Yeovil Country Park Management Plan 2013 – 2017

‘A high quality countryside resource on the urban fringe

maximising its value for wildlife, heritage and people.’

Contents…………………………….……...... 3

Site Description…………………………...... 4 - 17

Introduction……….……………………...... ….4

Scope of Management Plan…...... 5

Location………………………………...... ……….5

Compartments………………………...... ….....6

Map Coverage…………………………...... ……6

Size……………………………………………...... …6

Ownership……………………………….…...... 7

Statutory Designations…………….…...... 7

Access…………………………………………...... 7

Topography and Landscape………...... 9

Water Regime………………………...... …….12

Soils…………………………………………...... …13

Geology………………………………………...... 13

Current Land Management…...... 15

Site Management Evaluation……...... 16

Historical and Cultural Heritage…...... 17

Natural Heritage…………………………...... 19

Summary of Important Features…...... 25

Community…………………………………...... 26 - 30

Public use……………………………………...... 26

Education……………………………………...... 27

Interpretation………………………………...... 28

Community…………………………………...... 29

Management Recommendations...... 30 - 34

Aims and Objectives…………………...... 34 - 53

Prescription Tables………………………...... 54 - 71

Appendices…………………………...... 72 - 82

Bibliography……………………………….…...... 82

Introduction

Yeovil Country Park (YCP) is 127 acre countryside site that wraps itself around the southern and eastern sides of the busy market town of Yeovil. The Country Park is comprised of 5 main land holdings all of which have very different characters and special features. The Country Park is only young and was designated in 2002 when South Somerset District Council established ownership of all the land units. Since then the Country Park team have created the infrastructure and wildlife management schemes needed to cope with the heavy public use on the site. In 2005 the Country Park won its first green flag award to the delight of the team reflecting the high standard of maintenance and community engagement on site. The Country Park is in a unique position; only 5 minutes’ walk from the bustling town centre and offers an incredible array of peaceful pass times and open access green space to residents and visitors. This plan is needed to direct the management on site for the next 5 years as the ranger team seek to provide increased opportunities for the public to connect and engage with their Country Park and the various forms of heritage it has to offer.

The Country Park’s five land units include Riverside Walk a narrow corridor of woodland and rough meadow following the river corridor of the Yeo, with a population of otters and valuable habitat for many species of bird, butterfly and reptile. Moving westwards Wyndham Hill has the landmark 4 lime trees on its summit and supports a mix of pasture grassland and newly planted woodland. Travelling along the old railway line, now cycleway, that links the units of land you next reach Summerhouse Hill. A steep incline takes you southwards to the best views of Yeovil and a stand of 9 parkland oaks within the grazed land unit. Stands of gorse are dotted around the pasture and provide cover for birds and wildlife. Penn Hill Park is further north and more firmly within the town of Yeovil. In two parts, the park is predominantly amenity grassland, with shrub beds and ornamental trees. The final unit of land is the Valley Gardens of Ninesprings. The best known and most heavily used area, Ninesprings has a unique character all of its own. The Victorian Valley Gardens, lake, ponds, meadows and woodlands are full of plant life. They are perfect for exploring via the network of windy paths and support a family of kingfishers and a population of water voles. The children’s play area is popular and many events are organised from the lake and meadow area. With such a diverse range of sites and habitats, the Country Park supports a huge range of species, can accommodate many types of public users and is ideally placed to deliver a countryside experience to the residents of Yeovil and further afield.

Yeovil Country Park is an emotive site and important to many people, the ranger team regularly consult the public on site projects and make efforts to engage many individuals in the planning and development of the Country Park. The practical and daily site management is carried out by a small dedicated on site ranger team: Country Park Ranger: Rachael Whaites Country Park Assistant Rangers: Becky Russell and Bill Keeley (part time), Apprentice Ranger: Annually appointed Countryside Manager: Katy Menday (off site).

The District Council’s in house horticultural services team carry out the routine maintenance on site. The extensive tree stock within the Country Park requires specialist help on a regular basis and the SSDC arboricultural team is often employed for climbing and large felling work on

4 site. Taking decisions on the direction and specific projects for site the South Somerset Countryside Steering Group was established in 2006 as a successor to the Yeovil Country Park Steering Group. The Group guides the management of Yeovil Country Park ensuring that the needs of the public and wildlife are met. Members of the Steering Group represent the District, Town and Parish Councils, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Yeovil Area Group of The Somerset Wildlife Trust and Country Park volunteers and users. During the late 1960’s and 1970 funding was available to local authorities to establish and manage Country Parks. Such funding has not been available for a number of years. Over the past 5 years Yeovil Country Park has been funded by South Somerset District Council, Yeovil Town Council and specific project works have been completed after bids to various grant funders. With District and Town Council budgets ever decreasing, it is obvious that the future of capital works in the Country Park will be reliant on external grant funders and sponsorship of the Country Park by local businesses.

Scope of Management Plan The purpose of this document is to set out the direction and focus of management and maintenance activities within Yeovil Country Park for the next five years until the end of 2017. A set of aims and objectives outline what the team hope to achieve with specific management prescriptions provided on how this will be done. These reflect both on-going maintenance tasks to be delivered by the team as well as activities associated with development of the park, contributing to longer term aspirations and conservation. Justifications are provided for objectives and their prescriptions and it is hoped that this document promotes discussion and involvement from stakeholders and the wider community into the management of the Country Park. The context within which the park and its management lies is explained to ensure the reader is provided with a comprehensive understanding of the management and conservation of Yeovil Country Park.

Location Yeovil Country Park is situated on the southern and south-eastern edge of Yeovil in Somerset. The location of the Country Park means that it is within easy driving distance of many towns and villages. The vast majority of the Country Park falls within South Somerset District, within the County of Somerset. There is one very small part of the Riverside Walk which falls within the County of Dorset, where the County boundary leaves the River Yeo south towards an old field pond and then heads east back to the River Yeo. Yeovil Country Park falls within the two parishes of Yeovil and Barwick & Stoford.

Compartments In order to describe areas of the Country Park and to discuss their future management Yeovil Country Park has been divided into management compartments. Site, Compartment, Habitat Type

Site Compartment Habitat type Ninesprings (NS) The Valley Gardens Woodland and Water Hillside Woods Woodland Braggchurch Woodland Southwoods Woodland Memorial Arboretum Ornamental trees and

Grassland Lake and Pond Water Meadows Grassland, scrub and specimen Ninesprings Railway Walk trees Edge Grassland, Scrub and Strips of scrubby woodland

Penn Hill (PH) Formal Park Grassland and Specimen Trees Old Penn House Garden Grassland and Specimen Trees

Summerhouse Hill (SH) Grassland Grassland, gorse scrub and parkland trees

Wyndham Hill (WH) Open Field Grassland and specimen tress Escarpment Woodland Wyndham Railway Walk Water, woodland and amenity grassland

Riverside Walk (RS) Birchfield Scrub and grassland Water Meadows Grassland New Plantation Woodland Railway Entrance New woodland

Map Coverage The best available maps for Yeovil Country Park are Ordnance Survey Maps Landranger 183 1:50,000 sheet, Explorer 129 1:25,000 sheet and Geological Survey Sheet 312 1:50,000 sheet. Aerial photographs of Yeovil Country Park are available to Council staff on the web map programme or from the Geographical Information Systems Unit at South Somerset District Council, Brympton Way offices.

Size Yeovil Country Park totals 127 acres (51 ha) and comprises: Ninesprings 49 acres (19.8ha) Summerhouse Hill 14 acres (5.6ha) Riverside Walk 27 acres (10.8ha) Penn Hill 10 acres (4.1ha) Wyndham Hill 27 acres (10.8ha)

Ownership Please note that this Management Plan is not a legal document. Reference should be made to original tenure documents before taking any decisions or any action which may have legal implications. South Somerset District Council owns almost all of the land within Yeovil Country Park. The Council acquired Ninesprings in 1979 to restore the neglected Victorian pleasure garden. Wyndham Hill and Summerhouse Hill were acquired in 2000 and 2001 respectively to provide additional public open space. Riverside Walk and Penn Hill were acquired in 1888 to 1972 and 1953 to 1966.

Statutory Designations Parts of Yeovil Country Park are designated as a Local Wildlife Site (LWS). All LWS are included in the Local Plan protected in development policy EC5. LWS are designated by Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC), following survey and assessment using a criteria approved by the SERC Management Group to assess wildlife importance within Somerset. Unlike the nationally designated sites such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), LWS designation does not confer any legal or statutory protection. They signify the extent of the important wildlife habitats. The Somerset Wildlife Trust established the Wildlife Sites Project to provide wildlife management advice to owners and managers of LWS to help conserve their wildlife value for the future. The Local Wildlife Sites that intersect Yeovil Country Park are:

*These sites are adjacent to Yeovil Country Park SERC Reg Name Description ST51/022 Newton Copse* Broadleaved ancient woodland ST51/070 Ninesprings Pond and Site with important aquatic species Stream ST51/109 Aldon Park* Grazed land with access for dog walking by purchase of an annual ticket. ST51/127 Riverside Walk Riverside area of woodland on steep banks ST51/065 Wyndham Hill Wood Semi-natural broadleaved woodland on steep slopes adjacent to disused railway line ST51/005 Summerhouse Hill Unimproved and semi-improved acid grassland ST51/026 Ninesprings Wood Ancient woodland site predominately broadleaved and conifer plantation stands

Tree Preservation Orders Tree Preservations Orders are made by planning authorities to protect trees from being felled, pruned, wilfully damaged or destroyed without the permission of the Local Authority. In 1996, 12 Oaks on the northeastern edge of Wyndham Hill opposite the Penn Mill Hotel were covered by Tree Preservation Orders (TPO). In 2007 one of the TPO’d Oaks fell after significant rainfall and in windy conditions; this tree has been replaced by a newly planted Oak.

Access At present the most heavily used site in Yeovil Country Park is Ninesprings with a significant proportion arriving by car. Ninesprings is shown on brown tourism signs at major junctions in the town, but signage does not cover all roads into Yeovil. The majority of visitors park at Goldenstones. There are a number of car parks that are within close walking distance of the sites within Yeovil Country Park. It is also possible to reach Yeovil Country Park from Penn Hill Station or Yeovil Junction Station.

There are a number of Public Footpaths, one bridleway but no restricted Byways within Yeovil Country Park. Footpaths and the bridleways are listed in the table below.

Path ref Route Whole/part within YCP Y32/12 From Newton Road to Sherborne Road Footpath whole Y32/11 From Newton Road to Hillside Terrace Footpath whole Y31/20 From Dodham Bridge to Newton House Gates Footpath whole Y31/21 From Dodham Bridge to Junction of footpaths 22 and 23 Footpath whole Y31/22 From gate opposite Newton House gates to top of Footpath part Summerhouse Hill Y32/13 From Stars Lane to Roadway to Park Street and Adddlewell Footpath whole Lane Y32/14 From Victoria Bridge to Ninesprings Footpath part Y32/15 From Footpath 14 to Borough boundary (then continues as Footpath part FP. Y2/9 in Barwick) Y32/18 Lovers Lane from A30 to A37 Bridleway whole

The five sites within Yeovil Country Park contain numerous pedestrian entrances open to walkers and cyclists. Entrances are listed in the table below:

Location of entrance Pedestrian Cyclist Status Structures Ninesprings access from Aldon 2 x kissing gates Goldenstones Car Park b b cycleway, public footpath Ninesprings Play Area b Easy Access Trail b public footpath kissing gate Southwood Road b Lysander Road b b cycleway Hendford Hill b b A37 Dorchester Road b b Penn Hill Brunswick Street b Penn Hill St Nicholas b Close Petters Way b Summerhouse Hill Dodham Brook Bridge x b public footpath gate 2 Newton Road b public footpath kissing gate Newton Copse public footpath kissing gate Crest of Hill public footpath kissing gate Wyndham Hill entrance by Wyndham Court kissing gate Newton Road b public footpath gate Yeovale Leisure Centre b b cycleway Hillview Terrace b public footpath gate Entrance by Vets b gate A30 – Opposite PM b b kissing gate Hotel

A30 – Adjacent to road b b public footpath, bridge cycleway Riverside Walk Flushing Meadow b public footpath, metal barrier cycleway Lower Birchfield b

Topography and Landscape

Yeovil lies on a distinctive landform feature known as a dip slope with the land gently sloping southwards. To the south of the town, from Yeovale Leisure Centre to Goldenstones, the dip slope reaches a narrow river valley, with a low but attractive wooded escarpment. Viewed from the west edge of town, the broad perception is of the greater part of Yeovil being cradled by this wooded escarpment. The sites that make up Yeovil Country Park generally lie to the south and east of the town centre, covering areas of both the escarpment and the lower dip slope. These sites are linked by the river valley of Dodham Brook and River Yeo, which runs east and north between these landforms through the south-east edge of town.

Penn Hill This outlying knoll on the southern escarpment is crowned by mature specimen trees which divide up grassed areas, proving an area of open space within a built surround. This urban surround of roads (Hendford and Brunswick Street to the west and south respectively) car parks and municipal buildings (Penn House and Maltravers House being the prominent) gives the location a strong civic character. From the head of the knoll, there are clear views south towards Yeovil’s southern escarpment, and west toward Odcombe and Ham Hill. Generally Penn Hill provides good vantage points over Yeovil, though in places tree lines and groups do obscure the view.

Adjacent to Penn Hill lie some relic pathways from what was the formal garden. Centrally, an underused allotment enables unimpeded views south whilst the ground linking the allotment with Penn House has been transformed into community wildlife garden with a surround of drawn up hedging and fencing. Between Maltravers House and the roads there is a greater area and proportion of open space, primarily of grass, a characteristic associated with the former Hendford Manor House, which stood between the present day museum and theatre, and looked across grassland to its south. Small groups of trees together with individual specimens assist in screening buildings, demarcate former field boundaries and align pathways in addition to creating notable skyline features that break up the monotony of the town’s roof scape. There is a particularly fine line of beech, lime and oak that runs parallel with Brunswick Street, though in 2007 the large beech on the corner of St Nicholas Park had to be removed after arboricultural investigations revealed significant failures.

Ninesprings Ninesprings is arguably Yeovil’s premier openspace, to the south of the town centre and major communications routes. Lying between Aldon Park and the town centre, Ninesprings is a north facing wooded escarpment, and marks a rapid transition from town to open countryside.

The general aspect is north to north-west, over land falling from the head of the southern escarpment to the Dodham Brook corridor, which forms the valley floor. From the highest points of Ninesprings, where there is a break in the tree cover, there are good views to the north, with particularly good vantage points enabling views over west Yeovil toward the countryside beyond. Within the valley floor, views out are constricted by the southern scarp, and rising ground towards Penn Hill and its intervening buildings. The character of Ninesprings is primarily that of wooded hillside, opening out in the valley base to grassed areas and water. Woodland is the long-established major characteristic of the park, comprised of stands of native and ornamental species clothing the scarp and Valley Gardens. There is a particularly fine line of beech trees adjacent to Aldon House grounds and mature specimens (including veteran trees) that are primarily broadleaved, which can be found throughout the site amongst the wooded areas, and within the ‘meadows’. The meadows cover the lower slope of the escarpment, between woodland and brook, complete with ‘gappy’ (mainly hazel) hedgerows from the time of tithe map compilation. Water is a major component of Ninesprings, particularly the springs that cascade down the Valley Gardens. In addition there is Dodham Brook and two pools in the valley base which bring a welcome expanse of openness in conjunction with the meadows. Relics of the former ‘pleasure garden’ and many of the route-ways relate to the time when the Valley Gardens (a spring fed wooded ‘goyle’ that cuts through the scarp in its swift desent to the valley floor) was in the ownership of Aldon House. Particularly evident is the expanse of cherry laurel within the woodland and Valley Garden, honeysuckle hedging and hazel/cherry groves. Designed landscapes are particularly important to the character of this side of Yeovil. Aldon Park and Ninesprings have provided a rich legacy of specimen trees and avenues.

In being routed along the former rail-line, the linear character of the foot/cyleway recalls another period in time, when the Great Western Railway Durston and Yeovil branchline linked the old town station with South Somerset’s Levels and Moors. This cycle path provides the line between Ninesprings and Summerhouse Hill. Understandably linear, it is hemmed-in by employment sites to the north, some of which are unsightly, and rising ground to the south, giving a strong feel of constraint this is exacerbated by tall shrubs immediately alongside the path. These obscure views toward Summerhouse Hill though have some merit in disguising Dodham Brook’s concrete encasement. Both the unsightly business premises and encasement of Dodham Brook are projects within the Yeovil Vision, forming part of the scheme to form a “waterfront” concept in the Foundry House area of Yeovil, with the town turning to face the green of the Country Park.

Summerhouse Hill The open grass hillside of Summerhouse Hill forms part of the southern escarpment and immediate countryside edge to Yeovil, separated only by the Dodham Book from the former town station site, thereby establishing a clear rural/urban interface. To the south lies open countryside. The hillside falls north from the scarp head towards the town. The outlook follows this aspect, the extent of views increasing the further up the slope one progresses. Immediately to view is the modern development on the former town station site adjacent to the old foundry buildings, whilst the greater spread of Yeovil recedes with distance to the north. Summerhouse Hill is viewed as part of the enfolding southern escarpment, but provides a contrast in being open grassland rather than sharing the wooded slopes that characterise Ninesprings. It is also a marked contrast to the busy urban edge at its toe, and the linear character of the cycleway approach from Ninesprings. Strip lynchets are noticeable over the lower hillside, being particularly pronounced immediately above the Dodham Brook, whilst the hill’s height is exaggerated by the group of long-established mature oak trees towards its head. Some gorse scrub is developing over the upper slopes adjacent the southern boundary whilst mature trees align the eastern boundary, which are again long established.

Wyndham Hill Formerly part of the Newton Surmaville estate, Wyndham Hill (like Penn Hill) is an outlying knoll from the southern escarpment, with its eye-catching group of lime trees at its grassy crown a renowned focal point and landmark. The hill is developed over its northern slopes, primarily by residential properties, which establishes an abrupt interface of urban rural character. It is separated from the southern escarpment by Dodham Brook and River Yeo corridor, along the former GWR branch-line. The town’s road systems ‘bookend’ the site to east and west. The land falls to all sides from this knoll, the head of which provides an excellent vantage point with views to all quarters. It is arguably the best vantage point for views south and east within the boundary of Yeovil Country Park, and it also enables clear views towards Ninesprings and Summerhouse Hill. The distinctive four-tree crown aside, Wyndham Hill is characterised by its sweep of open grassland that falls both east and west from the head of the knoll. The A30 with its busy movement forms the eastern boundary and is an emphatic stop to the open grassland falling from the knoll to the road at its toe, just as Newton Road does to the west. Similarly the edge of housing to the north is crudely bounded by a mixture of fence types, many rising incongruously across the contour; there is some intervening planting, but this is not consistent, nor substantial.

On the hilltop, there is a partial hedgerow below the knoll’s north face, which turns and heads down to the urban edge. This is an old established boundary, which the 1880 map indicates reinforced by avenue planting, as is the northern edge of the western portion of the field and a crossing of the eastern field To the immediate south of the knoll is a wooded belt – an ancient woodland site designated as a LWS for its woodland interest – with the cycleway at its toe, its alignment and hillside cutting still clearly alluding to the former GWR Durston and Yeovil branchline which preceded it. Some woody presence between the cycleway and the River Yeo encloses the route from the open countryside to the south.

The roadside link to the Riverside Walk by Pittards is awkward and uninviting; thereafter it follows a narrow grass track aside the northern boundary of the towns sewage works. A conifer belt within this boundary lines the path into Riverside Walk.

Riverside Walk This stretch of Yeovil Country Park lies broadly within the valley base associated with the Yeo floodplain. It covers a narrow strip of land contained between the railway line to the north-west, and the meandering course of the River Yeo to the southeast with the gentle rise of the escarpment beyond. Trading estates back onto the far side of the railway-line, though scrub forming on the rail embankment acts as a visual buffer.

