Castle Ring A Large Multivallate Iron Age Hill Fort Scheduled Ancient Monument and Site of Biological Interest. Cannock Chase Council 2018 - 2028 2004-2005 Crime and Disorder Partnerships 2005-2006 Healthy Communities 2006-2007 Transforming the Delivery of Services Through Partnerships Page 1 of 74 Contents 1. Vision Statement & Executive Summary 3 1.1 Vision Statement 3 1.2 Executive Summary 3 2. Policy Statements 7 3. General Description 12 3.1 General Information 12 3.1.1 Brief History of the Site 12 3.1.2 Site Location & Boundaries 16 3.1.3 Tenure 18 3.1.4 Management Structure 20 3.1.5 Site Infrastructure 20 3.1.6 Map Coverage 22 3.1.7 Photographic Coverage 22 3.1.8 Site SWOT Analysis 23 3.2 Zones 25 3.3 Environmental Information 29 3.3.1 Physical 29 3.3.2 Biological 32 3.3.2.1 Habitats/Flora 32 3.3.2.2 Fauna 41 3.4 Cultural 47 3.4.1 Archaeology 47 3.4.2 Past Land Use 49 3.4.3 Present Land Use 51 3.4.4 Past Management for Nature Conservation 51 3.4.5 Past Status of the Site 52 3.4.6 Present Legal Status of Site 52 3.5 People-Stakeholders, Local Communities etc. 53 3.5.1 Stakeholders, Tourism and Access 53 3.5.2 Interpretation Provision 57 3.5.3 Education and Research Usage 58 3.6 Landscape 59 3.7 Management Objectives 61 3.7.1 Archaeology 61 3.7.2 Nature Conservation 61 3.7.3 Stakeholders 62 3.7.4 Access and Tourism 66 3.7.5 Interpretation 66 3.7.6 Landscape 66 3.7.7 Operational 66 3.8 Project Recording 67 3.9 Action Plan 67 Bibliography 69 List of Figures 72 List of Photos & Illustrations 72 List of abbreviations 73 Appendices 74 1. Archaeological Features of Interest 1.1 Identification and Recognition of Archaeological Features 1.2 Archaeological Conservation Objectives 1.3 Archaeological Conservation Status and Rationale 2. Nature Conservation Features of Interest 1.1 Identification and recognition of Conservation Features 1.2 Nature Conservation Objectives Page 1 of 74 1.3 Conservation Status and Rationale 3. Stakeholders 1.1 Evaluation 1.2 Objectives for Stakeholders 1.3 Status and Rationale 4. Access and Tourism 1.1 Evaluation 1.2 Objectives for Access and Tourism 1.3 Status and Rationale 5. Interpretation 1.1 Evaluation 1.2 Site Specific Interpretation Policy 1.3 Performance Indicators and Monitoring 6. Operational Objectives 1.1 Operational Objectives 1.2 Rationale 1.3 Management Projects 7. Action Plan(s) Page 2 of 74 Chapter 1. Vision Statement & Executive Summary 1.1 Vision Statement The strong physical form of the ancient banks and ditches, open character and commanding views northwards over Cannock Chase make Castle Ring a prominent (major) feature within the landscape and history of Cannock Chase. This character and form create a range of valuable habitats within, which support a diverse range of plants and wildlife characteristic of the Chase. These important archaeological and wildlife features and access to them will be managed in a sensitive manner to provide a site which gives people an enjoyable and peaceful visit engendering an idea of the original and ancient feel of Cannock Chase and also to enhance their understanding and knowledge of the unique site and its features. 1.2 Executive Summary Castle Ring is a large multivallate Iron Age Hill fort around 2,500 years old located to the North of the village of Cannock Wood, Staffordshire on the South Eastern edge of Cannock Chase. It is situated on a sloping ridgeline forming the highest point within the Chase at 235 metres, which would give it commanding views over the surrounding landscape. Today this aspect is greatly reduced by adjacent forestry. The importance of the archaeological nature of the site is recognised in its designation as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM). This legal status strongly determines activities on the site. Within the site are to be found the remains of the footings of a 12th Century Medieval Hunting Lodge increasing the archaeological interest of the site. Page 3 of 74 View from Ancient Entrance South West across Castle Ring The landscape and use of the site has only changed dramatically in the last 100 or so years. Up to this period there would have been an open landscape, with small areas of woodland, which would generally have been farmed until the land became a Royal Hunting ground and eventually a Deer Park. The biggest change affecting the site and its setting was the planting of coniferous plantations around the site after the First World War. As this grew it altered the nature and character of the site, later the maturing pine trees provided a mass seed source leading to the near colonisation of the whole site with trees by the late 1990’s The nature of the site has