andmaintain projects. Volunteering cutsacross many dependupon networksincreasingly ofvolunteers to andspecialinterest groups widens.IndeedthesuccessofForest will opportunities of volunteering This trend isset abouttheForest to andtherange continue asmore peoplelearn BTCV volunteers stone dry walling, Leicestershire olunteer involvement intheForest hasgrown dramatically, especiallyamongst ction C2: The NFC will encourage participation in the Forest’s inthe TheNFCwillencourageparticipation creation C2: ction r between individualsinterested intheForest andtheNFC. contact ofa‘membersZone’ontheNFCwebsiteconsideration to facilitate Forest activities. in to participate groups developing for organised residential opportunities working holidays(BTCV) programme. conservation Volunteers Trust for expansion Conservation encouraging oftheBritish help theForest’s creation. scheme. Thiscouldprovide ameansfor individualsto volunteer for activitiesto oftheForest’ supporters developing to create a‘Friends theNFCdatabase Tr r visitors plantingtrees onspecialcommunityplantingdays. kdays undertaking practical conservation projects. conservation practical kdays undertaking ecruiting ‘armchair supporters’ by promoting supporters’ ‘armchair NFC’s PlantandAdoptecruiting a ee schemes. around country. the by

local communities, visitors and public supporters fromlocal communities,visitors andpublicsupporters

Courtesy of BTCV hundreds ofpeopleinvolved each year. elderly, parents. Thescheme disabledandsingle hasproved successfulwith very healthproblems andresidents subjecttomental socialexclusion, such asthe disabilitiesand adultswithlearning programmes, people oncardiac rehabilitation referrals, Practitioner General targets in regular healthy walkingandspecifically to a‘Walking established Agency theWay Care Trust, andtheCountryside Primary In 2001 Council,SouthDerbyshire theNFCwithSouthDerbyshire District ‘W W specialattention(16). healthasrequiring disease,cancerandmental heart coronary The Government hasplacedhealthy livinghighonitsagenda.Ithighlights why peopleare visitingForest sites. highlight walking,scenery, wildlife andpeacequiet assomeofthemainreasons onpeople’s doorsteps. National (6) Forest visitorlocal countryside surveys evidentfor localresidentsparticularly astheForest iscreating major newaccessto are Thesebenefits thattheForest offers. personal, ‘quality oflife’ benefits wellplus thepositive onemotional andmental being,are effects just someofthe r Fresh airenjoyment, cleaner air, for physical increased opportunities exercise and their leisure time. r andrecreation (Chapterdevelopment facilities 5)are ofsport ofawiderange providing publicaccess,thecreation (Chapter ofnewwildlife 4)andthe habitats ta towardsThe Forest’scontribution Government creation ismaking animportant 7.6 Healthpromotion A ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE fi the Government’s recommendation thatpeopletake atleast 30minutesexercise A esulting inamuch greener, healthierenvironment for peopleto live inandspend aising general fitness levels (through countryside walking, sport andrecreation), walking,sport levels (through countryside fitness aising general ve rgets to improve communityhealth.The plantingofhundreds ofwoodlands ction C3: The NFC will encourage and support volunteer TheNFCwillencourageandsupport involvement ction C3: to 4 TheNFCwillwork BTCVto with expand conservation ction C4:

alking has an important role inhelping to preventalking hasanimportant thesediseasesandinmeeting Health’ Scheme oftheForest. intheSouth Derbyshire Thisinvolves part people habitats andspecies. habitats wildlife recording ofBiodiversity –ofForest Action sitesandmonitoring Plan or managersoflocallyinspired schemes. to becomeowners willbeencouraged groups sites. Communityandvoluntary community involvement inthedesign,creation andmaintenanceofForest national volunteer involvement intheForest. There ispotential toBTCV expand run. activityby growing both localand and provides coursesthat through thepractical communityskillstraining BTCV. to tree planting,biodiversity Itcontributes andpublicaccessactivity through thework of –thiswillbeahighpriority volunteering conservation community fora – including ‘Friends of’ groups. of’ community fora –including‘Friends vo the Walking theWay to HealthScheme (section7.6). community tree plantingandother communityprojects (Table 10). projectthe NFC’s(section6.11, LANDshapes Chapter 6). alking the Way to Health’ Scheme

times aweek. luntary wardens –includingForest site,footpath andtree warden networks.luntary in woodland schemes andother Forest-related projects. v olunteering in the Forest. inthe olunteering participation community

55 the strategy participation 56

the strategy community A ■ ■ ■ ■ promotion andhealthy living,including: A numberofother Forest-related initiatives to health are alsodirectly contributing Other health-related initiatives A Care Trusts. coverage, involving andPrimary other localauthorities there ispotential to achieve walksleaders.Inthelongerterm trained Forest-wide The scheme isbeingextended oftheForest to usinganetwork other parts of ‘W H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE have beeninvolved projects. intree plantingandschool nature reserve grounds r growthThere inenvironmental hasbeenrapid educationactivity(4).Major Forest- national curriculum. linked ofopportunities to arange theForest the offers education. Inparticular schools through to adultandhigher andsecondary involvement from primary ex and hasthepotentiallifelong to become oneofthebiggest learning andmost resource for andvaried environmental arich The Forest educationand offers 7.7 Environmental Education elated educationcentres have andmany beenestablished school andyouth groups ction C6: The NFC will encourage, support andseekoutsidefunding TheNFCwillencourage,support ction C6: ction C5: The NFC will encourage and support the expansion the ofthe TheNFCwillencourageandsupport ction C5: citing outdoorclassrooms inthecountry. There isscopefor educational alking the Way to Health’ –Rosliston Forestry Centre, Derbyshire communities. r hospital. views oftrees have beenproven to improve ofpatientsin rates recovery ashighqualitytree plantingschemes environments grounds, inhospital with N promoting oftheNational healthy Forest eatingaspart Orchards campaign, the volunteer programmes. conservation BTCV’s ‘Green Gym’concept, which promotes exercise ofits for healthaspart oadside planting,which ishelpingto reduce airpollutionandnoisefor nearby ational School Fruit Schemeational School andrelated Fruit ApplyDay events. promotion andhealthy living. f ‘W or Forest-related towards initiatives contribute that health alking the Wayalking the to Health’ Scheme.

Christopher Beech A ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Y wildlife -childrenExploring from Leicester townsfrom surrounding andcities. is keen to expand theselinks,especiallyto involve schools sociallydisadvantaged Derby, witheducationalvisitsto theForest. Leicester TheNFC andBirmingham asuccessfulpilot ran project linkinginnercityschools Agency from Countryside In2002theNFCand especially thoseinnearby citiesdueto thecost oftransport. A and Wildlife inForest Explorer projects. groups r of theForest andasenseof‘ownership’ itinthefuture. Itwill towards conserving the Forest. Theirinvolvement willhelpto develop andappreciation understanding Involving grow upwith astheywillliterally young peopleisespeciallyimportant Involving young people Centre for Environmental Education. such through Landscapes,theForest EducationInitiative asLearning and the education,regional educationnetworksand further andspecialist organisations full potential willrequire working colleges partnership witheducationauthorities, asthewoodland areawill grow expands inimportance andmatures. To achieve its The Forest’s role asavast, new, resource –both learning locallyandnationally– H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE emain a high priority to involveemain ahighpriority schools, Wildlife Watch scoutandguidegroups, oung people will be encouraged to participate in the Forest inthe oung peoplewillbeencouragedto participate through: ccess to theForest for many schools canhowever, andgroups bedifficult, ction C7: developing Forest-focused Wildlife Watch andWildlife Explorer groups twinning schools withtheplantingandmanagementofwoodlands. schools ‘adopting’ andother woodlands groups for educationaluseandstudy. nurseries. developing schools tree andwildflower developing andwoodland school nature reserves projects. grounds gr adopting theNFC’s PlantaTree for Schools scheme. tree plantingatnewwoodland sites. educational access. visits to environmental educationcentres andwoodland sitesoffering o wing trees from seed. use of the Forest.use ofthe involvement ofyoung creation peopleinthe andeducational schemes the The NFCwilluseits grant to support

Christopher Beech participation community

57 the strategy participation 58

the strategy community use, facilitated teacher andactsasaconduitfor training use, facilitated exchanging best practice. Forest auditsofwoodland iscreating. TheGroup hasundertaken sitesfor education role to helpmakehas animportant themost oftheeducationalresource thatthe whichhas beenestablished, islinked EducationInitiative. Thisgroup to theForestry A In thefuture theGuidewillalsobepromoted through theNFCwebsite. at3,000schoolsthrough inandaround localeducationauthorities theForest area. through theNFC’s EducationGroup VisitsGuide(17). ThisGuide istargeted withintheForestAll ofthemainenvironmental educationfacilities are promoted Education Group VisitsGuide To Education Cluster Group At (see Chapter 10), oflargervisitor asmost attractions. educationcentres are part ot visitsneedsofthearea andwhethereducation group other centres are neededin There isalsoaneedto educationcentres assesswhether meet current allofthe r develop stronger linksrelated to theForest context. Thiswould helpto connectthe Coors Museum.Thesecentres are individuallythemedbuthave potential to Park,Discovery Cropston Reservoir, Arboretum theNational and Memorial The Forest alsoincludesseveral other atSnibston educationcentres, notably meet thegrowing demandfor theirservices. for teachers.direct support There isaneedto to ensure thattheygrow sustainably and programmes whoprovide curriculum-relevant dedicated educationofficers oftheForest.from withinonehour’s drive Theirsuccessisduelargelyto having R Highly successfulForest educationcentres have atConkers beenestablished and Environmental EducationCentres andsites H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A from having astrong Forest-relatedcreation would content. benefit v There isalsoscopefor closeworking withlocalcolleges,astheseprovide important the collaborative projects that have involved students. U ve with Universities (Loughborough University), andcolleges.Visitor surveys soiland The Forest afocus isincreasingly for student projects andcollaborative working A A in particular. resource for long-term localschoolseducational visits.Theseare animportant ange ofenvironmental educationmessagesbeingpromoted withinthearea. ocational training forocational training localpeople.Coursesthathave linkswiththeForest’s ction C9: The NFC will support the work the TheNFCwillsupport EducationCluster ofthe ction C9: to 1:TheNFCwillencouragejointworking Universities with and ction C10: growth TheNFCwillencouragesustainable ineducational ction C8: osliston Forestry Centre. These generally attract schools attract Centre. Thesegenerally andeducational groups osliston Forestry niversity) andlandscape change research University) (Cambridge are just someof her locations.Thisislinked to theneedto review theprovision ofvisitor centres dult andhighereducation getation site surveys (Derby University), sitesurveys getation wet woodland research (Aston

a locallevel there isalsoagrowing numberofnewwoods which encourage help coordinate environmental educationactivityanEducationCluster Group th Group andpromote environmental educationfacilities colleges oncollaborative projects. educational access. visits to Forest educationcentres andwoodlands offering r ough the Groupough the Guide. Visits A community communications. special attentionwillbegiven to social inclusionissueswhenconsidering inreaching audiences.Asaresulttheir suitability ofthiswork ethnic minority Environment Network anauditofthe NFC’s publicationsto undertook assess to makealso important theForest interests. known In2003theBlack to minority bigger challenge to make theForest better known regionally andnationally. Itis hadmost impactThis activityhassofar locallyandsub-regionally. There isafar ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ promote thatare available. newfacilities Thisincludes: activityto keepwide-ranging peopleup to datewithForest andto progress K 7.9 Communitycommunications ■ The following willbepromoted: themes arts attention willbegiven to involving nationallyrenowned artists. and,givenwill continueto beencouraged theForest’s greater nationalstatus, initiatives andblendofideasshouldcontinue.Locallyinspired arts variety artistic imaginative visualandcreative to inspire Forest arts projects andactivities(4).This andnationallyrenowned have highly organisations artists local arts contributed initiatives thatexpress arts The NFCwillencourage theForest’s creation. Both inthemaking. andtheForest’s heritage heritage people withtheircultural the Forest area anditslocaldistinctiveness. They are alsoakey aspectinconnecting andshapetheidentityof inhelpingtocelebrate interpret, are important The arts 7.8 TheArts H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ A ■ eeping people informed abouttheForesteeping peopleinformed isahighpriority. TheNFCundertakes to 1:TheNFCwillcontinueto promote Forest the to awiderange C12: ction ction C11: The NFC will use its grant schemes TheNFCwilluseitsgrant to encourageandsupport C11: ction Landfile (for farmers); education and group visitsguide; andsiteguides. educationandgroup (for farmers); Landfile publications –includingForest andvisitor guides; Scene,publicaccess,trails wo No ‘landmark’ Forest features –eg.creating aForest equivalent ofthe‘Angel ofthe to inspire Forest-relatedusing thearts events, festivals andactivities. andinvolvingcelebrating localcommunitiesinnewwoodland sites. tolocal distinctiveness localcommunities. –valuingwhatislocallyimportant village features –continuingtheForest-wide programme. L asameansofexpression intheNFC’s inthemaking–arts heritage features and‘landmark’ –usingarts trees. marking theForest boundary developing Forest, ‘senseofplace’. the changing Forest landscape–expressing communityviewsaboutthenewly ga environmental education – creative arts linked to curriculum-based activities. environmental education–creative linked arts to curriculum-based t ofForest sites. on-site interpretation campaigns –such asAdopt andPlantaTree. media relations. NFC website –www.nationalforest.org alks to community, specialinterest andschools groups. ANDshapes project (section6.11, Chapter 6). tes, fencing andsigns. rk rt h’ ing withtimber–especiallysculptures andForest features such asseats,

sculpture. of communitiesinterest oftechniques. usingavariety Fo re st-related arts initiatives.st-related arts participation community

59 the strategy Re

60 the strategy generation economy and the ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ of theForest include: ■ ■ of thecommunity. Future issuesinclude: reachthat economicdevelopment allsections efforts andregeneration issustainable r socio-economicproblems remain notable andnewissues Despite thisprogress 8.3 Future Issues gr Strategy. factor,original alongsidethe TheForest’s creation hasbeenasignificant Economic change intheForest area thanwasenvisaged hasbeenmore rapid inthe 8.2 Current Progress through environmental educationactivity(section8.6). improving anddeveloping thecitizenshipcurriculum communityparticipation deliver sector, Government objectives, especiallyrelated to thesocialenterprise Government role to play agendaandthattheForest inhelpingto hasanimportant cross- The NFCrecognises isanimportant thateconomicregeneration inward investment. people; andthecreation ofamore attractive environment for businessgrowth and leisure andthewoodland economy; thedevelopment for ofnewskillstraining local through thecreation ofnewForest-related linked jobs,particularly to tourism, to thelocaleconomy contribution The Forest isbeginningto make asignificant 8.1 Introduction H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE elated to theForest’s development to ensure needto beaddressed. Itisimportant ow unprecedented inthearea. in thelocaleconomy andincreased spendingby visitors, allofwhich are inunemployment, fall withmore purchasingthere power hasbeenasignificant 1 with more peoplemoving into thearea. Thepopulationhasgrown from the improved environment isproviding anattractive setting for newhousing, creating others (4). economy, oftherural whichdiversification issafeguarding somejobsand (4). development programme which andeconomic ofasuccessfulregeneration hasbeenpart Coalfield, improving theenvironment intheLeicestershire andSouthDerbyshire (4). services providing aframework andleisure development for tourism withassociated development activityacross theForest. Ag f uponTrent wards inBurton NowDevelopment qualify Programme). onlyfive Government initiatives Regeneration Budget (Single (SRB)andtheRural from European funding(RECHARandObjective 2)and benefited from 1995 andEast Staffordshire –2001 areas intheCoalfield substantial the localeconomy andenvironmental improvements. re socio-economic problems persist. TheForest’s creation needsto relate to where significant uponTrent wards inBurton particular andtheCoalfield, or Objective 2and SRB funding.Inthefuture Regional Development 89,000 to 200,000peopleover thelast 10 years. th in service industries and the impact of information technology. andtheimpact ofinformation industries th inservice Theeffects generation efforts in these areas, especially in terms ofsocialinclusion,health, intheseareas, especiallyinterms efforts generation encies and sub-regional partnerships willbekey economic encies andsub-regional partnerships to supporting investors thatwillbekey. individuallandowners and new andexisting smallandmediumsizedfirms, creation. Whilst largerbusinessesare likely to take anincreasing interest, itwillbe presented by theForest’s theopportunities sectorwhich cangrasp theprivate andmarketing)provide skills,training framework (eg.infrastructure, asupport in willbeto setThe role oftheNFCandpublicsector partners policydirection and and development ofbusinesseswillbeessentialto thegrowth oftheneweconomy. astheestablishment sector willbefundamental, In both casestherole oftheprivate ■ partner economic development organisations, landowners economicdevelopment organisations, andinvestors.partner willaddvalueto theworkof theseagenciesandcloserintegration oftheNFC, towards astheForest cancontribute theobjectives delivering mutually beneficial, thinking oftheagenciesresponsible for thiswork (Table 11). Thiswould be ensure thatthecreation into anddevelopment the oftheForest becomesintegrated to withthese structures TheNFCneeds to Partnerships). engage Local Strategic SubRegional andlocaleconomicinitiativesEconomic Strategies, Partnerships (eg. Regional Regional Strategies, lies withother agencies,through Integrated Most ofthereal power to direct economicdevelopment activity andregeneration other economicactivity Influencing inward toenvironmental encourage driver investment. continue to bepromoted spurto asamore economicactivityandasan general economy anddeveloping newskillsrelated to theseactivities. TheForest willalso r activity. willfocus uponthedirect impact thatcanbemade,especiallyin Effort The NFCwillcontinueto promote theForest asakey elementofregeneration Fo 8.5 RegenerationandEconomyStrategyPrinciples ■ the next tenyears will be: out inAppendix7. FortheForest thekey ofchange drivers to theeconomy over The key are set ofthearea’s characteristics economy anditssocio-economicprofile 8.4 TheEconomy ■ ■ H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE elation to tourism, diversifying the rural economy, diversifyingelation to therural tourism, developing anewwoodland re the increasing importance ofanewwoodland-relatedthe increasing economy importance (seeChapter 2). gr sectors to meet theneedsof leisuredevelopment andservice ofthetourism, (sections 9.4and9.5,Chapter 9). t mechanisms willalsobeneededforspecial businesssupport andskillstraining 2.10, Chapter 2),together willbeessential. withbusinessskillsandtraining oftheForest’s creation. Developing awoodlandbenefits economy (section w ourism development (section10.8,ourism Chapter 10) diversification andfarm s oodland owners will need advice and support tooodland owners fullyexploit willneedadviceandsupport theeconomic t-related regeneration o wing numberofvisitors to thearea andtheincreasing resident population. economy and the re generation

61 the strategy 62 the strategy re generation economy and the T development inthearea andregeneration (Table 11). M1). Thisiscompounded responsibility by for thefragmented economic Midlands conurbation)andmajor communicationsnetworks (A38,A50,M42and nearby urbanareas (Derby, Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicester andtheWest of The regional andlocalpolicycontext iscomplex by theinfluence andisaffected Regional andlocalpolicycontext ■ ■ ■ Government objectives. Inparticular: re andrespond to thenationaleconomic The NFCiswell placedto influence toContributing the nationalagenda 8.6 PolicyContext H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Pa Midlands to develop andpromote theenvironmental economy. initiatives ledby other agencies,such asthework by West emdaandAdvantage the Forest’s economy. thattheNFClinks into policy Itwillbeequally important issues,to develop woodland infrastructure economy andtransport diversification, working rural ontourism, ofcross boundary highlighted theimportance commissioned aNational Forest Cross Regional EconomicStudy. This the NFCtogether withemda,Advantage West councils Midlands andfour district to Districts oa rabsdporme n oa Actioninindividualcommunities Area-basedprogrammesandlocal Local egahcAesOgnstosIvle Responsibilities OrganisationsInvolved East and West Geographic Areas Counties andsub- Midlands Regions regions able 11 –Economicdevelopment responsibilities. generation agenda and to engage with regional and local partners to deliver withregional andlocalpartners agendaandto engage generation gether related where to there theForest’s are opportunities economy. In2003, r tnership and cross boundary working theseagencies willbeessentialto bring tnership andcross boundary environmental educationactivity. through to develop thecitizenshipcurriculum, theirefforts support e (seeChapterThe NFCisalsocommittedto 7)andwill lifelong learning targ local communities(seeChapter 7),thereby helpingto meet HomeOffice The NFCshares theGovernment aimto intheir increase people’s participation theForest’smight support work. to developing thecreation theForest; to sector support mightbeencouraged ot and ofTrade andIndustry withtheDepartment good. TheNFCwillengage to thepublic sector, to dedicateprofits organisations especiallyencouraging theGovernment’sThe NFCsupports aimto develop thesocialenterprise xplore with the Department ofEducationandSciencehowxplore theForest withtheDepartment can her partners (eg. Social Enterprise East Midlands),to explore how this (eg.SocialEnterprise her partners gether withhow for standard theproposed nationalaccreditation businesses e ts. ■ ■ a ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ece/nepie.including socialandcommunity gencies/enterprises. Business Links(3) einlDvlpetAece 2 einlsrtge,funding Regionalstrategies, Regional Development Agencies (2) oenetOfcs()programmesandpolicies. (2) Regional Assemblies Government Offices(2) Small Business Services (3) Small BusinessServices East Staffordshire, Lichfield, South Local Strategic Partnerships LocalStrategic (LSPs) South Lichfield, East Staffordshire, County Councils(3) F Learning andSkillsCouncils(3) Sub-Regional Partnerships (3) ecsesie icly& (CountyCouncilsalsooperate andothereconomicinitiatives. Hinckley& Leicestershire, North West Derbyshire, owrhadCanod LSPsintheirareas). andCharnwood. Bosworth orestry Commission orestry enterprise. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ F Regional Forestry development. T andfunding. Strategy Business adviceandsupport. Business adviceandsupport. Strategy andpolicy.Strategy ann,skillsandbusiness raining, rameworks/forestry economy.rameworks/forestry A landowners andinvestors to success. willbecritical r the Forestry, chapters. Tourism, A Access, andAgriculture Recreation andSport economy approved by theNFCin2003(18); andthrough theActions set outin bynotably implementing andaction planto thestrategy develop theForest-related The NFCwilltake aleadinidentifyingandpromoting theseopportunities, ■ ■ ■ ■ St ■ clusters ofactivityrelatedencouraging to: shouldbesought for Forest-relatedopportunities economicdevelopment by To The Forest-related Economy A issuesthatneedto beaddressed. for are significant implementation partnerships r to ofcases,however,businesses. Inthemajority itwillactasanenablerto bring theNFCwillbeableto actdirectlysome instances withlocalagenciesand ofcreating theForest for localresidents andbusinesses.In the economicbenefits to ensureis alsothebest thatothers placedorganisation acttogether to maximise onthephysical creation oftheForest. However,The NFCmust focus primarily it Pa 8.7 Future Action H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE egional policy making and funding and the importance ofsub-regional andlocal egional policymakingandfundingtheimportance ange of partners will be important to thiswork withForest willbeimportant andtheir engagement ange ofpartners ction RE2: The NFC will work to maximise the economic benefits of ction TheNFCwillwork to economicbenefits maximise the RE2: to E:TheNFCwillseekto economicdevelopment maximisethe ction RE1: aunton Harold sawmill, Leicestershire gether agencies that might otherwise actindependently.gether agenciesthatmightotherwise Theemergenceof

r Tr (section9.3,Chapter 9). diversification Farm T W W tnerships r ourism andleisure (seeChapters 5and10).ourism ealise the direct economic benefits arising from theForest’s arising creation, ealise thedirect economicbenefits ood fuelenergysystems andnetworks (section2.10 Chapter 2). ood products (section2.10, Chapter 2). ee and wildflower nurseries and forestry contracting businesses. contracting andforestry nurseries ee andwildflower fo fo r potential Forest ofthe through jointworking, especially at egional, sub-regional andcountylevels. re re st-related economy willbekept under regular review. st creation. A strategy andactionplanto develop the

