January 1, 2017 Westmorland Park Management Plan 2016 - 2026 Westmorland Park Management Plan 2016-2026 (Reviewed 2019) 1 Parks & CountrysideParks& Coun1ryside Service Service 0134401344 354441 354441 [email protected] www.bracknell-fores1.g0v.uk/[email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks January 1, 2017 Westmorland Park Management Plan 2016 - 2026 This Management Plan sets out the key aims, actions and outcomes for Westmorland Park until 2026. It is a Plan for - the local communities, site visitors, organisations that support the site and the important wildlife and landscape value. The plan will highlight the various local sporting facilities used on site for football, tennis and baseball. In addition the grounds are used by various clubs and community groups such as the Bracknell Herons fishing club, Brownies, Forest Schools and local dog walking groups. It will ensure that BFC purposes are being delivered whilst contributing to the aims and Hayley Green Wood objectives of other strategies for the area. 2 Parks & CountrysideParks & Countryside Service Service 0134401344 354441 354441 [email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gcv.uk/[email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks January 1, 2017 Westmorland Park Management Plan 2016 - 2026 Contents Section Page no. 6 1 Context….…………………….. 1.1 Key function 6 1.2 Vision 6 1.3 Purpose of plan 7 1.4 Management aims 8 9 2 Site Overview….……………. 2.1 Location, shape and size 9 2.2 Topography, geology and hydrology 9 2.3 Boundaries, adjacent land and access 9 2.4 Legal and planning framework 12 2.5 Site history 13 2.6 Landscape heritage 13 2.7 Habitats, flora and fauna 14 3 Parks & CountrysideParks & Countryside Service Service 0134401344 354441 354441 [email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gcv.uk/[email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks January 1, 2017 Westmorland Park Management Plan 2016 - 2026 18 3 Resource evaluation….……………. 3.1 Community resource 18 3.2 Recreation facilities 20 3.3 Landscape heritage 21 3.4 Biodiversity value 21 3.5 Green Infrastructure 22 3.6 Interpretation, signage and marketing 23 26 4 Management…………………………. 4.1 Quality standards 26 4.2 Quality criteria 26 4.3 Quality audit 26 4.4 Consultation & monitoring park use 28 4.5 Environmental sustainability 29 4.6 Capital projects 31 4.7 Revenue spend 32 4 Parks & CountrysideParks & Countryside Service Service 0134401344 354441 354441 [email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gcv.uk/[email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks January 1, 2017 Westmorland Park Management Plan 2016 - 2026 4.8 Work Plan 35 36 4.9 Action Plan 57 5 Appendices………………………….……....…. A Site maps 57 B Strategic background 65 C Green Flag Award criteria 71 D Bracknell Forest Council core quality criteria 73 E Site species and habitats 74 F Dog Walkers Code of Conduct leaflet 75 G Veteran Tree guidance 75 H Health and safety advice 76 5 Parks & CountrysideParks & Countryside Service Service 0134401344 354441 354441 [email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gcv.uk/[email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks January 1, 2017 Westmorland Park Management Plan 2016 - 2026 1 Context 1.1 Key function Site Description Westmorland Park is located on the north eastern perimeter of Bracknell New Town and serves as the main local open space for the residents of Whitegrove. The site was established as part of the public open space provision within the Whitegrove Housing Development in 1989 and adopted by BFC in 1999. Westmorland Park benefits from a sloping aspect, irregular shape and a matrix of different habitats including a lake, meadow, amenity grassland,woodland, park trees and shrubs. Together these allow for a higher usage of the site without making it feel over-crowded. These characteristics also add visual character and a high level of biodiversity to the site. Formal recreational facilities include football pitches, baseball diamond, children’s play area and basketball hoop, all-weather tennis courts, open grassland, sports pavilion, car park and a footpath/cycleway network. The tennis courts are targeted for local need and the tennis club is currently managed and led from a community level to encourage ownership. By encouraging the use of these resources, it fulfils a community development function as well as providing a health / sports facility. In 2002 the site was extended by 2.07 hectares with the incorporation of an adjacent area of woodland known as Hayley Green Wood. In 2003 this was designated as a Local Nature Reserve under a Wildspace Grant received from English Nature (now Natural England) / New Opportunities Fund. In 2016 the site was further extended by the addition of the northern section of Edmund’s Lane, which runs to County Lane. The total area of the combined site is now 9.69 hectares. The vision for Westmorland Park draws on existing policy and strategy for green space provision within Bracknell 1.2 Vision for Forest Borough, as summarised in the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy. Bracknell Forest Parks See Appendix B. To provide a sustainably managed, high quality park for the community which is accessible, safe and enjoyable whilst conserving and enhancing its natural and heritage features along with offering appropriate facilities for informal and formal recreation. 