The park here is predominately tree planted, and comprises an array of tree species, a number of which are incongruous in this seemingly ‘rural’ setting. It appears an enclosed area and feels removed from its wider surrounds, with vistas enclosed by trees and the rail embankment. The presence of rising ground beyond the park’s confines exaggerates the sense of enclosure. There are few views out, other than where the canopy is broken, enabling sight of Yeovil’s edge and the south- eastern escarpment. With regular tree cover and bank herbaceous growth, the river is rarely glimpsed in summer, though its presence is often audible, and its line denoted by mature willows and poplars.

Access is restricted to informal paths and two mown paths that take a sinuous course through the tree lines, occasionally widening into glades. Prior to the age of the train, this land comprised open fields to the river’s edge, part of a wider enclosure field pattern. Below the rail-crossing, an area of open space remains, incorporating a former drainage ditch system, bringing some diversity to the wooded character of the greater part of the site. Lying within the valley associated with the Yeo floodplain, the park emerges to the north of the rail-crossing to run immediately alongside the river until it turns west to rise gently away from the floodplain, over rising ground below Sunningdale Recreation Ground. The aspect is primarily channelled north and south along the river valley, contained by rising ground to west and east, the head of the former comprising the edge of Yeovil’s built form, whilst the escarpment recedes to the northeast.

Above the railway crossing, near-distance views toward the town upon up with the constraint of rail embankment and trees. As the path rises, views back through the eastern quant widen as the path gains elevation, with particularly good views toward the north Dorset and east Somerset hills from the edge of Yeovil Country Park, immediately adjacent Sunningdale Recreation Ground. North of the railway crossing, there is a brief sense of entrance into the wider agricultural countryside, with the floodplain assuming greater prominence through a widening of the Yeo valley, and tree presence restricted to rivers edge. At the Park’s northwest limit below the recreation ground, a pumping station has been installed to deal with effluent waste coming from the industrial park. Surrounding the pumping station is a mix of grassland and mature shrubs, which has the potential for valuable Nightingale habitat. To the northeast of the pumping station lies Yeovil’s newest residential area, Wyndham Park. This area has planning for over 700 dwellings, which will have a significant impact on the country park over time, as this is the nearest area of recreational greenspace to the development. Water Regime

The Country Park contains a number of water features, from the springs in the Valley Gardens, Ninesprings Lake, Dodham brook and the River Yeo. All water heads eastwards into the river Yeo and these watercourses support a diverse range of wildlife.

The Dodham brook first enters the park at Goldenstones, where it is a natural channel, it winds past the lake and play area and after descending a weir is encased in concrete as a flood relief channel. The brook was encased in the 1970’s and investigations are now looking to re-instate the original course of the brook and cover the canalised route, leaving it to operate as a storm drain for the run off from the town. Dodham brook receives most of the run off from the town and to prevent pollution of the brook, and further downstream, the Environment Agency and Country Park rangers jointly operate a pollution boom that can that be deployed on the sighting of any pollution heading downstream. Erected outside Goldenstones, the boom stretches across the water, and floats on the surface preventing oil and chemical slicks from travelling downstream.

Other sources feeding into the brook include the springheads in Ninesprings. Upwards of 12 spring heads have been counted in the Valley Gardens, so Ninesprings is not an accurate name for the site! The springs serve to drain the land of Aldon Park that rises above it to the south. The springs all feed into a central valley stream, which opens out into the lake at Ninesprings. The significant amount of leaf litter collected on its journey downstream coupled with the very sandy soils have left the lake very silted. . A subsidiary of the lake is the Ninesprings pond. The lake is left without disturbance for wildfowl. The lake has two outlets into the Dodham brook and a sluice board is operated by the rangers in times of high or low waters. With the sandy soils of the area bank side erosion is a problem on the Dodham Brook and the River Yeo. On the brook this is mitigated by use of live woven willow panels to stabilise the bank. The Dodham brook is a tributary of the River Yeo at the base of Wyndham Hill, near to Yeovil Golf Club. The river meanders out of Yeovil on its eastern side, and despite the large Wessex Water sewage treatment works, supports a great range of wildlife.

Soils A handful of the Yeovil Sands will demonstrate that they are finer than most beach sands. They produce light slightly calcareous soils with a fine tilth and are easily cultivated. However, heavy rain fall results in a crust that caps the soil whilst a hardpan may develop in the subsoil which hinders root development and drainage. These soils are very susceptible to erosion by water and strong winds. Upper slopes often expose the subsoil or even bedrock whilst lower slopes are buried by eroded sands from upslope. Badgers and foxes frequently burrow in the sands.

Geology The Escarpment The Yeovil Country Park straddles the Yeovil Sands’ escarpment which runs from Odcombe via Hendford Hill, Summerhouse Hill, Babylon Hill and on towards Corton Denham . The ground slopes more gently to the south east of the escarpment and is show as a ‘dip slope’.

Penn Hill & Wyndham Hill These are outliers of the escarpment. Erosion has removed the surrounding rock and is weakened by having many cracks.

Ninesprings The sandy division of the Yeovil Sands is permeable where the silty-clay shales below the sands tend to throw out the water hence the emergence of ground water as springs. It is worth noting that Ninesprings tends to have a V-shaped valley form below the springs as a result of downward steam erosion widening the valley whereas the valley from above the stream tends to be more rounded and smooth. The latter form is a relic of hill slope recession by mass wasting during former cold conditions of the Ice Age. The southwest and north-east alignment may be the result of erosion being influenced by weakness in the rocks. Incidentally, it is recorded that a bore-hole sunk near the foot of Summerhhouse Hill rose and overflowed under artesian pressure: rainfall percolates into the Junction Bed and is trapped by the overlying siltyclays.

Bradford Hollow Bradford Hollow, although outside Yeovil Country Park, is a notable feature and useful in understanding the geology of the Park. It is access by a footpath that continues beyond the Matalan building (ST 5761 1565). It is typical hollow way or sunken lane created over a long time by wear and tear on the sandy track and the propensity of the loose sand to be washed away down the steep slope during periods of intense rainfall. It is an excellent place to study the Yeovil Sands.

The Yeo Sands The line of the escarpment is broken where the River Yeo flows from south to north across the outcrop of the Yeovil Sands. The resistant Yeovil Sands not only form the escarpment but also cause the valley to narrow.

The Flood Plain The geological maps show that the river channel is set on a flood plain floored by alluvium which can be studied near the weir on the south side of Wyndham Hill. It is a silty-sand possibly 2-3 m thick in places. Current views, are that whilst there may be a small input with over-bank flood, most of the alluvium was deposited following prehistoric clearance of woodland. Clearly, much of it is derived from eroded outcrops of Yeovil Sands: soil erosion in South Somerset is still a major problem.

The Yeo Channel The river channel from Yeovil Junction to Mudford is remarkable for its depth: by comparison the River Axe in Devon has a greater bedload of gravel and is wider and shallower. When flooded at

14 bankful stage the steep sides become saturated and this leads to an impressive sight of rotational slumps.

Flood Water The Yeo has a high sediment load in suspension at bankful stage whereas the Dodham Brook tends to be much clearer. The Yeo drains a catchment with a high percentage of arable fields whereas Dodham Brook has a greater urban and grassland catchment.

Other Aspects The geology is the principal factor in restricting the growth of Yeovil on the southeast side of the town: the escarpment, river channel and flood plain, the railway lines, County boundary, land ownership and the high quality of the countryside. This is coupled with the attractions of building on the dip slope to the west, north and east.

The views from Summerhouse Hill are full of interest and valuable for school visits. The whole of Yeovil is laid out with landmarks and roof patterns forming a graphic illustration of the growth of Yeovil, the pattern of the land use. There are also good views from Wyndham Hill of the escarpment and Yeo Gap. In 2006 “A guide to the Geology of Yeovil” was written by Hugh Prudden, this free guide includes two self-guided trails, one of Yeovil town and the other around the Country Park. The Country Park trail takes in the Hills of Wyndham and Summerhouse and goes on to explain the formation of the river and the features it demonstrates. The guide is available from the Tourist Information Centre and the Country Park rangers.

Current Land Management

Ninesprings The Valley Gardens of Ninesprings require particularly high management intervention work, with narrow surfaced pathways to be cleared and maintained and extensive tree stock to be managed. The volunteer team help support much of the laurel clearance work to date but there are still significant areas to complete as part of a wider restoration project. Spring bulbs are being planted for colour and native trees with some ornamental specimens planted to in place of the laurel. The waterfalls are cleared three or four times a year of leaves and silt to ensure water through flow and regular litter picks take place in the gardens. In the woodland, areas of hazel coppice have been extended to introduce important wildlife corridors and structural heterogeneity into the site. Dogs are now excluded from around the lake to protect wildfowl, the response to which has been largely successful.

Southwoods and Bragg church have large tree stock and like the Valley Gardens are annually inspected for the integrity of this tree stock. Some repair work has been necessary on the stone and woodwork within the Valley Gardens. In the grassland areas Lufton’s horticulture team carry out the amenity grass cuts twelve time a year and strim bank sides. However extensive areas are left as uncut tall grass meadows in the summer. The memorial arboretum is now full and grass cuts and sensitive tree maintenance continue. There are still a significant number of enquiries for memorial plantings; this has been motioned to the horticulture team for consideration elsewhere within Yeovil. The paths and furniture in Southwoods and Bragg church are maintained regularly, and bird and bat boxes are located throughout the compartment. In this heavily used area of site, issues of graffiti and vandalism occur on average once a month and the onsite ranger team deal immediately with incidences. Several of the bridges within Ninesprings have been fully replaced and all furniture continues to be maintained as necessary.

Wyndham Hill The pasture land within this unit has retained the same tenant grazier as from 2002, and the land is grazed with cattle for a limited of number of months in the year under Countryside Stewardship Agreement although this ended in 2012. The four famous limes at the summit are checked regularly for public safety purposes. This new plan will seek to secure funding to replant the limes at a big enough size that superficial vandalism is unlikely. Tree guards have been removed from the planted woodland and appropriate management carried out. The steep bank side is prone to erosion and several cases of emergency tree work have been required following root failure. Following the removal of fencing around Stanley copse a more open stand has been created. However, drug use continues albeit at a lower level and rangers will maintain discussion with relevant parties.

Summmerhouse Hill This compartment is also grazed by cattle under the same tenant farmer. The steep nature of the slope means the hill is less frequently visited, but fallen oak trunks left near the summit do provide an ideal resting bench and impressive views of Yeovil. The replanted oaks are surviving and will continue to be monitored by the rangers. Gorse encroachment is controlled with the support of volunteers to ensure a variety of aged thickets are maintained for their wildlife potential. Ragwort does grow on these slopes and is controlled by hand pulling by staff and volunteers. The picnic area

16 which was initially created has unfortunately since been removed due to the unmanageable level of litter associated with the site. Bramble between the lower fences is cut back regularly to maintain site lines and prevent damage to the fence.

Penn Hill The gardens at Penn Hill are far more formal than the rest of the Country Park land units. The routine maintenance agreement with Lufton has seen the grass cut and shrub beds managed. The newly created headway garden is maintained by volunteers and rangers and tree work carried out as necessary. Recent removal of mature diseased trees has helped provide an interesting change to the landscape character whilst ensuring public safety. A newly created wildlife garden has introduced a new versatile element to the compartment. It provides a location for children’s events and activities as well as an interesting environment for the public to relax in and enjoy. Unfortunately following a successful first season, the diversity of the wildflower sward has declined and restorative management is required to improve it’s the biodiversity value. Particularly removal of dock and ragwort and an early spring cut to reduce nutrient enrichment of the soil.

Riverside Walk The immature woodland created as part of sponsored tree planting event continues to be managed through coppicing. The older 5000 strong plantation continues to be thinned in order to encourage the ground flora to develop and promote the growth of remaining tree stock, especially oaks. The paths suffer from waterlogging and subsequent erosion and further canopy management is hoped to alleviate these problems. At the riverside itself, gabions and sleepers have been used at the worst points where the bank is slipping into the channel and more work is required where extreme bank side erosion has occurred. A section of the lower path has been permanently closed in order to protect the public. Steps have been installed with the help of TCV to allow users safely down to other areas of the riverbank. The reedbed continues to be cut on a rotational basis but declining water levels and sediment and litter build up are now threatening this habitat.

Site Management Evaluation

An SWOT evaluation of the management of Yeovil Country Park over the past five years has sought to inform the development of this new plan and is summarised below. Maintenance activities will be continued as appropriate and works required to fully deliver objectives still outstanding will be included to ensure continuity and more effective management. Resource constraints are largely responsible where the full completion of works has not been possible. The risks facing the park’s range of different heritage types have informed the management solutions within this plan that address these threats.

The team have worked hard to establish better links with the community over the past five years in order to promote a feeling of ownership by local residents. The establishment of the ParkWatch scheme provides links to the police and increasing public safety and the Friends of YCP group provide a useful forum for discussion. They also raise the potential to access alternative funding streams. Through the utilisation of in house skills and the provision of staff training opportunities means the service operates with a high degree of cost efficiency. This will help make the team resilient to likely future resource limitations. Recent free themed trails have been successful, an

17 activity to be expanded in the future. The use of social media has recently been employed as a means of communicating the work of the ranger team to a wider audience. Wildlife is well conserved with the majority of habitats receiving the management needed to maintain them in a state providing high biodiversity value.

It is recognised however of the need to further improve engagement with the community and encourage potential users through improved facilities, interpretation activity and event provision. There is currently restricted capacity for volunteer involvement and school group visits due to the lack of an appropriate facility and limited staffing resources.

The close proximity of the park to the town means there are significant educational opportunities through links to local schools and youth groups. The different compartments allow for a range of activities and events that can be provided to a more diverse audience promoting access to the park and wider countryside. These include alternative play schemes and volunteering opportunities supported by a new facility and community focus ranger position. Development within the Yeovil area generates potential for compensatory land gain or financial contributions towards the management and enhancement of the site. Greater partnership working may facilitate the park becoming a more functioning part of a wider ecological network.

A range of issues threaten the park including pressure from development and recreation. Resource constraints threaten the ability of the team to provide the level of service demanded by the public whilst maintaining and enhancing the wildlife value of the site. Tree pathogens have the potential to significantly affect the quality of the woodlands on site and the overall landscape character. Native flora and fauna is threatened by the introduction of non-native and invasive species some of which have established already. Several natural heritage features within the park require intensive management to maintain them in a desired state and are therefore at risk of reduced operational capacity through potential future budget constraints.

Historical and Cultural Heritage Leslie Brooke, a local historian, has researched many of the fascinating stories and history of the sites and places within Yeovil Country Park. Some of these are featured below. His book”Yeovil History in Street Names” is available from selected shops, the Library and the Town Council Offices in Union Street.

Yeovil The Yeo, one of three main waterways in the county, gives its name to the town and is a form of the Old English word ‘ea’ meaning river. The earliest known written form of the town’s name is GIFLE, from an Anglo- Saxon Will dated 950. This is very similar to the spelling GIVELE from the Domesday survey of 1086. The ‘G’ in Saxon speech has a soft sound, the same as ‘J’ and is still found in words like ‘gem’ and ‘general’. In Saxon days it probably sounded something like ’zh’. A sound that is difficult to render in spelling without recourse to special symbols and is why the Norman clerk gave the spelling he did in an attempt to render what sounded to his foreign ear, something like Yuvul – a pronunciation still occasionally, though infrequently heard in South Somerset.

Ninesprings Ninesprings was included with Yeovil Borough in 1928 and later secured from the Batten Family of Aldon House. Its name is from Old English and means a spring, a dun and a hill. The name Ninesprings perfectly fits the location, though there are definitely more than nine springs. Braggchurch, within Ninesprings, is now the name of a residence close to the line of a Roman Road, a little lower than ‘Lovers Lane’. This area was originally thought to have been the site of an ancient church or chapel. There is no evidence at all of such an establishment and the belief seems to have arisen from the property having been previously owned by one of the pre-Reformation chantry chapel of St John’s parish church. The ‘Bragg’ part of the name is possibly from the Old English braec, for a copse of thicket, which ‘Southwoods’ echoes in a different form.

Dodham ‘Dod’ is the name given to a plant known as cat’s tail or timothy grass (Phleum pratense) commonly found in meadows, and ‘ham’ is the Old English for an enclosure, most frequently found near streams, as it is here. It was at Dodham that the Milford and Rackel streams joined the Frogg Mill or Dodham Brook.

Wyndham Hill Wyndham was included in the 1845 boundary as well as the Town Railway Station, the railway line which ran along the foot of the hill now being Railway Walk. For a long time it was shown on Ordnance Survey maps as Windmill Hill. Wyndham Field, from which the hill rises, has been a recreation ground, hosting the Golden Jubilee celebration of Queen Victoria in 1887. For a short while, after 1890 around 24 acres were leased to Yeovil Borough Council by Prebendary E.N. Bates- Harbin. In the 1842 tithe map the field is named Victoria Hill, but was subsequently dropped, possible to avail confusion with Victoria Buildings then at the foot of Constitution Hill. The name by which the hill is now known, together with Wyndham Street, commemorates the Wyndham family of nearby Trent, who were connected by marriage with the Harbins of Newton Surmaville, on whose estate the hill remains.

Newton Surmaville, was the new tun, or dwelling, of a family whose name is variously spelt Solomavill, Sirnaville etc in the thirteenth century. Cricketsham, a field to the north of Newton House, might have been thought to be derived from the insect gryllus, but, in fact, it perpetuates the name of the de Cricket family of Cricket St Thomas, owners of Newton Surmaville in the second half of the thirteenth century.

Penstille gate and tollhouse were erected by Yeovil Turnpike Trust in 1753 as a ‘stop gate’, on or near the entrance to the road leading from Pen Stile to Newton’. This toll-gate and house stood on the site of the former Western Gazette offices, to a stile which afforded access from Newton Road across the former Pen Hill (Wyndham), and before any other buildings existed in Newton Road. The Penstile tollhouse and gate were replaced in the first half of the nineteenth century by the cottage (and gate) at the corner of the former Dodham Lane, now part of South Western Terrace and Newton Road. When turnpike gates were abolished in the town in 1875, the tollhouse was bought by George Harbin as a lodge for one of his estate employees.

Penn Hill Penn House was the residence of Peter Daniell in the first quarter of the nineteenth century and is surrounded by extensive grounds known as Penn Park. In 1852, new roads were laid out in those grounds and the South Street end of the lower road became Park Street and Hendford end Brunswick street, with ‘Belmont’ – the beautiful hill’ – lying in between. The higher road, from South Street to Belmont, which in part had been a driveway to the house, became Penn Hill.

Summerhouse Hill The strip lynchets (cultivation terraces) on Summerhouse Hill provide evidence of medieval human activity and the site was once part of the Newton Surmaville estate. As landscape features of archaeological significance it is important that their conservation is considered in all management activities. The hill’s name is derived from its former use as the location of the Harvin family’s summerhouse.

Recent History and Cultural Significance Due to the proximity of Yeovil and their landscape features many local people are very fond and proud of these areas of countryside. These sentiments are wonderfully shown in the writing of Ben Pike, a local resident. The rangers often meet people on site, and particularly in Ninesprings, who reminisce about their childhood playing in the Valley Gardens; they always point out the site of the cottage that was said to house the local witch.

It is evident that areas within Yeovil Country Park are of great significance to many within the local community. Areas such as Dodham Brook, Summerhouse Hill and the old railway line have played a prominent role in Yeovil’s industrial past and development. The ranger team are keen to capture stories, memories, paintings and photographs of this past and share these important aspects of cultural heritage through well designed interpretation.

Penn Hill Gardens 1910

Natural Heritage Biological Data At the request of SSDC in 1998 the now Yeovil Area group of the Somerset Wildlife Trust (YAGSWT) and friends embarked on a full study of the wildlife of Ninesprings. That survey continues to be updated and now includes the whole of Yeovil Country Park. The survey shows what a wonderful haven for wildlife this area is and the following description derives largely from this survey.