Christopher Beech economy and the re generation

63 the strategy 64 the strategy re generation economy and the to oftheForest. Forlocalpeople parts andinrural Forest, especiallyintheCoalfield economicchangeThe localpopulationiswitnessingrapid associatedwiththe Skills andBusinessDevelopment A 2 and12. for townalso important andvillagecentres. Theseissues are addressed inChapters anddevelopment-related ofurbangreening landscapingare The economicbenefits oflocalresidents andvisitors. these centres, to thebenefit canhelpto thedevelopment increase theviabilityof the Forest. oftourism Inturn, thecreation of that town andvillagecentres are managedanddeveloped to reflect t To oftheimpression which interms theygiveThey are alsoimportant to visitors. The Forest’s towns oflocalresidents andlargervillagesare live. where themajority The Town Centres A ofcreating theForest for localcommunities. benefits targeted schemes to aimedatmaximisingthe run partners the NFCwillsupport economically active, healthy andwell-trained localwork force. To helpachieve this of thecommunity. TheForest shouldbeusedto assist indeveloping an from theForest’s arising creation shouldbeaccessibleto allsections The benefits Economic andSocialInclusion H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A for National Statistics. from theOffice economic data a bespoke andother picture oftheForest willbebuiltupusingcensusmaterial st oftheForest area Socio-economicmonitoring collecting andanalysingdata. consequence of NFChasdeveloped amethodology to overcome thedifficulties andasa administrativeForest boundaries andstatistical cutsacross various ofthe project future andto policydirections. The inform theeffects demonstrate oftheForest thattheeconomicandsocialprogress ismeasured to It isvital Monitoring EconomicandSocialImpact A 1 essential to achieve this.(Refer alsoto section2.7, Chapter 2;section10.8, Chapter Ad developing anewwoodland economy. Jointworking withagenciessuch asemda, especially to meet theneedsofgrowing numberofvisitors to thearea andin ourist information andto Itisimportant lookfor information accommodationandrestaurants. ourist 0; andsections9.49.5,Chapter 9.) arted in2001arted (19) 2-3 years. andwillbereviewed Over andupdatedevery time ction TheNFCwillencouragetown centre improvement and RE4: ction targeted TheNFCwillcontinueto support regeneration RE3: ction RE6: The NFC will undertake regular monitoring of the economic regular ofthe TheNFCwillundertake monitoring RE6: ction ction RE5:

wn centres in particular are where visitors are drawn to use local services, find are where visitorswn centres are inparticular drawn to uselocalservices, vantage Westvantage andSkillsCouncilsBusiness Linkswillbe Midlands,Learning r eap the full benefits ofthischange, newattitudesandskillsare required, eap thefullbenefits t development to promote opportunities andoffer andmarket tourism management programmes which support Forest inthe social deprivation area. programmes aimedataddressing pockets ofeconomicand and socialimpact ofTheNational Forest. opportunities arising from Forest’s the arising opportunities development. business development programmes to address needsand the provisionThe NFCwillencouragethe oftrainingand he Forest. fa r landowners into forestry, to helpcreate theForest through diversification newpublicaccess.There areencourage unprecedented for opportunities environment schemes, which willhelpto meet theForest’s biodiversity and targets ru to the contribution willalsomake important anincreasingly area. Diversification the land’, inthe families andthereby offarming helpto retain thesocialstructure willprovide for aneconomicrationale on helpingto ‘keepdiversification farmers willcontinueto have landmanagementrole. Equally,Farmers animportant farm confined to grass production andfodder crops. to grass confined f gr for crops,of producing especiallycereals, highyieldsofsomearable andgrass includes somebest andmost versatile quality, land) isofgoodto moderate capable 3land(which Grade cropping cereals, andhorticulture. also general supports land, with10% each 2and4(Map7).The best quality ofGrades 2) land(Grade 3 asGrade Approximately 49%isclassified 69%oftheForest area isfarmland. Fa new usesfor theirland. other sources ofincomeand,inmany cases, to find and agrowing needfor farmers offarming andprofitability will beacontinuingchange pattern inthestructure, changes are asthevarious implemented.be established Whatisclearthatthere land.Muchcompetition Forest-related remains ofthedetail to against useoffarm creation. Forexample, thegrowing ofcrops for fueloilcouldprovide economic Aspects ofthischanging policycouldwork eitherfor theForest’s oragainst mechanisms businessesinthearea. which helpto willgive farm further andSkillsprovisionGovernment isalsoreviewing Delivery Learning andRural approachbusinesses; anddeveloping to a‘wholefarm’ regulation. The environmental goods;helpingthemget andadviceto develop training their customers andtherest ofthefood chain; rewarding themfor providing addvalueto theirproducts, by reconnecting themwith to helpfarmers assistance f r coupledwithgrowing agriculture, facing ofdifficulties Due to avariety Development Rural through Programme. theEngland isbeingpromoted support Level Scheme.introduction Agricultural ofanEntry payments towards schemes, theexpansion includingthe ofagri-environment moving from support production-based (CAP) are resulting in more farm Policy through theCommonAgricultural for agriculture Changes to thesupport The changing context fa Re 9.1 Introduction H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE to Crucially, over 75%oftheproposed newplantingover thenext decadewillneed landmanagement. agricultural of willremain insomeform tracts ultimately plantedwithtrees, substantial conversion to forestry, offarmland buteven witharound athird ofthearea or sustainable food and farming in 2002 (20). This targets financial andother financial in2002(20).Thistargets foodor sustainable andfarming ecognition of the need for further change,ecognition oftheneedfor further Government produced anewstrategy ecreation, sport, tourism andenvironmental and initiatives. tourism Bothecreation, farmers sport, loodplains and the poorly drained soilsofthecoalmeasures.loodplains andthepoorly Thisismainly drained r r

azing or harvesting, withscopefor mixedazing orharvesting, 4landoccursonriver cropping. Grade r mland are therefore key to theForest’s future development. med landscape is central to fulfiling theForest vision.There willbeamajor to fulfiling med landscapeiscentral ta rming inthe Forest t al economy. aining anddeveloping anenvironmentally diverse andeconomicallythriving ke

place on farmland. Farmland will also increasingly bethefocus willalsoincreasingly for agri- Farmland place onfarmland. Ag r iculture

65 the strategy 66 the strategy agriculture Based onoriginalworkbyADAS(Wolverhampton) Other landprimarilyinnon-agriculturaluse Land predominantly inurbanuse NON-AGRICULTURAL LAND Grade 4 Grade 3 Grade 2 AGRICULTURAL LAND landowners and developing Forest-related farm diversification schemes. landowners anddeveloping diversification Forest-related farm They willcontinueto guidetheNFC’s approach to working withprivate and RightsofWay remain Act valid. 2002(eg.accessto heathland),theseprinciples access provisions which from any from theCountryside Apart statutory may arise ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ key principles: based uponfive landowners initscreation is private The successoftheForest inengaging sofar 9.2 Agriculture Strategyprinciples Map 7AgriculturalLandQuality H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ■ ■ resu This isproviding By2002thishad asetting for many ofdiversification. other forms usingwoodland creation asafocus. diversification, farm The NFCisencouraging 9.3 Farmdiversification schemes. betweenthere willbeagreement landlords andtenantsover Forest-related by public accessto newwoodlands andothersecured landwillbeencouraged conversion; incentive isneededto stimulate land an attractive andrealistic financial purchasethere willbenocompulsory ofland; by landownersparticipation willbeentirely voluntary; 28 leisure, tourist accommodation, catering, biodiversity and heritage schemes. biodiversity and heritage accommodation, catering, 28 leisure, tourist schemes, forestry covering 1,640 ha. 96 farm lted in:

agreement, but will not be compulsory and but willnot becompulsory agreement, 0 5km ■ ■ Pa andrecreationSport section 2.7, Chapter 2). (see biomass/wood woodlands fuel.Managingexisting isalsoahighpriority farm w commercial includeprimarily Opportunities run-off. as soakingupnitrate canalsohelpto meet broader environmental objectivesPlanting onfarmland such f Ne W A ■ ■ ■ ■ continue thistrend andto broaden theeconomicbaseoftheirbusinesses,through: haveLooking to thefuture, theopportunities never for landowners beengreater to Fa H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE f include: The maintypesofForest-related div ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ or sport, recreation, tourism, biodiversity recreation, andforest-related tourism, or sport, businessactivity. acilities include: oodlands, woods for nature conservation and short rotation coppicefor rotation andshort oodlands, woods for nature conservation ction A1: The NFC will use its grants andpromote TheNFCwilluseitsgrants other appropriate ction A1: rm diversification atBeehiverm diversification Farm, Derbyshire r oodland creation andmanagement w farm woodlands willaimto grow highqualityw farm timberandprovide asetting ticular opportunities for landownersticular opportunities to addto theForest’s andrecreation sport temporary usesoflandfor andevents clubs. training by sports temporary investorsCommission, forestry andother organisations. forpurchase woodland creation offarmland –by the NFC,Forestry schemes. diversification to develop wholefarm combining NFCandERDPgrants Scheme.environment schemes Enterprise andtheRural (ERDP)–especiallyagri- Development Rural Programme the England w pools. eg.angling facilities, water sports pigeon shooting. andclay horse riding biking,cross country mountain sites for orienteering, st r livery, linked tuitionand outriding, to riding centres –offering equestrian fo utilising NFCgrants. outes. abling andcycle hire facilities. oodlands for game shooting.oodlands for game re st

trails andpicnicareas. trails r to Forest- diversification mechanisms to encouragefarm elated uses. ersification that willbeencouraged that ersification

Christopher Beech agriculture

67 the strategy 68 the strategy agriculture ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ The Forest provides asetting for ofrelated businessactivity, awiderange including: Fo be developed. V shops. specialityfood tearooms, outlets restaurants, andfarm including farm for andretail tofacilities visitors, developThere are alsoopportunities catering ■ ■ ■ ■ network, including: in,theaccommodation gaps from, andfill Landowners are well placedto benefit Farm Equestrian centre, Orange Wood, Derbyshire H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A protection activity. towards to contribute biodiversitythe opportunities andenvironmental scheme Level willbroaden agri-environment introduction ofanewEntry Many landowners are already managingandcreating The wildlife habitats. Biodiversity enues for outdoor events, farm trails and school visits to farms canalso andschool trails enues for visitsto outdoorevents, farms farm ction A2: The NFC will encourage farm diversification to woodland, diversification TheNFCwillencourage farm ction A2: re small-scale timberprocessing to meet localneeds. nurseries. tree andwildflower management andthecreation ofnewrecreation facilities. –for woodland creation, habitat services into contracting diversification to thenext forward accommodationpoint. luggage linking accommodationthrough pre-booked visitors’ packages andtaking developing walkingandcycling providers. breaks withtourism Forexample, by accommodation. buildingsto provide andhosteldeveloping redundant bunkhousebarn farm development ofForest-related products (eg.Forest honey, specialityfoods). ga w caravan andcamping sites. accommodation. farm-based bed andbreakfast andself-catering s oodland craft outlets. oodland craft t-related businesses r den products (eg. timber furniture, garden mulch). garden den products (eg.timberfurniture, t ourism biodiversity uses. Forest-related recreation, tourism, sport, farm businessand

Christopher Beech ■ ■ thefollowingneeds assessment(21) skillsgaps: which identified atraining In2002theNFCundertook opportunities. the most ofdiversification newskillsiftheyare to make willneedto learn families Landowners and farming 9.5 Skillstraining A ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ c Ad Future workstream andinitiatives developed through theERDP, emdaand shouldbelinkedBusiness adviceandsupport to theGovernment’s Investing inthe products. and ifcooperative approaches are developed to market andwoodland farm thanascompetitors rather landowners perceive theirneighboursascomplementary plan for andmarket potential willbeenhancedif theirproducts. Diversification networkssupport for there landowners. isaneedto helplandowners Inparticular businessesneedsto bebacked offarm upby businessadviceand Diversification 9.4 Businessadviceandsupport A ex should bemore widelypromoted. Equally, theForest area shouldbeusedmore ex ex beingdeveloped experience inthearea, coupledwith The combineddiversification Best practice exemplar H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE hannel advice and support including: hannel adviceandsupport ction A4: TheNFCwillpromote TheNational Forest asavenue for ction A3: emplar of diversification best practice. The experience from TheNational Theexperience best Forest practice. emplar ofdiversification tensively as a national pilot area for trialing new farm diversification approaches. diversification tensively asanationalpilot newfarm area for trialing tensive highlightstheForest asamajor, future opportunities, nationalandEU vantage Westvantage networks Midlands.Linkswithvarious willbeneededto help timber processing andmarketing newbusinessventures. –to helpencourage w w landowners to specialist advisors. advisors network –theNFC willcontinueto actasafocal pointto direct accommodationandFoodintheForestvisitor attraction, promotions. t t N betweenand best schemes. practice woodland diversification N a Wood Marketing Association(seeAction F15, Chapter 2). BusinessBuddies’such inLeicestershire. as‘Farm -buildinguponthework BusinessAdvice ofexisting Service networksa Farm to e Business Link – establishing strong BusinessAdvisors.Business Link–establishing linksthrough Rural ourism promotion – integrating farm tourism products withinNational Forest tourism farm promotion –integrating ourism businessdevelopment andexchangeourism ofbest practice. xploring opportunities with Business Link and Learning andSkillsCouncils withBusinessLinkandLearning opportunities xploring oodlands isrealised. oodland managementskills–to ensure theeconomicpotential offarm

ational Forest Tourism Marketing – to provide Forum afocus for farm ational Forest Tender Scheme Club–to continueto exchange information establish a specific, Forest-related Business Advisor. aspecific, establish diversification. networksadvice andsupport to assist Forest-related farm The NFCwillwork to develop partners with business bestpractice. anddeveloping diversification trialing farm agriculture

69 the strategy 70 the strategy agriculture A re schemesor to develop thatdonot andforest-related agri-environment services newwoodland to undertake withtheirlandlordsencouraged, agreement, planting schemes havediversification beendeveloped by tenants.Tenants shouldbe N companies mineral andinstitutional landownersestates, (eg.Church dioceses,The intheForest’stheir part creation. Much tenantedlandisowned by largecountry haveThere to isaneedto play ensure thefullest thattenantfarmers opportunity 9.6 Tenanted land A families. andSkillsCouncilsto helpmeet needsoffarming thetraining Learning Initiative (deermanagement).There isalsoaneedto more effectively engage V needs);Stephenson’s TrustIT training for Conservation CollegeandtheBritish v through anEast isbeingtaken MidlandsbasedEU Skills training forward ■ ■ H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ocational training scheme; the Leicestershire Rural Partnership (identification of scheme;ocational training theLeicestershire (identification Partnership Rural olunteers (rural skills training); LANTRA (forestry skills training); andtheDeer skillstraining); (forestry LANTRA skillstraining); olunteers (rural ction A6: The NFC will encourage the involvement TheNFCwillencouragethe oftenantfarmers ction A6: development TheNFCwillencouragethe oftrainingfor ction A5: q ational Trust Trent andSevern Water). onlyasmallnumberof Sofar uire major bedandbreakfast accommodation). landusechange (eg.farmhouse business development skills–for businessesthat have already diversified. customer care/welcome training t ourism development skills–includingvisitor marketingourism andmanagement in the Forest’sin the creation. businesses. offarm landowners diversification the to support with forest andcycle trails routes, willbecritical. development, linkedand withinit.Publictransport andintegrated to attractions T A thatrepeat businessisachieved. visitors toencouraging stay longerandensuring ofbuildingtheForest imagefor isanessential part visitors,Quality assurance thehighest ofcustomer standards to service. visitorsattractions andensuring accommodation,marketing attractions, creation andmanagementofalltourism of T Quality Assurance w helpcreate, thismajorliterally ‘Forest inthemaking’. Conveying thiscreative va the sheerscaleandplanneddiversity oftheForest’s arich creation, embracing product andmarketing theForest to visitors. TheForest’s unique sellingpointis Developing astrong National Forest isessentialfor brand developing thetourism N ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ req The Forest willbedeveloped asanexemplar Thiswill tourism. ofsustainable Sustainable Tourism 10.2 Tourism StrategyPrinciples 2 and29millionpeoplewithin formillion peoplewithina90minutedrive day trips; from across thecountry. Potential visitors include200,000 localresidents; 10 townssurrounding andcities,anational resource for longerstays by people T w will blendwithnewForest andagrowing andchanging attractions network ofnew attractions Existing tourism ofindoorattractions. outdoor activityandavariety The aimisto create anew, destination baseduponsubstantial national,tourism 4,500jobsinthearea (22).(See2for UKcomparativesupports figures). £164m to and economicregeneration (22)1. Tourism significantly iscontributing r The Forest area isdeveloping quicker far thanpredicted into amajor, newtourism 10.1 Introduction H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE 2 1 esource. In20025millionvisitors cameto thearea andvisitor spendingwas 13 comparable with the 2002figures. The methodology twice since 1999, used(the Cambridge model)hasbeen refined for soearlier the tourism figures Forest area ar w 1 ourism willneedto bebasedupondeveloping easy accessbothourism to theForest area thehighest ofquality. standards must maintain ourism the This needsto permeate development aimsto createourism better for facilities localresidents and / oodland image and experience will be central to developing willbecentral oodland imageandexperience theForest’s brand. andrecreation facilities. andsport oodlands, trails as estimated at£4.13bn (13). ccessibility ri 2 ational Forest Brand 1 .9m tourist were trips madeinEngland in2001, ofwhich 22%were visitsto the countryside. Thetotal value oftourism trip uire: hours drive forhours drive longerstays (23). visitor managementand minimising thepotential impact oflargenumbersvisitors through careful ‘green’ resource thenatural the area, oraffect uponwhich itdepends; soasnot to over andmanagingtourism carefully planning,integrating develop destination; developing andpromoting theForest area asanallyear round visitor learning from the experience ofother from destinations, theexperience to applybest practice. learning businesses; economicgrowth bysustainable tourism e ty oflandscapesandother features. aboutand Visitors cancomeandsee,learn e unfortunately not s byUKresidents T ourism

71 the strategy 72 the strategy t ourism N Development issuesrelevant to thesethemesare discussedbelow. A T ofthemes(Tableproduct underarange 12). r able to domany longerstay and thingsinthearea andthiswillencourage different of Forest-related andleisure andrecreation attractions activities.Visitors willbe y isset attractions toThe Forest’s grow extensively oftourism range over thenext 10 10.3 Thetourismproduct initiatives. whocanhelpto inspire communityledtourism organisations, We for theForest for strategies toimportant linkinto theEast theregional and tourism N businesses,to develop andtourism theForest’s potential. The tourism authorities local The NFCwillwork oforganisations, withawiderange inpartnership Pa H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Ne A e willbegivenconsideration to ‘kitemarking’ ofsitesto meet maintenancestandards to boards, seatingandwaymarkedsignage, interpretation paths,shouldbemaintained w public access.Allwoodlands informal withaccessshouldbe simply offering epeat visits. The Forest is in a strong position to develop a very varied tourism epeat visits.TheForest isinastrong varied position to develop avery xpected for Forest sites.(Refer alsoto Action F8,Chapter 2). ears. This will combine a variety of well-established attractions withanewlayer ofwell-established attractions ears. Thiswillcombineavariety Food anddrink Events andfestivals Environmental education V Wildlife Heritage sites Accommodation Sport andrecreation Forest trailsandaccess V National Forestwoodlands T elcoming for visitors; andfeatures such ascarparks, site picnicareas, trails, to 1 TheForest’s product tourism willbedeveloped around the ction T1: to 2 TheNFCwillencourageregular sitemaintenanceaudits for ction T2: able 12 -National Forest Tourism Themes

ational Forest Tourism Working Group willbeakey mechanism. Itisalso ational Forest Woodlands uimTeeVisitor Potential ourism Theme illages andcountryside isitor attractions r the highest TheNFCwillpromote standards. managementand best practice w woodlands from siteswithcomprehensive range to visitor those facilities st tnership Working

Midlands; local tourism partnerships/structures; andcommunitylinked partnerships/structures; Midlands; localtourism t visitor welcome. w hemes inTable 12. oodlands with publicaccessto highstandardsoodlands with maintain of events andfestivals. sportingandother using theForest asavenueforForest-related, continuing todeveloptheForest asanoutdoorlearningresource. a anddevelopingaccessto villages maintaining attractive overnightvisitors. toattract accommodation provisionofarangehighqualityandappropriate facilitating disabled users. horseridersand cyclists, expanding thenetworkforwalkers, future developments. and existingattractions including Forest-themed attractions, arboreta). (eg. forest artandspecialfeatures picnicsites, adding newwoodlandseachyearwithtrails, identifying andpromotinglocalspecialityfooddrinks. wildlife. developing opportunitiesforwatching andvisitoraccess. improving interpretation increasing therangeofoutdoorfacilitiesinparticular. ttractive countryside. A need to bejudgedupontheir own merits. sustainable Forest FieldStudiesCentre, linked withaccommodation.Any will newattractions (linked toCharnwood) theTrent andthecanalheritage andMerseycanal);ora ex In thefuture there couldalsobepotential to develop For newvisitor attractions. sitesinclude: ‘gateway’ Potential nearto, butoutsidetheForestcould alsoincludeattractions boundary). Forest, aswell ashelpingto develop TheNational Forest (Gateway brand. sites around the theForest by sitesto creating helpvisitor ‘gateway’ orientation benefit w Forest andby road signage.This installing branded stands/kiosks information f from astronger National Forest focus, wouldA numberofattractions alsobenefit C continued investment updatetheirfacilities. to refresh andperiodically theirappeal,especiallyfor repeatmaintain willrequire visits,visitor attractions Centre, whichDiscovery focus hascreated central astrategic, for theForest. To included Forest-themed includingthehighlyacclaimedCONKERS attractions, The Forest (24).Major ofvisitor attractions includesawiderange additionshave Visitor attractions H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE or example by incorporating Forest-related interpretation material and material Forest-relatedor example interpretation by incorporating ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ONKERS Waterside, Leicestershire ould help visitor attractions toould helpvisitor market attractions theirlocationintheForest. Itwould also ction T3: Sustained growth Sustained anddevelopment ofvisitor attractionswill ction T3: ample, themedvisitor centres baseduponthewildlife oftheForest (locatedin Reservoir Visitor Centres Visitor Reservoir F Calke Abbey Park Snibston Discovery Memorial National Arboretum Rosliston Forestry Centre Centre CONKERS Discovery rmr,StauntonHaroldand Thornton oremark, site owners. developed asForest ‘gateway’ sitesshouldbeconsidered with be ahighpriority.attractions to be ofcertain Thesuitability ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Bosworth Battlefield Bosworth Byrkley Park gardencentre Barton Marina Centre Coors Visitor ParkBradgate Visitor Centre t ourism

73 the strategy 74 the strategy t ourism A additionalbudget hotels; activitycentres; - - (10 years plus) Long term: (next 10 years) - group accommodation - bunkhouse barns; youth accommodation-bunkhousebarns; group - camping andcaravan sites; (next 10 - years) to mediumterm: Short Over timeawiderangeofaccommodationtypeswillbeneeded: schemes further. accommodationstandards to helpraise schemes. Newaccommodation grading into these willbeencouraged operators capacity. TheForest enjoys ahigherthanaverage innational level ofparticipation accommodation ismarket andthatdemanddevelops driven inrelation to existing inthearea. Thiswillhelptoaccommodation establishments ensure thatnew auditsofthenumber, undertake of typesandoccupancyrates periodically to itssetting. TheNationalappropriate Forest Tourism Working Group should Expansion ofaccommodationwillneedto becarefully managed,phasedand increased passengeruseofEast Midlandsairport. guests asaresult of more to businessandinternational attract an opportunity is thelack visits.There appealandfor isalso ofaccommodationwithfamily group accommodation iskey to developing market. theshort-breaks concern Aparticular ofaccommodationthatitprovides.and range Developing additional The Forest’s by thequality determined successasavisitor destination willbepartly A (seesection5.6,Chapter 5). willbeapriority new outdoorfacilities product. Developing ofthetourism part andrecreation isalsoan integral Sport andrecreationSport (seesection5.5,Chapter 5). willbehighpriority accommodation andattractions Developing acomprehensive network ofForest andaccesslinked trails to visitor Fo H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ction T4: The NFC will encourage appropriate expansion TheNFCwillencourageappropriate ofawide ction T4: ccommodation re st

trails andaccess range ofhigh-quality, inspectedaccommodation. - -a - -i - - - and country clubs. and country f accommodationandleisurehigh quality ‘resort’ house accommodation; farm with rooms andserviced such asaholiday village. accommodation assessing thefeasibility of‘resort’ inns; andnewbudget andbusinesshotels; cabins; converted outbuildingsinawoodland setting; accommodationeg.log andself-catering serviced attractions); developments (eg.farm accommodation linked leisure to self-contained accommodation; bed andbreakfast andself-catering study centres; activity orfield hostel; orrelated to education/outdoorpursuitsin mp acilities such as a holiday village, country househotelsacilities such asaholiday village,country

comprehensive network ofbedandbreakfast, inns ro v ements to hotels; addingrooms to pubsand Heritage tourism The Forest area has a rich cultural heritage (see Chapter 6). Interpreting this to visitors and making links between the past history of the area and the ‘Forest in the making’ will be very important. The NFC’s LANDshapes project will greatly assist this (see section 6.11, Chapter 6). Many heritage sites are in private ownership, but an increasing number are opening to the public through the National Gardens Scheme, organised events and by allowing educational access to schools and colleges. This trend is welcomed and will be encouraged. Action T5: Private owners will be encouraged to create new visitor access to historic places of interest.

