Purbeck Forest Design Plan

Plan Name: Purbeck Forest (Rempstone) FOREST ENTERPRISE Application for Forest Design Plan Approvals

Forest District: South Forest District FE Plan Reference Number: NEW 102 Woodland / Property Name: Purbeck Forest FC Geographic Block No: 14 FE Reference Number: NEW 102 Date of Commencement of Plan: 1 August, 2013 Nearest town or village: Approval Period: 1 August, 2013 to 31 July, 2023 (10 years) OS Grid Reference: SY 995 843 (Centre of Site)

Local Authority: Council Summary of Activity within Approval Period:

All areas in hectares I apply for Forest Design Plan approval for the property described above and in the enclosed Forest Design Plan. Activity Conifers Broadleaves Other Heathland Total Open Or Mire Area Space I undertake to obtain any permissions necessary for the implementation of the approved Felling 120 120 Plan.

Restocking 0 0 Signed: Other 120 120 Habitat Restoration Michael Seddon, Deputy Surveyor, New Forest

Date:

Total Plan Area: 563 Ha (excluding 50 hectares of conifer plantation let to ) Approved:………………………...... Conservator

Conservancy: ......

Date: ......

| Purbeck FDP | May 2013 |

Purbeck Forest Design Plan

The woodland is dominated on the podsolic soils by Corsican Pine which occupies 96% of the 5. Purbeck Forest (Rempstone) NEW 102 wooded area. Other pine species make up most of the remainder although some broadleaves are present on the wetter lower lying areas and birch is present throughout the forest where it has naturally regenerated amongst the pine. Location (See Location Map) Open space has been created throughout the forest as a result of ride widening undertaken during previous thinning operations and through the creation of a series of linear fellings Purbeck Forest covers a total area of 612 Ha and is located to the south of Harbour in which were undertaken to define the irregular boundaries of felling coupes designed as part the . However, 50 ha (conifer plantation) is let to Perenco for landscape of the previous Forest Design Plan. In 2012, 101 ha of clear fell sites from the 2003 FDP screening of the adjacent oil facility. The B3351 Corfe Castle to road runs east west remained un-restocked due to political pressure. approximately 2 kilometres to the south of the forest and a number of small country lanes provide access to the forest in a northerly direction from this road. The Wytch Farm oil field The Government Open Habitats Policy and the subsequent Forest Enterprise England Open complex lies within and adjacent to the forest. Access to the forest can also be gained from Habitats implementation plan highlight as the single National Priority Area where an the A351 to the west of Corfe Castle where a road provides access via the Perenco oil extensive and ambitious programme of open habitat restoration from former woodland and installation gathering station. The town of Wareham is located approximately 7 kilometres to forestry will take place to create a resilient and sustainable landscape of open heath, mires, the west and Swanage is located approximately 6 kilometres to the south east. pools and patches of scrub, woodland and forestry” From a South England Forest District perspective, the Purbeck FDP woodlands, and in particular Rempstone, are viewed as the area where the greatest additional commitment to heathland restoration can realistically be Landscape Context focused.

The current proposals aim to restore open habitats across a large proportion of the site, Purbeck Forest lies within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The forest gently aiming towards a 70/30% heathland/woodland split over the next thirty years. The slopes south to north from about 40 metres above sea level to 10 metres above sea level at remaining woodland will be concentrated to the south of the site and will be converted to the northern boundary. External views of the forest are seen from the B3351 to the south of continuous cover which will naturally continue the process of age and species diversification. the forest. These relatively long views mean that the felling can be planned at a bold scale Some areas of Wooded Heath are proposed where trees will be retained until they reach and felling coupes have been designed to complement and fit the large scale context of the physical maturity. This will significantly increase the proportion of trees beyond 60 years of forest. Consideration has been taken of the need to screen the Perenco Wych Farm complex age. although the forest adjacent to the well heads and gathering station are managed by Perenco for screening objectives.

