Richmond Swale Valley Community Initiative WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PLAN AND HABITAT STUDY Final Report March 2008 CHRIS BLANDFORD ASSOCIATES Environment Landscape Planning CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 2.0 HISTORICAL WOODLAND DEVELOPMENT 8 3.0 HABITAT STUDY 11 4.0 KEY VIEWS 28 5.0 STRATEGIC WOODLAND AND TREE MANAGEMENT PLAN 39 6.0 COMMUNITY ACCESS AND ENGAGEMENT PROPOSALS 69 7.0 IMPLEMENTATION 83 FIGURES Figure 2 – Historical Woodland Development Figure 3 – Phase 1 Habitat Map Figure 4 – Woodland Locations and National Vegetation Classification Communities Figure 5 – Views (Location and Condition) Figure 6 - Woodland Management Proposals Figure 7 – Community Access Proposals (Including Nature Trail) Figure 8 – Trim Track Figure 9 – Woodland Sculptures APPENDICES Appendix I – Woodland Evaluation Criteria Appendix 2 – Table 1 DAFOR woodland species abundance Appendix 3 – Table 2 Woodland features Appendix 4 – Woodland SSSI and SNCI citations Appendix 5 – Non-native tree species Appendix 6 – Woodland species for planting 11106101R_RSVCI Wood Man Hab Final Report_ RB-SL-SdV_03-08 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Richmond and the Swale Valley 1.1.1 Richmond lies beside the River Swale in the Pennine Dales Fringe area of North Yorkshire and is rich in heritage. The historic core of the town contains many fine townscapes and buildings, such as the Market Place, 11th century castle and restored Theatre Royal. 1.1.2 The landscape around Richmond is diverse and rural in character, with the dramatic Swale Valley perhaps the most prominent feature of the area. It also features notable historical sites, such as Easby Abbey. 1.1.3 The countryside includes important wildlife resources, including three Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and a number of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). The River Swale itself is relatively unmodified, highly dynamic, and considered to be one of the fastest flowing rivers in England. The area is rich in woodland, particularly on the steep and rocky slopes of the Swale Valley, and this represents a valuable resource in terms of nature conservation, landscape and recreation. 1.2 Richmond Swale Valley Initiative 1.2.1 The Richmond Swale Valley Initiative (RSVI) was formed to develop a strategic framework for the sustainable economic, social and environmental use of Richmond and the Swale Valley. The objectives of the RSVI are to: • Guide the future development of Richmond by encouraging environmentally sustainable management and strengthening employment opportunities; • Highlight features of heritage significance to place the town and its surrounding countryside in an environmental and historical context; • Identify opportunities for integrated landscape enhancement; • Identify ways to promote future development, including increased community and visitor access, enjoyment and understanding; • Explore sources of grant aid and possibilities for economic and social development, including potential tourist attractions; 11106101R_RSVCI Wood Man Hab _Final Report_RB-SL-SdV_03-08 2 • Develop a holistic approach to management; and • Provide a framework that supports the social, economic and cultural regeneration of the Richmond and Swale Valley area. 1.2.2 With the involvement of key partners and stakeholders, this led to the production in 2003 of the RSVI Strategic Framework1, which analysed the issues relating to the objectives outlined above, and set out a strategy for the future, including a costed and prioritised action plan. 1.2.3 The strategy identified ancient semi-natural woodland as a key ecological asset in the Richmond and Swale valley area. It recommended that the existing resource be safeguarded and enhanced by positive management and encouraging public access. It was suggested that increased public engagement would foster greater enjoyment and awareness of and sensitivity for the landscape, habitats and species of the area, and could include guided walks, educational activities and volunteering. 1.2.4 The strategy also identified a number of important views of the town, and highlighted the loss, or reduction in the quality of views as an issue that needed to be addressed with appropriate management measures. 1.2.5 Variable standards of path provision and quality were noted as an issue affecting access to the area, and it was proposed that opportunities be sought for joining up parts of the existing rights of way system to create an integrated and coherent network. It also suggested promoting the local path network as an attraction in its own right. 1.2.6 The Richmond Swale Valley Community Initiative (RSVCI) was established with the aim of promoting the RSVI Strategic Framework. 1.3 Woodland Management Plan and Habitat Study 1.3.1 The brief for the Woodland Management Plan and Habitat Study follows from these conclusions of the Strategic Framework, and aims to implement its recommendations. As one of the most abundant semi-natural habitats in the 1 Chris Blandford Associates, 2003. Richmond Swale Valley Initiative Strategic Framework. 