Wildlife The Forest is developing into a rich area for wildlife and flora (see Chapter 4). Many places are already attractive for bird watching and in future other locations could be developed for viewing species such as otter and deer. Avoiding disturbance to wildlife is a prime consideration, but sensitively located and managed facilities (eg. bird hides) would open up new opportunities for wildlife watching. Action T6: Identify with conservation partners, appropriate locations for showing the Forest’s wildlife to visitors and encourage provision of high quality visitor facilities.

Villages and countryside The Forest includes a variety of attractive landscapes and villages, which offer visitors the chance to explore quieter areas of the Forest. In these areas there is an opportunity for local communities to benefit from visitors by encouraging village and farm-based tourism, particularly linked to the trails network. Initiatives could include new catering and retail outlets, bed and breakfast accommodation and craft workshops. Action T7: Local planning policies should encourage small-scale tourism developments in villages and rural areas.

Environmental education The Forest is a major resource for environmental and heritage education visits, particularly by schools. Several visitor attractions provide excellent facilities that are specially linked to the national curriculum. These include: CONKERS Discovery Centre, Rosliston Forestry Centre, the Coors Visitor Centre and Snibston Discovery Park. Future development of environmental education is considered in Chapter 7.

Events and Festivals The Forest embraces many Forest-related events and offers visitors the chance to help create the Forest through tree planting days and planting memorial trees (see Chapter 7). Special National Forest festivals are also organised that have attracted over 10,000 visitors. The Forest is also a venue for a variety of other festivals (eg. Burton Beer Festival); local shows (eg. Ashby Show); and sporting events (eg. carriage driving). In the

future the Forest has potential to stage national events and to develop its own tegy national events, for example a Forest Triathlon or Marathon boundary race. stra the

THE FOREST STRATEGY 2004 > 2014 75 76 the strategy t ourism A andquality willbeessential. brand assurance product shouldbedevelopedThe food withinanoverall anddrink National Forest ■ ■ ■ ■ through include: its‘FoodintheForest’ guide.Future opportunities drink overnightnumbers andparticularly stays increase. TheNFCpromotes food and themeasvisitor There willbegrowing asatourism interest infood anddrink F A important. increasingly banner. Annualplanningbetween to event coordinate activitieswill be organisers from beingdevelopedAll events undertheForest andfestivals would benefit Burton-upon-Trent Regatta, Staffordshire H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ood and drink ood anddrink ction T9: The NFC, with tourism partners, will identifyandpromote partners, tourism TheNFC,with ction T9: promotion TheNFCwillencouragegreater Forest ofthe asa T8: ction encouraging workplaceencouraging (eg.at outlets such tourism asMarmite). attearooms, cafes andrestaurants. using localproducts incatering development (eg.theNational ofnewbrands Forest bottled watercompany). promoting upon Trent) specialities(eg.beerinBurton the andencouraging fa promoting localoutlets locallyproduced (eg.specialist food shops, anddrink; r mers markets); andlocalcampaigns. local specialityfood anddrinks. v enue for year round events andfestivals.

Richard Eaton A visitorcircumstances thatmay markets. affect in Action T11, butthesewillneedregular review to take accountofany changed to beprecise aboutfuture visitor projections. TargetsIt isdifficult are putforward day visitsandovernight ofovernight stays andto increasing stays. theproportion r Over thenext 10 expand years visitor marketing theaimwillbeto gradually from activity targeted atlocalresidents andvisitors within1 Visitor marketing ontheday concentrated visitsmarket hassofar withpromotional achieved, 93%ofwhich were day visitswith7%staying overnight. visitors peryear, 90%ofwhich would beday visitors. By20025mvisitshadbeen estimated thatatitspeaktheForest Strategy would 5.9m The original attract Visitor markets expect to seeamaturemay forest. otherwise creating” andnot to promote theendproduct, to avoid misleadingvisitors who f r visitor marketingEffective andsustained andcommunication willbeessentialto 10.6 MarketingandCommunications Tr could becompromised by increasing numbersofcar-borne visitors. AForest-wide oftheForest asthesustainability itself for tourism iscritical transport Sustainable 10.5 Transport wo leisure development, which focused ofderelict andmineral onconcentrations ‘Areas and for tourism targeting identified ofOpportunity’ Strategy The original e the Forest from area. active Thiswillrange ‘honeypot’ areas to quieter areas to There iswidespread potential development for sensitive, across tourism sustainable 10.4 Tourism DevelopmentClusters H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A developmentthe onlyareas where issuitable). tourism t for potential. maximising thebest opportunities Theseareasfuture offer tourism withineachattractions cluster, themesthat can bepursuedandtheir thetourism complement andcreate linkswithexisting Table attractions. 13 highlightsthekey Within each development cluster there ispotential to tourism for further areas.‘quieter’ tourism activity are developing across theForest (Map8).Theseincludeboth ‘busy’and this activity, potential, several andcoupledwithfuture tourism distinct clusters of or thenext 10 years theForest willbeto we -“Comeandexperience are all ourism development overourism thenext 10 years (whilst accepting thattheymay not be egional to more nationalactivity. Thisiswithaviewto growing thenumberof ealise the aim of putting the Forest on the national tourism map.Thekeyealise theaimofputtingForest onthenationaltourism message xplore ‘off thebeatentrack’.xplore ‘off to 1:Aimto achieve 5.8m visitors to Forest the area by 2014 and T11: ction to 1:TheNFCwillwork to promote partners with tourism the ction T10: ansport Strategy isneeded(seesection13.6, Strategy Chapteransport 13). rk ed land.Many oftheseareas have beentackled orare underway. Basedupon clusters on Map 8 as priority areas for development. tourism clusters onMap8aspriority increase overnight stays to 10%. 1 / 2 hours drive oftheForest.hours drive t ourism

77 the strategy 78 the strategy

A50 t A515 ourism Woodland Major Water Features Main Urban Areas Motorways A Class Roads Rivers Map 8Tourism Clusters H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE

A512

A38

1 - Heart of the Forest A50 A444 2 - Melbourne Parklands and Reservoirs M42 3 - Mease Farms and Woods 0 10km 4 - Trent Valley Water Park 5 - Snibston-Thornton Forest Parks 6 - Charnwood Forest 7 - Needwood Forest

M1 3. Mease farms andwoods3. Measefarms Parklands2. Melbourne andReservoirs 1. T H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ oettuimteeKeyexisting attractions Forest tourismtheme oettuimteeKeyexisting attractions Forest tourismtheme oettuimteeKeyexisting attractions Forest tourismtheme able 13. National Forest Tourism Clusters

Heart of the Forest ofthe Heart F W Catton Garlandsshootingground, - Sport andrecreation BeehiveFarm, RoslistonForestry Centre, - Visitor attractions F W carriage orienteering, mountainbiking, - -Calke Melbourne Staunton Abbey, Hall, Outdoor recreation Wa Heritage Ashby MoiraFurnace, AshbyCastle, - F W Centre. CONKERSDiscovery - Heritage Visitor attractions F accessible villages; attractive RoslistonForestry Centre, - Hall, Catton - Events andfestivals countryside. countryside RoslistonForestry Centre. - and Villages education Environmental Ticknall; countryside. attractive sites. caravan bedandbreakfast, - F Accommodation countryside To SwadlincoteSkiCentre;CONKERS - Sport andrecreation vnsadfsias- g sb aa etvl AshbyShow. Ashbycanalfestival, F eg. - Centre. CONKERSDiscovery - Events andfestivals education SpringsHealthHydro. - Environmental Health andfitness rs ris- walking trailslinkingkeysites, - orest trails walkingtrailslinkingkeysites, - orest trails walkingtrailslinkingkeysites; - orest trails ood and drink - tea rooms, restaurant at Rosliston Forestry restaurantat tearooms, - ood anddrink pubsandrestaurants. - ood anddrink o n rn restaurantsin Ashby delaZouch, - ood anddrink oodlands - many newwoodswithpublicaccess; many - oodlands woodsandnewwoodlandswith mature - oodlands newwoodswithpublicaccess. many - oodlands wns, villages and - attractive towns and villages -Melbourne, andvillages towns attractive - and villages wns, ter sports - Foremark and Staunton Harold reservoirs. Foremark andStauntonHarold - ter sports Centre. RoslistonForestry healthy walkingat orienteering. driving, carriage fishing, horseriding eventcourse, and GrangewoodZoo. SafariParties Chapman’s gardencentre, public access. driving. Centre). Harold (including Ferrers Arts andCrafts Sharpe’s Pottery. Canal, ehv am Grangewood. Beehive Farm, allabilitiesaccess. horseriding, cycling. horseriding, Ashby Woulds trail. heritage horseriding; cycling; allabilitiesaccess; ete pubs. Centre, Swadlincote and at CONKERS;tearooms. Swadlincote andat activity trail;orienteering. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ focus/gateway Discovery Centre. Discovery focus/gateway F F W focus/gateway F ou/aea Melbourne. W newactivitieslinkedtothereservoirs. - Sport andrecreation focus/gateway F F andcampingsites. caravan Youth hostel, - W Accommodation LeicestershireForest Park development - Visitor attractions F F F attractions linkedtovisitorandheritage - Events andfestivals DoningtonLake;golfat sportsat water - Sport andrecreation F Accommodation - especially self catering, caravan and caravan especiallyselfcatering, F - Accommodation vnsadfsias-lne ohrtg trcin,reservoirs, attractions, linkedtoheritage - Events andfestivals F Linked tovisitorandsportingattractions. - Events andfestivals bed and farm-basedaccommodation, - Accommodation RoslistonForestry CentreandRiver - Wildlife watching pursuits. focusforquietcountry - Sport andrecreation rs - furtherdevelopmentofCONKERS - orest rs ris- developing linksto Trent Valley andHeart - orest trails orest - Rosliston Forestry Centre orest - Calke Abbey, reservoir visitorcentres, reservoir Calke Abbey, - orest furtherlinksofalltypesbetweenkey - orest trails arm diversification - to leisure, accommodation, catering and catering accommodation, toleisure, - arm diversification rs ris- furthertrails;linksofalltypesbetween - orest trails promotionofcurrentfacilities. - ood anddrink arm diversification - to leisure, accommodation, catering and catering accommodation, toleisure, - arm diversification o n rn especiallylinkedtosettlements. - ood anddrink o n rn particularopportunitiesforfarm-based - ood anddrink olns- woodlandexpansionareawithpublic - oodlands olns- woodlandexpansionareaincluding - oodlands olns- newplantingwithpublicaccesstolink - oodlands access. recreation and conservation uses. andconservation recreation ofmineralworkingsto restoration canoeing. of the and Ashby canalforleisureboating around CONKERS;extendthere-watering horseriding andcycling. of theForest clusters; focusfor existing sites. and newwoodlands. Nadins. especiallycycling. sites, key sites. camping. retail. towns andvillages. towns cabins. log andcamping, caravan breakfast, Mease. retail. initiatives. Future tourismpotential Future tourismpotential Future tourismpotential t ourism

79 the strategy 80 the strategy 6. Charnwood Forest Forest5. Snibston -Thornton Parks 4. Trent Valley Water Park ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ oettuimteeKeyexisting attractions Forest tourismtheme ■ Keyexisting attractions Forest tourismtheme oettuimteeKeyexisting attractions Forest tourismtheme t F areas(Bradgate largeoutdoorrecreation - Recreation W Park Bradgate andBeaconHillCountry - Visitor attractions F Snibston ManorHouse, DoningtonleHeath - Park. SnibstonDiscovery - W education Heritage Heritage Thornton Park, SnibstonDiscovery - Visitor attractions Trent Burtonwashlands, abilitiesaccess, andwoodlands. reserves wetlandnature - F and access Trent andMerseycanal(canalboating), - F Bartonmarina. Wildlife fishing, Branstongolfclub, - Sport andrecreation Heritage Coors Memorial National Arboretum (NMA), - Visitor attractions idie- ayntr eevs Cropstonand reserves, nature many - Park, Bradgate sites, monasticheritage - F Wildlife Heritage Sence at birdwatching Valley Forest Park. - F Snibstonamajorvenue. - Events andfestivals Wildlife fishingat orienteering Thornton reservoir; - Sport andrecreation Burtonwashlands Burtonbeerfestival, eg. - Burton club, Wychnorhotelandcountry Events andfestivals - Accommodation Villages and - attractive villages andcountryside. villages attractive - countryside and Villages rs ris- akn rislnigkysts plus walkingtrailslinkingkeysites, - orest trails all cycling, walkingtrailslinkingkeysites, - orest trails beeranditsbreweries; Burtonupon Trent, - all Sustranscycleway, walkingtrails, - ood anddrink orest trails o n rn Hm am Nanpanton; restaurantsand HomeFarm, - ood anddrink restaurantsand tearooms. - ood anddrink ourism olns-Charnwood Ancient many Forest, mature oodlands largenewForest parkswithpublicaccess - oodlands fishing. rugged uplandpeakswithviewpoints; P and newwoodswithpublicaccess. P W Battram Woods, Bagworth Sence Valley, - Hough windmill. Swannington Incline, Park, Discovery visitorcentre. reservoir and Merseycanaltowpath. Marstonsbrewery. Coors Visitor Centre, Visitor Centre. horseriding routes. horseriding. abilities access, NMA. Blackbrook reservoirs. Charnwood Forest. at festival. waterways national fayre, upon Trenthotels. pubs. r,BeaconHill)withpublicaccess; ark, ark. oods.

several sites. continued T H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE able 13. National Forest Tourism Clusters ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ou/aea ete Bartonmarina. Centre, focus/gateway F F idie- developmentofwetlandwildlifesites - F ofmineralworkings; restoration following Wildlife and recreation Wa comdto ipoeet oeitn oes new improvementstoexistinghotels, - Accommodation W Wildlife - develop facilities for showing wildlifeto developfacilities forshowing - F Wildlife developmentofaForest wildlifevisitor - Visitor attractions focus/gateway F F diving/climbing at developnewsiteseg. - Sport andrecreation Reservoir. W focus/gateway F comdto e n rafs,cmig bunkhouse camping, bedandbreakfast, F - Accommodation majorviewpoints. at interpretation - W Recreation F and heritage linkedtovisitor, - Events andfestivals F F Events and festivals - linked to visitor and heritage attractions linkedtovisitorandheritage - Events andfestivals rs - ainlMmra roeu,CoorsVisitor Memorial Arboretum, National - orest o n rn particularfocusonBurtonupon Trent. - ood anddrink rs ris- developmentoftrailsandcycle routesto - orest trails rs ris- develop mediumdistancewalkingtrails; - orest trails Park Bradgate Visitor Centre. - orest cycling, developmentofwalking, - orest trails Park and SnibstonDiscovery Thornton - orest arm diversification - to leisure, accommodation, catering and catering accommodation, toleisure, - arm diversification and catering accommodation, toleisure, - arm diversification ood and drink - opportunities linked to villages and farm opportunitieslinked tovillages - ood anddrink sectorneedsdeveloping. - ood anddrink olns- woodlandexpansionareawithnew - oodlands olns woodlandexpansionarea;reclamation of - oodlands oodlands - linkage planting, plus restoration ofgranite plusrestoration planting, linkage - oodlands e prs developmentofa Trent Valley park water - ter sports following mineralworking. following hotels. access. path. Needwood clusters; River Trent riverside link MeaseFarms and Woods and visitors. centre/field studiescentre. Grange. Ibstock orienteeringat Markfield Quarry; uses. (long term)toleisureandconservation andgranitequarries Nailstone Colliery barn typefacilities. leisure uses. and quarries (longterm)toconservation monastic sites. Ancient Woods and wildlife, - geology, Potential forthemedtrails abilities access. cycling andall potential forhorseriding, horseriding andallabilitiestrails. attractions. sport/recreation retail. retail. a and woodlands. Barton marinaakeysiteforcanalusers. Future tourismpotential Future tourismpotential Future tourismpotential ttractions. r andachieves by pooling duplication ofeffort partners ‘addedvalue’for tourism area for visitor marketing National Forest andbeyond’). (‘The Thisapproach avoids ov approachpartnership to marketing. Akey aspectofthisiscoordination withinan The National Forest Tourism Working Group (TWG) hasdeveloped astrong Visitor marketing A to usetheForestencouraged logointheirown promotions. NFC hasalsodeveloped Tourism alogolicencingagreement. businesseswillbe to developpromotional theForest material inthemindsofvisitors. The brand waymarkers, boards, trail interpretation ofForest-related ranges merchandise and help to develop astrong Forest TheForest brand. logoshouldbeusedonsignage, will theForest’s values(25)andinturn brand Visitor marketing willneedto reflect Branding A recreation anddisabledvisitor markets. sport, to attract new opportunities gr Market segmentswillneedto to bereviewed match periodically theForest’s as‘Empty Nesters’,identified andSchool, Familygroups Scoutand GuideGroups. researchsegmentation to visitor helptarget marketing. Initialsegmentshave been The National Forest Tourism Working market Group (TWG) hasundertaken Market Segments 7. H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE esources to achieve widerandmore targetedvisitor marketing. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ oettuimteeKeyexisting attractions Forest tourismtheme ction T13: The NFCwillpromote uptake National of the Forest logo ction T12:

o erall Forest ofalargergeographic erall themeandpositioningtheForest attheheart N wing tourism product with suitable newmarkets. product withsuitable therewing tourism willbe Inparticular iio trcin Byrkley Park gardencentre. - Visitor attractions elh- HoarCrosshealthspa. - unspoiltruralareaandvillages. attractive, - F JacksonsBankpicnicarea. - Health and Villages Recreation eiae- itrcprln sae,Needwood historicparklandestates, - F Heritage countryside W o n rn -ByrkleyPark gardencentreand - ood anddrink rs ris- walkingtrailslinkingkeysites, - orest trails eedwood Forest olns- akosBn n eea ag,new JacksonsBankandseverallarge, - oodlands licencing agreement. segments every 3-5years. The National Forest TWG willreview visitor market Ancient Forest. woods withpublicaccess. horseriding. village pubs. village ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ F W estates newaccesstocountry encourage - sportsand developmentofcountry - Sport andrecreation Heritage focus/gateway F comdto onr os oes bedandbreakfast, househotels, country F - Accommodation Events and festivals - linked to country estates/sports. linkedtocountry F - Events andfestivals rs ris- development oftrailsalltypes. - orest trails ByrkleyPark gardencentre. - orest arm diversification - to leisure, accommodation, catering and catering accommodation, toleisure, - arm diversification ood and drink - opportunities linked to country estates, opportunitieslinkedtocountry - ood anddrink olns- odadepninae.Encouraging woodlandexpansionarea. - oodlands public accesstoexistingandnewwoods. discreetly sitedleisuredevelopments. highquality,pursuits linkedtoestates; GardensScheme. throughtheNational eg. bunk housebarns. retail. local villages. Future tourismpotential t ourism

81 the strategy 82 the strategy t ourism ■ A ■ ■ ■ ■ A and surveys will beundertaken: and surveys nationalbenchmarking.and to against measure progress Thefollowing research to the Forest’s visitor market andto make best useofresources. There isalsoaneed A strong research to understand oftourism, baseisessentialto monitor theeffects 10.7 Research andsurveys Tr Interpretation boards T Brown andWhitesigns R t A coordinated, Forest-themed, approach alsoneedsto of beappliedto allforms Signage ■ ■ This approach willneedto ofvisitor beappliedto promotions: awide-range H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A t c (22)to monitorThe NFCcommissionseconomicimpact assessmentsoftourism Economic Impact Assessment by to, theForest. shouldbeincluded Thisinformation location inandcontribution should ideallyincludetheForest logoandtext abouttheForest, to recognise asite’s w aw A linked to visitor attractions. withinandnearto theForest, withinsettlements, atlay-bys services and motorway for newTIPs;for example at in2002.Locationsneedto beidentified undertaken ourism signage. A start hasbeenmadebutmuch remains to signage.Astart bedone. ourism ourism expenditure, jobcreation andnationalcomparisons. ourism hanges in visitor numbers, patterns ofvisiting(eg.day visitsandovernighthanges invisitor numbers,patterns stays), ction T2). eather and fade within3-5years boards eather andfade andneedreplacing. Allinterpretation to 1:TheNational Forest TWG willcoordinate visitor marketing ction T14: ction T16: The NFC will undertake Economic Impact TheNFCwillundertake Assessmentsof ction T16: to 1:TheNational Forest Tourism Working Groupction willidentify T15: ourist Information Points

oad signs

ta ails waymarking areness of the Forest as a tourism destinationareness (seeAction oftheForest asatourism TR7, Chapter 13). site owners onnewboards and whenboards are updatedorrenewed (see Ad Information Centres (mediumto andvisitor longterm). attractions Information Development ofadestination managementsystem linked to Tourist E-marketing. T Joint ticketing initiatives. We outlets. and drink accommodation andfood visitorPromotional attractions, –featuring literature ke ourism exhibitions andevents.ourism ve

bsites –National Forest ( account of national tourism trends andresearchaccount ofnationaltourism thatisrelevant to theForest r tising, advertorial andpublicrelations. tising, advertorial – National Forest boundary and village entry signsare helpingto raise andvillageentry – National Forest boundary of the Forestof the andits’surrounding area and attractions. t standardise aForest TIPswithin design. themed locations for new TIPsandaprogramme willbedeveloped to ourism every 2-3years.ourism – SeeAction SR13, Chapter 5. – Information panels on interpretation boards canoften panelsoninterpretation – Information – Seesection13.11, Chapter 13. – AnauditofTourist Points Information (TIPs)was www.nationalforest.org ) andlinksto other sites. identity for, andawareness of,theForest brand. The National Forest logolicencingscheme (Action T13) willhelpto buildan Coordinated marketing education colleges. Associationandfurther Hospitality TheBritish ofEngland, Links, VisitHeart ensure repeat shouldbecoordinated business.Specialist skillstraining by Business the needto develop highworkforce to ofcustomer standards care andservice by theNFC(21). needs assessmenthasbeenundertaken A training Thishighlights Skills training Pa Business adviceandsupport newventures.businesses andto support These willinclude: mechanismsEffective support needto beinplaceto helpdevelop tourism 10.8 Tourism businessdevelopment A joint research. andcommissioning andbest practice information insharing benefit be great to enablecomparativesurveys analysisandbenchmarking. There would also similar, Thisshouldaimto andvisitor establish attractions. partners standardised A coordinated approach shouldbedeveloped to between visitor surveys tourism Forest sitesandattractions. outvisitors likes anddislikes andto about find to measure customersurveys service visitor to satisfaction undertake important Itwillbeincreasingly attractions. by are otherfrequently alsoundertaken visitor theyare visiting.Similarsurveys where peoplehadtravelled from, andwhy and howassess visitor profiles, were atsixwoodlandVisitor undertaken surveys sitesin1998 and2001 (6),to Visitor surveys A marketing theForest generally, butalsohasdirect relevance for visitor marketing. localandnationalawareness isakeyMeasuring in aspectofassessingprogress Aw H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE We r Green businessdevelopment). Audit Kitfor There tourism isakey sustainable communications technology, marketing andpromoting (eg.The best practice ole here for Business Links, Learning andSkillsCouncils,emdaAdvantage ole here for BusinessLinks,Learning to 1:Proi v Periodic ction T18: awareness periodic TheNFCwillundertake surveys ofThe ction T17: r ticularly related to and fundingsources, businessmanagement,information st areness surveys