Habitats The landscape itself is naturally encouraging to wildlife. The freshwater stream from the springs in Ninesprings flows into a calm lake. The mature woodland, with its all-important clearings, attracts diverse forms of animal and insect life. The hillsides of Summerhouse and Wyndham provide rough grazing with all the associated with flora and fauna, the exposed patches of sandy soil together with patches of scrub and gorse providing even greater variety. Riverside Walk gives yet another environment and Penn Hill gives an incursion into the town itself providing habitat for many species. Several habitat types present confer priority status under the national Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) due to their threatened nature and/or significant biodiversity they support.

Invertebrates Almost 900 species of invertebrates – from small aquatic larvae to large moths and dragonflies have been recorded. As it is unlikely that an observer would see more than 25% of the species in any one year, the estimated number could be in excess of 3,000. The first recording of a wooden beetle with the resplendent name of Melasis buprestoides, found on hazel stumps is only previously known to have existed in Somerset from wing segments found in the peat sediments of the Iron Age. A total of thirty-six species are considered to be rare in the country. Others are so scarce they have places in the National Red Data Book of notable species. Butterflies such as holly blue, green-veined white, peacock and red admiral abound in the areas cleared of cherry laurel and sown with wild flower seeds near the source pond. Occasionally, hummingbird hawk moth’s feed from Honeysuckle by day and scarlet tiger moths have been seen on Wyndham Hill. These same areas attract more moths at night, providing feeding areas for predators, either larger insects, birds or other animals. Dragonflies such as the large hawker hunt the streams and pools together with the dainty damselflies. These are also found along the river walk. Beetles abound in the woodland and a variety of other species are found on the open grassland and the exposed patches of the Yeovil Sands on both Summerhouse and Wyndham Hill. Birds and animals especially rely on this food chain, as a considerable number exist in and around the park or pass through it at times.

Flora Some 450 different species of plants have been recorded from the huge and impressive Common Beech to the tiny speedwells (9 species). Sweet and horse chestnut occur in the park as do hazel, hawthorn, wych elm, rowan, three varieties of oak, walnut and several species of willow. Four different rushes, five willow herbs and a host of different grasses, now rare on agricultural land. Plants with names like spindle berry; hedgehog holly, opposite- leaved golden saxifrage and corky fruited water dropwort delight those who enjoy variety in plant hunting. The nettle-leaves bell flower can be found in the woods. A few plants of the prickly butcher’s broom grow near the southern edge of Ninesprings. 675 species of fungi have been recorded, from the bracket fungi that grow out from the trunks and bases of trees, mushrooms on the pasture land, to the many varieties that grow from the woodland floor. One particular species has recently been identified and confirmed as new to science. (Some nineteen mosses, including Kraus’s clubmoss and seven liverworts, all available to specialist eyes can also be found on site.

Birds Ninesprings and Riverside Walk are ideal sites for bird watching. Greater spotted woodpeckers search the trees, as do green woodpeckers, which also probe the grassland for food. Nuthatches and tree creepers search the mature trees, climbing mouse-like up the trunks. The wren is probably the most common breeding bird in Ninesprings competing with other songbirds such as blackbird, song thrush, dunnock and blackcap... Rooks, crows, magpies, jay and jackdaws are common. Blue and great tits use the nest boxes sited around Ninesprings, long-tailed and coal tits are also present. The delightful goldcrest, with its high-pitched squeak, searches the conifers for food. Willow warblers and chiffchaffs enjoy the environment of woodland clearings and hedgerow to search for insects. . Greenfinches, bullfinches and chaffinches are common and goldfinches are plentiful when thistle seeds abound. Stock dove and wood pigeon are common. The lake is home to mallard, heron, moorhen, little grebe (an occasional visitor) and mandarin ducks. The elusive water rail is now a common winter visitor to Ninesprings and can be spotted probing the muddy shores of the lake and the brook. The bright blue flash of a Kingfisher’s wings is often seen over the water. Common buzzard, sparrow hawk and kestrels frequent the area. Tawny owls hunt mice and voles by night. In all, a total of 35 resident or breeding pairs of some 89 species of bird have been recorded in Ninesprings alone. Future observation and improved habitat throughout the Park will increase this total.

Aquatic and Semi Aquatic Wildlife Small sticklebacks frequent the steams near the source pond in Ninesprings and roach and rudd are in abundance in the lake. .. The River Yeo must be home to more varieties of fish, all of which need to be researched. Frogs and toad breed in the small lake next to the cyclepath with over 98 individuals recorded in April 2012. Newts are becoming more frequent as the edge planting becomes more established, providing them with the cover they need for breeding and protection from predators. Red neck terrapins have been seen in the small lake and Dodham Brook, but these are alien species and undesirable predators, one large specimen was captured in 2004 and in 2013 a further sighting, with photographic evidence was reported. The rangers will monitor this and will remove it from the lake when the opportunity arises. The marginal plantings have also increased the number of aquatic invertebrates in the lake which support species further up the food chain. Slow worms and grass snakes are more frequently found in rough grass and along the River Yeo. Mammals Mammal life is considerable and varied. Hedgehogs are around but are by no means plentiful. Bank and common voles, together with shrews are more often heard than seen, scuttling in the undergrowth. Wood mice and harvest mice are fairly common and prevalent throughout, as are the smaller carnivores such as the weasel and stoats that live on them. Water shrews have been seen in the source stream at Ninesprings. Rabbits too are plentiful, providing not only the close cropped grass so important for the survival of certain plants but also a food supply for carnivores. Moles are found in the woods and the grassland. Foxes and badgers frequent the park, indeed foxes are often seen as far into the town as Penn Hill. At dusk and dawn daubenton’s bats hunt the water just above the surface of the lake. Brown long eareds, pipistrelles and serotines can be seen in the clearings. Noctule Bats hunt along the boundary between Ninesprings and Aldon Park. Brown long eared bats also hunt across the lower area of Wyndham. Bat boxes have been erected in Ninesprings to encourage bats to live and breed there. Nearby roosts of lesser horseshoes feed

22 in and around Yeovil Country Park. Grey squirrels are plentiful causing losses to bird life as indeed do brown rats.

In Dodham Brook lives the endangered water vole. A revision to their protection in February 2008 has conferred extra protection under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it illegal to disturb both the mammal itself and their habitat. Water vole populations are under threat from habitat loss and degradation often as a result of flood management engineering works along rivers. Habitat fragmentation thereby isolating populations is another significant contributor to the rapid disappearance of this enigmatic species over recent decades.

Otter ‘spraints’ or droppings have been found near Goldenstones under the bridge and the ranger team watched an otter and her two kits swimming along the River Yeo in 2011 and again a female was spotted with her youngster in late 2013. We are privileged to have such a rare creature near to the town. The presence of the otters will deter mink from establishing in the river and its tributaries. This is good news for the water vole as mink are a voracious predator and will destroy a whole population of water voles in one breeding season to feed their young. However this is something the rangers will monitor as they carry out their annual otter surveys. Early morning visitors have seen the delightful roe deer as close into the town as the Memorial Gardens. Muntjac deer are only just across the Dorset boundary and could well use Ninesprings on occasions. At the end of 2010 22 species of mammal were recorded. The survey and recordings of all types of wildlife within the Country Park has been only partly completed. So far 2023 (up from 1276 in 2002 and 1473 in 2006) species have been recorded with the large majority being invertebrates. As the enlarged area of the Country Park is investigated this number is likely to rise considerably.

Wildlife Value Site Description The following descriptions are derived from the SERC survey of winter 2000, commissioned by SSDC to provide baseline data covering approximately 70 open spaces within Yeovil.

Ninesprings Ninesprings includes a range of habitats; broadleaved woodland, scattered trees and tall-herb vegetation running along the banks of streams and ponds, areas of dense scrub with scattered trees, a lake and amenity grassland. The Local Wildlife Site (LWS) area of woodland appeared on the 1837 Tithe map of the parish and is possibly of ancient origin, but the woodland now extends further to the west on what was once open ground. The woodland is predominantly broadleaved. Throughout the woodland there are large areas of cherry laurel (Prunus Lauroceraus) understory, particularly in the existing LWS. A series of ponds and streams run down a steep sided valley adjacent to the eastern boundary. Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), beech (Fagus sylvatica), English oak (Querus robur), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and silver birch (Betula pendula) are of approximately equal abundance and form a high canopy. Larch (Larix decidua) forms the canopy in an area at the northern end of the wood. Ground cover is very poor but for ferns, male fern (Dryopteris felixmas) broad buckler fern (Dryopteris dilatata), soft shield fern (Polystichum setiferum) and ivy (Hedera helix). Bluebells are in abundance on the north facing slopes in spring and with the removal of the laurel their cover is increasing. Polypody (Polypodium vulgare) and wood sorrell (Oxalis acetosella) accompanies these ferns along the northern bank. Wych elm (Ulmus glabra) is frequent at the top and bottom of the slope but is not recorded in the main body of the

23 wood. Himalayan balsam forms an understorey in Southwoods, but hand pulling with volunteers has dramatically reduced its abundance and work will continue to eradicate this invasive species from the woodland

Along the stream is abundant opposite-leaved golden saxifrage (Chryosplenium oppositifolium), fern and occasional pendulous sedge (Carex pendula). Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is present on the bank above the stream. At the western end of the site the wood continues for another half a kilometre with an elder (Sambuca nigra) understory. Much of the land surrounding Ninesprings is of greater than average value for wildlife in a county context. Therefore Ninesprings is an integral part of a relatively large semi-natural area, which include some Local Wildlife Sites and in an urban context is very important for wildlife. Adjacent land use is predominantly residential to the north and west, and to the south and east lie open areas of grassland/pasture land on steep slopes.

The wider Country Park provides as important natural belt around the urban area therefore providing significant conservation value at a landscape scale. This is supported by the river and woodland serving as vital wildlife corridors for numerous species for commuting, foraging and population dispersal. The extent of many habitats within the Country Park help to buffer species populations against disturbance from the town and lack of suitable habitat due to surrounding agricultural land use.

Penn Hill Penn Hill is an area of intensively managed parkland bordered by Brunswick Street to the south and Hendford to the west. Offices and a multi-storey car park are located to the north. The current interest of this site is mainly for informal recreational purposes and most of site is managed to maintain short amenity grassland with perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne). Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), daisy (Bellis perennis), ribworth plantain (Plantago lanceolata), and common mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum). The site also supports many mature scattered trees, the most notable being a row of beech which run east west along the top of an embankment to the south of the site. The steep grassy slopes running down to the roadside on the southern and western boundaries support a more diverse grassland with species including common cat’s ear (Hypochaeis radicata), cut-leaved crane’s bill (Geranium dissectum), bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus).. The old allotment site has been transformed into a small orchard and hay meadow, which supports a good population of blackening waxcaps and the community wildlife garden has transformed an area of brambles into an area suitable for rich biodiversity including fruit trees, a pond, hedgerows and wildflower meadows.

Summerhouse Hill The major habitat of Summerhouse Hill is lowland acid unimproved pasture, which is one of the habitats included in South Somerset’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan. There are also areas of gorse scrub on the higher slopes, ancient semi-natural broadleaved woodland, and native hedgerows along the roadside. Visits made by Terry Franklin in 1998 showed the site to be important for waxcaps (Hygrocybe spp.) a genus of fungi associated with unimproved grasslands. These often brightly coloured fungi are thought, like the habitat they depend on, to have declined greatly in recent years

Wyndham Hill Wyndham Hill is made up of the grazed field and its associated trees and hedges, the woodland on the banks of the disused railway line and the Riverside area. Major habitats include; Semi- improved grassland, native hedgerows, scrub and woodland on old railway cutting, native woodland along the river bank. Vegetation includes perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne), Cock’s foot (Dactylis glomerata), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), bulbous buttercup (Ranuncula vullodud) and meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris). A Badger sett exists within a blackthorn copse. The native hedgerows along the boundaries of the grassland area are an important wildlife habitat and are a breeding area and refuge for birds, mammals and invertebrates. The semi improved grassland now hosts a variety of calcareous grassland species including bird foot trefoil and ladies bedstraw.

The areas of scrub and woodland along the old railway cuttings are of high value to wildlife as they form a breeding site and refuge for wildlife especially birds and mammals. The woodland on the slopes has a dense canopy of English oak (Quercus robus), ash (Franxinus excelsior), aspen (Populus tremula), alder (alnus glutinosa) and field maple (Acer campestre) with an understory of hazel (Corylus avellana) blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). The understory varies in density throughout, though is mostly dense on the edges and extends to scrub where large trees are absent. The ground flora within the darker parts of the wood is sparse though fairly diverse. Within the lighter parts and the edges the ground is moderately dense and consists of similar species, including abundant sweet violet (Viola odorata) and frequent lords and ladies (Arum maculatum), herb robert (Geranium robertianum) lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaeia). Red campion (Silene dioica) and hart’s tongue fern (Phyllitus scolopendrium) with ivy (Hedera helix) cover the floor in parts. The more open woodland on the level ground has similar species though the ground flora is more dense and includes tall herbs such as stinging nettle (Urtica diocia) and patches of bluebell (Hyacinthoides nonscriptua), primrose (Primula vulgaris) and ramsons (Allium uersinum). The Riverside plants include hemlock water dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) anglica (Angelica sylvestris) and two examples of monk’s hood (Aconitum anglicum). Himalayan balsam is abundant on the river banks and efforts are made to halt its progress onto the tops of the banks.

Riverside Walk Riverside Walk is the strip of land lying between the River Yeo and the railway. Connecting Birchfield (Sunningdale recreation ground) and Lyde Road key site in the north to the footpath leading to Pittards in the south, it forms an integral part of an important wildlife corridor. Boundaries consist of the riverbank to the southeast and a wire fence running along the railway line to the North West. Surrounding land is predominantly semi-improved grassland over the river, with the sewage works, rough grassland and meadow on the other side of the railway. Botanical survey work carried out in June and July 2002 confirms the high value of the site and some areas are of LWS status. The site supports a diverse mix of natural habitats including native woodland, a section of river with naturally formed sandy banks, and reedbed. Most of the site supports native broadleaved woodland, and the more mature areas form a margin along the riverbank.

The remainder of the site has been planted under various native tree species including oak, ash and alder (Alnus glutinosa), with the exception of an established stand of poplar (Populus spp.) located to

25 the extreme south of the site. The riverbank supports native trees including alder, crack willow (Salix fragilis), white willow (Salix alba) and ash, beneath which ground flora is relatively sparse with ivy, lesser celandine and lords and ladies. Certain areas have been quite heavily invaded by stinging nettle. The wetter reedbed area is typically dominated by common reed (Phragmites communis). Reedbeds are a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Habitat. It is part of the natural succession from open water to woodland and without management, the length of time that reed will dominate is limited unless the bed is regularly inundated with fresh water. Reedbed is regionally scarce and although botanical interest is low it is an important habitat for birds (both reed warbler and sedge warbler are known to hold territories on this site) and all stages of succession support important communities of invertebrates. Restoration works are now required in order to address the decline of this habitat over recent years due to reduced water levels.

Summary of important features

The key species and habitats are summarised in the table below.

Site feature Importance Relevant compartments Habitats National Regional Local Lowland dry acid unimproved UK BAP priority habitat SH grassland Reedbed UK BAP priority habitat Regionally scarce Locally important RS Hedgerows UK BAP priority habitat Regional BAP SH, WH habitat Wet woodland UK BAP priority habitat RS Garden and urban greenspace Regional BAP PH, NS habitat Lowland neutral hay meadow Local BAP habitat WH and pasture Species Bat species All species EU Directive NS, RS protected, UK BAP priority species Water vole UK BAP priority species, NS 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act protected European otter EU Directive protected, UK Regional BAP NS, RS BAP priority species priority species Badger 1981 Wildlife and NS, WH Countryside Act protected European hedgehog UK BAP priority species NS

Slow worm UK BAP priority species NS, RS Grass snake UK BAP priority species NS, RS

Reed bunting UK BAP priority species RS House sparrow UK BAP priority species NS, WH, RS Chiffchaff Locally NS, PH, SH, threatened WH, RS Wood warbler UK BAP priority species NS Willow warbler Locally NS, RS threatened

Willow tit UK BAP priority species Locally RS threatened Marsh tit UK BAP priority species NS, SH, WH, RS Bullfinch UK BAP priority species NS, PH, SH, WH, RS Song thrush UK BAP priority species NS, PH, SH, WH, RS Mistle thrush Locally NS, PH, WH, RS threatened Barn owl 1981 Wildlife and Locally rare RS Countryside Act protected (Schedule 1) Kingfisher 1981 Wildlife and NS, WH, RS Countryside Act protected (Schedule 1) Water rail Locally rare NS

Banded demoiselle Somerset notable species Beautiful demoiselle Somerset notable species

Arrowhead Somerset notable RS species Black mustard Somerset notable RS species Tall ramping fumitory Somerset notable RS species Smooth Tare Somerset notable RS species Common club rush Somerset notable RS species Monkshood Somerset notable RS species

Russula solaris (Fungi) Red Data Book species NS

Community

Public Use Most visitors to Yeovil Country Park (67%) come from Yeovil, but a small number come from neighbouring towns as far afield as Dorchester and Wincanton. All age groups are represented amongst visitors and almost two thirds (64%) have been visiting the sites for more than five years, and a fifth visit daily. Dog walkers, one of the largest user groups are well catered for with dog waste bins provided throughout the site. Dog walking is always going to be a key activity for the site and this must be sensitively managed when the team approach issues surrounding protection of the wildlife and exclusion of dogs. The District Council require dog owners to clear up after their dog throughout Yeovil Country Park. These areas are covered by the ‘Dog Fouling of Land Act’ which SSDC has adopted and covers public open space; this makes it an offence not to clear up after your dog; you can be given a fixed penalty or prosecuted. At present the dog warden enforces the Act and the Ranger approaches people and asks them to clear up: this works well and dog fouling is low at Ninesprings. The rangers and enforcement team also enforce a no-dog zone around the lake, which is enforced through a dog control order so offenders can be fined.

Cycling within Yeovil Country Park is restricted to the cycle way from Lysander Road to the A30 Sherborne Road. This surfaced cycleway is very well used with an average of 80 daily return trips, highlighting its importance as a commuting route between residential, retail and employment areas. Somerset County Council has installed a toucan crossing on the A30 enabling both pedestrians and cyclist to cross this busy road safely. We will continue to establish the needs of cyclists within Yeovil County Park, and listen to concerns voiced by other groups. At “rush hour” the cyleway is busy, with some fast moving bicycles and the ranger team have erected signs advocating the considerate and shared use of the path. Cyclists do use the Riverside Walk footpath to travel from Lyde Road to Sherborne Road and on through the Country Park. The path is not a designated cycleway and its use will continue to be monitored to assess levels of damage to the site.

Other specialist groups associated with site are the Yeovil and District Model Boat Club who have an annual licence with the Country Park to enable them to sail their boats on the pond. They are restricted to the pond, leaving the larger lake the territory of the wildfowl. Discussions have recently been entered with the Yeovil and District Angling Club to clarify the management of fishing along the River Yeo. In recent years the rangers have been approached by a kayaking club about access to the river and a mountain biking group about hosting an event in the Valley Gardens. Some sports are compatible with the wildlife conservation aims of the park, particularly if they are limited in extent and intensity. However basic impact assessments have shown us that hosting a mountain biking event in the Valley Gardens would be detrimental to the infrastructure, wildlife and visiting public, and so it was refused on those grounds.

The Country Park offers prime greenspace to the residents and visitors of Yeovil town which is free and open access all the year round. 81 % of respondents to a recent town centre survey stated that they considered the park a very important free facility for the town. This is also supported by the recognition of the Country Parks as contributing to two key focuses within the District Council’s Corporate Plan; the Environment and Health and Communities. Green Flag accreditation is highlighted as a particular success.