Conservation (See Site Designation Map) Current Woodland Structure (See Habitat Structure and Age Structure Charts) Most of Rempstone Heaths SSSI is located within Purbeck Forest and parts of the SSSI are to be found in the Wytch Heath, Rempstone Heath and Newton Heath forest blocks. The previous Forest Design Plans have begun a process of age class diversification through Godlingstone Heath SSSI is located adjacent to the forest boundary to the south east. felling and replanting. The larger proportion of younger trees (<20 years old) reflects Thrashers Heath and Brenscombe Heath SSSI are located to the south of the forest and replanting as crops from the initial establishment of the forest have reached economic Hartland Moor NNR is located approximately 1.5 kilometres to the west. All these SSSI sites maturity. But the older trees are still relatively even aged, dominated by woodland of form part of the Special Area of Conservations (SAC). The heathland between about 40 to 60 years old. restoration proposals aim to restore large scale landscape connectivity between designed sites.

| Purbeck FDP | May 2013 |

Purbeck Forest Design Plan

Purbeck Forest contains further localised sites of nature conservation interest. These have been developed by local staff and conservation organisations such as Dorset Wildlife Trust and Herpetological Conservation Trust. These include a number of forest rides designated by DWT as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).

Recreation

There are no agreements with the lessor regarding provision for informal public access in Purbeck Forest and therefore public access is limited to the network of bridleways and public footpaths which cross the forest. These rights of way are well used however and informal parking in gateways occurs throughout the forest block.

Archaeology (See Site Designation Map)

There is one Scheduled Ancient Monument in Purbeck Forest, a linear earthwork (Newton Gulley) associated with China Clay production. There are two recorded unscheduled ancient monuments comprising barrows (funerary monuments). An earthwork thought to be a form of ancient enclosure has recently been discovered to the south of Newton Gulley.

The Scheduled Ancient Monument has a current management plan approved by English Heritage. All other unscheduled archaeological features will be afforded protection in accordance with the Forestry and Archaeology guidelines.

| Purbeck FDP | May 2013 |

Purbeck Forest Design Plan

2013 Habitat & Age Structure Statistics Purbeck (Rempstone)

Present Time In 10 Years Time In 20 Years Time (2013) Habitat Type Change Change Area Area Area from from (ha) (ha) (ha) Present Present Predominantly Conifer Woodland 310 236 -74 138 -172 In 10 Years Time Predominantly Broadleaf Woodland11010 Heathland 242 316 74 384 142 Wooded Heath 5 5 0 35 30 Streamsides/Wet Woodland55050 Conifer Woodland Open Water Habitat 00000 Broadleaf Woodland Other Open Space 00000 Mixed Woodland Total Land Area 563 563 0 563 0 Streamsides/Wet Woodland Heathland/Mire Wooded Heath Woodland Structure Other Open Space In 20 Years Time 70 60 50 40 2013

Ha 30 In 20 Years time 20 10 0 0-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 > 80 Age Class (Years)

| Purbeck FDP | May 2013 | South Forest District NEW 102 ± Design Concept Purbeck Forest

Illustrates the main features and broad character of the forest in the long term

Legend Woodland. leased to Perenco . Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) managed according to .! approved SAM Plan /" Unscheduled Ancient Monument - protect during forest operations Cycle route Bridleway Byway open to all traffic Footpath Forest roads Proposed grazing unit /" Grazing unit Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Environment Agency compensatory habitat ( Losses) Continuous cover mixed woodland sustained by thinning and natural i i F i FFFFi i F FiF regeneration to produce a permanent tree cover but at the same FFFFFFF Fi time providing a variety of different age and canopy heights. Continuous cover conifer woodland sustained by thinning and ] ]]]] ] ]] ] ] ] /" ] ] ]]] ] natural regeneration to produce a permanent tree cover but at the ] ]] ]]]] ]] ]]same time providing a variety of different age and canopy heights. Heathland - areas managed and maintained as open heathland. Wooded Heath - areas managed as heathland but with up to 20% tree cover in either isolated groups or individual character trees. Areas ¨ ] have been designated as wooded heath either for landscape purposes ¨]¨ ] ¨ ¨ ¨]¨¨ ] ]¨]¨ or because the area contains a high conifer seed bank that would be difficult to eradicate in the medium to long term and hence meet the criteria for pure heathland. Mire (marsh/bog) habitats that will be kept clear of trees and scrub. Hydrological regimes restored and grazing introduced where practical. Wooded heath retained to help support existing bat populations Streamside corridors that will be managed in accordance with the Forests and Water Guidelines. Let to Perenco