Midlands. visitor attractions. Fo N ational Forest. re st sites;andsimilarsurveys willbeencouragedat isitor surveys atselected will beundertaken t ourism

83 the strategy 84 the strategy t ourism A through awidepartnership. ofvisitorImplementation managementinitiatives will beashared responsibility in coordinating itself. activitybutwillnot directly employ services ranger by landowners. TheNFCwillneedto lead site managementproblems identified to for visitors andto actaspoints ofcontact material andinterpretation information ofthecountry. Well-resourced to provideparts willbeimportant services ranger from developed bestThe Forest practice willneedto inother learn heavily visited Chapter 13). r heavily usedareas (eg.theAshby Woulds) andacross theForest, especiallyin management willneedto beaddressed atheavily in usedsitesandattractions, destination willhave widespread visitor managementimplications. Visitor largenumbersofvisitorsThe prospect astheForest ofattracting grows asatourism 10.9 Visitor Management anddiscussionofshared issues. information of visits,sharing industry to facilitate from withintheindustry established exemplars. best practice their activitiesagainst businessclubshouldbe Atourism from oneanother to andbenchmark learn Businesses shouldalsobeencouraged activity, Forest promotions usefulcontacts, andexamples ofbest practice. business newsletter and/or annualfactsheets to keep ofcurrent businessesinformed tours. TheNFCalsoplanto produceneed, together atourism withfamiliarisation their visitor product. TheNFC’s Tourism Marketing helpsto meet this Forum Businesses needto beaware trends sothattheycandevelop ofthelatest tourism Business communication H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE elation to public access. Traffic management will also be a critical issue(see managementwillalsobeacritical elation to publicaccess.Traffic ction T19: ranger service. feasibilityand assessthe ofdeveloping aNational Forest The NFCwilldevelop avisitor managementstrategy 11.1 Introduction re oftheproposed includingtheappropriateness ofplanningfactors, upon arange ofdevelopments willassessthesuitability based PlanningAuthorities uses. Mineral merely becauseanapplicantexpresses awillingnessto restore asiteto Forest-related workings willnot beacceptable for andlandfill mineral Planning permission Planning permissionandrestoration 11.3 Strategyprinciples T psychological boost. w new have into thriving beentransformed once-black scarsoftheCoalfield Many of the significant. amount ofderelict landreclamation hasbeenparticularly haoflandhadbeenrestoredBy 2003964 to Forest-related uses(Table 15). The 11.2 Restorationprogress completed sitesare restored. and whennewplanningapplicationsare determined consideration significant to ensure thatTheNational Forest andlocalauthorities remains a industry withtheminerals relationships are maintained thatlong-term therefore important workings willnot simply ceaseatonepointinthefuture. Itis andlandfill Mineral T Re H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE re To sites. workings mineral andsomeformer now aslandfill operate Coalfield; over left from ofthe deepmineworkings, inparts land, primarily remains alegacy inCharnwood. Derelict andgranite Leicestershire andSouthDerbyshire Coalfield includingsandandgravel intheTrentminerals Valley, coalandclay inthe prominent oftheForest features of area. Thearea inavariety inparts isrich sitesremain workingsMineral andto alesserextent derelict landandlandfill biodiversity, development. andrecreation andtourism publicaccess,sport ofForest-related to awide-range usesincluding,woodlandcontribute creation, eeitln 0 0.6 0.06 3.5 300 28 1,787 T Derelict land Landfill sites Mineral workings Landuse activity eeitln 6 7 267 T Derelict land T iea ad6719 697 Mineral land oodlands, which hasgiven thearea atremendous physical, visualand able 15 -Restoration to Forest uses,1991 –2002 able 14 -Mineral Workings, sitesandderelict land landfill st f tl215h 4.16% 2,115ha otal tl94h 26% 964ha otal ype ofland gether theseactivitiescover over 4%oftheForest area (Table 14). lect theNational Forest Strategy. st oration scheme.oration Restoration schemes should,wherever possible,bedesignedto oration of mineral, derelict and landfill sitesprovides to amajor opportunity derelict andlandfill ofmineral, oration adrsoe h)%oftotalForest creation Land restored(ha) urn ra(a %ofForest area Current area(ha) derelict land sites and landfill wo Mineral r kings,

85 the strategy 86 the strategy derelict land wo sites and mineral landfill landfill r kings, Appendix 6). In the longer term a further 1,450 ha of mineral and landfill sites 1,450 afurther andlandfill haofmineral Appendix 6).Inthelongerterm sitesand 150 ha ofderelict land(see andlandfill uses -480hafrom mineral estimates thataroundthe Strategy 630haoflandcouldberestored to Forest-related to theForest’s contribution creation overimportant thenext 10 years. Research for A sitesthrough Forest-related schemes (seesection11.6).and landfill solutionsto therestoration practical workings, ofmineral delivering derelict land the Forest canhelpto meet thepolicyobjectives by ofother organisations theobjectives oftheForest Strategy.them to includepolicieswhich Inturn reflect Midlands. Asnewpolicydocumentsare produced theNFCwillseekto influence West emdaandAdvantage Partnerships, producedand strategies by English (26, 27)Regional andWaste PlanningGuidance(28,29),CountyMinerals Plans individual sites.TheForest isincludedinNational PlanningGuidance Minerals and derelict landpolicyatalllevels, asthisprovides thecontext for restoration of waste to minerals, disposal It isessentialthattheForest continuesto bewritten-in 11.5 Planningpolicycontext to landislikelyThe Government’s to target build60%ofnewhomeson‘brownfield’ environment andinward theimageofarea for andaffects tourism investment. thelocal areas. Itdowngrades As for derelict land, thisremains ablightincertain cases may delay orhamper Forest-related restoration. wo proposals to followdereliction onfrom andsometimes mineral linklandfill negotiations involve for canoften newoperations oldconsentsandprevious after-uses andrestoration allhave upontheoperation ofsites.Inaddition, abearing demand (eg.for landowner minerals), interests, environmental impacts andsuitable localopposition.Government generate policies,marketand newproposals often localimpacts havecomplex set significant working ofissues.Mineral andlandfill andderelict sitespresents operations a The future context for andlandfill mineral 11.4 Future context sitesshouldbefollowed. guidelinesinrestoring Best practice term. are not usesforfuture precluded after restored inthelong sites(eg.agriculture) r Highquality restoration usingallavailable willbeencouraged, soil benefits. possible andthatindividualrestoration schemes shouldmaximiseForest-related wherever sitesshouldfavour Forest-related afteruses derelict landandlandfill The NFCwillcontinueto advocate thatthe restoration workings, ofmineral Maximising Forest-related benefits H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Re Overall potential 11.6 Restorationofsites esources andavoiding unduecompaction. Thiswillensure thatany alternative ction M1: The NFC should continue to be a non-statutory consulteeon TheNFCshouldcontinueto beanon-statutory M1: ction

limit theamountoflandthatcanberestored to Forest usesinthefuture. st r king. These issues can dictate the paceatwhichking. Theseissuescandictate sitesare restored andinsome oration of mineral, derelict and landfill siteswillcontinueto make an derelict andlandfill ofmineral, oration minerals, waste disposalandderelict landpolicydocuments. re sitesare restored Agricultural back toof many agriculture. andlandfill mineral More Forest-related restoration couldbeachieved were itnot for thatparts thefact Sence Valley Forest Park, Leicestershire -restored opencast coalsite A restoration schemes. Suchbe encouraged. to works final willcontribute tree plantingandprogressive restorationscreening shouldall ofsitesby peripheral environmental impacts. To helpcompensate for theseimpacts advanceplanting, canhave operations wide-ranging andlandfill Due to theirscalemineral sites Mineral andlandfill Re many restoration proposals are indicative atthisstage. ofthislandthatcould berestoredestimate theproportion to Forest-related uses,as r H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE the Forest area). 2and3ain land(Grades potential ofbest andmost versatilelong term agricultural isnot incompatibleaftercare, forestry withGovernment policyfor safeguarding the incomeandhigherlandvalues.Howeverof rental restoration and withappropriate A thatitcontinues. this dialogueanditisimportant andother operators siteowners. TheNFCvalues andlandfill mineral authorities, The NFCisconsultedonplanningapplicationsandrestoration proposals by local accommodate two ormore Forest-related activities. of users.Theaimshouldbeto achieve highquality restoration schemes that uses.Publicaccessshouldalsobeamajor for consideration, awiderange and sports is alsoaneedfor more imaginative recreation restoration to nature conservation, sites. Woodland focus for creation shouldremain many aprime schemes, butthere emain to berestored, activity. baseduponcurrent to However itisdifficult ction M3: The NFC will encourage the TheNFCwillencouragethe ction M3: ction M2: The NFC should continue to be a non-statutory consulteeon TheNFCshouldcontinueto beanon-statutory M2: ction st st oration is preferred by mineral companies by ispreferred mineral oration andlandowners prospects asitoffers oration offers some of the best opportunities for creating multi-purpose Forest for creating someofthebest multi-purpose opportunities offers oration and landfill sitesto Forest usesby 2014.and landfill site restoration plans. andderelict landplanningapplicationsand minerals, landfill re storation of480hamineral

Christopher Beech wo mineral derelict land sites and landfill r kings,

87 the strategy 88 the strategy derelict land wo sites and mineral landfill landfill r kings, A planning system. inreclaiming siteswillbepromoted,practice includingtheROOTS restoration tree plantingandother usesmay not always therefore Best beappropriate. derelict sitescanhave biodiversity, geologicalorarchaeological interest. Extensive could beusedfor builtdevelopment. Itmust also berecognised that some Around 300haofderelict landremains intheForest area. Ofthis,around 150 ha inthearea. land reclamation programme TheNFCwilladvocate anactive withtheseorganisations and localauthorities. ot ofreclamationwill becontinuedtargeting fundingtowards Forest-related and R Derelict landsites A o land, thelandowner’s requirements ifthe willcontinueto berespected, particularly owner isnot operator ofthe theoutright orlandfill where amineral In instances Forest-related restoration intheForest thanincludeitasanoption. area, rather the issueitwould require achange inGovernment policyto positively favour number ofsitesandthissituationislikely to continueinthefuture. To overcome restoration ata This issuehasresulted intheForest losinglandto agricultural H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Lount Nature -formerly Reserve LountColliery wner doesnot wantaForest-related restoration scheme ontheirland. ction M5: The NFC will encourage the restoration TheNFCwillencouragethe of150 haofderelict ction M5: TheNFCwillencourageGovernment to consideramending ction M4: eclamation ofderelict landshouldcontinueto beahighpriority.Akey to success her schemes, by Regional Sub-Regional Development Partnerships Agencies, land to Forest usesby 2014. Fo national MineralsPlanningGuidanceto favour restoration to re st-related Forest usesinthe area.

Robert Fraser A how intheForest’s theycouldplay afullerpart creation. projects. Some companies are involved inthisway butothers shouldalsoconsider by ex to theForest for companies inother mineral to ways contribute opportunities -for Thesewiderlandholdingspresent areas of farmland. include significant companyMineral extend landholdingsoften beyond sitesto theiroperational 11.8 Mineralcompanylandholdings A managing thesetypesofsites,andlocalcommunities. Commission, whohave indeveloping expertise considerable and established areNFC (30).Key likely andtheForestry partners to includelocalauthorities Guidance onsitemanagementandownership options has been produced by the Po planning ofrestoration schemes to ensure thatsitesmeet theirfuture requirements. potential landowning shouldbeinvolved ormanagingorganisations intheearly beingconsidered. Inallinstances management whenrestoration proposals are first Site owners shouldconsidertheiroptions for future siteownership and/or managers andthisiswhensitemanagementcanlapse. somesiteowners are unlikelyperiod owners to wantto and remain long-term and includea5year following after-care period theirrestoration. Beyond this essential. Most sitesare covered by planningconditionsorSection106 agreements Ac 11.7 Sitemanagementandownership Pa isdevelopingin Staffordshire asimilarapproach intheTrent andTame Valleys. successful intheAshby Woulds area ofLeicestershire. Rivers TheCentral Initiative proposals cancomplement oneanother. Thisapproach hasproved particularly restoration ofwiderareas andhowconsider long-term individualsiterestoration Restoration that Strategies from Integrated derelict sites.Theseareas canbenefit and In someareas oftheForest landfill there ofmineral, are highconcentrations Integrated Restoration Strategies H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A k andcommunityrepresentatives specialist is organisations land, localauthorities, ey to thesuccessofsuch initiatives. ction M8: The NFC will establish aminerallandowner TheNFCwillestablish liaisongroup to ction M8: TheNFCwillencouragesiteowners to develop long-term ction M7: ction M6: Integrated Restoration Strategies shouldbeconsidered Integrated for ction M6: ample, projects by developing sponsoring projects usingNational Forest grants; r donating land surplus to thesaleoflandfor requirements; Forest donatinglandsurplus orconsidering tential exit strategies will vary dependingupontherestoration purpose. tential exit willvary strategies hieving the highest restoration standards and long-term management ofsitesis hieving thehighest restoration andlong-term standards tnership working involving mineral and landfill companies,tnership working owners ofderelict involving andlandfill mineral landholdings. discuss options for Forest projects onmineralcompany site managementplansfor restored sites. sites in Charnwood and clay workings in the Coalfield. sites inCharnwood andclay workings Coalfield. inthe andlandfill Forest, ofthe quarries parts includinggranite wo mineral derelict land sites and landfill r kings,

89 the strategy 90 the strategy Planning detract from theenvironment thattheForest iscreating. r N ■ ■ ■ ■ objectives. Development should: toproposed economic,socialandenvironmental development shouldcontribute theForest vision, forward In keeping development, withsustainable andto carry Development andthe Forest setting to The NFCwillwork to seek withRegional PlanningBodiesandlocalauthorities proposed underthePCPBwhich approval. are subjectto Parliamentary st development intheForestsustainable willbeencouraged to meet localneeds.New R Development andthe Forest setting 12.2 PlanningStrategyPrinciples linked into thenewsystem atnational,regional andlocallevels. as theplanningsystem evolves over thenext few years. TheForest willneedto be Purchase oftheStrategy implementation Bill(PCPB).This willaffect Compulsory through thePlanningand beingreformed The planningsystem iscurrently land indevelopment plans. policiesandproposalsinto for accountinformulating development andtheuseof guidance (31) shouldtake theForest Strategy thatlocalplanningauthorities states role intheplanningsystem, butnationalplanning Forest hasanon-statutory andattheregional level theRegionalauthorities PlanningBodies.TheNational Locally, development planningistheresponsibility oftheForest’s local statutory better for facilities localpeople. ofnewjobs,amore diverse intheform economy,benefits visitor spendingand that make substantial useoftheForest are alsoincreasing. Thisactivityisbringing of peoplewantingto live inthearea. Proposals facilities for newleisure andtourism environment newbusinessactivityandincrease willcontinueto thenumber attract are continuingto grow inlinewithdevelopment plansandtheimproved r Development andtheplanningsystem to thatcontrols ithave play in the part avital 12.1 Introduction H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE development area andamore attractive environment for future development. adding to theForest’s thiswillhelpto create amore valuable creation. Inturn in part andplayenhance thevalueofdevelopments animportant inreal terms to itthrough woodlandcontributes plantingandlandscaping. This willhelpto developers withitsForest setting development to encourage and thatintegrates The NFCwillwork and withRegional PlanningBodies,localauthorities Development-related planting espects itssetting intheForest andthatitsnature, scaleandlocationdoesnot ealisation oftheForest. Development activityisbuoyant inthearea. Settlements ru egional Planning Guidance, Structure and Local Plans currently identifywhere andLocalPlanscurrently egional PlanningGuidance,Structure

ational Forest Strategy. Planningpoliciesshouldensure thatnewdevelopment influence the preparation of planning policy to reflect theobjectives ofthe ofplanningpolicyto thepreparation reflect influence meeting theForest Strategy’s objectives. oftheForest’s towards part creation by makingareal contribution be anintegral provide effective protection ofthelocalenvironment; achieve economicgrowth; sustainable inclusive communities; promote andsustainable thriving, ctures -Regional andLocalDevelopment SpatialStrategies Frameworks -are A Tr ot thatForestFrameworks. planningpolicies are linked Itwillalsobeimportant into for consideration ‘Areawarrant Action Plans’ withinLocalDevelopment U r Forest- andlocalcommunitieswhenconsidering developers, planningauthorities drawn upby theNFC’s PlanningWorking Group. Thiswould to give clarity from having modelForest policies,which couldbe planning tiermightbenefit oftwo Each asitspansparts regions, three countiesandsixdistricts. particularly A consistent andinter-linked policyapproach isalsoessentialacross theForest, the area. A re in each tieroftheplanningsystem andthatthere iscontinuedcommitmentto have f plansandstrategies andmany CommunityStrategies other non-statutory authority and sixLocalPlansthatcover aspectoflocal thearea. Itisalsoanimportant (under review), Plans Regional PlanningGuidance(28,29) andthethree Structure The National Forest features inPlanningPolicy Guidance(PPG)Note 7(31) 12.3 PlanningPolicyFramework New housingandwoodland plantingatMeasham,Leicestershire (32)(underreview). obligations landscaping schemes shouldbedrawn upwithinthecontext ofnationalplanning burden newdevelopments withadditionalcosts orjeopardise theirviability. All to planttrees. Equallyoffers woodland landscapingschemes shouldnot unduly Ne H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE or thearea. ItwillbeessentialthattheForest’s objectives continueto bereflected elated planningissues. to 1 TheNFC willpromote National inclusionofthe Forest the ction P1: ction P2: ga nder theproposed ofit,may newplanningsystem theForest, also orparts her policy instruments, notably Regional andCounty notably EconomicStrategies her policyinstruments, ansport Plans. ansport w developments shouldnot, however, beaccepted just becauseanapplicant rd

to

the National Forest Strategy when considering planningmattersin the National Forest whenconsidering Strategy Spatial Strategies. Guidance/Statements andinRegionalPlanningGuidance/ St Plans/Frameworks. N The NFCwillpromote inclusionofconsistent the ational Forest LocalDevelopment policies within rategy asapolicyconsiderationinNational Planning

Christopher Beech planning

91 the strategy 92 the strategy planning the Forest Strategy. objectives willbejudgedto beinaccord andhelpto with achieve widerbenefits (Table 16).economic andenvironmental benefits Developments which meet these N of toDevelopment-related a wide range plantingandlandscapingcontributes PlanningGuidance. or adopted asSupplementary Inspectors have recommended thattheybeincludedasAppendicesto LocalPlans developments. Thesehave andPlanning beentested atLocalPlanInquiries ofplantingguidelinesfor advocated new Strategy aseries The original 12.5 NationalForest plantingguidelines when theyare agreed. ofproposals part This willensure thatnewwoodland landscapingisanintegral landallocationsfor thinkingwhenstrategic Strategy newdevelopment are made. theForestplanting withdevelopment; andlocalplanningpolicy by integrating regional ofwoodland planningpolicyby promoting theprinciple influence ofthisactivityontheForestpotential environment. effects TheNFCwillseekto to R gr developmentnew housing.Leisure willalsoincrease andtourism astheForest gr The Forest’s creation isalso likely to beagrowing for attractor development. A ■ ■ additional development pressure associatedwith: housing development ha.ofemployment and 340 sites.TheForest mightalsoface R ov The Forest area islikely to locations seeincreased development pressure incertain 12.4 Future development A w Strategy, Forestry aswellEngland asgivingadded‘weight’ to development-related theplanningobjectives ofthe to helpfulfil Planning Guidance.Thisisimportant the revision ofCircular 36/78,Trees andForestry, ofthereview ofNational aspart to promote Forum Forestry theintentionofEngland The NFCalsosupports H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE oodland creation andmanagementinareas such asTheNational Forest. ction P3: The NFC will encourage the early TheNFCwillencouragethe revision ofCircular 36/78, ction P3: egional Planning Guidance/Spatial Strategies andlocalplanningpolicywillneed egional PlanningGuidance/SpatialStrategies LocalPlanallocationsofaround 330ha.of esearch for hasidentified theStrategy

ow eener environment newbusinessinvestment willhelpto attract anddemandfor ational Forest objectives, aswell ashelpingto achieve many other socio- er thenext 10 years from proposals withinthearea andfrom outsidetheForest. set aclearframework for development intheForest area andforesee the airport, which couldincrease thedemandfor housinginthearea.airport, ofmajor effect’ newdevelopment around Eastand thepossible‘ripple Midlands of theRiver Trent; uponTrent,the area southofBurton possiblylinked withanewroad crossing s asavisitor destination. Tr ees andForestry. periodically reviewed practice. inthelightofcurrent periodically anddevelopers across theForestplanning authorities area. Theguidelineswillbe andwillrequireObligations consistent commitmentto by theirimplementation need towithinthecontext betaken ofthenationalreview forward ofPlanning the plantingguidelinesandrecommended revised guidelines(Table 17). Thesewill theNFC’s PlanningWorking experience As aresult ofcurrent Group hasreviewed Revised plantingguidelines planting. in providing off-site f withthedesire higherhousingdensities.Thismay(Housing), requiring conflict Since theguidelineswere drawn upamendmentshave alsobeenmadeto PPG3 anddevelopers to implement planningauthorities theguidelines. amongst certain planting guidelineswere pitched too high.There hasalsobeenlesswillingness schemes have achieved much suggests thatsomeofthe more. Thisexperience plantingwithcommercial developments,substantial whereas housingandleisure r achieved in exemplary schemes; butinother casesplantinghasbeeninsignificant anddevelopersinconsistent across theForest. have Someplanningauthorities oftheplantingguidelineshas,however,Implementation beenpatchy and to Section 106 (4).£1millionhasalsobeensecured incommutedsums agreements Over 100 haofbuiltdevelopment-related landscapinghasbeensecured through experience Current T H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE or on-siteplantingandasaresult somedevelopers are showing increased interest elation to the scale of development. It has also proved more difficult to achieveelation to thescaleofdevelopment. Ithasalsoproved more difficult ■ ■ ■ ■ Meeting NationalForestobjectives ■ able 16 ofdevelopment-related landscaping –Thebenefits wards off-site Forest projects. wards off-site - helps to mitigate thevisualimpactof - helps tomitigate woodedsetting. anattractive Creating - reflectingdifferentprioritiestowards policyMeeting strategic objectives. - contributestoForest targets. - providesnewgreenspaceclose towhere opportunities. recreation Creating habitats. - canhelptolinkfragmented - helpstomeetBiodiversitytargets. wildlifehabitats. andmanaging Creating - contributestoplantingtargets. - enhancesthevalueofhighquality developmentintoitsForest- integrates setting. o oa eeomn oiis(g urban - forzonaldevelopmentpolicies(eg. novslclrsdns schoolsandbusiness - involveslocalresidents, Involving localcommunities. F acrossthe implementing theForest Strategy people liveandwork. development. development. fringe). employees inenvironmentalschemes. employees orest’s zones. landscape etn te oil economicand Meeting othersocial, ■ environmental objectives ■ ■ ■ ■ - a more attractive environmenthelpstoattract - amoreattractive work. throughlandscaping - jobcreation improvesthe - highqualitylandscaping Improving thelocaleconomy. - treeshelptoabsorbcarbondioxideinthe - treesprovideshadeandshelterwhichcan - treesfilterpollutedair. ahealthyenvironment. Creating - contributingtotheGovernment’s ‘liveability’ Providing localgreenspaceneeds. - beltsoftreesactasbarriersandscreensto Reducing noiseandvisualintrusion. - treesinurbanareashelptosoakupsurface run-off. Improving water new investment. environment arounddevelopments. a demandinnearbybuildings. reduce energy a a intrusive developmentandprovidesomenoise ae,therebyreducingfloodingpotential. water, tmosphere. genda forsustainablecommunities. ttenuation. planning