The population of Yeovil has changed significantly over recent years with expanding immigrant communities contributing to its dynamic character. The ranger team are keen to engage these new communities and potential hard to reach groups and promote the Country Park as a platform on which to celebrate cultural differences. This is intended to encourage cross community communication hopefully leading to a more cohesive community with reduced social exclusion.

As has occurred over the past 5 years, development will continue in the town of Yeovil and its hinterlands. It has become imperative to secure developer contributions from both residential and commercial developments to help in the maintenance and repair of the Country Park’s infrastructure, considering the ever increasing level of use experienced in the park. A calculator based on land management costs will need to be developed to cost out per head a justifiable rate for offsite contributions through the planning process.

Education A large part of the ranger’s workload is delivery of informal and to a lesser extent formal educational programmes. The rangers undertake planned and themed events to help the visiting public better understand and appreciate the diversity in habitats and wildlife represented at the park. The hope is that this work will lead to a greater degree of protection and less disturbance to the habitats contributing to the long term conservation of the natural heritage. Many members of the public have enjoyed attending events and walks, led or organised, by the ranger team over the past 5 years with feedback from surveys indicating a high level of customer satisfaction. The key annual event is the May Bank holiday fayre, attracting thousands of people each year. Started in 2003 as a small countryside event the May fayre now attracts upwards of 45 stallholders, includes a farmers market, trade stalls, local craft demonstrations and plenty of hands on activities for all ages. The close working relationship with the Town Centre Partnership sees aspects of the town filtering out to the countryside events and the rangers travelling into town to carry out surveys and attend events.

The watch group; ‘ Look Out Club’ for children continues to be run six times a year by Somerset Wildlife Trust at SSDC sites and assisted by the rangers. The activities of the group encourage children to have contact with nature. Every event is evaluated by feedback form or face to face interviews or responses on Facebook, and the information gathered helps the ranger team plan subsequent years. Each year the planning starts in November with a February launch of the year’s programme. The rangers lead as many events as they can, using specialists for some subjects. The admission prices are kept low, or free, to encourage everyone to join in and the passport to leisure card scheme is accepted for admission prices. Whilst a good range of children’s orientated events are delivered within school holidays, the ranger team are keen to offer a greater number and range of events and activities suitable for a wider audience. This demand has been expressed by a significant proportion of survey respondents. However, due to resource constraints, the delivery of such events will likely only be possible with the appointment of a full time Community Ranger.

In 2008 as part of The People’s Millions grant bid an education pack specifically for the Country Park site was developed. This helps to bring to life the fantastic wildlife and landscape of the area, give national curriculum linked studies and encourage all the schools of Yeovil to walk to site and use the resource that is on their doorstep. However, recent surveys of local education establishments identified low awareness of this resource and its promotion should be a key part of the development of formal learning opportunities at the Country Park over the coming five years. We are aware of a number of school groups using the site for a range of activities and many have said that they would consider using the site more often were improved resources and facilities provided. The ranger team

29 are keen to fully realise the potential of the Country Park as a formal learning resource but recognise the constraints that currently make this difficult.

Interpretation There continues to be a need for interpretation on site, particularly orientation information at key access points and explanatory panels from the viewpoints on site. Already on site there are 3 large map panels. Adjacent to these boards there are pin boards for the posters erected by the rangers that advertise events or explain the conservation works occurring on site. The People’s Millions funding in 2008 led to the development of new wildlife panels, a new wildlife trail leaflet with local artist Dennis Pearce creating black and white line drawings for the new tree trail leaflet. Already existing for the park is a general site map leaflet (that is due an update and reprint), the Lions Blackburn fitness trail and a self-guided geology trail booklet. The Blackburn Fitness Trail is a mile long loop of the Valley Gardens with suggested exercise stations along the way; all detailed in the leaflet and developed with advice from our colleagues in Goldenstones Leisure Centre. A further popular and existing activity pack is the permanent orienteering course; put in place by the Quantock Orienteers the pack is suitable for individuals or groups and routes can be as long or short as you wish. In 2013 two Run England 3-2-1 trails were set up at Riverside Walk and Ninesprings. Waymarkers take you on a 3km circular trail that you can run or walk with 1, 2 and 3 km marked en- route. Further wildlife interpretation at key points will help to promote awareness for the special and rare species and habitats contained within the park. The major gap in interpretation on site largely relates to the park’s historical heritage and links with previous industries in Yeovil. An interpretation plan will be developed that celebrates the park’s history and which is based around stories and themes associated with its past. It is anticipated that the delivery of much of this interpretation will be supported by the proposed visitor and volunteer hub and Community Ranger position. This will also contribute to better awareness of the ranger team’s role which recent surveys identified as being low amongst many site users.

Off-Site Interpretation In the 2013 Town Centre Survey some people still maintained they did not know where Yeovil Country Park was. A recognition of the various land compartments as part of the Yeovil Country Park is still low amongst the local population and efforts should be continued to ensure the Country Park is referred to throughout town and wider region. A continuity of terminology will help to reduce confusion. There are mixed brown signs for the Country Park and this may be creating the problem. On the re-print of the new site leaflet there will be a launch and with the assistance of the Town Centre Partnership hopefully we can reinforce the brand and extent of the Country Park to the people of Yeovil.

Community and Volunteering A Volunteer Ranger scheme for Ninesprings was launched on 1st November 2003 which now covers all sites within Yeovil Country Park. In 2012 volunteers met every Thursday and over 500 volunteer days were donated to the Country Park. This achievement is highlighted within the District Council’s Corporate Plan recognising their contribution and the importance of this resource. On average every week 8 – 10 individuals convene to carry out practical conservation tasks that are of benefit to the park and its wildlife. These are the recorded volunteers, there are many others who litter pick and patrol the site keeping it safe and clean for its users. These un-sung community heroes, and the

30 relationship that the rangers have formed with them, are the foundations of the Country Park and is what the 2007/8 green flag judges commented and complimented the team on. Local people feel very passionately about the areas of open space around Yeovil and are keen to get involved in their conservation. The recently established Friends of Yeovil Country Park Group (FOYCP) provide an alternative way for people to contribute to the management of the park and facilitates access to previously unattainable funding sources. A recent survey of the current volunteer base identified the principal reasons for volunteering being to improve the park as a resource for the community and wildlife protection. The vast majority felt they were able to participate in a good range of tasks, contributing to high volunteer satisfaction but demand exists for more regular opportunities. It is hoped that increasing the range and frequency of opportunities to volunteer at the park will empower more of the local community to look after their Country Park and promote a sense of ownership. It will also help deliver significant and time intensive improvement works whilst contributing to the resilience of both the organisation and the park’s heritage in the face of future potential resource constraints.

Being so close to the town, the Country Park has a number of neighbours, both business and residential and the rangers strive to maintain good relations with all these individuals. This has proved invaluable as neighbours report witnessing incidents of fly tipping, and have helped the rangers and enforcement officers trace the offenders. To ensure that park users and stakeholders are engaged and understand the management of the Country Park, the rangers will continue to update the South Somerset Countryside Steering Group (SSCSG).

Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status can be given to land to ensure the protection and good management of sites of value to nature conservation. LNRs contribute to the quality of environment for local people and play a role in community development and education. It is proposed that LNR status is sought. Local authorities can acquire, declare and manage Local Nature Reserves under section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The 1949 Act required that any land declared a LNR must be “special” in a local context and be managed to preserve or enhance the natural features on which the special interest of the site depends. Declaration of land as a LNR is therefore a commitment by the Local Authority to manage the site in a manner that will protect the natural features from any substantial damage.

The V3 project: InVolve, Visit, Volunteer

A project to build a visitor centre at Yeovil Country Park and employ a Community Ranger to bring the centre to life encompassing an activity programme and interpretation for the country park.explain what v3 stands for

The park has evolved quickly since its designation as a Country Park. Opportunities for community engagement have been developed but further progression is now always going to be severely hampered by the lack of a visitor and volunteer centre and front line office. The current shipping container is insufficient to accommodate volunteers and school and community groups, the engagement with who is a key focus for the ranger team.

To have flexible space where the rangers can operate a workshop from, run events and activities, deliver learning and interpretation schemes and facilitate greater volunteer involvement is key to the park’s development. Visitor surveys repeatedly reveal public demand for a cafe and toilet facilities. The provision of such a centre as part of the V3 project would dramatically expand the capacity for the team to deliver a greater and broader level of service.

With the intention of the Country Park to offer an increasing range of both formal and informal educational and recreational opportunities, as well as more varied ways to become involved as a volunteer, there is a greater need for a dedicated role to manage this. A Community Ranger position associated with the V3 project would develop and deliver ways to better connect the local community with their Country Park. Under the healthy living agendas there is a need to deliver a greater range of outdoor activity sessions and natural play sessions. The ranger would be key in the delivery of interpretative material regarding the site's special heritage and thus supporting the wider practical ranger team in the conservation and enhancement of this heritage. A recent town centre survey revealed that approximately 90 % of those asked were in favour of the project, stating that the proposals if delivered would be likely to encourage them to visit Yeovil Country Park.

Both components underpin the full delivery of the objectives intended to develop the park over the next five years. Specific activities and prescriptions under relevant objectives will initially be developed as part of the V3 project to be delivered once funding is secured.

Management Recommendations

The team have been successful in establishing a strong management and maintenance programme that delivers significant conservation and recreational benefits. The team are skilled in the maintenance of habitats, often requiring intensive and complex management and examples exist of the park’s biological resources responding positively to this. The team have also been successful in achieving an appropriate balance between wildlife protection and public access. The management focus for the next five years should continue this programme to fully deliver land management objectives. Targeted wildlife enhancement and restoration projects will complement the development of the park as a resource for community engagement promoting heritage, interpretation, education and volunteering opportunities as already outlined. This reflects the need for a continued integrated approach to management between wildlife and recreation which recognises the impact one has on the other.

By 2017 we want to deliver a Country Park that is more resilient ecologically and economically, allowing people to fully appreciate and understand the value of the park’s natural and historical heritage and that ensures all Yeovil residents have the opportunity to enjoy and engage with the free, open access greenspace.

The V3 project will facilitate the full delivery of the objectives set out within this management plan and aspects of the project are embedded within each of its six principal aims. This demonstrates how the project is integral to the development of the park over the next five years.

The development projects that focus on the park’s natural heritage generally target the enhancement and creation of priority species and habitats identified by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan with a number also subject to Local BAP status. These reflect the sensitive and threatened nature of the habitat or species, highlighting their significance within the Country Park and the need for direct enhancement works. These projects will therefore contribute to their conservation and survival at both a local and wider level. They are additional to on-going maintenance of the park and are dependent on funding through the V3 project and the associated significant increase in volunteering to be managed through the project.

By integrating these projects within the wider management plan for the Country Park ensures that the long term conservation of the heritage is structured within the strategic focus of the park’s management. Monitoring of the condition of the heritage both during and after enhancement works will identify the need for adaptive management to ensure conservation success is maintained beyond the life of the project.

Ninesprings

Valley Gardens

A large Victorian pleasure garden sits within the valley of Ninesprings. It offers a unique and interesting landscape served by a network of paths and bridges from which to explore. Such landscaping requires a significant degree of management and intervention in order to maintain it in a desired state. The gardens have gradually become overgrown, obstructing views of the impressive and detailed Victorian infrastructure and diminishing the open character of the landscape especially around the springs. Work to date has concentrated on reducing the extent of non-native cherry laurel which significantly contributes to the lack of openness, replacing with native species and some ornamental specimens. However, further works requiring a significant input of time and resources are needed to achieve sustainable woodland and the overall conservation of this important heritage asset.

Dodham Brook

Ninesprings supports one of the largest water vole populations in Somerset but to ensure this population remains viable and resilient to flooding shocks, efforts are needed to enhance the quality

33 extent of its habitat. This is especially pertinent considering the isolated section of Dodham Brook where the protected species currently resides and the potential disturbance being an urban fringe site. Establishing wide swathes of tall grass on banksides will provide shelter and foraging opportunities. These will help support a greater density of voles along this relatively short stretch. Biennial cutting in sections will encourage a rich sward whilst limiting disturbance and exposure of the voles. Any significant works should first be agreed with Natural England due to the legal protection water voles confer. It is important to prevent bank side succession and especially the control of bramble which can quickly degrade habitat quality. All management work needs to be carried out in October to February. Associated management of the tree stock along the brook should aim to reduce overshading to encourage bankside vegetation. This project will contribute to wider conservation efforts associated with the Local BAP for the species. Other fauna will benefit from this targeted habitat management including invertebrates and small mammals within the long grassland and the species which feed on them along the riparian corridor.

Meadows

Within the meadows of Ninesprings exists opportunities to create pollen and nectar rich foraging ‘islands’ for bumblebees and other invertebrates. By delaying the cut of these to September on a rotational basis allows later seeding species to establish within the sward, contributing to an overall more diverse grassland. Bumblebees will thus have available foraging habitat for the duration of their nesting season.

Penn Hill

Following a successful first season, the wildflower meadow on Penn Hill requires restorative management to maintain a diverse, flower rich sward. Docks and other pernicious weeds which have established require immediate control. More regular cutting along with scarification to knock back coarse grasses in the first few years will encourage less productive wildflower species to establish. The annual hay cut will support this by continuing to reduce soil fertility. Further seed addition in scarified patches could be considered should sward diversity not improve.

Summerhouse Hill Pasture

The lowland dry acid grassland of Summerhouse Hill is a BAP priority habitat. The grassland currently exhibits indicator species associated with this habitat type which is encouraging. An established monitoring programme will help to quantify important characteristics of the grassland, identifying possible future improvements or degradation in its condition. This will inform adaptive management via changes to the current grazing regime to ensure the conservation and continued improvement of this important grassland habitat. It also provides an opportunity for volunteers to carry out important ecological recording work within the park.

Old picnic area

Traditional orchards provide a mosaic of different habitats and niche opportunities supporting a vast range of invertebrates, birds and mammals. Bats can significantly benefit from roost features in older trees and some quantity of deadwood should therefore be left. They contribute to the landscape interest and hold significant cultural associations. In Somerset, over half of all small orchards have decreased since 1950 reflecting their UK and Local BAP priority status. These habitat creation works will therefore contribute to local BAP targets. The grassland floor should be managed as a traditional hay meadow providing significant nectar and pollen forage for invertebrates that rely also on the presence of flowering hedges. Bumblebees significantly benefit from carefully managed orchards which will lead to pollination benefits for the wider landscape. Leaving uncut margins provides later summer foraging and overwintering areas for many insect species. It is hoped that the newly created habitat could serve as a community orchard, hosting a range of events and activities (e.g. storytelling, wassailing, apple pressing).

Wyndham Hill

In order to increase the biodiversity value of Butterfly Junction, a variety of food plants for different butterflies should be introduced as plug plants into the bank. These will also benefit bumblebees and other insects. Plug plants, although more expensive have a greater chance of establishment and survival. The calcareous grassland amongst the sleepers has developed well and the current late summer cutting regime should be maintained. The sward should be monitored and provides an ideal opportunity for learning about this important and threatened grassland type.

Riverside Walk

The reduced use and thus disturbance within Riverside Walk supports the area as an ideal location for a network of bat boxes. The provision of increased artificial roost sites within young woodland that may not present suitable natural roost features will help support populations within Riverside. It may also contribute to the use of the Country Park as an important commuting and feeding corridor for bats and help support Local BAP targets as part of the established plan. The provision of barn owl boxes will help a species currently threatened by diminishing nesting opportunities. Barn owls are known to forage over fields on the other side of the River Yeo and therefore are likely to utilise appropriately located structures. Unfortunately there are no trees on our land that are suitable for the placement of a barn owl box, due to the proximity of footpaths. The rangers will make contact with adjacent landowners to look at erecting some boxes on suitable trees overlooking riverside walk.

Reedbed

The reedbed habitat within Riverside Walk is currently in a state of decline evidenced by an increase in drier species at the expense of dense reedbed swamp. This is primarily on the eastern side of the

35 current boardwalk. A reduction in water levels exacerbated through litter and sediment accumulation means management should now seek to reverse this in order to preserve this UK BAP priority habitat. An initial approach will seek to simply raise water levels through the diversion of flow from a nearby brick channel drain. Accompanying surface litter removal and reed cutting should encourage the development of a dense reed stand. Should this not occur then the lowering of the bed through excavation should be considered in order to raise water levels. These should be within 5 cm of the surface and subsequent monitoring will advise the rangers on the effectiveness of the restoration works. The aim of works is to therefore reinstate the correct abiotic conditions for the habitat to function more healthily eventually requiring less intervention to preserve it in the future.

Where good quality reedbed swamp currently exists, compartments should be cut on a five-year rotation. This cutting regime offers the greatest conservation benefits as overwintering invertebrates are protected enabling them to complete their lifecycles. The objective should be to maintain structural heterogeneity through the development of a mosaic of dense reed swamp, open water channel, drier reed fen and willow scrub. This will offer the greatest biodiversity benefit from a reedbed of this size.

Woodland management

The 20 year old plantation stand in Riverside Walk has undergone a programme of thinning in recent years and this should be continued to reduce pressure on the remaining trees and improve light penetration leading to a more diverse ground flora. The promotion of natural regeneration will introduce more structural and age diversity into the woodland increasing niche provision and a greater richness of species. The quantity of edge habitat will be increased through scalloping and the edges along paths managed as two principal zones- short turf on path bounded by tall herbs. Scrub patches under coppice management grading into high forest will further contribute to niche diversity. The tall herb layer should be cut on a four year rotation to add structural diversity. The creation of glades will create warm, sheltered areas particularly beneficial for butterflies. Recreationally this is also a positive move, creating meandering paths through the trees increasing the interest on the walks through this area.

Woodland management within the wider Country Park will seek to maximise biodiversity and conservation value. Deadwood will be retained as an important component of natural woodland ecosystems, providing significant habitat value for a range of fungi and invertebrates. Its slow decomposition rate will also help contribute to the CO2 sequestration potential of the site’s woodlands. The continuation of traditional coppicing used extensively throughout the park will promote a woodland structure that supports high levels of biodiversity. This more sustainable approach to management will provide timber for park use whilst maintaining the extent and diversity of the tree stock.

Himalayan balsam

The extensive presence of Himalayan balsam across much of the Country Park threatens the quality of all habitats within YCP due to its vigorous growth and rapid colonisation and dominance of sites.

This also impacts on the many faunal species supported by the diversity within native plant communities by disrupting the natural ecosystem balance and niche availability. In riparian areas, balsam will shade out the native plants and leave the bankside unprotected during the winter months and therefore prone to erosion. A project focussed on balsam eradication goes beyond the currently prescribed control of the invasive plant and as such will require significant resources and time if efforts are to be effective. A co-ordinated project with this aim carried out over a number of years is likely to lead to a significant reduction in extent and hopefully full eradication.

Aims and Objectives

1. Ensure Yeovil Country Park delivers as a recreational facility for the general public encouraging greater community engagement

2. Develop Yeovil Country Park as a key educational resource through the provision of both formal and informal learning opportunities

3. Conserve and enhance the biodiversity and landscape value of the Country Park

4. Promote and conserve the historical and cultural heritage associated with Yeovil Country Park

5. Offer opportunities for people and organisations to get involved in the management and operation of Yeovil Country Park

6. Ensure financial and environmental sustainability and meet all legal and other obligations

The aims for the management of Yeovil Country Park seek to continue and build on what has been achieved to date and reflect the direction and focus of management for the next five years. They emphasise particular areas of development such as the provision of educational opportunities and the promotion of heritage associated with the site.

The specific objectives will contribute to the delivery of the aims and intend to be completed within the five years of the plan. Many of these are a continuation of those from the previous plan and relate to established maintenance works. An assessment of the achievement of the objectives will be made at the end of the five years and will inform the direction and content of the subsequent plan. Specific targets are set where applicable for development tasks and an appropriate method of review will determine outcome success. Those which are intended to be largely delivered through the V3 project are denoted by their dependence on external funding.