HeathlandHeathland to to be be restored restored by by successive successive tree tree clearance clearance overover next next 20 20 years. years. Heathland to comprise a mosaic of open habitats Heathland to comprise a mosaic of open habitats interspersed with clumps of scattered trees or individual interspersed with clumps of scattered trees or individual character trees where this will enhance the landscape. characterTree cover trees will notwhere exceed this will15% enhance in non-SSSI the landscape. areas Tree cover will not exceed 15% in non-SSSI areas and will be <5% within SSSIs. and will be <5% within SSSIs.

Environment Agency compensatory habitat (Poole Harbour Losses) /"

Allow a screen of mixed woodland to develop along boundary of campsite. This screen will help support existing bat populations.

Approved by:

Deputy Surveyor: Conservator: Date: Date:

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Forestry Commission. 100025498. 2012

0 0.5 1 2 km Map date: 2 May 2013 Forester South Forest District NEW 102 Felling and Habitat Management Purbeck Forest Illustrates timing of felling and management proposals within period of plan

Woodland leased to Perenco . . Legend

! Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) managed according to . approved SAM Plan

Young corsican pine crop susceptible to /" Red Band Needle Blight. If crop starts to fail Unscheduled Ancient Monument - protect during forest operations remove early subject to FDP amendments

a Heathland ride management

a d Sub-Compartments -/CP b -/50 c a Open d AR/BI Compartments 50/50

1404 a b b 36Ha CP CP/- Open 50 1408 /" 99/- Forest roads d 34Ha b d a -/CP Open a CP/- -/58 Maintain character specimens of Scots Pine 51/- e b Environment Agency compensatory habitat (Poole Harbour Losses) c CP/- 51/- CP b 52 c a e CP/- f c -/CP 51/- CP/-/SP -/51 1410 52/-/52 Felling period 2007-2011 a c 30Ha Open b b a f d Open a b c a Open c CP/- c Open Open Felling period 2012-2016 CP/- a 53/- b 50/- 1405 Open e b c CP 33Ha b f 1409 51 33Ha c Felling period 2017-2021 a c /" Open e b SP/- a g d CP -/CP/LP Open 55/- Open 51 c Felling period 2022-2026 -/58/58 b 1411 a 1403 e CP/- 61Ha c CP c f 1402 c 52/- Open 501401 32Ha CP/- Open 41Ha a e 52/- b 50Ha b g Felling period 2027-2031 Open Open Open c a e c d Open e c SP/- CP CP/- b -/CP CP/- b 45/- 52 2001/- Felling period 2032-2036 -/52 51/- CP/- c c a 50/- d b 1406 c CP/- CP CP/- Open b c 52/- a b b a 60 a 43Ha 51/- b e CP c Open b Felling period 2037-2041 2001 Open b e a d b d c Open CP/- f a Felling period 2042-2046 RAP a 62/- e b 1413 e a 62 a CP/- Open CP/- d a 1407 40Ha 52/- CP/SP/- CP/- 30Ha i 66/- 60/00/- c 51/- -/CP/SP CP e -/58/58 e Felling period 2047 & beyond a b 63 SP d f e a 1412 c CP 54 CP/RAP/- CP/- c a ]] ] ]]] ] 2001 58/58/- 44Ha ] ]] ]] 58/- d ] ]]]] ]]] a b ] ]] Manage for continuous cover of conifer using a uniform or group Open ] ] ]]] ]] ]] ] shelterwood system to promote natural regeneration. f ] ] ]] ] a b ] ]] ] ] ] SP/ROK c ]] ] i c Open 57/57 Open F FF g F a b a f ] ] F Manage for continuous cover of mixed woodland using a uniform d LP/-/SP/~ Open Open F]FFF 58/-/58/~ b F] CP/- a F FF shelterwood system to promote natural regeneration. f 54/- F ] F CP/- h 1415 b 53/- F F F Open 24Ha F F Manage for continuous cover of broadleaves using a uniform a FF FF F CP/- f F F shelterwood system to promote natural regeneration. Any c -/CP F f 52/- F F F Open -/52 CP/- F F F remaining conifers to be removed through phased thinning treatments. j d F F 52/- F Open b J J J d e Open J J Mire (Bog/Marsh) - Remove/keep clear of trees/scrub. Restore Open SP/- J JJ 52/- J J a J hydrological system using drain blocking and bedlevel raising where CP/- d J Open J e 56/- JJ required. Graze where possible. Unhealthy stands LP/-/SP f JJJ J 57/-/57 LP/- c 56/- Streamside Corridors – Manage in accordance with Remove prior to economic maturity a f 1416e the Forests and Water Guidelines to save remaining timber value c Open f 29Ha CP/XC/LC/~ b Text. a 56/56/56/~ a