93 the strategy 94 the strategy planning landscaping features willdependuponthe setting that andopportunities the sitepresents. open spaceprovision; andthe provision of new recreation facilities. Theappropriate mix of w meets the National Forest development plantingguidelines.Landscapingwillgenerally involve accompanying landscaping proposals. Developments shallprovide on-siteornearby landscapingthat T planning agreements. schemes, examples, best practice siteownership andmanagementsetting upof This includesadviceonlandscapingoptions (seeTable 18), modelcosts of creating Forest-relateddevelopers landscaping schemes andlocalauthorities (30). The NFC’s PlanningWorking Group hasproduced guidancefor best practice creation inlieuofplanting. habitat of otherin schemes to forms undertake andinsomecasesitwillbeappropriate creation (i.e.atleast 50%tree planting).However openspacecanalsobeincluded The mainemphasis oftheplantingguidelineswillcontinueto beuponwoodland Development plantingbest practice A T H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Wi planningdocuments: which couldbeexpanded uponinsupplementary the NFCPlanningWorking Group andbebaseduponthefollowing principles, planting policyinLocalDevelopment Plans/Frameworks. by Thisshouldbeagreed includeadevelopment The NFCrecommends thatlocalplanningauthorities Model development plantingpolicy ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ oodland planting,butcanalsoinclude creation andmanagement ofother appropriate habitats; All developmentschemes ■ Road schemes Proposednewplantingguideline ■ ■ leisure developments commercialand Industrial, ■ ■ Housing developments Development category to 4 TheNFCwillpromote National inclusionofthe Forest the ction P4: able 18 -Development landscapingoptions able 17 -National Forest development plantingguidelines t hin TheNational Forest the Forest newdevelopments willberequired context to intheir reflect Garden trees Development landscaping trees Roadside/avenue Community orchards P woodlandbeltsandspinneys New woodlands, New routes Sites over1ha. Sites under1ha. Sites over0.5ha. Sites under0.5ha. arkland Plans/Frameworks anddevelopment landscapingschemes. development LocalDevelopment plantingguidelineswithin ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ and impactofthedevelopment. Levelsofplantingwilldependuponthescale road andoff-site. Aim toachievewell-woodedsettingswithplantingadjoiningthe eitheron-siteorneartothedevelopment. landscaping; 20% ofthedevelopmentsiteareatobewoodlandplantingand eitheron-siteorneartothedevelopment. landscaping; 20% ofthedevelopmentsiteareatobewoodlandplantingand for at least5years. for at publicaccesstoitandmaintainingthesite creating woodland, plantinganew thecostofbuyingland, This willgotowards of£10,000perhectarethegrossdevelopmentarea. rate aguideline Thiswillbeat acommutedsumshouldbepaid. met, In exceptionalcircumstancesiftheplantingguidelinescannotbe Normal landscaping, appropriate tothesite’s appropriate setting. Normal landscaping, tothesites’s appropriate setting. Normal landscaping, ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Interpretation ofsites. Interpretation protection/management Heritage creation/management Habitat New publicaccess facilities Recreation A Local Development Plans/Frameworks. woodland andecological resources shouldidentifyimportant within authorities and protected wildlifeSites ofBiologicalImportance species.Localplanning toshould beafforded Ancient Woodlands, nationallydesignatedecologicalsites, existing woodland important Specialprotectionor fragment andother habitats. framework. Development which shouldnot mightdestroy, bepermitted damage elementsoftheForestExisting woodlands are important andother habitats 12.7 Woodland andBiodiversityprotection A t for to re-use leisure oradapt and opportunities existing buildingsinthecountryside (section 9.3,Chapterset 9).There are to likely grow inimportance to beparticular businessesto Forest-related activitiesis continued viability. offarm Diversification theForest’shelping to create andmaintain landscape andtheneedto ensure their businessesin ofagricultural Planning policiesshouldalsorecognise theimportance ■ ■ providedlocal planningauthorities that: Proposals for new Forest-related developments shouldbeencouragedby ■ ■ ■ ■ The maintypesofForest-related development are likely to be: a growing elementofthelocaleconomy. ru for unprecedentedThe Forest Forest-related offers opportunities development and 12.6 Forest-related developmentandruraldiversification A landscaping schemes shouldbefollowed, asset outinthe NFCGuidefor Developers andPlanners. Best practice guidanceonthe creation andfuture management ofForest-related plantingand authority, with whoinpartnership the NFCwilldecidehowthey shouldbeutilised. maintaining the sitefor atleast 5years. Commutedsumswillnormally bepaidto the local t t In exceptional circumstances, where plantingandlandscapingcannot beaccommodated onornearby H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE he cost ofpurchasing landfor planting,creating anewwoodland, providing publicaccessto itand he development site,dueto alack ofland,acommutedsumwillbenegotiated. Thiswillbetowards ourism uses and for land-based diversification to recreation uses. usesandfor land-baseddiversification ourism ction P7:The NFC will encourage the protection NFCwillencouragethe woodland ofimportant P7:The ction NFCwillencourageForest-related developmentction P6:The andrural inclusionofamodeldevelopment NFCwillencouragethe P5:The ction r al diversification. These elements are integral to theForest’s Theseelementsare creation integral andwillbe al diversification. development factors. leisure andeconomic environmental,notably landscape, transport, other for policyconsiderations thelocationofdevelopment, they fulfil Forest Strategy. theobjectivesthey are compatible ofthe withtheForest andassist infurthering new wood-based and rural enterprises (seeChapter 2). enterprises new wood-based andrural visitor carparks –linked facilities. andpark to newattractions andride t andrecreation (seeChapter 5). facilities sport ourism developments (seeChapterourism 10). and ecologicalresources from development proposals. policies inLocalDevelopment Plans/Frameworks. andwillpromote inclusionofappropriate the diversification; planting policyinLocalDevelopment Plans/Frameworks. planning

95 the strategy 96 the strategy and traffic Tr ansport ■ initiative has not moved forward due to funding difficulties (seesection13.8). initiative hasnot moved dueto fundingdifficulties forward upon Trent to Leicester freight linefor passengeruse.Unfortunately thiskey r Forest there wasacommitmentto Strategy theIvanhoeLinerail In theoriginal of leisure visitsto theForest are likely to bemade. levels for both andbusesare alsolessatweekends, trains Service whenthemajority by busservices. areas are poorly served therural Incomparison, variable. from Derby andLeicester are good,butconnectionsbetween theForest’s towns are uponTrent, to Burton Swadlincote, AshbyBus services delaZouch andCoalville upon Trent andDerby. Ta r There isamainline oftheForest by are well publictransport. parts served Certain Public transport light. are generally flows lanes,where traffic country by oftheForest Broads and are mainlyserved parts this situation.Therural slow andcrowded, butimprovements to theA511 (eg.Ashby bypass) are improving Conversely thelocalroad network isofalower East-west standard. routes are often growth (33). traffic be subjectto heavy road wideninginthefuture dueto usageandpredicted current r There isexcellent road accessto theForest asitisbisectedby theA38,A42andM1 The road network 13.2 Transport infrastructure also make thearea more attractive for businessinvestment andfuture development. with better accessto work, andvisitors leisure to andsocialfacilities thearea. Itwill localcommunities, Improving provision willbenefit transport be highpriorities. willneedto growth andmaximisingtheuseofpublictransport Managing traffic major, new visitor destination. Increased car-borne visitors couldcompromise oftheForest thesustainability asa issuesfor sustainability theForest. by visitors,generated isone ofthemost critical managingtraffic system, andinparticular transport Creating asustainable 13.1 Introduction H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ■ ■ around theForest area over thenext 10 years. Theseare: inand increase inroad traffic are offactors likelyA variety to result inasignificant 13.3 Future transportissues oute (now known asTheNational theBurton Forest Line),aproject to upgrade outes andisalsocloseto theA50andM6toll road. Both theA38andM1may ailway station at Burton uponTrentailway atBurton station andothers nearto theForest atLeicester, mw centres isunderway. Thiswillresult inmore work, shoppingandleisure travel. oftown onalargescaleandregeneration development isoccurring industrial economic growth withintheForest are area. high, Housebuildingrates 10 gr nationally(33). continued overall growth intraffic ow .6, Chapter 10). orth and Lichfield. Regional trains also run between Burton Regional alsorun Birmingham, trains andLichfield. orth th in visitor traffic, as the Forest grows as a tourism destination astheForest (seesection grows asatourism th invisitor traffic, r st cyclingcommitment to andwalkinginitiatives. publictransport, Theseallaccord 10 To Pa PlansandinitiativesLocal Transport such Transport astheBurton-Swadlincote issuesin hasbeenmadewiththerecognition ofForestGood progress transport T issues(Tabletransport 19). r policycontext iscomplicated astheForestThe transport covers oftwo parts 13.5 Policycontext oftheForest. benefits choices toof transport enablelocalresidents andvisitors to accessandenjoy the townscommunities insurrounding andcities.TheForest arange willaimto offer disadvantaged for somevisitors, andinparticular barrier could beasignificant becoming involved intheForest’s choices creation. Alack transport ofaffordable Many peoplewhodonot have accessto acarare precluded from visitingor Tr needsoftheForest overmeet thetransport time. ofinitiatives policyandimplementation thatwill transport will seekto influence from theForest’s circumstances arising creation. Inthisrespect theNFC transport placed, however, to to thespecial draw theattentionofallrelevant organisations The NFChasnodirect powers initiatives. to Itisclearly implement best transport others Influencing 13.4 Transport StrategyPrinciples ■ H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A esidents andvisitors, getting to andtravelling within,theForest area. egions, three counties and six districts, allofwhichegions, three countiesandsixdistricts, have involved organisations in r itit atSafrsieBruhCuclPartners totheabove Local Transport Plans Transport planning EastStaffordshireBoroughCouncil Strategies RegionalSpatial Derbyshireand Staffordshire, Responsibilities Districts LocalGovernment Association GovernmentOffices Counties Organisationsinvolved Midlands Regions East and West Geographic areas ction NFCwillpromote National ForestTR1:The issuesin transport able 19 -Transport policycontext r ongly with the NFC’s wish to see more sustainable transport choices withtheNFC’s for wishto transport ongly seemore local sustainable

ansport choiceansport for all

tnership. Regional recognition hasbeenmore limited. could act as catalysts to futurecould actascatalysts development inandaround theForest. Thesefactors andEast Midlandsairports. planned development atBirmingham We the proximity oftheForest to major economicgrowth areas, includingthe help redress the balance of increasing road traffic theGovernment produced a help redress thebalanceofincreasing road traffic y ear transport planin2002(33).Amongst other initiatives,ear transport thisincreases st

Midlands conurbation;Derby, Leicester andNottingham; andmajor r elevant policydocuments. transport Hinckley and Bosworth BoroughCouncil Hinckley andBosworth Charnwood BoroughCouncil North West LeicestershireDistrictCouncil South DerbyshireDistrictCouncil Lichfield DistrictCouncil onrsd gnyRuralTransportPartnerships Leicestershire CountyCouncils Agency Countryside and traffic transport

97 the strategy 98 the strategy and traffic transport transport A ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Pa Transport Plans,Rural issuesinLocalTransport Forest-related transport Forest’s development. recreation Itwould andtourism provide thecontext for w Forest thiswould bebest achieved through aForest-wide Strategy. Transport This Dueto thecomplex planninginthe planning andpractice. nature oftransport There to isamajor develop opportunity theForest asanexemplar ofbest transport 13.6 Forest-wide Transport Strategy H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE policybeyond thistime. transport issues becomeembeddedinmainstream rural that National Forest until2005,butitwillbe important operate arrangements w ex FortheForestaim to improve there isscopeto linknewand publictransport. rural SouthDerbyshire inEast andWest Staffordshire, These operate Leicestershire and potential for alsooffer action. Councilsandother partners, County andDistrict At 13.7 RuralTransport Partnerships ■ ■ issueto realising theForest. Itwoulda crucial needto address: as transport ofsustainable A Forest-wide would Strategy Transport theprofile raise in2003. development partners cross-regional economicstudy commissionedby theNFCandeconomic component ina hasbeenmadeby includingatransport produce it.Agoodstart a jointly‘owned’ to document,by working andother partners withtransport The NFCwould needto initiatedevelopment oftheStrategy, butwould seeitas duplicate them. Improvement withthesepolicyinitiatives, Plans.Itwould not aimto integrate ould be a non-statutory documentfocusing withthe onways to linktransport ould beanon-statutory ould benefit from framework having asingle for theForest area. Current ould benefit ction NFCwillwork to andother partners transport TR2:The with tended bus services to recreation and tourism attractions. Thepartnerships attractions. to recreation and tourism tended busservices r

a locallevel, Agency, involving Partnerships, Transport Rural theCountryside tnerships, regional and local land use plans and local authority RightsofWaytnerships, regional andlocallanduseplansauthority cycle-ways; andto identifynewinitiatives (seesection13.12). andmarketinginformation and linkswithtrails -to promote publictransport; r visitor research -to identifywhere visitors are travelling from andthetransport brown signage. andwhitetourism r buses; andsecure cycle tracks atvisitor attractions. provision ofcycle ofallowing consideration hire facilities; bicycles and ontrains ofForest andcycle-ways trails andcarparks; integration withpublictransport car andcoach parking for visitors; andhorsebox parking linked routes; to riding of designatingquietconsideration lanes/roads for recreational routes; (eg.CONKERS); attractions management andhighway safety atmajor measures, particularly tourism traffic a road route hierarchy routes for -to identifysuitable visitor traffic; r to provide and the role ofcommunitytransport communitylinksto tourism initiatives; localshuttlebusesandpark andride Forest Line,busservices, andrecreation includingdevelopment attractions, with tourism oftheNational to andwithintheForestdevelopment anditsintegration ofpublictransport, outes and modes they use, to inform future transport planning;and futureoutes andmodestheyuse,totransport inform andsettlement signsand oad signage-includingNational Forest boundary ecreation attractions (eg.‘DialaRide’typeschemes);ecreation attractions produce aForest-wide Transport Strategy. A visitors toencouraging stay longerinthearea. by reducing caruseby visitors and environmental andeconomicbenefits, intheForest. theuseofrecreational Encouraging routes has visitors arrive r The continueddevelopment ofrecreational routes addsto theForest’s leisure 13.9 All-abilities,cyclingandhorseriding routes A communities withinurbancentres andthosewithout cars. Forest isaccessibleto allsectionsofthecommunity, disadvantaged particularly Improved ofsocialinclusion,to ensure thatthe interms buslinks are important as avisitor destination. choice fortransport localresidents andvisitors oftheForest andto thesustainability t townsfrom surrounding andcitieswithintheForest to linkrecreation and Improved especiallyatweekends, busandcoach services, are neededto theForest Bus andcoach services A connections. associated cycle andpark andride hire, publictransport across theForest; with cycle, andall-abilitiestrail, orasastrategic horse-riding r shouldbegiven freight use,consideration tocurrent developing itfor other Forest- Iftheproposal cannot proceed, andthelineisnolongerneededforperiod. its thatthefuture oftheLineisdecidedearly oninthenewStrategy It isimportant are neededanyway, andwould complement thefuture development oftheline. shouldnot however,uncertainty improvements, delay other publictransport which R proposal. TheNFC’s viewisthattheLineshouldremain acommitmentin aboutthe andrevenue ofcapital fundingare causinguncertainty Difficulties and Forest trails. cycle facilities, hire, park cycle-ways andride inter-link withbusservices, stations valuableasset to theForest’sbe atruly development. potential strategic to Itoffers The proposed National Forest intheForest Line,withsixnewstations area, would N 13.8 Publictransportimprovements A H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ourism attractions. This would make a significant contribution to expanding contribution Thiswould attractions. makeourism asignificant esource (see Chapter 5) and contributes to sustainable transport options when transport to sustainable esource (seeChapter 5)andcontributes assetelated uses.Forexample, for excursions initsown rail asatourism right ction TR6: The NFC will encourage transport partners to support the to support partners TheNFCwillencouragetransport ction TR6: ction TR5: rail TheNFCwillcontinueto encouragerailauthorities, ction TR4: The NFCwillwork to a agree partners transport with ction TR3: egional policy and Local Transport andDevelopmentegional policyandLocalTransport Plans.Thecurrent ational Forest Line transport and carparks. transport development ofrecreational routes, linked to public adjoining urbanareas. r The NFCwillencourageprovision to ofbusservices Nationalimplementation ofthe Forest Line. tocompanies, pursue regional agenciesandlocalauthorities t framework initiatives for transport inandaround rural he Forest area. ecreation attractions,from andtourism localtowns and and traffic transport

99 the strategy 100 the strategy and traffic transport transport N A travellersvisiting’ signs,to inform thattheyhave theForest area. left you pointsalongmainroads for itwould ‘Thank helpto install at boundary theForest; and routessigns shouldalsobeconsidered andcanalsentering besiderail Forest, assettlement signsonlycover ofthearea. New part boundary thecentral awarenessand raise needsto be extended oftheForest. across Thisprogramme the to hasdeveloped acommonapproach partners, The NFC,withthehelpoftransport 13.11 Roadsignage and coaches locations. inappropriate also needto considerspecialneedssuch areas for horse-boxes asspaceandturning abouttheForest.All newcarparks Designofsiteswill shouldincludeinformation whennewcarparks arebe undertaken planned. should and incursionsby travellers. sitesecurity Liaisonwiththepoliceregarding locations have carbreak-ins, experienced outvehicles, anti-socialbehaviour burnt areas, assome newcarparks inrural Special care willbeneededwhenconsidering accessible woodlands. st centres andatproposed visitor National andinformation attractions, Forest Line Car parks shouldbeprovided recreation atallmajor andtourism sport, 13.10 Carparking H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A be identified. comprehensive signage.Points tourism where newsignsmay beneededneedto visitors by having more andbenefit to attractions; flows manage traffic the numberofbrown onthem;helpto andwhitesigns;updateinformation gr However,attractions. amore comprehensive thatpromotes approach iswarranted from brown greatly andwhitesignsto highlightvisitor The Forest alsobenefits ations. Small-scalecarparks shouldalsobelinked with themainpublicly ction TheNFCwillpromote completion the ofaForest-wide TR7: ational Forest road boundary sign ction TR8:The NFCwillencourageauditsofbrown andwhite signsand TR8:The ction

oups of attractions in particular parts oftheForest. Thiswould parts helpto rationalise inparticular oups ofattractions N ational Forest boundary andsettlement road signswhichational Forest hashelpedto boundary brand programme ofNational Forest andsettlement signs. boundary a comprehensive approach to signinggroups ofattractions.

Christopher Beech A A these impacts. w uponairquality,effects resulting from increased carbondioxide emissions.It and also likely theForest noise,increased to through traffic affect aircraft are Major andEast Midlandsairports planneddevelopments atBirmingham A42 Roadside planting within newroad improvements, locations. inappropriate newcycle-waysenvironment. shouldalsobeseizedto integrate Opportunities withintheForestnegotiate additional plantingto ensure thatnewroad schemes fit to any tohabitats areas thatmay localauthorities belost andwillencourage impacts ontheForest. TheNFCwill seekreplacement tree plantingand significant east-west linksbetween uponTrent Burton andAshby delaZouch couldhave The proposed wideningoftheM1, andpossibleimprovements to theA38and 13.13 Majorinfrastructure projects ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ include: Forest Opportunities anditsattractions. patronage more by visitsto encouraging thearea andincrease awareness ofthe promotions Thiswould andinformation. helpto increase publictransport Tr 13.12 InformationandMarketing H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ould bereasonable for new woodlands to becreated intheForest to helpoffset to R:TheNational Forest Tourism Working Group willexplore ction TR9: ction TR10: ansport facilities can play a part inhelpingto market canplay facilities apart ansport theForest through we to andForest visitorpromoting attractions sitesontheNFC public transport Forest ofbusstops branding intheForest area and promotion withinbustimetables; ofvisitor attractions ticketing andvisitor attraction joint transport ordiscounts; Forest promotions andatbus andrailway stations; onbusesandtrains bsite and in tourism promotions. bsite andintourism public transport providers.public transport t he potential for jointmarketing initiatives and tourism with offset anyoffset impacts. new planting andother environmental improvements to Forestinfrastructure the projects affect that andpromote NFC willseekto commentonmajortransport

Christopher Beech and traffic transport 101 the strategy R 102 esearch and the strategy monitoring ■ ■ ■ workingThe NFCwillencouragepartnership inanumberofways: r more extensively by outsidebodies,asafocus andpilot area for specialist research theNFCwouldwith other bodies.Inparticular like to seetheForest area used ofactivityandthere iswidescopefor collaborativeeffective programme working role. However,or instigating working to achieving partnership iscrucial an Many research actionsare likely andmonitoring to require theNFCto take alead 14.3 Partnershipworking asActionthroughout theStrategy pointswithinrelevant chapters. st issuesthatneedto few bereviewed years; every and annualpriorities; identifies The NFChasproduced aResearch Action This Plan(34). andMonitoring 14.2 Research andMonitoringActionPlan ■ ■ ■ Research for isimportant anumberofreasons: andmonitoring r thattheForest’s creation onensuring iswell The NFCplacesahighpriority 14.1 Introduction H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ elated to theForest’s creation. esearched andmonitored andthiswillcontinueto bethecase. ra Forest’s creation. thesisandproject work,and post-graduate thatisdirectly relevant to the s re involving bespoke to undertake specialist consultants research andmonitoring Centres and SitesandMonumentsRecords. by to meeting theStrategy’s objectives. to underway. creation andto record oflandscapechange thescaleandeffects thatis to wo CommissionandForest Research).agencies (eg.theForestry anddevelopingmaintaining strong linkswithGovernment bodiesandresearch U university involvement -goodworking linkshave withseveral beenestablished Biological SciencesandEconomicSocialResearch Councils. its Corporate Planprocess. its Corporate to programmes. monitoring to andotherForest projects nationwide. creation partners documenting newtechniques anddisseminatingthisto andbest practice, to Forest project isunique andiscreating awholenewlayer oflandscapehistory. tegic, long-term programmes. Actions from thePlanare programmes. incorporated tegic, long-term tudent involvement undergraduate -atall levels, encouraging butparticularly lated to theForest’s creation. niversities andthere isscopeto expand thisinvolvement.