Progress will be monitored via annual reviews of the delivery of prescriptions. The degree of completion will inform priorities for the coming year to ensure the delivery of the management programme remains structured and focussed. Progress will also be monitored by the South Somerset Countryside Steering Group, with an annual update report delivered by the Countryside Manager each winter.

Aim 1. Ensure Yeovil Country Park delivers as a recreational facility for the general public encouraging greater community engagement

Enable visitors to find their way to and within Yeovil Country Park The Country Park is close to Yeovil town centre and is easily accessible by car, cycle and on foot. A number of brown Highway tourism signs around the town directing visitors to the site should be monitored for effectiveness. The YCP leaflet should be available in as many off site locations as possible whilst ensuring reference to YCP in town literature. Large branded signs need to be clearly visible at the various entrances to the Country Park and upgraded where necessary. Priority should be at the corner of Flushing Meadow directing visitors to Riverside Walk. The Heart of Wessex railway line is a popular tourist route stopping at the nearby Penn Mill station. Awareness of the Country Park could be significantly extended through promotion by the line’s operators. The proposed visitor hub as part of the V3 project would serve as an important focal point for visitors to the park where currently no official location exists. It is essential that entrances serve as gateways that promote access to heritage interpretation, directing visitors and site users to relevant resources supported by a series of waymarked trails around the park.

Maintain paths and other site infrastructure in a good state of repair The type and quality of paths varies hugely across the site and maintenance depends on the surface and its dressing. All surfaced paths need leaf blowing regularly throughout the autumn months, and the cycleway benefits from a cleaning by the mobile sweeper every few months. Some of the paths need manual clearance with shovels and brooms in the autumn/winter, particularly Lovers Lane that links Hendford Hill with Dorchester Road. Stone block work paths in the valley gardens also need regular leaf clearance. Some paths within the Valley Gardens require stabilising and some erosion work using boards as necessary and others, simple filling with woodchip. The impact from increased use of Riverside Walk will be monitored. A solution will be sought for the root damage to the cycleway near Lysander Road. Suitable surface dressings will only be used where access is designed for buggies and wheelchairs. The edges of heavily used gravel paths though the meadows will be annually weed treated, to prevent encroachment, as part of the Lufton maintenance agreement. Most paths have a place in the park although the redundant mown paths in the meadows will be removed. The paths in the meadows and memorial arboretum will be upgraded to increase the width and improve the surface, as vegetation growth has not been adequately controlled. This will be on-going and dependant on budget.

Keep the site free of rubbish The ranger team will carry out twice weekly litter picks and bin emptying runs, increasing these in the busy summer months to match demand.

Maintain all structures (seats, benches and BBQs) The Country Park includes a number of seats (stone), benches (metal and wood), litter bins, dog bins, wooden bridges and stone built BBQs. All structures have now been mapped and relevant information recorded. This forms the basis of a continual maintenance program that ensures that no

38 piece is overlooked. A jet washing programme will help to maintain site furniture and a non-slip solution will be sought for bridge surfaces that are deemed to be a high ‘slip risk’.

Address issues of dog fouling The Country Park remains a popular destination for dog walking. Dog bins are regularly provided and will be replaced on a rolling programme. A positive relationship is maintained with the SSDC dog warden (enforcement officer) who regularly patrols the Country Park. A dog show is organised in the summer to educate park users and dog owners about the need for responsible ownership. Rangers will be granted further powers to enforce dog control orders in areas where animals are not permitted. Relevant training and qualification will provided.

Improve easy access provision and promote this Following the success of the all ability access trail installed in 2008, the rangers are keen to identify further access opportunities. Through continuing our work with the South Somerset Disability Forum (SSDF) and other local residents, trails around Ninesprings will be developed. Through making small changes to current pathways, it may be possible to open up far more of the park to wheelchair users. The provision of a Tramper mobility vehicle available for hire will contribute to access improvements as will a full mapping exercise to categorise access across the park. This work will complement the current Ninesprings accessibility audit being undertaken by SSDF. Opportunities to increase access will continually be sought such as the dropping of curbs and provision of RADAR locks on gates.

Ensure the site is safe for the public Yeovil Country Park is a varied site and a number of particular features need special annual attention, such as railway sidings and river banks, focussing on Riverside Walk The rangers also complete a tree safety survey annually and action the key points. The rangers are issued with mobile phones allowing them to remain in contact with PCSO's and the town centre police team. This ensures that any criminal activity can be swiftly reported and dealt with. A successful Parkwatch scheme has been set up which increases the efficiency of this process. A Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) will be established within the first year in an effort to reduce anti-social behaviour. Sight-lines will be maintained in key locations around the Bowlplex car park to support this. Special help and advice will be sought for engineering solutions like the retaining walls and the Play team are best placed to manage the play area in line with ROSPA regulations. With an onsite ranger team any urgent risk can, at minimum, be inspected within one working day, but usually it can be remedied that day.

Successfully manage different user groups As an open access recreational site there is the risk of conflict issues between the many different user groups within the park. A key example involves pedestrians and cyclists long the shared cycle way that links the compartments. “Share the space” signs have been erected in order to manage this potential conflict. Events will provide a platform for different user groups, e.g. dog walkers, runners, cyclists, to be represented and through awareness and discussion contribute to a balanced and managed use of the park.

Promote healthy living schemes in the Country Park and use of the wider countryside There exist a number of successful schemes for promoting activity within the Country Park. The orienteering pack covers the permanent orienteering course that exists at Ninesprings. TheBlackburn Fitness Trail is a self-guided trail that follows the idea of a trim trail around the valley gardens. Run England, 321 trails were erected at Ninesprings and Riverside Walk in late 2013, marking 3km running routes. These routes require further promotion and will be supported through working with the Active Somerset Officer to promote healthy living opportunities available in the Country Park. The use of the park for formal and promoted health and fitness activities to be run should be explored with external organisations. The success of the annual running race demonstrates a demand for led events, and this needs to be built upon. Responsible cycling within the park should be promoted at events and road shows. Revisions of the site leaflet will include suggested walking routes and circular trails and the rangers will regularly lead themed walks to encourage people to explore the Country Park and the wider countryside. It is hoped that the appointment of a Community Ranger associated with the Green Hub will lead the development of such activities. A key objective of the building will be to act as an information and resource centre that will facilitate the use of the wider countryside by the public. The fortunate location of Yeovil Country Park on the fringe of the town means it serves as a gateway through which to explore the rights of way across more rural areas. Giving people the confidence to explore these areas is seen as a key opportunity that the service wishes to seize.

Offer feedback opportunities from site users and the community, acting on this The front line on site rangers are the most valuable tool in gaining feedback from visitors. Daily contact and interaction with onsite users has seen the rangers gather valuable ideas and comments throughout the years that can contribute to enhanced visitor experience. Other feedback opportunities include annual visitor surveys face to face in the park, or in Yeovil town centre. Feedback mechanisms at all events encourage comments about the Country Park in general and not just the event. It is hoped that the proposed visitor centre will serve as a key opportunity to obtain feedback directly from site users. Social media (Facebook and Twitter) also allow public to get in contact, ask questions and generally comment on the countryside sites.

Make sure all user groups are consulted and involved and proposed activities considered The recently established Friends of Yeovil Country Park group are a useful channel through which to gain feedback. The ranger team value the role of the group in advising on the management and activities of the park and are keen for as many user groups to be represented as possible at meetings. Efforts to extend membership to this and the South Somerset Countryside Steering Group (SSCSG), another valuable forum, will support this. The Countryside Service are willing to discuss with interested parties possible future arrangements for angling. The final stages of a licensing agreement for restricted kayaking is underway. The Model Boat Club has an access agreement to use the small Ninesprings pond. The rangers are able to carry out an impact assessment for each activity and discuss the findings and options with the relevant party. Managed access for most groups and users is usually attainable in some shape or form, and the team will continue to deal with each request on a case by case basis in discussion with the SSCSG.

Maintain all boundaries in a safe and attractive fashion All fences will be checked annually for integrity and repairs conducted. All external boundary fencing has now been completed around Ninesprings and the internal fencing within the Valley Gardens has now also been replaced following a Breathing Places grant. Other boundary features in the Country Park include hedgerows. Most are still very young and will not need laying for a number of years but certain hedgerows on Penn Hill, near Lysander Road entrance and in Riverside will need addressing. Traditional floating hedge laying will be employed to maximise biodiversity value. In all eventualities the rangers will strive to use wooden fences and natural boundaries like hedgerows, so that the connectivity for wildlife along with nesting and foraging habitat is improved.

Manage and reduce erosion across the site The main problems with erosion have occurred alongside the watercourses. The use of bioengineering methods such as hazel piling with backfilling to stabilise river banks in key locations is to be investigated. This offers a low cost and sustainable way to manage natural erosional forces and maintain the integrity of footpaths. They also provide habitat value and are more aesthetically sympathetic than hard engineering solutions. Appropriate maintenance will be carried out to maximise both the biodiversity and stabilisation benefits of the structures. Dodham brook has woven live willow panels that need laying every 2 years. The valley gardens of Ninesprings have steep sides and require annual attention to prevent minor landslips. The use of willow check dams in rills should be investigated as a method to prevent formation of gulleys. The clearance of laurel will allow a ground flora to develop, the roots providing greater substrate stabilisation. Additionally the steep bank between Wyndham Hill and the cycleway needs trees laying across it to provide soil traps and prevent further slippage.

Encourage responsible recreation and public access of the Country Park and wider countryside In the Country Park there is a concerted effort to keep the public informed as to works that are occurring and where access is prohibited and the reasons behind this. The ranger team have an events programme based around the delivery of key messages about responsible use and access to the countryside e.g. the May bank holiday fayre. The team are keen to engage with hard to reach groups within the community to further promote awareness of the natural environment and how to utilise it responsibly. A visitor centre and interpretation space would increase the capacity to reinforce key messages in the hope of encouraging greater use and enjoyment of the country park. This would be greatly supported by Community Ranger who would seek to work directly with these groups. The onsite rangers also provide a key point of contact and advocate responsible use of the countryside and will approach the public that are breaking the countryside code explaining why not to do it. The rangers can request help from PCSO’s and enforcement officers with matters relating to bylaws and anti-social behaviour which will contribute to public safety and enjoyment and conservation of the parks heritage features.

Apply for Green Flag award annually

Yeovil Country Park has been awarded Green flag status. This annual assessment carried out by a panel of judges with backgrounds in nature conservation and open space management comprises a desk and field based component. Within each, the entire park is judged against eight key criteria.

 A welcoming site  Healthy, safe and secure  Clean and well maintained  Sustainability  Conservation and heritage  Community involvement  Marketing  Management

The holistic management approach adopted by the Countryside Service is embedded in the aims that direct the work of the team. This ensures that all of the above criteria are met which has contributed to accreditation over the past 8 years. The team act upon judges recommendations to improve both the visitor experience and the site’s wildlife and conservation value. This is reflected in the specific management objectives and prescriptions of the present plan in the hope of retaining this prestigious award.

Manage the routine maintenance agreement with Streetscene SSDC’s Horticultural Services team (Streetscene) carry out the annual maintenance at the Country Park. A maintenance pack for the year is formulated each March for delivery by the team throughout the year. An example copy of the 2013 agreement is in appendix 7. Tasks include grass mowing, strimming, shrub bed pruning and path spraying. Close down each year includes a review of the tasks and inspection of the signed off job sheets by the team. Quarterly update meetings with senior officers ensure the annual work programme is kept on track. Future budget constraints may impact upon the level of work that can be contracted out to Streetscene.

Support responsible development along Dodham Brook The team will play an active role to ensure that any subsequent development along Dodham Brook, or elsewhere where it may impact on the park’s heritage, incorporates a significant quantity of biodiversity mitigation and enhancement. A key target area will be the management of the water course for the resident water vole population in addition to its role as a vital wildlife corridor through the park. The rangers are keen for this area to serve as a clear link between the park and Yeovil town.

Utilise off site contributions from development via the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) The team will seek to develop a justifiable multiplier that can be employed to generate off site contributions from developments within a buffer zone around the Country Park. Based on the revenue budget and annual maintenance programme of the park, a formula can be supplied to SSDC planners to help the Country Park secure annual income and in certain cases special capital projects may be funded. The team will seek to build an evidence base for the park as a strategic infrastructure element so that it will be eligible for revenue from CIL. A key part of this will be to ensure the park is well represented within any proposed Green infrastructure Strategy. The team

42 will ensure that a five year commuted sum is secured from the adjoining Wyndham Park development to accompany the acquisition of Riverside Park. It may be possible to acquire other extensions to the Country Park through such funding but only where this will provide significant benefits for wildlife biodiversity.

Undertake annual maintenance of play area car park The car park is gravel surfaced and due to high levels of use requires annual maintenance attention. Scraping and levelling and the filling of potholes with gravel can only occur in the spring with the drier weather. The car park is free to use for max 2 hours and is regularly patrolled by parking attendants. This reduces the use of the car park by people working in town as parking all day prevents use by country park visitors. Maintain relations with neighbouring land owners and developers The Country Park borders the land of a number of owners and developers. For maintenance of fence lines and management of the rights of way it is imperative to maintain good relations. The Batten Family at Aldon Park is supportive of the work of the Country Park and allows access across their land for special events like the running race. The ranger team need to ensure that the fences in Ninesprings are complete and that the public are not breaking through to walk on the private land of Aldon Park. Other parties of relevance include the new owners of the Newton Surmaville estate, the tenant at the roundhouse and businesses such as the Gateway church. Maintaining a close working relationship with the developers associated with Foundry House and the potential extension will be key to ensuring the park is not degraded by such development pressures.

Secure the appointment of a Community Ranger position As has already been outlined, a three year full-time Community Ranger position will significantly expand the capacity with which Yeovil Country Park can connect and engage with visitors and the local community. A greater range and frequency of events and activities will be coordinated and delivered and through the development of volunteer opportunities, the park’s heritage will benefit. The role is seen as essential in supporting the delivery of how the park intends to develop over the coming years. It is a key component within the V3 project which packages much of this development work and is therefore highly dependent on external funding. The intention is for alternative revenue streams to be developed that will fund the position on a part-time basis beyond the initial three years, contributing to the project’s legacy.

Provide new facilities in the form of a Green Hub The other key component of the V3 project is the creation of a hub within Ninesprings that will offer an open access community space in addition to the amenities expected as an urban fringe Country Park. The hub design seeks to reduce environmental impact through its choice of materials, energy saving features and construction techniques, hopefully serving as a demonstration model as a low impact building. Volunteers will be invited to assist with the fit out and other aspects of the build ensuring that this is a community centred project. However once again, it remains heavily reliant on the securement of external funding which is actively being sought.

Deliver an annual promotion plan

The ranger team are already skilled at promoting the Country Park and events and activities run throughout the year. Much of this work will be continued but with more emphasis on communicating to the public via digital platforms such as the website and social media. Opportunities to increase the web presence of the Country Park and the ranger team should be sought. The South Somerset Countryside website offers an effective means with which to communicate information about the site, the work of the Rangers, how to get involved with the park and organised events and activities. This should be kept up to date with latest news items and resources made available online to improve the visitor experience and the educational potential of the Park. The site should promote volunteering and community involvement by providing clear links of how to access these opportunities. Alternative ways to advertise events will be developed ensuring as many in house skills are employed as possible. Event evaluation surveys indicate that onsite notice boards are effective means of communication with the public and locations will be reviewed to ensure maximum exposure. The site leaflet now needs updating and revising to reflect the recent developments in the park and publicise projects and to support wider promotional efforts.

Develop art and performance opportunities within the park The landscape of Ninesprings lends itself to opportunities for artistic interpretation and performance. The installation of sculpture pieces that celebrate the heritage of Yeovil Country Park across the whole site and not just Ninesprings may encourage people to visit areas of the park they currently do not.

Seek to actively engage and work with under-represented sections of the community There are several community groups that the ranger team wish to engage with using the Country Park as a location and means in which to do so. The cultural diversity within the Yeovil area should be celebrated and Yeovil Country Park provides an ideal platform for this along with the sharing of cultural knowledge and skills. Events and activities could provide opportunities for this to occur but it is essential that the ranger team generate discussion with these groups in order to develop appropriate and relevant opportunities that benefit the community.

Aim 2. Develop Yeovil Country Park as a key educational resource through the provision of both formal and informal learning opportunities

Establish stronger links with local schools Greater engagement with local schools will help to establish how the park can best serve as a more formal educational resource. This will also facilitate consultation and discussion to inform the development of educational events, activities and resources to be included within the interpretation plan. The update of the current education pack will be central to this but opportunities that cater to older groups will also be sought. These may be both ranger led sessions within schools or activities located within YCP. The community ranger role as part of the V3 project will be instrumental in maintaining and forging greater links with schools and delivering the educational objectives within the interpretation plan.

Develop opportunities and resources for formal learning

There are significant opportunities to deliver formal educational activities associated with the park’s natural and historical heritage. The current education pack should be updated to reflect national curriculum requirements and trends. Consultation with teachers and school leaders will be key in the initial development process to ensure the park delivers as an educational resource. Riverside Walk is currently under-utilised for learning but the range of habitats and species present many environmental education opportunities. The concept of ecosystem services can be a useful model with which to understand the environment in a larger context highlighting our dependence on our natural heritage. Much of the delivery work is reliant on the appointment of a community ranger supported by the provision of appropriate accommodation within which to run educational activities and is therefore dependent on external funding. Delivery would also contribute to objective six of the Somerset Local Nature Partnership: To enable the health, education and social services to make the fullest use of nature for individual and community well-being.

Run a diverse annual programme of events that cater to a wider audience with many providing opportunities for informal learning Annually during November, event planning for the subsequent year begins. A mailing list of 1000 people receive copies of the publicity material and leaflets are also sent to schools, TICS and many other outlets. A packed schedule of children’s activities and guided walks is run during school holidays throughout the year. Events range from free (where grant funded) to £5 for expert led guide walks e.g. the fungus foray. The team accepts the passport to leisure scheme cardholders and offers reductions on all its activities. The revenue gained from an increased number of events will contribute to the delivery of wider benefits to the park. The team make a concerted effort to offer a broad range of events that would appeal to all ages but recognise that opportunities are limited due to the lack of a more formal learning space and associated resources. There are likely to be a number of opportunities to engage with young adults who may be having difficulties in a formal school setting and the development of appropriate activities will be investigated. Recent success of free themed trails has encouraged the team to develop similar events throughout the year. Many of our events are reliant upon volunteer leaders and community involvement and that is generally what makes them such a success. As a result the team are keen to increase the capacity for such volunteering opportunities. Recent surveys of event attendees indicate that satisfaction with the design and delivery of events is very high. However, the demand for a greater range of events is apparent from attendee feedback, the delivery of which will be largely reliant upon the appointment of a community ranger role.

Provide suitable woodland play areas A woodland play area recently created in Ninesprings has provided an ideal location to run events and activities. The ranger team have observed high usage of the area by children and families throughout the year. It is anticipated that the play area will be further integrated into activities and events, and more formal education sessions. The potential for a similar facility in Riverside will be explored which may help to encourage users to visit the compartment more frequently. It will also provide a base in which to run an increasing series of children’s activities and events from.

The ranger team to develop a stronger presence amongst the general public

The ranger team strive to maintain a presence amongst the public and users of YCP. However, due to the size of the site and lack of public facing facilities, this often proves difficult. A recent survey amongst site users indicate that many are aware of the ranger team but do not fully understand their role and the work they carry out within the park. This is something that should be developed, hopefully supported by the community ranger and visitor hub although this is subject to external funding of the V3 project. Significant opportunities exist for increased online interaction with potential users via the website and social media. This is seen as a key channel through which to communicate the work of the rangers.

Increase the provision of interpretation opportunities within the Country Park A scoping study was recently commissioned in order to identify and recommend new interpretation opportunities within Yeovil Country Park. These are intended to contribute to increased engagement between the public and the significant natural, cultural and industrial heritage associated with the park and will form the basis of a full interpretation plan. These stories will be developed as part of the V3 project and therefore many elements will be subject to external funding. The proposed Green Hub will be a key location for interpretation with the provision of a community space for exhibitions and talks. The development of digital access to interpretation and multi-sensory resource for those with disabilities will be explored.

