Oswestry Racecourse Countryside Heritage Site Shaun Burkey Country Parks and Heritage Sites Officer Ownership & Management Designations - Area of Registered Common Land. - Wildlife Site in the 1999 Local Plan. Location and Ownership - North Common is in the parish of Selattyn and Gobowen and is owned by Glyn & Brogyntyn Estates. - South Common is in the parish of Oswestry Rural and is owned by Powis Castle Estate. Management Shropshire Council have responsibility for the management of common land and work closely with the Oswestry Racecourse Management Committee (ORMA) Made up of local residents and graziers, ORMA have acted as the eyes and ears of the site and in recent years have set up active work parties and recently reviewed the management plan which runs from 2014 – 2024. Finances Higher Level Stewardship Scheme Agreement between Shropshire Council and DEFRA, covering the heathland restoration and management, which ends in 2019 but will be renewed. HLS grant - £2K per annum. Shropshire Council capital spend per annum. 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 £6583.00 £5029.00 £6334.00 £6576.00 Conservation & Heritage Lowland heath restoration Remnants of heathland species such as heather and bilberry. Aim- eradicate bracken cover and control scrub encroachment onto heathland. Species rich wildflower meadows Maintain cutting regime around figure of 8 and the bandstand – collection of arisings and dumped on site. Aim – monitor species diversity. Treescape and veteran rowan cluster. Provides food and shelter for a number of species. The numerous veteran rowan trees are a feature in their own right, their close proximity to each other enhances biodiversity value. Aim – clear self set trees from around remnant heather and bilberry stands. Retain rowans and mature trees. Continue to manage tree safety. Old Racecourse Circuit. Racetrack – Started in 1680, made up of Cumberland turfs and improved by prisoners of war in the Napoleonic wars. Aim – Interpretation and long term protection of historic features. Grandstand ruins 1954 Ponds Two ponds, north and south common. Notable species – Great Crested Newt. Aim – maintain a healthy pond by intervention to limit tree growth around pond and rotational dredging to retain open water. Ensure ponds are protected from pollution. Aerial Photography Questions.