enable theNFCto monitor theForest’s annuallyfor through progress Defra, demonstrate the environmental, economic and social effects oftheForest’s theenvironmental,demonstrate economicandsocialeffects monitor the sustainable developmentmonitor thesustainable oftheForest’s creation inrelation to r rk support the practical implementation oftheForest, implementation by thepractical researchingsupport and contribute theForest’s to nationallyrelevant experience researchcontribute and involving national research councils, such astheNatural Environment, ecord the important historical significance oftheForest’s creation. The significance historical ecord theimportant ing with local authorities -includinglinkswithBiologicalRecords ing withlocalauthorities when theaccompanying documentwillbeupdated. implementation Strategy asawholein2009, The NFCwillalsoreview oftheStrategy theimplementation climate change). TheNFCwillrespond to such issuesasandwhenitisnecessary. Policy (such factors orexternal reform) as policy (such asCommonAgricultural oftheStrategy.implementation Forexample, changes inGovernment orEuropean Pe willtake placein2014.Strategy review ofthe fixed, Planprocess. Aformal, the NFCthrough itsCorporate towardsProgress implementing theForest willbemonitored Strategy annuallyby 14.5 MonitoringtheStrategy from developed best practice by andlearning others, willbeessential. partners alone. Collaborative working withother Forest creation initiatives, specialist Developing theForest’s GISpresents achallenge thattheNFCcannot undertake picture’ oftheForest’s development across thearea. to oflandscapechange create a‘total scale andeffects willbeespeciallyimportant, needsastheForest andvisualisingofthe develops.monitoring Spatialmonitoring NFC to expand thecapabilitiesofitsGISto meet longer-term research and isitsGIS.ThereAn essentialfacet to isaneedfor aidtheNFC’s the monitoring 14.4 GeographicInformationSystem(GIS) H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE r iodically it will be necessary to review changing thatmay circumstances iodically itwillbenecessary affect monitoring r esearch and 103 the strategy 104

the strategy Re fe r ences 9 8 7 6 12 11 10 3 2 1 H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE 18 17 16 15 14 13 5 4 34 33 20 19 25 24 23 32 31 22 21 26 29 28 27 30 No N Commission NatureEnglish Natural Areas Framework, N N A Countryside for Sport - A policy for sport andrecreation, -Apolicyfor for sport Sport A Countryside Objectives, Sustainability Defra U England Forestry Strategy, Forestry England WhitePaper,Rural intheCountryside, Forestry Forest Forest R Education Group VisitsGuide, Saving Lives: Our HealthierNation, MinisterPrime Planning Policy GuidanceNote 16, Archaeology andPlanning, Dr DellaHooke The National Forest Archaeological Study, andHistorical Day VisitsSurvey,Great Britain Climate Change:Impact onUKForests, The National Forest Audit Strategy 1994-2002, N Tr &Food, for Farming The Strategy Sustainable Much More ThanTrees (2), The National Forest Marketing andCommunicationsStrategy, The National Forest Visitor Strategy, The National Forest -TheForest Strategy Vision, Company Regions Circular 1/97: PlanningObligations, Economic andSocialDevelopment, Planning Policy GuidanceNote 7, -Environmental Qualityand TheCountryside N Much More ThanTrees, Plan system, PlanningGuidanceNoteMinerals andtheDevelopment Considerations 1-General Company Draft Regional PlanningGuidanceforDraft theWest Midlands, Draft, Consultation Re ofthe Minister DeputyPrime Office PlanningGuidanceNoteMinerals 7-TheReclamation Workings, ofMineral A Guidefor PlannersandDevelopers, Government Association eport andAction Planforeport anewForest-based economy, sustainable rban WhitePaper, ational Forest Biodiversity Action PlanReview, ational Forest Biodiversity Action PlanAudit, 2001,ational Forest Visitor Survey ational Forest Research Action Plan2003-5, andMonitoring ational Forest Tourism EconomicImpact Assessment, ansport 2010ansport -The10 Year Plan, vised Regional PlanningGuidancefor theEast Midlandsto 2021, Public v ember 2002 Company , January 1997, January , 2002. , 2003 , 1997. Office ofthe Minister DeputyPrime Office , November 2000 , 1992 , February 2003 , February Defra East MidlandsLocal Government Association Office ofthe Minister DeputyPrime Office , January 2002 , January , November 2000 Flying Giraffe Ltd Fo The National Forest Company Countryside Commission re st The National Forest Company w ry , 1996 English Tourism Council ebsite

Commission Department forDepartment Transport Office ofthe Minster DeputyPrime Office Department ofHealthDepartment eateto h niomn,Transport andthe oftheDepartment Environment, Heart ofEnglandHeart Tourist Board N The National Forest Company www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/aims/aim.htm ational Forest Company Fo , April 2002 , April English Nature &Countryside re st , 1996 , 1998 ry Defra N N

Commission ational Forest Company N ational Forest Company Countryside Commission , 1987 , December2002 ational Forest Company , November 2000 , 2002 Visit Heart of EnglandVisit Heart , July1999 , January 2004 , January Land UseConsultantsand We , 2002 , 2002 , 2002 Sports Council Sports , 2001 , 2003 st N

N Office ofthe Deputy Office Midlands Local ational Forest , 2002 ational Forest , 2002 , 1997 The National , 2003 , May 1997 , 1994 , , 1992 , 2003 2003 oe H=HeadlineIndicator. Note: contributing towards. key indicatorsthatTheNationalForest is 1) UKSustainableDevelopmentIndicators– DEFRA’S AIMANDOBJECTIVES. UK SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTINDICATORS AND Appendix 1 H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Sending therightsignals. SENDING THERIGHTSIGNALS Landscape andwildlife MANAGING THEENVIRONMENTANDRESOURCES Involvement andstrongerinstitutions Shaping oursurroundings. Indicator Access No. Ref. Better healthforall. Promoting economicvitalityandemployment. BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES Sustainable productionandconsumption Developing skillsandrewardingwork Economic stabilityandcompetitiveness SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY Objective D = Indicator beingdeveloped. = Indicator T7 Public understanding and awareness ofsustainabledevelopment. Publicunderstandingandawareness T7 Communityspirit. activity. Voluntary L3 L2 Population growth. K3 inruralareas. Accesstoservices Expectedyearsofhealthylife. J2 ofsuccessintacklingpovertyandsocialexclusion. Indicators H6 H4 undertheEnvironmentallySensitive Areaunderagreement Area and Learningparticipation. Total outputoftheeconomy(GDPandGDPperhead). D13 C3 H1 4Participation insportandcultureactivities. Accessfordisabledpeople. J4 J3 Newbusinessstart-upsnetofclosures. E4 Leisuretripsbymodeoftransport. SustainableTourism D17 D16 9Individualactionforsustainabledevelopment. Awarenessinschoolsofsustainabledevelopment. T9 T8 andaftercareconditions. Landcovered byrestoration ofwoodland Sustainablemanagement S15 woodlandinGB. Areaofancientsemi-natural S12 Areaof woodlandintheUK. risk. speciesat Native S11 Accesstothecountryside S10 quality Countryside S9 ofSSSIs. Extentandmanagement S8 stonewallsandponds. –hedges, features Landscape S7 Biodiversityactionplans. S6 Trends inplantdiversity. S5 S4 Populations ofwildbirds. S3 H13 Accesstolocalgreenspace Qualityofsurroundings. riskofdecay. BuildingsofGradeIandII*at K7 Householdgrowth. K6 K5 K4 Countryside Stewardship agri-environment schemes. Stewardshipagri-environment Countryside D D . . D . D . D . Appendices 105 the strategy 106 the strategy appendices ■ ■ through domestic and international actions. through domestic andinternational fo image. TheForest willprovide apositive force new for bringing regeneration, fromtime. Thearea, a poorenvironmental althoughideallylocatedhassuffered and attractive placewhere peoplewillwantto live, work andspendtheirleisure r landscapechange,is perceived. radical landuseconversion Itwillbring andthe The National thephysical Forest character willtransform ofthearea andtheway it The Overall Vision (Reproduced from theNational Forest Strategy, 1994) THE NATIONAL FORESTVISION Appendix 2 Objective 6 Objective 5 Objective 4 Objective 3 Objective 2 Objective 1 ■ and for to come,including: generations development,Sustainable which meansabetter quality oflife for now everyone, Aim 2) Defra’s aimandobjectives H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE and character oftheexisting landscapes. thescale motives. guidesthe nature andlocation ofplanting,to TheStrategy reflect widely according to theplanters andtheir types ofwoodland creation willvary st c itwithinitsecologicalandcultural ofthearea andto integrate economic fabric The ideaisnot to maskthearea intrees, but to weave into thephysical forestry and the Forest. development. Together thesecanprovide themeansfor of future sustainability business andrural diversification, andagricultural farming leisure andtourism, The Forest recognises theeconomicinter-dependence Strategy between forestry, and health,ensure ofanimalhealthandwelfare. highstandards which meets consumers’ requirements. r Government andinternationally. ofthesewithotherenvironment policiesacross andto leadintegration ealisation ofthearea’s recreation potential. TheNational Forest willbecomeavital esources domestically andinternationally. haracter. Around athird ofthearea willeventually bewooded, the6% asagainst arting point,withsomeareas suitedto more extensivearting plantingthanothers. The r ms ofeconomicactivity, jobsand wealth. to for all areas andacountryside economiesandcommunitiesinrural thriving ot food, waterand fishing, farming, through sustainable economic prosperity r a better environment athomeandinternationally, useofnatural andsustainable esources; her industries thatmeet consumers’her industries requirements;

enjoy. - To protect thepublic’s interest inrelation to environmental impacts - To andtackle socialexclusion areas. enhanceopportunity inrural - To promote competitive asustainable, andsafe food supplychain - To useofnatural promote managementandprudent sustainable - To farming promote andadaptable diverse, sustainable, modern - To protect andglobal andimprove urban,marine therural, fa to TheForest must bebeneficial than athird ofthelandwillremain infarming. a healthy, to achieving isequally important thevision,asmore viableagriculture willbeapre-requisite, conversion to forestry butretainingSubstantial offarmland into andthrough gateways theForest. thatform corridors main transport hedgerow trees willsubtlyenhanceexisting character. Plantingwillalsomark the landscapessmallwoodlandareas. Inhistoric plantingandreplanting parkland and landscaping have willbeathemeinbuilt-up focus, anatural andurbanforestry ro woodlands, withshort provide for andfarm commercial opportunities plantations wo Extensive mineral plantingwillbetargetedonareas ofderelict landandformer H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE fa business viewpointandaforest that landscapeperspective itwillbeimportant complementing newplantingandproviding newaccessinmany areas. From afarm openlandelementintheForest, willalsoprovide animportant Farmland activities. andconservation leisure, tourism which willprovide into be fundamental, inturn thesetting for diversification businesses.Growing high-quality to timberwill diversifyopportunities agricultural fa developments and running into urbanareas.developments andrunning totied strongly the Forest, withtrees andwoodland new plantingframing archaeological Builtdevelopment willbe sites,andnew forest-related enterprises. Interwoven withinthisforested landscapewillbetowns and andvillages,historic openlandwouldthat natural cover atleast 5percentof the Forest area. Itis expected may also beappropriate. andsomeareas offarmland opportunities created. Restoration workings ofmineral particular andderelict landoffer Existing openlandis, however, minimalinextent andnewareas willneedto be alongside well-managedelement ofnaturalness farmland. complementing visualcontrast, newplantingandprovidingan important an associatedwith openwater,habitats andnewmeadows. willprovide Thesehabitats wetland byenriched thecreation ofnewareas ofheathlandandacidgrassland, management ofancientwoodlands Ecologicalcharacter andother will be habitats. Wildlife enhancedby interest woodland willbegreatly plantingandthe Forest area. enjoyment. Leisure andrecreation sitesare likely to cover around 5percentofthe for pursuitsandquiet informal countryside also beset asideinmore rural areas will largenumbersofpeople.Substantial accommodated thatmightattract activitiescouldbe workings. site-specific mineral offormal, Awidevariety r The Forest isintendedto beamajor localandnationalresource for leisure and areas oftheForest. network willalsobethemain meansfor visitors to discover andexplore quieter lines couldprovide speciallinksbetween urbanareas andtheForest. Thetrails r and attractions recreationthroughout andtourism thearea. Thesewilllinksport, An accessibleforest willalsobeakey theme,witha network running oftrails hands. be infarmers’ ecreation. New sites will be located principally onareas ofderelictecreation. landandformer New siteswillbelocatedprincipally adiate from main car park and public transport points.Trailsadiate from alongderelict maincarpark railway andpublictransport r r r t ming and help it adjust to the new agricultural climate. It offers unique climate.Itoffers ming andhelpitadjust to thenewagricultural mland remains well managed.Economicallyandsociallytheretention ofa ming community is crucial, asthemanagementofForest willinmanyming communityiscrucial, cases ation coppice also a feature. In urban fringes amenityplantinganddevelopmentation coppicealsoafeature. Inurbanfringes r kings, to provide wooded settings will for recreation. Areas ofopenfarmland appendices 107 the strategy 108 the strategy appendices ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Mease andSenceLowlands ■ ■ ■ ■ Tr ■ ■ ■ ■ Needwood &South Derbyshire Claylands CharacterAreas -Keyi) National characteristics Countryside 1) LandscapeCharacterdescriptions AND PLANTINGDESIGNGUIDELINES LANDSCAPE CHARACTER,INDICATIVE PLANTINGAREAS Appendix 3 areas isalsoavailable ontheNational Forest website (www.nationalforest.org). andCharnwood. reference Asanhistorical pointthevisionfor thesesix Coalfield Lowlands, Parklands, Melbourne theLeicestershire andSouthDerbyshire c thisvisionto theForest’s Forest alsotailored Strategy sixlandscape The original Landscape Zones intheForest’sparticipation creation. st e high. TheForest isarousing localenvironmental Itisraising awareness andpride. Local enthusiasmamongresident communitiesandtheirpoliticalrepresentatives is H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ■ haracter areas -Needwood,haracter theTrent Valley Washlands, theMeaseandSence xpectations for abetterxpectations The economicfuture invastly enhancedsurroundings. ra ent Valley Washlands tegy envisages the harnessing of this enthusiasm into practical involvement ofthisenthusiasmintotegy envisages practical theharnessing and An area with strong rural character.An area withstrong rural verges. Settlements withwidegrass are lanes,often linked by rural villages. Spire churches are prominent inthelandscape,pinpointing several small Scattered hedgerow trees, woodlands andfeature estates. trees linked to country pattern ofvillagesandhamlets. pattern roadsWide, straight andnarrow, twisting laneslinkascattered settlement g wetland,Diverse mosaicofgrassland, areas ofwet woodland and and scrub meadows. withsomeremnant pastures andwet Predominantly large,open-cropped fields, Drakelow power builtdevelopment station, andmajor routes. road andrail withsandandgravelworkings, andurbaninfluences Strong industrial rivers. withslow meandering floodplain, Marked by anextensive flat Ve withstrong ofhedgedfields. Mixed pastoral character andapattern farmland Many ancientwoodlands, parklands andhedgerow trees. Forest. wellAn historic, wooded ofthe AncientNeedwood landscapecovering part f by largecropped landscape,characterised A rolling, well-managed agricultural ields and intact hedgerowields andintact patterns. appy, overgrown landscape pattern. soft-edged anatural, hedgesforms r nacular timber-framed housesandred farmsteads. brick ■ ■ ■ ■ ii) Landscape Types -Keyii) LandscapeTypes characteristics ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Enclosed farmlands ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Charnwood ■ ■ ■ ■ Melbourne Parklands ■ ■ ■ Leicestershire andSouth Derbyshire Coalfield H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Settlement is characterised by scattered farmsteads andvillages. Settlement by scattered ischaracterised farmsteads andsandstoneBrick buildingsare vernacular afeature ofthevillages. transition. transition. new housingandwoodland plantinggives theimpression ofalandscapein characterMuch as ofthislandscapehasadistinctive disorientating butrather heaps. Ne Stone quarries occurinthearea well-screened butare generally by trees.Stone quarries w Wa hedgerow trees. withthick hedgesandmany characterwith atraditional ofsmallfields Po hedgerows,cut gappy scattered hedgerow trees andsomewoodlands. low Most widespread are withmediumto areas largefields, ofmixed farming, hedges. occasional, poorly defined and are largein scale withan'open'pattern In areas ofintensive cropping fields Charnwood). walls (in by hedgerows orstone field defined isgenerally Field pattern character withfewStrong urbanintrusions. rural Predominantly open,sparselywooded mixed farmland. Ve f a wallsare distinctive intheuplandlandscape,withhedgedfields Stone field hedgerow trees. AncientForest withmanyFormer ancientwoodlands, parklands andscattered Heathland isafeature oftheopensummits. Rugged, uplandcharacter withmany exposed androcky crags knolls. w andissparsely pattern field afragmented fields, The plateau-top haslargearable scattered hedgerow trees. and ofhedgedfields theparks withapattern surrounds Mixed farmland Pa views across theTrent Valley. plateau-top character withanundulating,uplandfeel offering Strong rural g landscapeisopenandrolling withsmallwoodlands andmany The agricultural opencast coalandclay workings. Mining activityisafeature, withpockets ofderelict landaswell asareas of housing estates. to U eature ofthelower slopes. appy hedgedfields. ooded feel inplaces. ooded. wns andvillages,withrows brick-built oftraditional andnew miners'cottages rban influences are strongly evident. Settlement is typified by straggling are evident.Settlement strongly istypified rban influences r r ck w woodlands are increasingly visible, particularly on former derelict spoil w woodlands onformer visible,particularly are increasingly klands, wooded andtwo are afeature estates largereservoirs ofthevalleys. tercourse trees woodlands andclusters ofsmallestate give aquite well nacular stone buildings give the area a unified buildingstyle. nacular stone buildingsgive thearea aunified e ts of permanent pasture remain alongwatercoursests ofpermanent andaround villages, appendices 109 the strategy 110 the strategy appendices ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Floodplain farmland ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ village farmlands Coalfield ■ ■ ■ ■ U ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Historic settlement andenclosures H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE rban /Urban fringe landscapes Hedgelines are strong, thoughsometimes andovergrown. gappy ofmediumsizedpastures fields. withsomearable pattern There isanin-tact working.from mineral poolsreclaimed woods fringed are afeatureSmall riverine inplaces,plusscrub distance. usesandedgesofsettlements visiblefromViews are some longwithindustrial appearance. fragmented activitiesaddto the allotments andother non-agricultural Horse grazing, landscape setting ofurbanareas. U unmanaged. w hasadiverse, mosaicofmature woodlands, soft-edged new The floodplain oftheRiver Trent. floodplain by thebroad, flat Characterised g The hedgerow isindeclinewith many hedgesdefunctorlow pattern cutand many show signsofdieback. Mature hedgerow trees are themainwooded features, buttheseare sparseand newbuiltdevelopment workings. andmineral integrate Ne with mediumto large fields. intensively cropped, ofopen,gentlyrolling are farmland, tracts Interpersed areas ofreclaimed land. gr workings opencast ofminers'cottages, mineral (plus villages, isolatedterraces character fragmented markedThe landscapehasarather by red mining brick st R appearssandwichedoften between uses. urbanandindustrial withgappy,Cropped farmland poorly managedhedgerows andhedgerow trees and movement oftraffic. Major roads andrailways are alsoprominent making areas busywith thenoise workingsmineral are dominant. sprawlingLarge, often settlements, newbuiltdevelopment andoccasional Swannington tramway andparkland (Yoxall). (Coleorton) features, includingmedievalminingbellpitsand heritage Significant fo by thathave cottages encroached on typified Dispersed settlement pattern, watercourses. W thick hedgerows; roadside hedgebanksare afeature inYoxall. boundedby by many shapedpastoral fields small,irregularly Characterised dispersed settlement pattern. R appy. r oodland planting,wetlands andopengrassland. emnant pastures sometimes occuraround settlements. have Theseoften a elatively unspoiltlandscapes,withanancient,enclosedcharacter anda r rban trees, open spaces and new woodland planting contribute torban trees, openspacesandnewwoodland the plantingcontribute anite quarries intheCharnwood area), newbuiltdevelopment and extensiveanite quarries ell-wooded, withnumerous hedgerow trees, smallwoods andtree-lined ong hedgerow thoughhedgescanappearovergrown pattern, and mer commonland. w woodland prominent andhelpsto plantingisbecomingincreasingly ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ W ■ ■ ■ 2) LandscapeCharacterandIndicativeplantingareas H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Floodplain farmlands Floodplain landscapes; somewoodlandexpansionareas. Floodplainlandscapes; Transport trees;symbolic parklands;hedgerow corridorsandgateways; cross-cutLandscape Planting themesthat Types Woodland themes creation Floodplain farmlands Landscape Type ra/ra rneUrban/urbanfringeareas. Historic enclosures. andwoodland Mainlywoodlandexpansionareas;somewellwoodedlandscapes areasandurban/urban Mainlywoodland expansionareas;somewoodlandlinkage Historic settlementandenclosures Urban/urban fringe farmlands Coalfield village Enclosed farmlands W ooded parklands ooded parklands Mainly well wooded landscapes; Mainlywellwoodedlandscapes; Ancient Woodland priorityareas;somewoodland ooded parklands small villages,withmany buildings. vernacular houses,hamletsSettlement and ismarked country by scattered farmsteads, brackenheathland, acidgrassland, andgorse. R pattern. walls(inCharnwood) mark field astrongHedgerows in-tact andstone field andpasture isamixture ofarable withmediumsizedfields. Farmland st W w woodedAn enclosed,strongly character withmany ancientwoodlands, large rockCharnwood, distinctive outcrops. granite craggy hillytopography,A varied withsteeply slopingstream valleysand,in Distinctive, interest ancientlandscapesofconsiderable anddiversity. west ofAlrewas isrelatively unspoilt. thenarrowerIn contrast floodplain between andAlrewas. Burton wide floodplain ofthe development andsandgravel extraction insomeparts are intrusive character,Overall there isarural routes, althoughroad urban andrail ofthevalley.of enclosure insomeparts create astrong sense trees. Wooded alongsidethefloodplain andterraces bluffs The valleyisquite well wooded withmany smallwoods andscattered hedgerow r ooded estates, parklands withmaturesooded estates, trees andnumerous hedgerow trees. emnant semi-natural vegetationemnant semi-natural isadistinctive feature withareas of oodlands are feature acharacteristic onhilltops, steep valleyslopesandalong eam corridors. development-related planting. development-related fringe areas. areas; linkage (inpart). Ancient woodlandpriorityareas(inpart);floodplainlandscapes areas. linkage scin25 Forestry chapter) (section 2.5, appendices 111 the strategy 112 the strategy appendices Markfield Groby, Thringstone, - Shepshed, Charnwood Coalville Ibstock Ashby-de-la-Zouch Swadlincote, - BurtonEast, Derbyshire Coalfield Leicestershire &South - Burton West T Landscape type Urban fringe rent Valley Washlands former mineralworkings. scale plantingonreclaimed Some opportunitiesforlarge- 'left-over' urbanfringesites Medium-scale plantingon schemes intowns Small scaleurbanforestry Planting scale ensure that they are appropriately integrated withintheirlandscapesetting. integrated ensure thattheyare appropriately Design ofplantingschemes shouldtake accountoflocallandscapecharacter to The landscapetypeshighlightedbelow relate to Map5(LandscapeChapter). Landscape Types: Forestry DesignGuidance H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE woodland/belts oftrees. with blocksof Could takenewgolfcourses and pocketparks -streettrees Urban forestry centres. around village Amenity treeplantinginand woodlands. treesandwet watercourse oflinear regeneration Natural fringe. farmland areasontheurban small-scale pastoral/mixed in planting/regeneration tree Hedgerow hedgerows. andreinstating Gapping woodland blocks. planting withwidebeltsand Large-scale structure industrial development. ofurbanand Landscaping fringe. withintheurban planting, semi-ornamental parkland Forest Park, Park, Country planting aims. arethemain conservation and landscape Recreation, areas ofderelictland. reclaimed miningsitesand Target open to urbanareas. Community woodsadjacent Planting type regenerating conservation habitats. conservation regenerating Avoidplantingon artificial landform. the possible useplantingtoaccentuate wherenot reflect locallandformifpossible, to Derelict sites-contouringofspoilheaps (discontinuously). streamvalleys lines, railway into urbanareas-plantingalongroadsides, Develop greenfingersofwoodlandtorun inopenfarmland. broadleaves/mixtures from moreornamentalinurbanareasto Scope forvariedspeciesmixesgrading rural forest. interlock urbanfringeplantingwiththe Importantto settings mergingintoforest. canopy effectwithtreesingrassland anopentree Create park-open forest. Urbanpark-country areas. more natural Urban fringes-gradingofformalareasinto lines. sites andalongmineralrailway onderelict regeneration natural Encourage sites. for recreation Robustshrubbyplantingissuitable impact. quick land andmineralsitestocreate speciesonderelict Use ofquick-growing tothesite. asappropriate sport, recreation, 'open' landuses-conservation, Maintain abalancebetweenwoodlandand Planting design H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Newtown Linford Newtown - Blackbrook, Charnwood Bretby - Calke, Melbourne Parklands Greaves Hanbury, Dunstall, Byrkley, - HoarCross, Derbyshire Claylands Needwood &South Landscape type W ooded parkland numerous at present. numerous at streamside trees-both treesand hedgerow of planting/regeneration Small-scale parkland settings. Small-scale plantingin character.landscape sized woodsreflectexisting Smalltomedium planting. Limited scopeforlarge-scale woodland areas. planting linkingexisting forstrategic capacity willonlyhave landscapes Increasingly these etc). trees, hedgerow hedges, (parks, area itshistoriccharacter givethe that features many and woodlandtoretainthe balance betweenopenspace Essential tomaintaina Planting scale woodland/open space. of inpattern features replanting -importantlinking and bygapping pattern Maintain stronghedgerow trees. ofstreamside Regeneration especially alongroadsides. planting/regeneration tree Hedgerow c tree enclosure, to create -beltsoftrees management P parkland settings. from away plantations withcommercial forestry, F 'feel'. historic broadleaved but importanttomaintain Mixed plantingappropriate Planting type lumps and feature trees. lumps andfeature arm woodsandestate arkland planting/ conservation interest. conservation areasofnature avoid shade, retain dappled Streamsides -keeponebanksideclear, provide senseofcontinuity. coarser textureandroundedcrowns treesprovide Mature of newplanting. treeswithintheedges hedgerow Integrate a priority. Roadsidetrees pattern. 'scattered' Retaincharacteristic seed sourcehasgone. Replantingonlywhen wherever possible. ofoak trees-regeneration Hedgerow former park. areasof Reinstate characteristic. trees very Plantingofbeltsandgroups design. P more unified. different layersorgroupstolook plantingin Overlap similar species. Avoidcontinuouslinesof pattern. hedgerow tolinkwiththestrong hedgerows/shrubs W easily hidden. mistakesnot design needed-longviews, Highquality contouredslopes. across/down Avoidstraightlinescutting pattern. overridegeometricfield edgesthat flowing importanttocreate Design ofmarginsvery retain someopenviews. Avoid continuousroadsideplantingto onskylines. Avoid geometricshapes larger scale. theimpressionof plantingtocreate shaped Irregular fallonconvexground. hollows, shouldriseuphillin Shapes dominant. wherelandformis pattern hedgerow Plant tolandformoverridinggeometric open summitsinCharnwood. Avoidplanting continuous valleycover. butavoid valley-side andhilltopwoods, of theappearance Plant toaccentuate significant whenviewedfromsteepslopes. pattern Landform dominantbuthedgerow in extensivelyplantedareas. coalescenceofsites open groundtoavoid Maintain abalancebetweenwoodlandand Planting design arklands -replanttointegrityoforiginal oodlands tobeedgedwith appendices 113 the strategy 114 the strategy appendices - StantonunderBardon Charnwood Ellistown - Overseal, Derbyshire Coalfield Leicestershire &South Landscape type Coalfield villagefarmlands Ve Planting scale watercourses. with associated and around villages Smaller-scale planting workings. and formermineral withderelictland associated Large-scale planting areas. open agricultural largerscalein landscapes; small-scale intact Generally smallerscalein scale. reflect landscape Scale ofplantingshould ■ ■ ■ ■ throughout: degreesofscale varying ry of farmland. into'pockets' landscape therural fragment activity andderelictsites urban andindustrial stream courses. urban fringeandalong aroundthe landscapes small-scale pastoral mining; reclaimed from fields, large scalegrassland landscapes; rural large-scale cropped, continued Landscape Types: Forestry DesignGuidance H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE

complex landscape with complex landscape new woodlandplanting. especially wheretheylink hedgerows, gappy Reinstate pocketparks. villages, Amenity treeplantingin watercourses. oftreesalong Regeneration lines. derelict railway along regeneration natural Linear treeplantingand/or and alongroadsides. aroundvillages landscapes, remain inpastoral treeswherethey Hedgerow use. asashort-term potential, future mineraldevelopment especially onlandwith coppice, Short rotation mineral workings. woods onderelictlandand Large-scale community landscapes. in larger-scale arable reclaimed fromminingand field grasslandsites onopen Large plantations farmland areas. F Planting type arm woodlandsinopen operations. desired landformthroughmineral the woodland designinadvancetocreate New mineralworkingsshouldplan derelict land. oftreeson regeneration natural Encourage andwetlands. heathlands grasslands, suchas habitats planting onregenerating Avoid land andformermineralworkings. onderelict tothesite), asappropriate sport, recreation, open landuses(conservation, Maintain abalancebetweenwoodlandand artificial landform. the possible useplantingtoaccentuate Wherenot local landformifpossible. toreflect workings -contourspoilheaps ofmineral phasedrestoration Encourage shade. dappled create keeponebanksideclear, planting, continuous -avoid along watercourses Retain small-scalepastoralcharacter between woodlands. stronglinkingfeatures tocreate hedgerows isstronguse Wherepattern to rides. asshrubbyedges hedgerows incorporating Plantooverridepattern, places. ispoorandabsentin pattern Hedgerow solidwoodedskylines. creating Also avoid toosmallinscale. which mayappear ofsmallwoods, Avoid anevenscatter diversitywithdifferentsizedwoods. Create landscapes. another isimportantinflat P recreation. eg. space forotheractivities, a where fieldhedgerows species; incorporate differentlayers/groupsof overlapping and diversitybyindentingedges interest Create woodlandedges. shaped irregular Create margin designisimportant. woodland largerlandscapes In flatter, geometricfieldenclosures. follow that Avoidgeometricshapes to reflectlandform. Design newwoodswithanirregularshape pattern. override hedgerow Whenplantingseveralfields, is dominant. onlywherethis pattern hedgerow following -planttolandform, Agricultural landscapes Planting design porae Useblocksoftreestoenclose ppropriate. ositioning of woods in relation toone ositioning ofwoodsinrelation H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE - Charley Charnwood - Packington, Derbyshire Coalfield Leicestershire &South - Smisby Melbourne Parklands - CotonintheElms Mease &SenceLowlands - BartonunderNeedwood T - Needwood Derbyshire Claylands Needwood &South Landscape type Enclosed farmlands rent Valley Washlands Thornton parkland clumps appropriate. Singletreesand houses. withcountry associated Small areasofparkland around villages. remnant pastorallandscapes Small-scale plantingin estates. a Smaller-scale planting with gamecovertsevident. estates Influence ofcountry character. openlandscape scale, reflect mediumtolarge- generally largescaleto V Planting scale aried opportunitiesbut porae linkedto ppropriate, remains strong. wherepattern hedgerows Replanting/gapping copses. trees/carr Linear waterside estates. country with planting associated parkland ornew areasofformer Reinstating Replanting parklandtrees. along roadsides. aroundvillages, landscapes, trees-inpastoral Hedgerow character.cropped landscape could suitextensively coppice- Short rotation and farmwoodlands. forestry estate plantations, Large commercial Planting type design intentions. pasture andreplantingtotheoriginal a historicparklandswhere Reinstate woodland aroundvillages. Maintain abalanceofopenspaceto shade. dappled create keeponebanksideclear, planting, continuous -avoid along watercourses Retain small-scalepastoralcharacter and thesteepnessofslopesbelow. inthelandscape importance ofthefeature The amountofspacewilldependuponthe knolls andopensummitsinCharnwood. ruggedcharacterofrocky Retain open, Identify bestexamples. Retain vistasfromprominenthilltops. Mease andSenceLowlands). tothem(egchurchspiresin attention draw Revealand features. prominent landscape maskingviewsof Identify andavoid T scarpslopeoverlookingthe eg. features, stronglandscape Plant toaccentuate solidwoodedskylines. creating a whichmay ofsmallwoods, an evenscatter Avoid landscape. another importantinflat P provide asenseofcontinuity coarser textureandroundedcrowns treesprovide trees-mature hedgerow integrate whereappropriate; hedgerows field layers/groups ofspecies;incorporate different indenting edgesandoverlapping interestanddiversityby Create conifers. or broadleaves lines/layers ofshrubs, Avoid uniformregularitybycontinuous woodlandedges. irregularshaped Create reflect subtlelandform. to Shape togentlyrollinglandscape. flat W retain abalanceofshortandlongviews. Avoid continuousroadsideplantingto woodlands. interlockbetween tocreate Use hedgerows pattern. hedgerow overridegeometric over severalfields, Whenplanting to reflectsubtlelandforms. Design woodlandswithanirregularshape pattern. could fitasdiscreteblockswithinthefield wherewoods landscapes, dominant inflat wherethisisvisibly pattern hedgerow Onlyfollow Plant tosubtlelandform. Planting design rent Valley. ppropriate byreturningarablelandto ppropriate Alsoavoid ppear toosmallinscale. ositioning of woods in relation toone ositioning ofwoodsinrelation oodland margins very importantinopen, oodland marginsvery appendices 115 the strategy 116 the strategy appendices - Coleorton Derbyshire Coalfield Leicestershire &South - Yoxall Derbyshire Claylands Needwood &South Landscape type and enclosures Historic settlements - Trent T Landscape type Floodplain farmlands rent Valley Washlands its ancientcharacter. form qualitiesthat lose many detailand mask landscape asthiswould inappropriate planting generally Extensive large-scale scale. contribute toenclosed small trees hedgerow Many of ancienthedgedfields. reflect small-scalelandscape Small-scale plantingto Planting scale scale ofthedevelopment. withthe be commensurate to Development landscaping planting incertainareas. will restricttheamountof Archaeological sensitivities Environment Agency. withthe be agreed planting schemesneedsto Scale ofindividualfloodplain landscapes. open agricultural Large-scale plantingonlyin floodplain. of small-scalepastoral Small-scale plantinginareas Planting scale continued Landscape Types: Forestry DesignGuidance H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Replant gappy hedgerows. Replant gappy parklands. ofremnant Reinstatement planting/regeneration. tree Hedgerow valley character. Extendwooded tributaries. of theRiverSwarburnandits Riverine copses-afeature spinneys. F Planting type road corridor. built developmentand A38 with associated Landscaping remains strong. trees wherethecharacter riverside andhedgerow withgroupsof character, Enhance pastoralhedged pollards. waterside copses, carr riverine woodland, Reinforce andextendlinear poplar suitedtomoistsoils. coppiceand Short rotation farmland landscapes. F with lakesandpools. belts ofplantingassociated Floodplain woodlandsand Planting type r odad,copsesand arm woodlands, arm woodsinopen retain dappled shade. retain dappled Keeponebanksideclear and habitats. Retain unimprovedgrasslandandwetland Wa hedged fieldstocomplementnewplanting. ofsmall-scale Retain strongpattern trees. of hedgerow andnewplanting regeneration Encourage detail. landscape new woodlandswhilemaintaining tomaximiseimpactof pattern hedgerow Maintain stronginterlockwith Avoid straightedgesandgeometricshapes. offieldpattern. to reflectirregularshape andmargins Design withirregularshapes landform wherethisisdominant. orplantto pattern within thehedgerow small-scalefield-sizedwoods Incorporate Planting design intotheForest.wooded gateway Planting alongthe a A38 corridortocreate landscape. wooded settingandlinkswiththerural astrong development sitestocreate plantingwithinandaround Incorporate forfloodprotectionpurposes. river's edge, scale andnottobewithin10metresofthe small- planting tobeellipticalinshape, Environment Agency requirefloodplain maintenance purposes. raise floodlevelsorhinderaccessforriver Planting shouldnotimpedefloodflows, Maintain riversidewetlandhabitats. continuouswoodedcover.creating Avoid Irregularlyspaced. groups oftrees. Linear riverineplantingofcopsesand grassland toopenwater. scruband oftrees, ground withgraduation edge;elsewhereretainopen water's In placesbringgroupsoftreestothe Retain diversityadjacenttoopenwater. influences. enclosure andtoscreenurban/industrial areastocreate recreation open water with discontinuous beltsoftreesassociated Plant woodlandblocksandwide, ground offtheriverfloodplain. rising Use woodlandplantingtoaccentuate visual diversity. a small groupsoftreesandsingleto -useofshrubs, shapes irregular flowing with Attention towoodlandmargins, a Retainviewsby across thelandscape. solidwoodlandscreens which couldcreate Avoidcoalescence of fieldsizeandshape. W Planting design void continuousstraightlinesandcreate voiding continuousroadsideplanting. oodland plantingonopenfarmlandtobe tercourses -avoid continuousplanting. tercourses -avoid NATIONAL FORESTTREESANDSHRUBS Appendix 4 H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE Privet Holly Heather, Hazel Midland Hawthorn, common Hawthorn, Gorse Elder Dogwood purging Buckthorn, alder Blackthorn, Blackthorn A SPECIES SHRUB W Norway Spruce Douglas Fir W Hybrid Larch European Larch Corsican Pine Scots Pine Y CONIFER TREESPECIES white Willow, grey Willow, crack Willow, almond Willow, Whitebeam W Sycamore Sweet chestnut tree Service Rowan P P P sessile Oak, common Oak, field Maple, large-leaved Lime, small-leaved Lime, wych Elm, gean Cherry, bird Cherry, silver Birch, downy Birch, Aspen Ash black Alder, BROADLEAVED TREESPECIES ilw osier Willow, goat Willow, cricketbat Willow, Spindle dog Rose, ew oplar (clonal varieties) grey oplar, black oplar, pe crab pple, ellingtonia estern RedCedar alnut (varieties) F T raxinus excelsior raxinus Ilex aquifolium Ilex axus baccata axus Sambucus nigra Sambucus Corylus avellana Corylus Ligustrum vulgare Ligustrum Ulex europaeus Ulex P Sorbus aucuparia Sorbus opulus tremula opulus Euonymus europaeus Euonymus Calluna vulgaris Calluna Cornus sanguinea Cornus Rosa canina Rosa Acer Pseudoplatanus Acer Ulmus glabra Ulmus Pinus sylvetris Pinus Prunus spinosa Prunus Sorbus aria Sorbus Pseudotsuga menziesii Pseudotsuga Malus sylvestris Malus Prunus padus Prunus Alnus glutinosa Alnus Acer campestre Acer P Betula pendula Betula Quercus petraea Quercus Sorbus torminalis Sorbus Salix cinerea Salix Salix caprea Salix Sequioa dendron giganteum dendron Sequioa Salix viminalis Salix Prunus avium Prunus P Larix x eurolepsis x Larix opulus canescens opulus Betula pubescens Betula Salix alba Salix Salix fragilis Salix pinus nigra (var maritima) (var nigra pinus Quercus robur Quercus opulus nigra opulus Salix triandra Salix Picea abies Picea Castanea Sativa Castanea Larix decidua Larix F Juglans rangula alnus rangula Salix Caerulea Salix T Crataegus laevigata Crataegus T Rhamnus catharticus Rhamnus Thuja plicata Thuja Crataegus monogyna Crataegus ilia platyphyllos ilia ilia cordata ilia P opulus Sp opulus ■■■■■■■■ ■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■■■■■■ ■ ■■■■ ■■ ■ ■■■■ ■■■ ■■ W tstsLgt ev osrain ibrNotes Timber Conservation/ Heavy Light, et sites ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■ Amenity soils soils dry ■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■ ■■ ■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ wood turning treeandprizedfor Excellent avenue and timber combinesconservation Coppice species, Can beplantedforcoppice Seek specialadviceonchoices stock Use UKnative Common totheCharnwoodarea Widely plantedintheForest ie Wildstar varieties, Consider approved Specialist timber Can beusedforChristmastrees Best suitedto ForestThe National Best suitedto ForestThe National material Specialist treeforarchery Seek specialadviceonchoices appendices var betulifolia var 117 the strategy 118 the strategy appendices leelMaintainandextenddistributionofthespecies. Haltthelossoftrees;increasepopulation;andsourcelocalprovenance stock. Determinetherangeandcentresofpopulation;increasenumber Adder sites. Maintainandincreasepopulations;developaForestbatboxcampaign. Maintainandexpandthepopulation;improveriverwaterquality;provide suitable Increasethepopulationto30breedingpairs. Doublethenumberandrangeofspecies. Black Poplar ayear. Designate5roadsidenaturereserves Bluebell Adder Plant400haoftreesperyear. Noctule Bat Ruddy DarterDragonfly Establish2-6mmarginson10%offarms. Initiate2urbanwildlifeprojectsayear. Extend5sites. Otter Restore50kmayear. Redstart Key Species buildings gardens, parks, Post industrialsites, Roadside verges Create50ha. Plantation woodland Restore2waterbodiesayear. Maintainrareplant/animal communities. Ancient semi-naturalwoodland Restore/create100ha. Locally importanthabitats Create50ha. Field margins Recreate50ha. Create50ha. Hedgerows Create10haby2005. Eutrophic openwaters Mesotrophic lakes Reed beds Floodplain grazingmarsh Targets -allto2010 Heathland Acid grassland Calcareous grassland Hay meadows W W Nationally importanthabitats BAP Habitat/Species twoln Create50ha. Restore100ha. ood pastureandparkland et woodland LNTARGETS PLAN ACTION NATIONAL FORESTBIODIVERSITY Appendix 5 H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE habitat along80%ofwatercourses. Encourage 6mmarginsbesidewatercourses. Plant 3kmayear. Create 5fieldpondsayear. Create a1hawaterbodyeachyear. unless otherwisestated FOREST RELATED AFTERUSES MINERAL, LANDFILLANDDERELICTSITES- Appendix 6 H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE * all of which are already committed forbuiltdevelopmentuses. all ofwhicharealready fordevelopm allocated sitesalready includes around50haofotherderelict siteswhichinclude sitesunderwayfordevelopment, Forest forthesesitesinlinewiththeNational development plantingguidelines(seePlanningc hasbeenestimated landscaping Balance of site area not already counted asrestoredbyNFC. Balance ofsiteareanotalready imnldriwy unsd,Dry 62 .7-Possible route useasarecreational Proposedopenspace remainder Openspaceuselikely 0.57proposedforhousing, Nospecifieduse. - - withlandscaping Possible housingsite, Possible openspaceuses wildlifehabitats butmostsuitable use Woodland, - - Noproposeduse, Noproposed regenerating. Sitenaturally - 6.27 0.46 grasslanduses - Woodland, woodland Heathland, 6.27 - 1.4est - 0.46 - uses recreation conservation, Nature 0.31 Derbys Other Sites Derbys 5est - Newhall informal orchard, 0.35 Small-scaleplanting, uses. conservation Sunnyside, recreation, Dismantled railway, 1.97 Woodland, - W 0.31 Derbys 33.31 Land eastof Albion Street, Derbys - 3.73 0.35 Swadlincote Derbys 30 Land northofDarklandsLane, 1 Derbys - Power 1.2 station Drakelow Land at - Calke Ticknall Road, Quarry, 3.73 26.5ha Woodville Dismantled railway, 30 15 Derbys Newhall 17.4 1 1.2 Land northofBreachLeysFarm, wildlifehabitats Leics Woodland, conservation woodland, F Agriculture, 2.15 Leics Leics railway 15 55 17.4 12.5ha 2ha F Ashby Woulds Littleworth Mine, 1,289ha Leics 14ha 2.15 Leics 28.5ha landscaping Water uses, Markfield Alder Spinney, 55 Leics Acresford Quarry South LeicesterColliery Tip Leics 1ha 1haest 478ha 213 Ground Recreation Battram Newfield Colliery* 1,787ha 13.5 15 Nailstone Colliery Tip Leics Derbys DERELICT LAND - TOTAL 213 Charnwood Quarry Leics Bretby landfill LANDFILL SITES TOTAL Quarries Groby/Bradgate RestorationProposals Restoration Likelyrestoration Areatobe County Site name TOTAL ais ebs4 5-Gl ore woodland(partofsite Golfcourse, woodland Water uses, Unspecified 250 261 - wetwoodland wetlands, Water sports, wetlands woodland, Agriculture, 37woodland, 31haagriculture; Agriculture;extensiontoNational wildlifehabitats Woodland, - 45 - 80 wildlifehabitats Woodland, grasslandwetlands Woodland, 150 31 250 261 20 45 wetlands agriculture, Woodland, landscaping - agriculture, Water, wetlands Derbys Leics woodland, Leics Agriculture, 54 - 155 landscaping roughgrassland, Water, agriculture water, Woodland, - 33 70est 37 80 235 - 85 Staffs 47 - Cliffe HillQuarry* 150 31 6 68 Bardon Quarry Staffs 20 85 Leics Nadins* 5 - 1 Staffs 31 60 Leics Alrewas South(landinForest area) 10 62 Leics Leics Barton Quarry* 38 90 T 81 Newbold Quarry Leics Leics 57 Leics 62 Hicks Lodge* Albion Opencast Leics Leics Donington Island* Quarry Duckery Brickworks Ellistown Brickworks Heather Ibstock Quarry* Desford Brickworks Longcliffe Quarry MINERAL SITES clsom urySaf 14 edes elns landscaping wetlands, Reedbeds, - 41 41 Staffs ucklesholme Quarry ormer Whitwick railway Leics 1.14 1.14 - Recreational trailandwildlifehabitats Recreational trailandwildlifehabitats Recreational - - 1.14 1.14 1.88 Leics 1.88 Leics ormer Whitwick railway ormer Coalville-Hugglescote oodville 2 1 l 31 78 s - 17.89est 83.12 Counties All 1 ie ihn urn rpsdueo ie loae o osn/mlyetue.Development uses. forhousing/employment Sites withnocurrentproposeduseorsitesallocated 4.2139 1.0 153.91 248.02 h)rltdue 2014(ha) relateduses usespost (ha)toforest- (ha) restored by 2014 hapter). ent andvacantbuildingsites- 2 The National ForestThe National also end use. recreation timing) may putbackrestoration (Consent totipwastebeingsought- habitats already includedalready inNFCrecords) Memorial Arboretum? (55 harestoredalready) wildlife habitats most suitedtoopenspace open space. appendices 119 the strategy 120 the strategy appendices wards Forest National raYear Area Change 100% 2001 1991 +21.2 0.3% 303 250 Agriculture and fishing ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Source: Much More ThanTrees (2),National Forest Company, 2004(21). ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 2. Socio-economiccharacteristicsin2004 1. Localjobsbysector(1991-2001) SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILEOFTHEFORESTAREA Appendix 7 data to a lower level. toalower data NB H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE . h ainlFrs ad iuei naeaeo l ftewrsta r ihrprl rwol ihnteFrs ra It areeitherpartlyorwhollywithintheForest ofallthewardsthat Forest area. The National wardsfigureisanaverage projects and programmes. projects andprogrammes. investmentevidence ofhighlevels ofpublicandprivate through regeneration and nationalaverages; and, gr car ownership andmultiplecarownership above regional andnationalaverages; evidence ofimprovement; r males; health levels similar to regional andnationalaverages, thoughslightlypoorer for q ov West communitiesofNorth Leicestershirethe coalfield andSouthDerbyshire; pockets uponTrent intheinnerareas ofBurton particularly and ofdeprivation, to av national averages; unemployment, below regional inlongterm further and fall a significant national averages; f sectors; andconstruction manufacturing significant ofthestill towards areflection oriented manualtrades, an occupationalprofile levels ofself-employment inlinewithregional andnationalaverages; an increasing numberofjobs,well above regional averages; andcommunications; transport manufacturing, -anddecliningemployment in andservices finance tourism, construction, c gr average; an expanding population,increasing marginallymore quickly thanthenational such concentrations uponTrent; asinBurton significant butwithsome smallpopulationfrom ethnic black groups a very andminority gr andWales, similarto England age structure age withaslightlysmaller25-44 a populationof200,047 people,roughly equally splitbetween males andfemales; alling unemployment, amongst males,to below particularly regional and eal (hidden) unemployment substantially above official figures, butshowing figures, eal (hidden)unemployment above substantially official hanging employment withgrowing numbersofjobsinforestry, structure, 0.7% uickly thanregional averages; +1.6 707 696