Participate in regional and national environmental education projects and schemes The park was successfully involved in the national BioBlitz recently and the increased level of public engagement that this generated would like to be replicated by the ranger team. The development of ‘citizen science’ over recent years suggest there is potential for greater community involvement and learning related to the park’s natural heritage. This will significantly benefit the park through a better understanding of the site’s biodiversity.

Aim 3. Conserve and enhance the biodiversity and landscape value of the Country Park

Carry out regular species surveys and monitoring to inform management The Country Park has an extensive species list that is compiled and maintained by the Yeovil Area Group of the Somerset Wildlife Trust and the rangers will continue to actively feed into this report and take note of the annual revisions. Having accurate records is imperative to ensure that site management is protecting the species it needs to, and that other poorer areas of habitat are enhanced and restored to facilitate species colonisation. Breeding bird surveys and butterfly transects will monitor population levels of a range of species helping to assess the impact of targeted habitat enhancement works. Butterfly transects are particularly important as butterflies are good indicators of habitat health and functioning. Population surveys of key species at a compartment level are likely to be more useful for evaluating management than simpler presence /absence surveys. The rangers will also specifically concentrate on rarer, protected species that are often more sensitive to habitat degradation and disturbance. Water voles, otters, reptiles and bats will be the focus of species specific surveys. It is intended that through the community ranger post there will be greater capacity for volunteers to become involved in these monitoring projects. 'Citizen science' is seen by the rangers as an excellent opportunity for community engagement. A mapping exercise based on broad habitat type will help establish a baseline from which changes to habitat extent can be monitored and opportunities for connection and restoration identified.

Manage the Local Wildlife Site to its optimum state Much of the Country Parks land is designated as Local Wildlife Site (LWS). The ranger team aim to conserve these habitats as good examples of Somerset habitats, supporting species usually found within them. The team utilise where appropriate up to date ecological evidence to inform habitat management undertaken, seeking advice from experts where necessary. Watercourses will be monitored and kept free of pollution and close relations will be maintained with the EA to ensure any suspect incidents are reported and investigated. The woodlands, which are currently heavily infected with invasive non-natives, will be managed back to a naturally regenerating state, and away from single, even aged species stands e.g. sycamore and laurel stands in Southwoods. Importantly, with the level of public access, the rangers and volunteers will strive to keep the entire site free of litter so it cannot pollute or be harmful in any way to the species populations. The extension of LWS designation to the whole of the country park would secure a greater level of protection for the entire site. Somerset Wildlife Trust should be invited to carry out the designation assessment.

Apply for designation as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) Recognition of the importance of the habitats and species present within the Country Park could be enhanced by inviting Somerset Wildlife Trust and Natural England to consider their recommendations for designation as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). This would confer an even greater degree of protection on the habitats. Much of the Country Park is currently designated as a LWS; by inviting SERC to update the surveys held for this area it will be possible to monitor the community changes onsite and reassess the habitat’s importance. The range of habitats across the entire site gives high levels of floral and faunal diversity, by considering the Country Park as one unit it is hoped that an application for LNR status would be successful. However, the park's close proximity to the town may preclude LNR designation due to the potential disturbance to species. Such designation may open up future funding opportunities to further conserve and enhance the biodiversity value of the park.

Control pest species Under the noxious weeds act the ranger team will exercise both chemical and manual control as far possible over any noxious weeds in the park. Ragwort is not a significant problem and will be pulled by hand, with the help of volunteers, on the grazing units. Weeds requiring chemical control include Japanese knotweed on Riverside Walk and in the Valley Gardens of Ninesprings. Himalayan balsam is quickly establishing across the Country Park and control will initially have to be prioritised to where it has spread out away from riparian areas, threatening habitats within the wider park. The delivery of a full eradication programme is likely only possible through external funding via the V3 project. Giant Hogweed is present at Riverside Walk and will need to be treated to ensure public safety. Mapping of invasive species will help to target treatment and monitor progress. However, control efforts are likely only to be effective if coordinated with neighbouring landowners and the ranger team will continue to notify them of their obligation to control invasive species.

Manage the Valley Gardens of Ninesprings

The Valley Gardens are the most visited area of the park and require a significant amount of management intervention. Rangers and volunteers have carried out laurel clearance over the past seven years, focusing on a bank at a time and re-planting after clearance works. This schedule will continue to ensure that the Valley Gardens includes a mixture of native and ornamental plants, shrubs and trees that are in keeping with the site’s character. Slope stabilisation is being improved where laurel has been removed through subsequent root establishment by the ground flora. Areas of hazel coppice, important as wildlife corridors and habitat for species including dormice will be maintained and extended where appropriate. The site is criss-crossed by many narrow stone clad pathways, these need maintenance and leaves removing throughout the autumn and winter months. The springs themselves need clearing of leaf litter to ensure unobstructed flow, and the bank sides need strimming twice a year. Cleft chestnut rail will be used to replace internal fencing as necessary.

Improve and manage Foundry House development water course The Foundry House development has gone some way to open up the previously dark and enclosed pinch point along railway walk. However, it is felt that the resulting outcome could have included greater habitat and niche provision. In order to improve the biodiversity value of the water course, flow and depth heterogeneity needs to be introduced through alteration to stream morphology. Bed material can be redistributed to create ‘pseudo-sinuosity’ and the planting of appropriate aquatic and emergent vegetation will introduce structural diversity, benefiting a range of invertebrates as will an extension of a flower rich grass bank along the length of the stream.

Where appropriate mitigate the impact from public access on sensitive species and habitats A dog exclusion zone has been successfully created around the lake area in order to protect wildfowl and populations have subsequently recovered. There is still a minor problem of feeding ducks bread instead of seed on site, which causes health problems for the water fowl, water quality and increase in rats. An education initiative is required to address these issues and promote more responsible use of the park and its resources. The team are keen to avoid the excessive use of signs and feel that education is the most effective method. The rangers will work with the communications team and take advice from the EA and Natural England on how to address this. Riparian vegetation will be managed in order to limit the disturbance to sensitive species such as otters and water voles and fencing considered in heavily accessed areas.

Implement development projects that enhance and conserve BAP priority habitats and species These projects will deliver direct conservation benefits to significant aspects of the natural heritage of Yeovil Country Park. It is intended that enhancement, extension and creation of BAP priority habitats through works targeting specific abiotic and biotic components and processes will enable them to support greater levels of biodiversity helping to ensure healthier, better functioning ecosystems. This will contribute to an increase in the resilience of habitats and associated populations, including those of BAP priority species, to potential future environmental and resource availability pressures. The majority of projects involve management that seeks to benefit a range of faunal groups with conservation efforts not focussing simply on a single species. Many of these habitats require a significant degree of management intervention to maintain them in a desired state and prevent loss to succession. By improving their condition will hopefully lead to less

48 resources input being required to achieve this. These projects will seek to be delivered through the V3 project but funding will likely take a number of years to secure. In order to be economically viable, the projects will also be dependent on a larger volunteer base being recruited through the V3 project so that reliance on contractors is reduced.

Carry out appropriate woodland management A significant amount of the Country Parks land is wooded, and it ranges from new planting areas at only 1 year old, 20 year old stands and much older woodlands. Management will seek to introduce structural heterogeneity which will directly benefit biodiversity through increased niche provision. This is hoped will lead to the development of sustainable, naturally regenerating woodland and the traditional practice of coppicing will assist this. Timber that is removed will either be sold or stacked as deadwood log piles to encourage invertebrates. Stands of woodland exist in Southwoods and the Valley Gardens of Ninesprings; here invasive non-natives like laurel will be removed, sycamore will be thinned and hazel coppice extended and continued as a practice. It is hoped the latter will encourage the establishment of dormice, a European protected species. In new planting areas strimming will take place twice a year to ensure the saplings can establish and when appropriate the areas will be thinned and tree guards removed.

Continue the development of the plantation woodland in Riverside Walk The 20 year old plantation in Riverside Walk requires a continuation of appropriate management to help it develop towards sustainable woodland supporting high levels of biodiversity. Thinning to introduce structural and age diversity will contribute to this and canopy opening will promote the development of a rich ground and field layer. Zoning management alongside paths should aim to develop a graduated edge of short turf paths bounded by tall herbs with patches of scrub where south facing. This increases the potential to support a greater number of faunal species. Scalloping of the woodland along the paths will increase the quantity of valuable edge habitat to maximise the biodiversity supported by the woodland. Planting with species such as hazel which are almost absent from this area will improve structural diversity of the woodland and therefore increase biodiversity.

Continue tree planting schemes Tree planting will continue as a practice within the Country Park where appropriate to assist the development of native, sustainable woodlands that offer a high degree of biodiversity value. Low growing species such as hazel will be planted as a field layer and taller canopy trees planted where appropriate soil and light conditions exist. Species chosen will also be in keeping with the landscape character with ornamental specimens used in the traditional Valley Gardens to add botanical interest. Management will be carried out to maximise the success rate of planting schemes and opportunities for involving the community will be sought where possible.

Manage the park as a core element of a wider ecological network With the importance of landscape scale conservation being increasingly recognised, efforts should be made to manage the park as part of a wider ecological network. This involves identifying where connections can be made with the wider landscape to reduce the risk of populations becoming isolated due to habitat fragmentation and allow species to adapt to potential impacts of climate change. There may also be the potential to buffer the Country Park to protect the significant and

49 particularly sensitive species from impacts of development. A useful framework within which to deliver this objective is likely to be the proposed Green Infrastructure Strategy therefore requiring contribution to its development to ensure appropriate recognition of YCP. Partnership working with external organisations and neighbouring landowners will also be key in achieving objective delivery.

Raise awareness and promote the wildlife value of the Country Park The diversity of habitats found across the Country Park supports a range of species, several of which are protected at a European and National level. Many are rare and iconic species such as the water vole and otter and therefore increasing opportunities for the public to view them such as via remote cameras, will help raise their profile and induce a sense of care and responsibility towards wildlife and the environment contributing to its long term conservation. This will hopefully extend to the rest of the park’s natural heritage and the wider countryside. Onsite interpretation will support this as will the provision of activities and events that celebrate the significant biodiversity value found within walking distance of the town.

Manage the Memorial Arboretum The memorial arboretum at Ninesprings is now full. No further trees will be planted in the site but the ranger will continue to manage the area sensitively. The tree stock will be monitored and horticultural services carry out an amenity grass cut throughout the year. The majority of enquiries refer to missing plaques or their replacement and the team will continue to organise this. A database of all memorials is being compiled that will help deal more efficiently with enquiries from families.

Management of the gardens at Penn Hill The more formal gardens on Penn Hill will be annually managed in partnership with Streetscene. Shrub beds will be tended and the Headway Garden maintained. The tree stock will be managed to ensure public safety and aesthetic interest. The pond within the wildlife garden required clearing out of pond weed and appropriate emergent vegetation including rushes and sedges should be planted. The wildlife garden will be managed as a wildflower meadow with a cut and remove taken early spring and late summer.

Retain scrub in appropriate areas to contribute to habitat diversity Scrub habitat represents a successional transitory stage between lower level herb dominated habitats such as grassland and stable woodland. In order to retain the managed, cultural landscapes and habitats within the park, scrub encroachment should be controlled. However, it does provide a significant degree of habitat value with species such as willow, bramble and gorse providing foraging and nesting opportunities. Structural, age and species diversity helps support a range of birds and invertebrates and management should therefore seek to retain scrub where currently present both in thickets and as isolated patches Cutting on rotation will help prevent scrub becoming leggy, maintaining its value. Habitat mapping will help coordinate and prioritise the management work.

Maintain condition of river within practical constraints The River Yeo forms an important link through sections of the park acting both as a key wildlife corridor and providing aesthetic interest for those visiting Riverside Walk. In areas, significant amounts of deadwood lie within the channel and litter has caught up in places detracting visually from the river. If staff were adequately trained in working on and near water, then improvement

50 works could be carried out. This would also help the rangers to carry out important surveys of river and riparian species such as otter and water vole present in both the Yeo and Dodham Brook.

Ensure surrounding development does not impact on the park's wildlife Due to the Country Park’s urban fringe location, there is the continual risk of development pressure impacting upon the wildlife and tranquillity of the park. Therefore, the ranger team need to play an important role in advising developers and planning on how to prevent or minimise this impact or mitigate where necessary. A key area will involve managing development impacts on Dodham Brook and the notable water vole population that lives there.

Ensure co-ordination with regional level biodiversity strategies Due to the size of the Country Park and the significance of the biodiversity present within it, it is important that the park’s management co-ordinates with regional level biodiversity and conservation strategies. Working within a broader context will help contribute to more effective conservation. Current management within the park already seeks to achieve this and will continue to contribute to local Biodiversity Action Plan targets and activities where possible. LBAPs relevant to YCP include those for otter, bats and dry acid grassland to name a few. The objectives within this management plan seek to recognise and contribute to those within the Somerset Biodiversity Strategy and the new Somerset Local Nature Partnership which operates at a more strategic, decision-making level. The Countryside Service recognises their role as partners and will provide input as required.

Aim 4. Promote and conserve the historical and cultural heritage associated with Yeovil Country Park

Restoration of the Victorian Valley Gardens of Ninesprings A key project will be to restore the Valley Gardens to their original Victorian state, reflecting their significance as part of the park’s historical and cultural heritage. This will be informed through research projects undertaken in association with the Community Heritage Access Centre (CHAC) and communicated through appropriate interpretation. The cutting back of vegetation where appropriate around the springs and paths and the creation of sight lines that emphasise the impressive infrastructure and landscaping will be a priority. The continuation of laurel replacement is a key component of this restoration. The scale of the project is likely to require significant input from volunteers, dependent upon the capacity for doing so being increased. Work will be managed in zones to ensure efficiency. An effort to increase access to more of the gardens will accompany works and the team will take advice from relevant parties.

Protect and enhance the archaeological and historical features within the landscape Archaeological features on site include the strip lynchets on Summerhouse Hill, which are best protected under grassland and the grazing regime will be continued to ensure they are properly managed. Other significant landscape features include the clumps of trees on Wyndham and Summerhouse Hills. The limes on Wyndham are particularly famous but their age and health indicates that they will need replacing relatively soon. A set of recently planted limes were vandalised and alternative methods for maintaining this iconic landscape feature should be considered.

Promote the historical heritage of the site and the town via appropriate interpretation With the closing of the town’s museum in 2012, there is now limited access to the information and items relating to Yeovil’s history and industrial heritage. An interpretation plan will be developed as part of the V3 project that will ensure the Country Park serves as a key access point to such information and resources highlighting the important role areas of the park have played in the Yeovil’s industrial past. The possibility of collaborating with CHAC and other local businesses linked to this heritage (e.g. Pittards leather) will be explored. The ranger team are keen to raise awareness of this important aspect of the park’s heritage and provide opportunities for the public to engage with it which has been lacking to date. A diverse range of interpretation methods will allow this, hopefully allowing users to get more out of their visit.

Identify the extent of the park's cultural heritage and develop ways to enhance its access and enjoyment Yeovil Country Park has the potential to contribute to the both the physical and mental wellbeing of users. The significant recreational opportunities and extensive path network mean that visitors can enjoy, relax and be stimulated by the natural environment without having to travel far out the town. It is recognised of the important contribution woodland walks can make to mental well-being and therefore a series of walks that make use of this value should be delivered. Additional to this is the potential for the park to provide a platform in which to celebrate and teach aspects of our traditional cultural heritage. These could include traditional techniques such as hedge-laying and coppicing.

Aim 5. Offer opportunities for people and organisations to get involved in the management and operation of Yeovil Country Park

Continue to run a weekly practical conservation volunteer group The rangers will continue to run the weekly practical volunteer task day every Thursday. In 2012 an average of 10 volunteers attended each week donating over 500 days throughout year. The ranger team sets relevant day long tasks for the team and accompanies them to deliver tool safety talks and run the power tools. Volunteers come from a variety of vocations bringing with them valuable skills which will benefit the park and hopefully wider community via skill sharing. The rangers will deliver tasks like laurel clearance, coppicing, woodland management and fencing. In addition some days at other countryside sites will be organised to allow the volunteers to try skills like dry stone walling which are not available at YCP.

Increase the quantity and range of volunteering opportunities within the park

The ranger team recognise the interest shown by members of the public in becoming involved in the management of the park. There is demand for more frequent volunteering sessions although the team cannot presently increase capacity due to limited staffing resources and inappropriate volunteer accommodation. However, many also desire opportunities other than just practical conservation volunteering. The team will seek to develop and deliver new ways for people to become involved with the park as volunteers but this is dependent on the externally funded V3 project and principally the appointment of a full time community ranger. The team have already

52 identified potential alternative opportunities that include wildlife surveying, heritage volunteers and front of house providing visitor information and serving in the café within the proposed visitor and volunteer hub. The desire to lead guided walks and activity sessions has also been expressed by several individuals. It is hoped that expanding the range of opportunities will encourage the development of a volunteer base with representatives from wider sections of the community. It will also increase the capacity with which to maintain and improve the park contributing to the long term conservation of its heritage.

Provide diverse training opportunities for volunteers A recent survey of volunteers identified a demand for the provision of more training opportunities mainly in wildlife identification and surveying and machinery and tool use. However, there may be the potential to recruit a number of individuals as ‘super-volunteers’ who could then lead separate work groups. This would significantly increase the capacity to deliver practical conservation works across the park. Several of the current volunteer base have undergone specialist training towards formal countryside management qualifications, the expansion of which should be explored. It is intended that the provision of such training opportunities will be largely delivered by the community ranger and is thus dependent on external funding.

Continue support for the Friends of Yeovil Country Park Group The Friends of Yeovil Country Park group are now well established, holding regular meetings and providing valuable input into the management of the site. The group serve as a key fundraising organisation and channel of communication between site users and the ranger team. There are a number of projects developing at the Country Park which would benefit from the guidance and enthusiasm of the Friends group and the rangers will continue to offer administrative support to aid their work. The task is to now raise the profile of the Group and a presence within the proposed visitor centre as well as on the new Facebook page will contribute to this as well as encouraging a larger and more diverse membership. An established meeting space would also significantly benefit the group's work and efforts to attract new members.

Offer an annual apprenticeship In its ninth year in 2013, the apprenticeship scheme aims to offer a practical training route and entry to employment for young people aiming to enter the countryside management profession. With competition for all ranger jobs high, the opportunity to spend a year working as a practical ranger and gain an NVQ level 2 in Environmental Conservation is useful. Delivered in partnership with Kingston Maurward College and Dorset Countryside the applicants for the two positions have been very varied. Each apprentice costs £5000 for the year to cover wages and training. The scheme does not guarantee employment at the end, but part of the in house training offered is the process of job applications and interviews. Past apprentices have gone on into further education or gained employment as assistant rangers.

Offer work experience placements The rangers support on average 6 work placements per annum. All local secondary schools at some time have sent work experience students to the sites. The team have a Placement Policy (Appendix 8), which is followed for all sites. As a general rule a maximum of 2 placements can be accepted at any one time. There is also a work placement pack that all students are issued, giving them details of

53 risk assessments and a work diary to complete for their time on site. All placements must attend a brief interview prior to their main placement; priority is given to those students expressing an interest in the countryside and wildlife, not just those that do not want to spend a week in an office. Whenever a placement is accepted the SSDC training officer is notified to keep the central records up to date. Maintain a presence on the South Somerset Countryside Steering Group The steering group is the body that helps direct, advise and approve the management of the countryside sites. It is informed by reports from the rangers about YCP on a quarterly basis. It is important for the rangers to continue to attend the group, explain works, gain feedback and be informed by the experts on the group. It also gives important time for reflection on work programmes and designation of priorities. The team will seek to help the group raise its profile in an effort to increase membership to include a greater range of stakeholders.