11106101R_RSVCI Wood Man Hab _Final Report_RB-SL-SdV_03-08 3 Richmond and Swale Valley area woodland is of great importance in terms of landscape, nature conservation and recreation. Aims and Objectives 1.3.2 The overall aim of the project is to maximise the potential benefits from the tree and woodland resource in the area, in terms of nature conservation, public access and engagement, and to address any issues that currently limit the delivery of those benefits. 1.3.3 The strategic aims of the study are to: • provide robust and practical guidance for the conservation and celebration of the cultural associations of the study area; • to identify opportunities to help encourage people to access and improve their understanding of local woodland husbandry and industry; and • identify opportunities for improving visual access to the area as a whole through the restoration of important and historic views. 1.3.4 The objectives of the study are to: • research and assess the development of woodland and tree-scape within the study area, including historic views; • assess the current condition of woodland and tree-scape within the study area; • to survey and catalogue wildlife species and woodland habitat; and • to propose a strategic management plan for the future conservation, enhancement and management of woodland, tree-scape, and trees in the urban area, to ensure that wildlife is protected, biodiversity increased and historic views are restored and maintained. 1.3.5 The study also sought to offer recommendations on: • the route of a Nature Trail starting from the Round Howe car park, and appropriate levels and forms of interpretation; • measures to develop an integrated network of multi-purpose access routes and linkages, the ‘Community Pathway’; 11106101R_RSVCI Wood Man Hab _Final Report_RB-SL-SdV_03-08 4 • potential sites for a Trim Track; and • potential sites for woodland sculptures. 1.3.6 The plan will contain work programmes for the first five and subsequent years, and proposals for monitoring and review. Study Process 1.3.7 In summary, the study comprised five stages: Stage 1 – Inception and definition of the scope of the study. Stage 2 – Desk study review (including collection and examination of relevant documents). Stage 3 – Surveys (including Phase 1 Habitat and Woodland surveys, and site visits in relation to public access and engagement). Stage 4 – Evaluation (of existing tree and woodland resource, and of opportunities and constraints in terms of woodland management, and public access and engagement). Stage 5 – Advice and Recommendations (in relation to woodland management and public access and engagement). 1.3.8 An interim study report was prepared for consultation with stakeholders and the local community. Feedback from this consultation has been incorporated into this final report as appropriate. Location of study 1.3.9 The location of the study is shown in Figure 1. However, effort was concentrated on the Swale valley corridor between Lownethwaite Bridge and Easby Abbey, including the historic centre of Richmond. Woodland is concentrated in this area, as are most of the important and historic views. It is also the focus of the majority of recreational and visitor activity in the area, and therefore offers the greatest opportunities for positive change in regard to nature conservation, restoration of views and public access and recreation. 11106101R_RSVCI Wood Man Hab _Final Report_RB-SL-SdV_03-08 5 1.3.10 Areas outside the Swale valley corridor were also investigated with regard to particular elements of the project, such as the ‘Community Pathway’, the Trim Track and the development of a new ‘Community Woodland’ around the Gallowfields Trading Estate, to the north of the town. Figure 1 Location of the study 1.3.11 Although the area(s) outlined above were the main focus of the study, the wider context of the area, in relation to the extent and distribution of woodland, nature conservation and access routes, was also taken into consideration. Relationship to other Plans and Strategies 1.3.12 A number of existing plans and strategies relevant to the development of the Woodland Management Plan and Habitat Study were examined, including those described below. Their aims, objectives and recommendations were taken into consideration during the conduct of the study and in the development of its proposals. 11106101R_RSVCI Wood Man Hab _Final Report_RB-SL-SdV_03-08 6 RSVI Strategic Framework – the Woodland Management Plan and Habitat Study follows from, and aims to deliver on a number of the recommendations of this document, as outlined above. Richmond Community Strategy and Action Plan2 - aims to improve quality of life in Richmondshire District and identifies priorities for action in relation to economic development, health, environment and the delivery of services. Yorkshire Dales3 and Richmondshire4 Biodiversity Action Plans- provide a structure for action to conserve habitats and species in the area. Yorkshire Dales National Park Action Plan5 – sets out a vision for the future of the National Park in terms of its the conservation of its landscapes and wildlife and the promotion of its understanding and enjoyment.