ow o oup; erage earnings below failing regional earnings averages, inparticular erage withmaleearnings erall levels of benefit dependencebelow regional averages levels anddecliningmore erall ofbenefit k wing employment above rates, regional andnationalaverages;

eep pace with earnings growth inrecent years;eep pacewithearnings Energy and water ing numbers of businesses with rates per10,000ing numbersofbusinesseswithrates populationabove regional 24.3% 26182 28962 -9.6 Manufacturing +30.7 7.0% 7576 5797 Construction 23.9% 25735 23627 +8.9 Distribution, hotels and restaurants 5.7% 6087 6405 -5.0 Transport and communications 14.0% 15107 13120 +15.1 Banking, finance and insurance 19.7% 21163 19946 +6.1 is notpossibletoproportionthe Public administration, education and health +23.8 4.4% 4753 3838 Other services L S KEY: TIMING ANDPRIORITISATION OFSTRATEGY ACTIONS Appendix 8 H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE hpe Action FORESTRY Chapter = = Long term-7-10years Short term-1-3years cinF:Tetre oaheeaon hr odadcvrwl ertie n L Thetargettoachievearoundathirdwoodlandcoverwillberetainedand Action F1: cinF2 h F ilwr ihrlvn ate raiain odseiaeO O todisseminate TheNFCwillworkwithrelevantpartnerorganisations Action F22: Forest TheNFCwillpromoteNational fireguidancetowoodlandowners. Action F21: cinF4 h F ilrietepoieo h oetsacettesb L TheNFCwillraisetheprofileofForest's ancienttreesby Action F14: cinF0 h F ilwr ihrlvn ate raiain opooe O topromote TheNFCwillworkwith relevantpartnerorganisations S Action F20: TheNFCwillcommission researchtoassessthecarbonsequestration O Action F19: M monitoring researchbyencouraging TheNFCwillcontribute tonational Action F18: S TheNFCwillworkwith partnerstoproducebestpracticeadvicefor Action F17: TheNFCwillcommission researchtoassessthecurrentandplanned S-M Action F16: Forest TheNFCwillprimetheestablishmentofaNational focused Wood Action F15: S,M,L willbeconsideredfor: Area-basedstrategies Action F13: bestmanagement Woodlands demonstrate willbeidentifiedthat O Action F12: will be targetedtoreturnsites on Plantations Ancient Woodland sites, O Action F11: O O AncientSemi-Natural Woodlands toenhancetheir shouldbemanaged Action F10: andruralskills thedevelopmentofaforestry TheNFCwillencourage S Action F9: TheNFCwillworkwiththeForestry Commissiontoadviseonand Action F8: woodlandsand researchtoidentifyunmanaged TheNFCwillinitiate O Action F7: TheNFClocalprovenancepolicy willbereinforcedandfurtherpromoted O Action F6: O withregardtotheplantingareas Woodland willbeencouraged creation Action F5: systemwillbedevelopedtosupercedethe AGISconstraintsmapping M O Action F4: TheNFCwilltestviewsonthelong-termbalanceofbroadleaftoconifer Action F3: is targetof4-5,000hanewwoodlandcreation Anaspirational Action F2: O M = = Ongoing throughthe10years Medium term-4-6years in The National Forest. National in The developed initiatives best practiceandresearcharisingfrom forestry commissioning survey work to identify their location andcondition; worktoidentifytheirlocation commissioning survey progress andfuturepotentialoftheForest andtodevelopaframework thepossibleeffectsofclimate change onmanaging woodland owners directseedingor regeneration, usingnatural broadleafstands, native willbethepreferredmethod regeneration Natural biodiversity value. F ofwildlifepestsandnoxiousweedsin best practicemanagement for longtermmonitoring. planted woodlandsacrosstheForest. andnewly healthandconditioninasampleofmature of treegrowth, on treesandwoodlands. timber resourceandestablishsystemstomonitorpotential. Marketing marketdevelopment. topromoteandcoordinate Association tolandowners. and willpromotebestpracticemanagement practices forwoodlandowners. tree plantingoflocalprovenancestock. for re-stockingandextendingsites. base fortheForest area. plansfornewlyplantedwoods. promote management optionsandtimberpotential. assess theirmanagement supplyanddemandoflocalprovenancetrees. to stimulate dependentuponthetakeupofnewschemes. intervals, Planting TheIndicative regular Areas willbereviewedat 4. on Map Forestry Strategy.original Indicative planting inthemediumterm(2007-9). proposed fortheperiod2004-14. theendof10yearperiod. reviewed bytheNFCtowards ■ ■ ■ orest schemes. W h rpsdFrs akaon okr iio ete S M Ancient Semi-Natural Woods on andrestoringPlantations Ancient S Ancient Woodlands -toidentifythebestpotentialsitesforextending The proposedForest Park aroundConkers Visitor Centre. central beltacrosstheForest. -targetingthemainForest ina Urban/urban fringeforestry towns oodland sites. T (S,M,L,O) msaeEsnilDesirable imescale Essential appendices ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 121 the strategy 122 the strategy appendices SPORT RECREATION AND Action LANDSCAPE Chapter ACCESS, BIODIVERSITY cinS2 h F ilecuaepraetacs oFrs cee eeoe O permanentaccess toForest TheNFCwillencourage schemes developed Action SR2: O Forest characterframeworkwillcontinueto TheNational landscape Action L1: cinS1 h F ilpooeln custo odvlpFrs ie ht O O TheNFCwillpromotelandacquisitiontodevelopForest sitesthat Action SR1: andsupportecologicalmonitoringwork. TheNFCwillencourage Action B13: cinS8 h F ilfcltt h eeomn n rmto faNtoa M thedevelopmentandpromotionofaNational TheNFCwill facilitate S-M Action SR8: O The NFCwillworkwithpartnerstocompleteandpromotethemedium Action SR7: O TheNFCwillcontinuetoworkwithpartnersdevelopaForest-wide Action SR6: S thecontinueddevelopmentof asystematic TheNFCwillencourage Action SR5: O TheNFCwillexploreoptionsforretainingaccesson Tender Scheme Action SR4: oflandforaccessthroughthe thededication TheNFCwillencourage Action SR3: O O TheNFCwillworkwithpartnerstohelpimprovethecondition of Action B12: M O sitestobeputforwardasLocal appropriate TheNFCwillencourage Action B11: partnersalocalprovenance TheNFCwilldevelopwithconservation O Action B10: andsupportthepromotionofgreater TheNFCwillencourage Action B9: andsupportthedevelopmentofurban TheNFCwillencourage M Action B8: SandL theproductionofaGeodiversity TheNFCwillencourage Action Planfor O Action B7: partnerswillperiodicallyreviewtheBAP TheNFCandconservation Action B6: O willdevelopandpromotebest partners, withconservation TheNFC, Action B5: O throughitsgrant ofnewhabitats thecreation NFCwillencourage Action B4: projectsto creation woodlandflorahabitat TheNFCwillencourage O Action B3: O throughits management habitat TheNFCwillpromoteandencourage Action B2: M-L Forest TheNational areaBAPwillcontinuetoprovidethefocusfor Action B1: S-M effectsof TheNFCwillcommissionresearchtoassessthelandscape Action L5: L the monitoranddemonstrate GISsystemswillbedevelopedtoassess, O Action L4: Residentsandthevisitingpublicwillbeconsultedonoptimumlevelsof Action L3: TheNFCwilluseitsgrantmechanismstodevelopForest-related Action L2: continued TIMING ANDPRIORITISATION OFSTRATEGY ACTIONS Appendix 8 H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE F ofbiodiversityandinvolvementinnature public awareness distance trailsnetwork. network ofshortwalks. ofnewRoW. thededication encourage waymarkandpromoteRoW;will maintain, programme toimprove, sites whentheircontractperiodsexpire. 2000. CRoW Act, on mineralandderelictlandlinkedwithbuiltdevelopments. wildlifesites. designated Reserves. Nature flora policy andpromoteitsuseinbiodiversityschemes. projects. conservation wildlife projects. the Forest area. action. species totargetforconservation projects. throughdemonstration creation practice inhabitat andriversideimprovements. developmentlandscaping derelict landsites, landfilland ofmineral, restoration schemes, agri-environment schemes, andpromotebestpracticetechniques. demonstrate other organisations. by grant schemesandbytargetingfinancialmechanismsoperated action. andspeciesconservation habitat acrosstheForest's creation landscapes. new plantingandhabitat effectsoftheForest'slandscape creation. tree planting. landscapes. schemes whichaddtothecharacterandqualityofForest's guide theForest's creation. provide accessinperpetuity. orest longdistancepath. T (S,M,L,O) msaeEsnilDesirable imescale Essential ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ L S KEY: H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE ENVIRONMENT Action continued SPORT RECREATION AND ACCESS, Chapter PA COMMUNITY HISTORIC = = Long term-7-10years Short term-1-3years R TICIPATION cinS1:TeNCwl norg h eeomn fstsfrarneo O thedevelopmentofsitesforarange TheNFCwillencourage Action SR14: cinH:TeNCwl norg h iig einadmngmn fnw O ofnew designandmanagement thesiting, TheNFCwillencourage Action H2: O O O toprovideall-abilitiesaccessand siteowners TheNFCwillencourage Action SR12: thedevelopmentofmulti-usetrails. TheNFCwillencourage Action SR11: O ofa thedevelopmentandimplementation TheNFCwillcoordinate Action SR10: oftheCycling implementation Strategy. TheNFCwillworktocoordinate Action SR9: cinC:TeNCwl norg atcpto nteFrs' rainb oa O intheForest's bylocal participation TheNFCwillencourage creation Action C2: cinC0 h F ilecuaejitwrigwt nvriisadclee n O jointworkingwithUniversitiesandcollegeson TheNFCwillencourage O Action C10: visitsto ineducational sustainable growth TheNFCwillencourage O Action C8: O TheNFCwilluseitsgrantschemestosupporttheinvolvementofyoung Action C7: supportandseekoutside fundingforForest- S-M TheNFCwillencourage, Action C6: O andsupporttheexpansion ofthe TheNFCwillencourage Walking the Action C5: volunteeringin TheNFCwillworkwithBTCVtoexpandconservation O Action C4: andsupport volunteerinvolvementinwoodland TheNFCwillencourage Action C3: O S O andsupportForest-related communityprojects, TheNFCwillencourage S-M Action C1: Forest TheNFCwillworkwithpartnerstoimplementtheNational Action H9: character andsupporthistoriclandscape TheNFCwillencourage Action H8: TheNFCwillworkwithpartnerstodevelopGIS-based O Action H7: sites andpublicaccesstoheritage interpretation TheNFCwillencourage O O Action H6: O ofbuiltheritage therestoration Localplanningpoliciesshouldencourage Action H5: localauthoritiestobidforfundingrenovate TheNFCwillencourage Action H4: of andmanagement therestoration TheNFCwillencourage O Action H3: theinclusion TheNFCwilluseitsgrantschemestoencourage of O Action H1: O O ofthesportandrecreation TheNFCwillpromoteandraiseawareness Action SR17: anddevelopmentofsuitable TheNFCwillsupporttheidentification Action SR16: TheNFCwillhelptodevelopnewlandandair-based sportand Action SR15: S TheNFCwilldiscusswithkeypartnersthepotentialforForest-branded Action SR13: cinC:TeNCwl upr h oko h dcto lse ru n O ClusterGroupand TheNFC willsupporttheworkofEducation Action C9: O M = = Ongoing throughthe10years Medium term-4-6years related initiatives that contribute towards healthpromotionand contributetowards that initiatives related collaborative projects. collaborative facilities throughtheGroup promote environmentaleducation Visits Guide. F useoftheForest. andeducational people inthecreation healthy living. W the Forest. schemes andotherForest-related projects. visitorsandpublicsupportersfromaroundthecountry. communities, project. LANDshapes assessment work. archaeological records. through itsgrantschemesandtheworkofotherorganisations. andthere-useofhistoricbuildingsforForest-related uses. features public parks. historic parklands. woodlands torespectthesettingofhistoricsites. opportunities intheForest. new venuesformotorsports. activities. recreation sports. water will promotetheopportunitiesavailable. way markingofRoWandtrails. heritage features inForest features projects. heritage ForestNational horseridingstrategy. activities andevents. orest education centres and woodlands offering educational access. centresandwoodlandsofferingeducational orest education ay toHealthScheme. T (S,M,L,O) msaeEsnilDesirable imescale Essential appendices ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 123 the strategy 124 the strategy appendices ECONOMY Action continued PA COMMUNITY Chapter TOURISM AGRICULTUR AND THE REGENERATION R TICIPATION E cinC1 h F ilueisgatshmst norg n upr oet O andsupportForest- TheNFCwilluseitsgrantschemestoencourage Action C11: cinR2 h F ilwr omxms h cnmcbnft fFrs rain O TheNFCwillworktomaximisetheeconomicbenefitsofForest creation. Action RE2: cinC2 h F ilcniu opooeteFrs oawd ag f O TheNFCwillcontinuetopromotetheForest toawiderangeof Action C12: cinT1 i oahee58 iiost h oetb 04adices L O O Aimtoachieve5.8mvisitorstheForest by2014andincrease Action T11: TheNFCwillworkwithpartnerstopromotethetourismclusters on Action T10: O willidentifyandpromotelocal O withtourismpartners, TheNFC, Action T9: promotionoftheForest greater asavenuefor TheNFCwillencourage Action T8: small-scaletourism Localplanningpoliciesshouldencourage M-L Action T7: O forshowing locations appropriate partners, Identifywithconservation Action T6: O newvisitoraccessto tocreate willbeencouraged landowners Private Action T5: expansionofawiderangehigh appropriate TheNFCwillencourage O Action T4: O willbeahigh anddevelopmentofvisitorattractions Sustained growth Action T3: O regularsitemaintenanceauditsforwoodlands TheNFC willencourage O Action T2: TheForest's tourism productwillbedevelopedaroundthethemesin Action T1: O theinvolvementoftenantfarmersin TheNFCwillencourage Action A6: to thedevelopmentoftrainingforlandowners TheNFCwillencourage O O Action A5: O TheNFCwillworkwithpartnerstodevelopbusinessadviceandsupport Action A4: TheNFCwillpromote ForestThe National asavenuefortrialingand Action A3 sport, towoodland, farmdiversification TheNFCwillencourage O Action A2: mechanisms TheNFCwilluseitsgrantsandpromoteotherappropriate S,M,L O Action A1: TheNFCwillundertakeregularmonitoringoftheeconomicandsocial Action RE6: theprovisionoftrainingandbusiness TheNFCwillencourage Action RE5: O programmes TheNFCwillcontinuetosupporttargetedregeneration Action RE3: O TheNFCwillseektomaximisetheeconomicdevelopmentpotentialof Action RE1: cinR4 h F ilecuaetw eteipoeetadmngmn O centreimprovementandmanagement town TheNFCwillencourage Action RE4: continued TIMING ANDPRIORITISATION OFSTRATEGY ACTIONS Appendix 8 H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE A Strategy andactionplantodeveloptheForest-related economywill A Strategy overnight staysto10%. the Forest's provisionofhighquality wildlifetovisitorsandencourage inthe addressingpocketsofeconomicandsocialdeprivation aimed at Map 8aspriorityareasfortourismdevelopment. Map speciality foodanddrinks. year roundeventsandfestivals. andruralareas. developments invillages visitor facilities. historic placesofinterest. inspectedaccommodation. quality, sitesshouldbeconsideredwithsiteowners. 'gateway' tobedevelopedasForest Thesuitabilityofcertainattractions priority. with publicaccesstomaintainhighstandardsofvisitorwelcome. T F offarmbusinesses. support thediversification networks toassistForest-related farmdiversification. bestpractice. developing farmdiversification Forest-related businessandbiodiversityuses. farmtourism, recreation, toForest-related uses. farmdiversification to encourage impact of Forest.The National arising fromtheForest's development. development programmestoaddresstheneedsandopportunities to promoteandmarkettheForest. programmes whichsupporttourismdevelopmentandofferopportunities F be keptunderregularreview. communities ofinterestusingavarietytechniques. and countylevels artsinitiatives. related h oettruhjitwrig seilya einl sub-regional. regional, especiallyat the Forest throughjointworking, able 12. orest's creation. orest area. T (S,M,L,O) msaeEsnilDesirable imescale Essential ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ L S KEY: H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE LAND LANDFILL SITES AND DERELICT WORKINGS, Action continued TOURISM Chapter PLANNING MINERAL = = Long term-7-10years Short term-1-3years cinM:TeNCwl norg oenett osdraedn ainl S Governmenttoconsideramendingnational TheNFCwillencourage Action M4: O Forest TheNFCwillpromoteuptakeoftheNational logolicencing Action T13 cinM:TeNCwl norg h etrto f40h fmnrladlnfl O O of480hamineralandlandfill therestoration TheNFCwillencourage Action M3: consulteeonminerals, TheNFCshouldcontinuetobeanon-statutory Action M2: cinT2 h ainlFrs W ilrve iio aktsget vr M-L Forest TheNational TWG willreviewvisitormarketsegmentsevery Action T12: cinP:TeNCwl norg h rtcino motn odadad O S-M theprotectionofimportantwoodlandand TheNFCwillencourage Action P7: Forest-related TheNFCwillencourage developmentandrural S-M Action P6: theinclusion TheNFCwillencourage ofamodeldevelopmentplanting O Action P5: S TheNFCwillpromotetheinclusion Forest oftheNational development Action P4: Trees theearlyrevisionofCircular36/78, TheNFCwillencourage O Action P3: TheNFC willpromotetheinclusion Forest ofconsistentNational policies O Action P2: S-M O TheNFCwillpromote theinclusion of Forestasa The National Strategy Action P1: liaisongrouptodiscuss TheNFCwillestablishaminerallandowner Action M8: todeveloplong-termsite siteowners TheNFCwillencourage Action M7: O of150haderelictlandto therestoration TheNFCwillencourage Action M5: O L consulteeonminerals, TheNFCshouldcontinuetobeanon-statutory Action M1: andassessthe strategy TheNFCwill develop avisitormanagement Action T19: S,L S,M,L of surveys TheNFCwillundertake periodicawareness The National M-L Action T17: TheNFCwillundertake EconomicImpact Assessments oftourism Action T16: O Forest TheNational fornew TWG willidentifylocations Tourist Action T15: Forest TheNational visitormarketingoftheForest TWG willcoordinate Action T14: cinM:Itgae etrto taeissol ecniee o at fte M-L shouldbe considered forpartsofthe Strategies Restoration Integrated Action M6: S,L selectedForest willbeundertakenat Periodic sites;and visitorsurveys Action T18: O M = = Ongoing throughthe10years Medium term-4-6years Minerals Planning Guidance to favour restoration toForest-related restoration Minerals PlanningGuidancetofavour Information PointsInformation (TIPs)andaprogrammewillbedevelopedto ecological resourcesfromdevelopmentproposals. Local DevelopmentPlans/Frameworks. policiesin andwillpromotetheinclusiondiversification; ofappropriate policy inLocalDevelopmentPlans/Frameworks. schemes. development landscaping planting guidelineswithinLocalDevelopmentPlans/Frameworks and and Forestry. within LocalDevelopmentPlans/Frameworks. Strategies. Regional PlanningGuidance/Spatial andin PlanningGuidance/Statements policy inNational consideration options forForest landholdings. projectsonmineralcompany plansforrestoredsites. management c F F uses intheForest area. Forestfeasibility ofdevelopingaNational rangerservice. visitorattractions. at willbeencouraged similar surveys F 2-3years. every standardise TIPs withinaForest themeddesign. and itssurroundingareaattractions. a sites toForest usesby2014. 3-5 years. landfill and derelict land planning applications and site restoration plans. andsiterestoration landfill andderelictlandplanningapplications waste disposalandderelictlandpolicy documents. lay workingsintheCoalfield. rs,including granite quarriesandlandfillsitesinCharnwood orest, usesby2014. orest-related orest. greement. T (S,M,L,O) msaeEsnilDesirable imescale Essential appendices ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 125 the strategy 126 the strategy appendices hpe Action TRAFFIC TRANSPORT AND Chapter cinT1 h F ilpooeNtoa oettasotise nrlvn O Forest TheNFCwillpromoteNational transportissuesinrelevant Action TR1: cinT2 h F ilwr ihtasotadohrprnr opouea SandL TheNFCwillworkwithtransportandotherpartnerstoproducea Action TR2: cinT1:TeNCwl ekt omn nmjrtasotifatutr rjcs O M TheNFCwillseektocommentonmajortransportinfrastructureprojects Action TR10: S,M,L Forest TheNational Tourism Working Groupwillexplorethepotentialfor Action TR9: S-M andwhitesignsa auditsofbrown TheNFCwillencourage Action TR8: O TheNFCwillpromotethecompletionofaForest-wide programmeof O Action TR7: transportpartnerstosupportthedevelopment TheNFCwillencourage Action TR6: S-M and torecreation provisionofbusservices TheNFCwillencourage Action TR5 railcompanies, railauthorities, TheNFCwillcontinuetoencourage Action TR4: cinT3 h F ilwr ihtasotprnr oareafaeokfr S-M aframeworkfor TheNFCwillworkwithtransportpartnerstoagree Action TR3: L S KEY: continued TIMING ANDPRIORITISATION OFSTRATEGY ACTIONS Appendix 8 H OETSRTG 04>2014 > 2004 STRATEGY FOREST THE regional agencies and local authorities to pursue implementation ofthe andlocalauthoritiestopursueimplementation regional agencies improvements to offset any impacts. improvements tooffsetany affecttheForestthat andpromotenewplantingenvironmental withtourismandpublictransportproviders. joint marketinginitiatives tosigninggroupsofattractions. comprehensive approach Forest andsettlementsigns. National boundary linkedtopublictransportandcarparks. routes, of recreational andadjoiningurbanareas. fromlocaltowns tourism attractions, ForestNational Line. inandaroundtheForestrural transportinitiatives area. F transport policy documents. orest-wide TransportStrategy. = = Long term-7-10years Short term-1-3years O M = = Ongoing throughthe10years Medium term-4-6years T (S,M,L,O) msaeEsnilDesirable imescale Essential ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ The National Forest Company Enterprise Glade Bath Lane Moira Swadlincote 283 735247 01

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