Involve the private sector in the management and projects of the Country Park A key strategic aim within the Somerset Nature Partnership involves engaging local businesses in the management and conservation of our greenspaces. The ranger team will seek to contribute to this by inviting businesses to sit on the steering group as well as providing opportunities for corporate sponsorship of specific development projects. By re-establishing corporate volunteer days, the park will benefit from practical assistance and financial income whilst providing another channel for community engagement.

Aim 6. Ensure financial and environmental sustainability and meet all legal and other obligations

Carry out annual tree safety and health surveys To ensure the health and safety of tree stock at the Country Park the rangers carry out an annual inspection. The site is divided into zones and each is walked annually and a survey form completed. Only tree stock that would fall onto an area of space with public access is surveyed. Trees located centrally in woodlands with no paths are not surveyed. Any tree displaying signs of weakness is rated from 1-5 severity and the rangers then either deliver the works themselves or employ contractors. The ever increasing risk posed by tree diseases such as ash dieback means the rangers remain vigilant to any indications of disease presence. Appropriate action in accordance with recommendations within guidance and from experts will be taken as necessary. The team continue to invite the public to report any issues with the park’s tree stock and will respond promptly to these.

Monitor monthly performance via a balance scorecard To ensure targets are met, we monitor the level of community involvement and achievements against the critical activities of the corporate plan. At the end of each month figures are gathered from across the ranger team and collated centrally. We record numbers of events organised, youth activities, number of participants, number of trees planted and number of volunteer activities organised and days donated. These records now cover three years and are useful as input into funding bids, evidence for inspections and for reporting on progress towards the delivery of grant schemes.

Carry out annual risk assessment updates

A full site risk assessment exists for Yeovil Country Park. The assessment is revised and updated annually in March and action points delivered. The rangers have access to a risk assessment template and statement bank for use on all risk assessments. All risk assessments for tools and jobs are completed using TENS and they are re-assessed annually in March. All staff will attend refresher sessions for equipment used and relevant training courses when offered.

Ensure bylaws are up to date and relevant The Country Park has its own set of bylaws declared at the creation of the Country Park in 2002. These bylaws are relatively recent and therefore only the penalties may need revision. All staff will be made aware of these to ensure that relevant enforcement authorities are alerted should offences be committed.

Continue to acknowledge existing agreements and licences Several agreements and licences with particular organisations and neighbouring landowners require annual recognition although some do not require action.

Continue to develop ways to generate alternative income It is necessary that the ranger team continue to develop alternative potential income sources to help ensure the current level of service is maintained despite the risk of future budget constraints. The park now has a strong customer base for timber purchases. The proposed visitor and volunteer hub will provide opportunities for revenue generation principally in the operation of a café and also as a space to sell products derived from the park. The Friends group will be able to provide significant support to this effort.

Embed environmental sustainability into all aspects of work The ranger team already operates to reduce environmental impact through its use of materials and creation of efficient working practices. This will be continued with opportunities for further improvements sought. All timber procurement will be FSC certified in line with the SSDC tree policy. The significant number of low environmental impact features and technologies within the proposed Green Hub will help to mitigate the resource impact of the new build. It may also serve as a demonstration project helping to transfer knowledge and ideas.

Maximise financial sustainability With potential future budget constraints, operational efficiently must be sought wherever possible to contribute to the financial resilience of the organisation. This will be greatly supported by the significantly increased and more diverse volunteer base to be developed as part of the V3 project.

Control all noxious weeds like Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed Under the noxious weeds act the ranger team will exercise both chemical and manual control as far possible over any noxious weeds in the park as detailed in earlier in the plan. The service has an obligation to prevent spread of these species and will also seek to work with neighbouring landowners to ensure control efforts are more effective.

Prescription tables *completion of prescriptions to be assessed via an annual delivery review (ADR) unless stated otherwise TASK WHO WHEN? £ COST PARTNERS RELEVANT COMP- REVIEW COMMENTS COMPARTM- LETED METHOD ENTS (* ADR) 1 2 3 4 5 Aim 1. Ensure Yeovil Country Park delivers as a recreational facility for the general public encouraging greater community engagement Enable visitors to find their way to and within Yeovil Country Park Ensure coherent network of brown signs directing visitors to Country R + CM      Highways n/a Park

Ensure site entrances are welcoming, clear and informative R      Entire site

Improve signage at A30/Flushing Meadow junction directing visitors to R  £200 Pittards RS Riverside Develop and maintain offsite references to Country Park e.g. town CM      £200 Town Council and n/a literature Town Centre Partnership

Establish proposed visitor centre as information hub R + CM    NS Dependent on external funding Replace panels at Lyde Road entrance and Bowlplex car park gate R   £150 NS, RS Investigate promotion and links with the Heart of Wessex trainline and R + CM    Heart of Wessex n/a cycleway Rail Partnership

Develop entrances as gateways as per recommendations in R + CM   Entire site interpretation scoping study Develop appropriate network of waymarkers to guide users around R   £400 Volunteers Entire site Dependent on park external funding Maintain paths and other site infrastructure in a good state of repair Fill in eroded paths in Riverside Walk with chippings R   RS Repair or replace tarmac path at bottom of meadows R  £2,000 NS Address root damage to cycleway at Lysander Road end R  TBC SSDC Tree Officer NS Regular leaf blowing in the autumn months R      c. £100 Entire site Removal of underused mown paths in meadows R   NS

Monitor Riverside Walk infrastructure for signs of increased wear R     RS Maintain mown paths through regular strimming R      c. £100 Entire site Reduce canopy in key areas to dry out path in Riverside Walk R    RS Keep the site free of rubbish Twice weekly litter picks and bin emptying R      £500 Streetscene Entire site Support of volunteers carrying out litter picks R      Entire site Maintain all structures (seats, benches and BBQs) Annually inspect structures in accordance with mapped maintenance R      Entire site programme Deliver repairs as required R      £500 Entire site Invest in anti-slip solution on all wooden structures R      £50 Entire site Look to develop anti-vandal measures on structures and explore the R   Entire site use of new materials Establish a jet washing programme for structures R      c. £50 Entire site

Address issues of dog fouling Provide dog waste bins in relevant locations across the Country Park R      £300 Entire site

Empty bins twice per week R      Streetscene Entire site

Maintain close working relationship with SSDC dog enforcement R + CM      Entire site officer Rangers to undergo training and receive further enforcement powers R   TBC Entire site relating to dog control orders Improve easy access provision and promote this Identify where mobility vehicle access can be further improved within R    South Somerset NS Ninesprings Disability Forum

Categorise level of access for all paths and publish via map R    c. £300 South Somerset Entire site Disability Forum, GIS team

Purchase a Tramper mobility vehicle R + CM   c. £6000 Shopmobility n/a Dependent on external funding Install RADAR lock on gate at Flushing Meadow entrance to Riverside R  £150 RS Walk

Drop curbs where required to facilitate wheelchair access R  c. £400 Highways Entire site

Ensure the site is safe for the public Carry out annual risk assessment reviews CM      n/a Communicate effectively with Play team over management of play R + CM      SSDC Play team NS area Inspect railway sidings annually for movement R      SSDC Engineers Entire site Carry out annual tree safety survey R      Entire site Maintain Parkwatch scheme and increase awareness of it R + CM      Police, PCSOs Entire site

Maintain sightlines to aid CCTV monitoring around Bowlplex car park R      Bowlplex complex n/a

Manage landscape elsewhere to discourage anti-social behaviour in R      Entire site hotspots (e.g. around Butterfly Junction) Establish DPPO in year 1 R + CM  Police, PCSOs n/a

Line mark road entrance near play area informing of pedestrian and R  c. £300 NS cyclist right of way Maintain closure of lower bank path in Riverside with signs until grown R    RS over Continue to liaise with police regarding motorbike use in Riverside R + CM      Police, PCSOs n/a Walk Erect permanent safety information sign at log pit R  £20 NS Successfully manage different user groups Erect 'share the space' signs along cycleway R  £50 Entire site

Promote awareness of different users at events and within literature R + CM      £200 n/a Promote healthy living schemes in the Country Park and use of the wider countryside Market the Blackburn Fitness Trail around the Valley Gardens R + CM      Comms team NS Deliver annual running race to encourage beginners R + CM      £200 Yeovil Road NS Running Club Maintain and update permanent orienteering course on site R      £150 Quantock NS Orienteers Develop and deliver a series of themed walks around the Country Park R    £300 Entire site Dependent on external funding Utilise the Country Park as a gateway to exploring the adjoining wider R + CM      n/a Dependent on countryside external funding 58

Develop opportunities for use of the park by external fitness R + CM      Entire site organisations Offer feedback opportunities from site users and the community, acting on this Carry out biennial visitor survey R    £100 Volunteers Entire site

Further develop presence of ranger team to offer front line service R + CM      Volunteers Entire site

Include feedback mechanisms with all events and analyse annually in R + CM      £100 n/a Nov Make sure all user groups are consulted and involved and proposed activities considered Invite potential user groups to discuss use of YCP for activities R + CM      n/a Manage annual access licence with Model Boat Club R + CM      -£25 Model Boat Club NS

Finalise access agreement with kayak club R + CM   TBC Kayak Club NS, RS

Host annual education event for dogs and owners R      £300 Enforcement NS In partnership host annual cycling event R      Local charity, bike NS shops Maintain recognition of Wyndham Hill Action Group R + CM      n/a Maintain all boundaries in a safe and attractive fashion Carry out annual fence check and repair where necessary R      c. £200 Entire site

Manage hedgerows for biodiversity value and relay where necessary R    c. £200 Volunteers PH, NS, RS

Manage boundary conifers with Wessex Water treatment plant to R   Wessex Water RS maintain access Maintain large 'hedge' within Ninesprings as hazel coppice R   £50 Volunteers NS Manage and reduce erosion across the site Employ spiling with willow panels and backfilling in area of significant R   c. £700 Volunteers, RS Dependent on bankside erosion in Riverside (Nov or Feb) contractors external funding Consider willow check dams to prevent gulley widening in Ninesprings R   c. £400 Volunteers, NS and Wyndham bank contractor Relay willow panels along Dodham Brook biennially R    £ 500/annum Contractor NS Lay trees on Wyndham bank as soil traps R   WH Encourage responsible recreation and public access of the Country Park and wider countryside

Deliver Country Park Fayre with countryside education material focus R + CM      £2000/annum Volunteers NS

Keep on site information posters up to date to ensure public well R      Entire site informed Enforce no biking and no dogs zones R      Enforcement NS

Seek engagement with hard to reach community groups to raise R + CM     Local community n/a Dependent on awareness of responsible countryside use groups external funding Use proposed visitor centre to raise awareness of wildlife and onsite R + CM   NS Dependent on conservation efforts external funding Apply for Green Flag award annually R + CM      £275 Civic Trust n/a Remain active members of the scheme as a venue and judge R + CM      Civic Trust n/a Manage the routine maintenance agreement with Streetscene Cutting of amenity grassland areas of YCP in line with agreed R + CM      TBC Streetscene Entire site maintenance plan Plan full years’ work in March each year R + CM      Streetscene n/a

Meet quarterly to assess progress and highlight problems R + CM      Streetscene n/a Support responsible development along Dodham Brook Offer advice to ensure future development provides significant R + CM      SSDC planning, Entire site biodiversity mitigation and enhancement developers

Ensure water course management maintains brook as key wildlife R + CM      SSDC ecologist NS corridor and does not impact on water voles Utilise off site contributions from development via the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Develop evidence base for YCP as key element within Green R + CM    n/a Infrastructure Strategy Produce justifiable impact multiplier for planning and developers for R + CM  Entire site offsite contributions Identify potential extensions to Country Park funded through CIL in line R + CM    n/a with proposed Green Infrastructure Strategy Secure Riverside Park and 5 year commuted sum from Wyndham Park R + CM   n/a development phase 2 Undertake annual maintenance of play area car park Fill potholes in car park R   £600 Volunteers NS Maintain relations with neighbouring land owners and developers R + CM      60

Secure the appointment of a Community Ranger position Dependent on external funding Develop the role as part of V3 project R + CM     n/a Secure funding for full time three year position R + CM    c. £80,000 Local businesses, n/a grant funders

Advertise for position R + CM  n/a Generate revenue streams to fund as part-time position beyond V3 R + CM    Volunteers n/a project Provide new facilities in the form of a visitor and volunteer hub Dependent on external funding Finalise building design and costs R + CM  c. £250,000 SSDC architect n/a

Secure funding for build and fit out as part of V3 project R + CM   n/a Building phase commences R + CM  Contractors NS

Involve volunteers in aspects of the build and fit out R + CM   Volunteers n/a

Deliver an annual promotion plan Further promotion of Country Park and activities in TIC and other SSDC R + CM      £750 TIC, Town Council n/a premises Partnership

Effectively utilise notice boards for onsite communication R + CM      Entire site Install new chalkboard in play area car park R  £300 NS Continue development of YCP's web presence via website and Twitter R + CM    n/a Consider production of e-newsletter R + CM  Comms team n/a Increase channels to communicate events and activities R + CM   £200 Comms team n/a Revision of site leaflet R + CM  £1,100 Designer n/a Aim for one positive media story every month R + CM      Comms team n/a Develop art and performance opportunities within the park Identify opportunities for alternative use of the park, especially of R + CM   Local NS Dependent on Ninesprings for artistic events and activities artists/groups external funding Invite local artists and groups to develop pieces that celebrate YCP R + CM   Local artists Entire site Seek to actively engage and work with under-represented sections of the community

Approach relevant community groups: Polish Association R + CM    n/a Develop and deliver activities and events that celebrate and share R + CM    n/a Dependent on cultural differences external funding Provide opportunities at Country Fayre for knowledge and skill sharing R + CM    £200 Community NS groups Aim 2. Develop Yeovil Country Park as a key educational resource through the provision of both formal and informal learning opportunities Establish stronger links with local schools Engage with teachers to identify their requirements and demand for R + CM    c. £300 Local schools, Entire site educational projects linked to YCP Yeovil School Federation Develop and deliver opportunities for school groups to use YCP as a R      c. Local schools, Entire site learning resource £2000/annum Yeovil School Federation Increase the frequency and diversity of ranger led school sessions R + CM   Entire site Develop opportunities and resources for formal learning Education pack to be more structured around National Curriculum R + CM   Local schools, Entire site and promoted to schools Yeovil School Federation Make resources available online R + CM      Entire site Increase the use of both Riverside Walk and Park for teaching and R + CM    RS activities Introduce the concept of ecosystem goods and services within R + CM    Entire site environmental education Run a diverse annual programme of events that cater to a wider audience with many providing opportunities for informal learning Develop and deliver alternative practical programmes for young R + CM      c. Local schools, Entire site people disengaged with school £2000/annum Yeovil School Federation, PFSAs Develop and deliver activity and events programme suitable for R      £1,000 Entire site young people and adults Continue to run established children’s event programme in school R      £1,000 Entire site holidays Events leaflet produced and launched every February R + CM      £3000/annum n/a Deliver annual major fayre in May R + CM      £2000/annum NS Deliver annual series of self-guided themed trails around Ninesprings R    £300 NS Promote 'Ranger Rik' trail R + CM   £150 Entire site Provide suitable woodland play areas Maintain newly established woodland play area in Ninesprings R      £300 Volunteers NS Consider creation of woodland play area in Riverside Walk R + CM  £1,000 Volunteers RS 62

The ranger team to develop a stronger presence amongst the general public Develop public access points and channels to the ranger team R + CM    NS Promote opportunities for online interaction with public R + CM      Entire site Promote the ranger team and YCP amongst the wider town R + CM    Town Council and n/a population Town Centre Partnership Increase the provision of interpretation opportunities within the Country Park Develop an interpretation plan focussing on the objectives within R + CM    £1,500 Consultant Entire site commissioned scoping study Provide appropriate interpretation within the proposed visitor hub R + CM   c. £20,000 NS e.g. exhibitions Explore ways to maximise access to interpretation for those with R + CM   SSDAG disabilities e.g. multi-sensory maps Develop digital interpretation opportunities across the park   Entire site

Participate in regional and national environmental education projects and schemes Seek to host wildlife surveying initiatives e.g. butterfly and bee R   £800 Wildlife charities Entire site transects Investigate potential to offer Forest School 'top up' courses R + CM   Entire site Consider allowing regional and national wildlife charities to promote R + CM      Wildlife charities Entire site at YCP events Aim 3. Conserve and enhance the biodiversity and landscape value of the Country Park Carry out regular species surveys and monitoring to inform management Support YAG of SWT in their management of YCP species list R      £50/annum YAG of SWT Entire site Carry out breeding bird survey R      Volunteers Entire site Carry out butterfly transects R      Volunteers Entire site Carry out bumblebee transects R      Volunteers Entire site Monitor reptiles at Riverside Walk R      Volunteers RS Monitor water vole population R      Volunteers NS Carry out otter surveys R      Volunteers NS,RS Annually clear out bird and bat boxes R      Volunteers Entire site Monitor vegetation success following laurel clearance in Valley R      NS Gardens via surveys and fixed point photography Provide opportunities for volunteers to be involved in monitoring R      Volunteers Entire site efforts Provide Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC) with the data R + CM      SERC Entire site obtained from species surveys 63

Establish point photo locations to visually assess the success of R      Entire site habitat enhancement projects Consider mapping Country Park by broad habitat type for monitoring R + CM   £200 GIS team Entire site purposes Manage the Local Wildlife Site to its optimum state Monitor water quality in brook, river and lake R      EA Entire site Deploy barley straw boom or liquid equivalent when required to R      NS prevent algal blooms Coordinate use and training for deployment of Dodham Brook boom R  £200 NS Maintain all habitats free of litter R      £400 Streetscene Entire site Control extent of bramble around tree stock at start of year before R      £200/annum Entire site seed set Apply for designation as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) Discuss with Natural England and SWT the possibility of LNR CM  NE, SWT Entire site designation for all or part of Country Park Control pest species Consider mapping current extent of all invasive species to monitor R     Volunteers Entire site effectiveness of treatment Pull ragwort across the site (prioritise SH and WH) R      Volunteers, TCV Entire site Spray twice annually Japanese knotweed R      £1000/annum Contractors RS, NS Treat giant hogweed annually on river banks R      £500/annum Contractors RS Focus Himalayan balsam control where it has spread away from river R      £300/annum Volunteers, TCV NS, RS banks Work with Aldon Estate to control invasive species R + CM      n/a Manage the Valley Gardens of Ninesprings Treat laurel regrowth in spring R      £250/annum NS Extend the area of hazel coppice R   Volunteers NS Plant bluebell and primrose ground flora R    £2,000 Volunteers, Wee NS Tree Nursery Clear watercourses of leaves in autumn R      Volunteers NS Continue to replace cleft rails where necessary R   £500 Contractors NS Improve and manage Foundry House development water course Dependent on external funding Introduce depth and flow heterogeneity via redistribution of bed R   Volunteers NS material and creation of pseudo sinuosity Plant emergent and marginal vegetation (eg Carex, Juncus, flag iris) R   £400 Volunteers NS

Extend wildflower sward along bank with annual cut and remove in R    £150/annum Volunteers NS late summer Investigate EA funding for planting R + CM  EA NS Where appropriate mitigate the impact from public access on sensitive species and habitats Erect information posters in Polish and Portuguese about wildfowl R + CM   £150 Community NS groups Ensure kayakers operate in a way that minimises impact on otters R + CM  Kayak club WH Consider fencing along Dodham Brook to protect water voles R  £400 Contractors NS Maintain resistance to cycle way street lighting R + CM      NS, SH, WH Implement development projects that enhance and conserve BAP priority habitats and species Dependent on external funding Pursue corporate sponsorship for targeted management projects and CM      Local businesses, n/a capital works FOYCP Utilise Friends group in sourcing of previously inaccessible funding CM      FOYCP n/a streams Consider delivering projects with partner organisations (e.g. Somerset R + CM      Wildlife charities, Entire site Wildlife Trust) businesses Conserve and protect the water vole population through habitat management along Dodham Brook Dependent on external funding Consider installation of remote camera linked to proposed visitor R  £800 NS centre Map habitat features and fieldsigns along Dodham Brook as simple R  Volunteers NS River Corridor Survey to target management works Sowing of tall grass seed mix along banksides up to fence line R  £800 Volunteers NS Late biennial summer cut of bankside grass sward in 20 m sections on R     £200/annum Volunteers NS alternate banks- leave toe of vegetation Introduce marginal species at bank toe via willow staked coir rolls R   £6,000 Volunteers NS Establish volunteer survey opportunities and relevant training to R   £800 Volunteers NS monitor population and activity Riparian canopy management to prevent overshading R   £400 Volunteers NS Target: 200 m of high quality water vole targeted riparian habitat NS Habitat mapping exercise Reed bed restoration in Riverside Walk Dependent on external funding