6 Parks & CountrysideParks & Countryside Service Service 0134401344 354441 354441 [email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gcv.uk/[email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks January 1, 2017 Westmorland Park Management Plan 2016 - 2026 The purpose of the plan is to guide management and maintenance of Westmorland park for the next 10 years. The 1.3 Purpose of Plan plan will: • Enhance general understanding of the site for rangers, officers, councillors, local residents, visitors, the wider community and other interested parties • Relate management of the site to wider strategies and policy • Set objectives for site management and identify management requirements to achieve these objectives • Prioritise action • Identify and define the monitoring requirements to measure the effectiveness of management • Assess, prioritise and secure resources • Enable communication with the public, organisations and other sites • Provide a base line to use as part of future monitoring and management • Ensure continuity of effective management including opportunities for volunteering… Who is the plan for? The plan is for practical use and reference of: Parks & Countryside staff, contractors, all sporting clubs, volunteer groups such as Warfield Environment Group and Bracknell Conservation Volunteers (BCVs) and other local people who use and enjoy the park. The plan will be reviewed annually but it is intended to cover a 10-year period. 7 Parks & CountrysideParks & Countryside Service Service 0134401344 354441 354441 rangers@bracknel I-forest .gov .u k [email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parksandcountryside www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks January 1, 2017 Westmorland Park Management Plan 2016 - 2026 1.4 Management Aims: See 4.5 Action Plan for management objectives and prescriptions. A To maintain the site as an attractive, clean and safe place. Refer to Green Flag Award® assessment criteria 1, 2 & 3 detailed in Appendix C. B To maintain and enhance the historic landscape character of the park and the features of nature conservation value. Refer to GF criteria 5. C To manage the park in a sustainable way Refer to GF criteria 4. D Coordinated management and maintenance through collaborative working between project partners Refer to GF criteria 6 & 8. E Promote public enjoyment and understanding and community involvement in the park Refer to GF criteria 6. F To survey, monitor and report on the delivery of the management plan aims and objectives Refer to GF criteria 8. 8 Parks & CountrysideParks & Countryside Service Service 0134401344 354441 354441 rangers@bracknel I-forest .gov .u k [email protected] www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parksandcountryside www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks January 1, 2017 Westmorland Park Management Plan 2016 - 2026 2 Site Overview 2.1 Location, shape and size Description: Westmorland Park is a 9.69 hectare park (including Hayley Green Wood at 2.07 hectares), that is located in the Parish of Warfield, in the borough of Bracknell Forest. Address: Westmorland Drive, Warfield, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG42 3QW OS Reference: SU 886 708 A location map can be found in Appendix A. 2.2 Topography, geology and Topography hydrology The land slopes gently westward towards the balancing pond which is owned by Thames Water and was created in the early 1990s when extensive remodelling of the land form took place to achieve the present contours. Geology and soils Westmorland Park lies on London Clay formations of clay, silt and sand. Hydrology Land drains for the recreational pitches were installed as part of the original site implementation works. Further work has been undertaken in 2015 to improve the drainage of the lower football pitch. The balancing pond is designed to flood from time to time. The top of the bank is designed to accommodate the volume of storage required for a 25-year storm. After heavy rain the water level will rise rapidly as the pond fulfils its flood storage role. Hayley Green Wood is very wet in places