lead to a wide variety of habitats, many reflective of those on Cannock Chase which have been greatly influenced by the sites local conditions creating many small but distinct habitats from sphagnum bog, acidic grassland to heathland. This variety provides home to a range of birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Some species common others quite rare, adders and black darter (a dragonfly) are the most notable species that have recently been recorded. The site’s wildlife value, in the form of grassland and bog habitats with associated reptiles, plants and insects, is remarkably characteristic of the Page 4 of 74 Cannock Chase area and because of this the site is listed as a Site of Biological Importance (SBI) These habitats are fragile and easily damaged through pressures for access and disturbance. Some habitats conflict with the protection of other species or features. The black darter relies on the open water of the small flooded areas within ditches between the embankments. These water areas are in a transitional state to sphagnum bog, which are a European protected habitat type. In order to protect one the other would be lost. Given the higher status of the Bog habitat proposals have been made to create other pool areas close by where the insects can easily migrate to. The site is a Common and also classified as Open Access land, which potentially conflicts with the protection of the SAM. Added to this are the legally defined footpaths and a bridleway that dissect or bound the site so drawing in more users. The potential for high levels of access is great and at peak times, weekends and holidays there is often a mass of visitors on the site or just using it as a gateway to other activities on the Chase. The level of access affects impacts not only on the erosion of the site but also the habitat value. Ground nesting birds are rare despite the good open habitat, due to the amount of uncontrolled dog walking on the site. This activity also impacts on the vegetation through nitrification, currently this is generally confined to path edges resulting in a more diverse flora and fauna however, it could easily become a major ecological issue. Visitors tend and are encouraged to keep to the main tracks around the site and also the path around the inner rampart in order to protect the SAM, resulting in heavy use and higher levels of erosion of these. The nature of the site including ramparts and ditches, steep slopes, eroded and loose surfaces makes disabled access extremely difficult if not impossible. Improvements to access have been looked at closely and in association with other site issues especially trespass and security of the adjacent Beaudesert Scout Camp Site. This has culminated in proposals for creating a new path link along the East and South but outside the site boundary, resurfacing of existing paths and even installation of a slim line Page 5 of 74 bridge. These have been developed with the Beaudesert Trust and form part of their own site management plan, which it the subject of a Heritage Lottery bid. Care and protection of the site both for its archaeological and habitat value is essential. Warning or restrictive notices would have little effect, look out of place and often are quickly damaged. Education through interpretation is the key for all stakeholders. The amount of onsite interpretation is limited although there is more electronic information on Cannock Chase Councils (CCC) Website. Production of site specific leaflets and greater on site interpretation is to be carried out. However, this has to be located carefully so as not to be detrimental to the nature and character of the site. Balancing all these specific site and legal requirements as well as users wants and aspirations is a complex task. The Management Plan through careful analysis sets out clear aims and policies that will ensure the Vision for the site is realised The Action Plan is both achievable and realistic and works planned are phased over the next ten years. This plan will be flexible to incorporate any new Government guidelines, initiatives or opportunities for funding as they arise. Page 6 of 74 Chapter 2.Policy Statements This chapter refers to policies that have relevance to the archaeology, wildlife and general management of the site. There are a number of policies and legal constraints to managing the site such as it’s designation as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, it’s legal status as common land, its management under the Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Environmental Stewardship (ES) scheme and its designation as a Site of Biological Importance.