Remove surface litter and winter cut reeds biennially in 10 m wide R      300/annum Volunteers RS strip along eastern side of boardwalk Cut shallow sinuous channel from drain into and through strip R  £400 Volunteers RS (Consider sluice structure for water level control) Monitor water level and reed growth response R    Volunteers RS Consider excavation to lower bed level if no recovery and possible R  £2,000 Volunteers, RS reed transplanting contractors Winter cut other areas on 5 year rotation and remove arisings R      £300/annum Volunteers RS Bundle and stack arisings as reptile refugia; burn rest R      Volunteers RS Cut back scrub around pond and annually clear out to increase light R      £200/annum Volunteers RS penetration Extend boardwalk through reedbed R  £5,000 Volunteers, RS contractors Target: Increase extent of dense reedbed swamp by 0.2 ha (approx. RS Habitat 0.1 ha at present) mapping exercise Establish traditional orchard habitat in Summerhouse Hill compartment Dependent on external funding Plant a variety of 10-15 fruit trees no more than 20 m apart with R  £1,500 Volunteers SH staked tree guards Manage hedge along roadside to maintain optimum state R    Volunteers SH

Apply 1m2 mulch annually around trees to suppress weeds R    Volunteers SH

Cut grass sward in late summer and possibly early spring cut R    £200/annum Volunteers SH Maintain deadwood as habitat piles R   Volunteers SH Investigate establishment of a community orchard and potential R  Volunteers, South SH funding opportunities Somerset Orchard Project Target: Variety of habitat elements associated with traditional SH Habitat orchards present or developing after five years assessme nt Increase grassland condition and diversity at key locations Dependent on external funding Penn Hill wildflower garden

Spot spray prior to budding or hand pull docks in late autumn. Cut R     £150/annum Volunteers PH repeatedly during summer before flowering Cut and remove grass sward in early spring R     £200/annum Volunteers PH Maintain late summer hay cut at 5 cm and remove once dry R     £200/annum Volunteers PH Scarify patches by raking in autumn R     Volunteers PH If required, oversow seed (esp. yellow rattle) onto bare patches, R   £300 Volunteers PH maintaining short sward until summer Target: Average of 9-15 species per m2 (moderately species-rich PH Grassland grassland) survey and analysis Butterfly Junction Dependent on external funding Maintain late autumn cut and remove-consider varying cut date R      £100/annum Volunteers WH Create short grass sward on bank and create open patches by cutting R   Volunteers WH away turf (25 x 25 cm) Plug plant butterfly food plant species in autumn R  £300 Volunteers, WH Butterfly Conservation Maintain sward short in the first two years to let plants establish R   Volunteers WH Erect signal board on pole R  £100 Volunteers WH Meadows in Ninesprings Dependent on external funding Rotationally cut end July/beginning of September annually R £ Streetscene

Scarify through raking patches within meadows and sow with R     £100/annum Volunteers NS wildflower seed Summerhouse Hill pasture Dependent on external funding Quantify grassland characteristics as baseline R  Volunteers SH Establish annual random monitoring regime using quadrants R    Volunteers SH Target: No deterioration in grassland condition and increase in SH Grassland abundance and diversity of positive indicator species survey and analysis 67

Bird and bat box scheme throughout Riverside Walk Dependent on external funding Erect bat boxes in suitable locations throughout Riverside Walk R   £1,000 Volunteers RS Erect two barn owl boxes on woodland edge facing south east over R  £300 Volunteers RS fields Map locations and survey boxes annually in accordance with R  Volunteers RS guidelines Target: mapped network of boxes installed showing ≥ 25 % occupancy RS Bat box rate monitorin g Eradication of Himalayan balsam in all areas of the Country Park Dependent on external funding Map current extent of Himalayan balsam within YCP and monitor R    Volunteers Entire site treatment effectiveness regularly Prioritise treatment areas based on level of establishment and threat R    Volunteers Entire site to desired habitat (e.g. in reedbed) Treat with glycophosate every spring before seed sets in dense R     £400/annum Entire site patches Where practical hand pull before seed sets R    Volunteers Entire site Target: Eradication of Himalayan balsam from YCP Entire site Mapping of extent Carry out appropriate woodland management Strim vegetation growth in new planting areas twice annually R      £400/cut Horticultural Entire site services Coppice hazel on a 7 year rotation in winter/early spring R    £100/annum Volunteers NS, RS, WH Remove tree guards from established trees R      Volunteers Entire site Selectively remove sycamore saplings from Ninesprings R      £100/annum Volunteers NS Coppice trees under powerlines in Riverside Walk on ad hoc individual R      Volunteers RS basis Coppice along cycleway maintaining canopy overlap R   Volunteers NS Treat sycamore and poplar regrowth in Riverside Walk R      £100/annum RS Replace topped poplars and aspen in west side of Ninesprings with R  £500 Volunteers NS low growing natives Continue the development of the plantation woodland in Riverside Walk Selectively thin plantation in Riverside Walk in winter esp. along R      £300/annum Volunteers RS path/glade edges Scallop woodland edges along paths R    £100/annum Volunteers RS 68

Create structurally graduated edges by managing in zones (short turf R    £100/annum Volunteers RS paths, tall herb, shrubby edge) Create glades within woodland via clearance and scrub control R    Volunteers RS Plant lower canopy/shrubby species eg hazel R   £300 Volunteers RS Continue tree planting schemes Plant screen around Maltraver's car park R  £400 Volunteers PH Deliver one new tree planting initiative annually R      £300/annum Volunteers Entire site Commemorate Queen's Jubilee visit R + CM  Volunteers NS Phased replacement of poplars near Rustywell allotments with low R    £5000 Volunteers NS growing natives Replace mature poplars in Riverside with species of higher R    £500 Volunteers RS biodiversity value Maintain and encourage newly planted oaks on Summerhouse Hill R      Volunteers SH Manage the park as a core element of a wider ecological network Seek to participate in landscape scale conservation projects through R + CM    Landowners, Entire site partnership working wildlife charities and organisations Contribute to development of SSDC Green Infrastructure Strategy R + CM    n/a ensuring strong recognition of YCP Identify potential connections for wildlife to wider landscape and R + CM    South West n/a approach relevant landowners Nature Map, landowners, wildlife organisations Raise awareness and promote the wildlife value of the Country Park Provide increased opportunities for the public to see wildlife R + CM    TBC Volunteers RS Install network of remote cameras to bring public closer to wildlife R  c. £2000 Entire site Dependent on external funding Provide increased level and diversity of wildlife interpretation R + CM   TBC Volunteers NS Dependent on external funding Consider installation of reedbed interpretation panel R  £150 RS Consider installation of butterfly food plant interpretation board at R + CM   £150 WH Butterfly Junction Manage the Memorial Arboretum Complete database of all memorials within Country Park R   NS

Considered and sensitive tree removal and management, retaining R      Volunteers NS plaques Replacement of dead trees as required R £300 NS

Management of the gardens at Penn Hill Annually manage shrub beds and weed Headway Garden R      £300 Volunteers PH Clear pond weed and plant marginal vegetation species (e.g. Carex, R   Volunteers PH Juncus) Address issues associated with the dredging of Ninesprings lake Await outcome of EA report and act on recommendations if R + CM  EA NS appropriate Remove trees from lake R  £200 NS Retain scrub in appropriate areas to contribute to habitat diversity Maintain gorse scrub at top of SH at current extent R      £50/annum Volunteers SH Mapping of extent Retain willow scrub around reedbed whilst controlling encroachment R      £50/annum Volunteers RS Control scrub encroachment around Butterfly Junction R      Volunteers SH Retain bramble where it offers significant habitat value R      Volunteers Entire site Maintain condition of river within practical constraints Staff to undergo 'working on and near water' training R + CM   TBC Training n/a organisation Remove large woody debris and litter from river R   n/a Report all suspected pollution incidents to EA R      EA Entire site Maintain vegetation around outlet pipe and monitoring plinth R      NS Ensure surrounding development does not impact on the park's wildlife Offer advice to ensure future development provides significant R + CM      SSDC Planning, Entire site biodiversity mitigation and enhancement Developers Ensure water course management maintains brook as key wildlife R + CM      NS corridor and does not impact on water voles Ensure co-ordination with regional level biodiversity strategies Provide input to Somerset Nature Partnership R + CM   Somerset Nature n/a Partnership Contribute to and implement where appropriate Local BAP actions R + CM      n/a Continue to recognise the objectives of the Somerset Biodiversity R + CM      n/a Partnership

Aim 4. Promote and conserve the historical and cultural heritage associated with Yeovil Country Park Restoration of the Victorian Valley Gardens of Ninesprings Dependent on external funding Identify ‘target state’ based on historical evidence and divide site into R + CM   £300 CHAC NS work zones Work zonally to cut back vegetation where appropriate to reveal R    £800/annum Volunteers, TCV NS Victorian infrastructure and create sightlines Continue replacement of laurel with native and some ornamental R      £400/annum Volunteers NS species Monitor progress through fixed point photography    £100 Volunteers NS Target: Valley Garden in highly managed state, more open in Fixed character with naturally regenerating woodland point photograp hy Protect and enhance the archaeological and historical features within the landscape Maintain grazing agreements to ensure grassland managed and strip R      Tenant farmer SH lynchets preserved Consider replanting of four limes on Wyndham Hill R  £700 Volunteers WH Promote the historical heritage of the site and the town via appropriate interpretation Dependent on external funding Develop and deliver an interpretation programme celebrating Yeovil's R + CM      TBC CHAC Entire site history and the industrial links with YCP Explore provision of digital interpretation opportunities (e.g. R + CM   Consultant Entire site smartphone app) Promote 'Four Follies' walk from YCP R + CM    c. £250/annum Comms. Team n/a Collaborate with CHAC and relevant organisations and businesses on R + CM    CHAC, local n/a heritage themed projects businesses Identify the extent of the park's cultural heritage and develop ways to enhance its access and enjoyment Promote health and well-being walks through the woodlands of R + CM     c. £500/annum SSDC Leisure team NS Ninesprings Promote the value of traditional management practices and R + CM    c. £300/annum Entire site landscapes as aspects of cultural heritage e.g. coppicing

Aim 5. Offer opportunities for people and organisations to get involved in the management and operation of Yeovil Country Park Continue to run a weekly practical conservation volunteer group R      £1000/annum Volunteers Entire site Increase the quantity and range of volunteering opportunities within the park Develop wildlife surveying group R  £800 Volunteers, YAG of Entire site Dependent on SWT external funding Establish opportunities to volunteer as front of house providing R + CM  Volunteers n/a information to visitors Expand the opportunities for volunteer led events and activities R + CM   £300/annum Volunteers Entire site Consider offering a mentoring scheme R + CM  £600 Volunteers, PFSAs n/a

Develop and deliver alternative volunteering task sessions e.g. R + CM     £1000/annum Volunteers Entire site weekends Establish links with Wyndham Park residents to discuss creation of R + CM  £200 Volunteers, n/a separate volunteer work group resident group Develop and deliver local heritage volunteer opportunities R + CM     £1000/annum Volunteers, CHAC Entire site Provide diverse training opportunities for volunteers Dependent on external funding Consider the appointment and training of 'super-volunteers' to R + CM   £500/annum Volunteers n/a provide leadership opportunities Offer practical countryside management qualifications R + CM    £700/annum Volunteers, Local n/a colleges Provide survey methodology and wildlife ID training R    £500/annum YAG of SWT, n/a consultants Continue support for the Friends of Yeovil Country Park Group Organise 6 weekly meetings and book venue R      FOYCP n/a Encourage funding bids from the group R + CM      FOYCP n/a Assist the group in raising its profile R + CM      FOYCP n/a Offer an annual apprenticeship Recruit new apprentice in May, to start in September R + CM      £5000/annum n/a Coordinate training with Kingston Maurwood College R + CM      KMC n/a Complete their NVQ level 2 by June each year R + CM      n/a Train apprentices in job interviews and applications R + CM      n/a

Offer work experience placements R + CM      Local n/a schools/colleges Maintain a presence on the South Somerset Countryside Steering Group Help group to raise profile and expand membership to include more R + CM      SSCSG n/a local stakeholders Involve the private sector in the management and projects of the Country Park Offer 'staff team days' to external organisations R + CM     Local n/a businesses/organi sations Provide corporate sponsorship opportunities linked to development R + CM     Local n/a projects within YCP businesses/organisations Invite local businesses to sit on Steering Group R + CM      Local n/a businesses/organisations Aim 6. Ensure financial and environmental sustainability and meet all legal and other obligations. Carry out annual tree safety and health surveys Implement tree work identified by surveys R      SSDC arb. team Entire site Monitor trees for sings of disease (eg Chalara fraxinea) and follow R      Entire site recommended guidelines Respond to tree safety concerns and reports from the public R + CM      SSDC arb. team Entire site Monitor monthly performance via a balance scorecard CM      n/a Carry out annual risk assessment updates Attend annual risk assessment review meeting with staff in March R + CM      n/a Ensure bylaws are up to date and relevant CM    SSDC legal team n/a Continue to acknowledge existing agreements and licences CM      Relevant n/a organisations Pay Network Rail annual access fee to officialise lack of ownership CM      n/a Continue to develop ways to generate alternative income Consider using donation boxes at appropriate events R + CM      n/a Seek to increase capacity to sell items produced on site R + CM    FOYCP n/a Further promote wood sale service R + CM      n/a Develop and operate café associated with proposed visitor and CM    n/a Dependent on volunteer hub external funding Embed environmental sustainability into all aspects of work Seek to make visitor centre a demonstration project for low impact CM    Contractors NS construction Maintain efficient fuel and resource use R      Entire site 73

Ensure all timber procurement is FSC certified in line with SSDC tree R + CM      SSDC tree officer n/a policy Maximise financial sustainability Continually seek ways to improve operational efficiency e.g. use of in R + CM      n/a house skills Control all noxious weeds like Japanese knotweed and giant R      c. Contractors, Entire site hogweed £2000/annum neighbouring landowners

Appendix

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Yeovil CountryPark

Appendix2

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Ninesprings managementcompartment

Appendix3

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WyndhamHill management compartment

Appendix4

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Summerhousemanagement Hill

compartment

Appendix5

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Penn Hill management

compartment

Appendix6

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RiversideWalk

management

compartment

Appendix 7 – Yeovil Country Park, Routine Maintenance 2014/15 Work Programme

Map Location Task Timescale April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March Ninesprings 1 Lysander Road to Amenity Mowing 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 Play Area 12 x 2 Path Cutting 1m either side of 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 paths 12 x 3 Memorial Amenity mow 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 Arboretum plus strim around trees 12 x 3 Memorial Chemical path Arboretum spraying 4 Meadows Strim off daffodils, once mid June 5 Path and gravel 4 Chemical bed spraying treatments 6 Bank under trees Strimming 3 times 6 Bank behind play Strimming 3 area times 7 Yeo Vale Car Amenity Grass Eight times per year Park to Penn Cut 8x Mill hotel 8 Wyndham Court Strim around Hedge Line Trees 1 x 8 Wyndham Hill Strim around Planting area trees 2x

Map Location Task Timescale April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March Wyndham Hill

Summerhouse Hill 9 Picnic Area Cut and Cut and remove in September remove Penn Hill 10 Penn Hill Park Amenity Twelve times per year Grass cutting 12x 11 Jubilee Chemical Garden weed control 5x 12 Jubilee Shrub Pruning Garden and 3x Maltravers shrub beds 13 Allotment site Cut path Eight times per year through 8x 13 Allotment Site Mow and Once in late July remove arisings x1

Map Location Task Timescale April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March Riverside Walk 14 Path cutting Mow main Eight times per year paths 8x, strim narrower paths 4x Meadows - Ninesprings 15 Mow Meadows Mow Meadow collect and remove grass Sampson’s Wood Strim Yew Tree entrances to Close wood: Plantagenet Chase Cherry Tree Drive Russet Way Ridgemead Coppice close

Appendix 8 – Placement Policy

The following guidelines have been formulated to help staff to decide whether to accept or refuse placements.

Organisations that we currently deal with:

Pupil Referral Unit (Chard and Yeovil) – usually wanting one day week for individuals permanently excluded from school.

Youth Offending Team – needing a week of reparation work for 2 or 3 individuals, come with a team leader.

CHICS Plus Programme – various individual students referred through the programme, usually as under achieving in school.

All Yeovil and Stanchester secondary schools – general 1 or 2 week work experience placements.

Yeovil College – usually 1 day a week for 3 + months as part of conservation course.

Cannington and Kingston Maurward Colleges – long term placements as part of college courses – whether one day a week for 3+ months or full time for 1 – 2 months.

Individuals – for example home tutored students.

It should be noted that the rangers at Ham Hill Country Park run a volunteer team on a Wednesday and in Yeovil Country Park the day is Thursday. It is felt that the ever increasing requests from schools and colleges to take placements could have a detrimental effect upon the dynamic of our volunteer teams. These are currently comprised of adult volunteers, who give up their time to work with the rangers. They do not necessarily expect to be working alongside a group undertaking reparation work, or excluded pupils. Additionally the rangers are not trained social workers and at times the work can be hazardous. We feel that the risks are too high to continue to offer the same number of placements, and we will now not be allowing them on our regular volunteer days.

The team have decided the following:

• We will continue to accept work experience placements from schools for 1 or 2 weeks at a time. The maximum number we will take at any one time is 2 placements. All requests must be directed through the coordinator Natalie Weston. It should be noted that we will give priority to students wishing to work in the countryside, not just individuals that don’t want to go to an office.

• Any Youth Offending Team placements must be accompanied by a team leader and timings and projects must be arranged with the rangers in advance.

• We will not accept individuals from colleges or other organisations on regular weekdays except on the standard volunteer day. The rangers have a busy workload, and most of it is not suitable for un qualified students / volunteers. This must be understood by external organisations.

• For groups like the PRU wishing to bring a team of students for a day or so we will now implement a charge. The charge is £20 per person per half day. This will include a relevant project with a ranger to lead it. Training in use of hand tools, use of SSDC PPE and refreshments. These days will need to be arranged with the site ranger in advance, much like you would organise a school visit.

There are substantial risks in working in the countryside with hand tools. These new guidelines take this into account. Both our Country Park sites are open public access and we need to ensure that both staff and public are safe and that the reputation of South Somerset District Council is not jeopardised.

Bibliography Countryside Council for Wales (1994) Management Planning Handbook. Dietz.C. (2001) Yeovil Country Park Visitor Survey. Unpublished. Parr. C. (2001). Yeovil Country Park Interpretation Scoping Study 2013. Freeman. C. (2002) Yeovil Country Park Management Plan 2002 – 2007. Menday. K. (2007) Yeovil Country Park Management Plan 2008 – 2012. Parsons (1998) A Survey of Invertebrates at Ninesprings. Widden B J. (2000). Survey of Birds at Ninesprings. 85

Widden B J . (2007). Survey of Birds at Riverside Walk. Yeovil Area Group of The Somerset Wildlife Trust (2010) A Survey of Species in Yeovil Country Park. SSDC. (2012) Our Plan – Your Future, SSDC Corporate Plan 2012 – 2015. Strachan. R and Moorhouse, T. (2006). Water vole conservation handbook.

Acknowledgments