f g Grassland a Open a f

k Heathland - Restore and maintain heathland using traditional heathland Open management techniques where possible including grazing, controlled e f burning, bracken control and gorse swiping.

e ¨] b ]¨ ¨ CP/LP/- ] ] ¨ Heavily thin to produce heathland flora by retaining wide, irregularly 91/91/- ¨ a ] ] ¨]¨¨ ] Open 1414 ¨ ¨ ] ] spaced groups and individual character trees ¨ ] 54Ha /" Agricultural Land managed by tenancy agreement

Managed by Perenco

Felled areas to be restocked by planting or natural regeneration or left to revert to open habitat

Car park / buildings

Approved by:

Deputy Surveyor: Conservator: Date: Date:

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Forestry Commission. 100025498. 2012

0 0.5 1 2 km Map date: 2 May 2013

ManagementRestockSecond Rotation South Forest District NEW 102 ± Restocking Plan Purbeck Forest

Indicative of the structure of the woodlands at the end of the plan period

Legend Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) managed according to .! approved SAM Plan

/" Unscheduled Ancient Monument - protect during forest operations

Forest roads i i F FFFFFFF F F i iF F FFFFFFiiFF i i Natural regeneration of mixed woodland F F i F FFFFFFFi] ii ]F ] ]] ] ]] ] ]] ] ]] ] ]]] ]] ]] ] ]] ]]]] Natural regeneration of conifer woodland ] J] ] J JJJJJ] J /" JJJJ J JJ Mire ¨ J] ¨] JJ J] J]J ¨] ] ] ¨¨¨ ¨¨¨ ]]¨]]¨ Wooded heath ¨ ¨ ¨ ]¨ ¨ ¨ Heathland

Streamside restoration

/" Managed by Perenco

Note: Restock maps indicate the likely dominant species type within a coupe. In reality, coupes may contain a mixture of different species / components. In order to adapt to climate change and provide a degree of protection against disease, coupes will be restocked with /" a suitable species mix suited to local site conditions.

Due to the uncertain position with Red Band Needle Blight, and the current FC moratorium on replanting Corsican Pine, no restocking will take place using Corsican Pine.

Approved by:

Deputy Surveyor: Conservator: Date: Date:

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Forestry Commission. 100025498. 2012

0 0.5 1 2 km Map date: 2 May 2013