BIFFA WASTE SERVICES ATTLEBRIDGE LANDFILL SITE REEPHAM ROAD, ATTLEBRIDGE, NORFOLK RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PLAN October 2016 bright & associates landscape and environmental consultants CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1 1.1. PREFACE ................................................................................................... 1 1.2. APPOINTMENT AND SCOPE OF WORK ................................................... 1 1.3. DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................. 2 2. CURRENT SITE SITUATION ........................................................... 3 2.1. SITE REVIEW (AUGUST 2016) .................................................................. 3 2.2. AREAS 1 TO 11 .......................................................................................... 3 3. FUTURE RESTORATION MANAGEMENT ..................................... 4 DRAWINGS Drawing No. AT1073-D1v2, (Computer Ref. A5039001), Current Situation (2016) and Direct Management Actions APPENDICES Appendix 1 Modifications to the Approved Restoration Scheme and Submission of Restoration Management Plan, prepared by Bright & Associates for Biffa Waste Services, December 2012 Biffa Waste Services Attlebridge Landfill Site, Norfolk, Restoration Management Plan (dated October 2016) 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. PREFACE 1.1.1. Attlebridge Landfill (the Site) is located c.2.5km north-west of the village of Taverham in Norfolk and is operated by Biffa Waste Services (the Client). 1.1.2. In December 2012, Bright & Associates (B&A) produced a report of behalf of the Client, ‘Modifications to the Approved Restoration Scheme and Submission of Restoration Management Plan’ which is referred to henceforth as the 2012 Restoration Management Plan (see Appendix 1).1 It dealt with matters relating to the Site including an amendment to the restoration design.2 1.2. APPOINTMENT AND SCOPE OF WORK 1.2.1. At the request of the Client, B&A conducted a Site review in August 2016 and have updated the approved restoration management plan, namely Drawing No. AT939-D3v4 (Computer ref. A5039200) (dated November 2012) to comply with the Schedule under paragraph 1.1 of the Section 106 agreement which requires: ‘… a revised scheme for the ongoing maintenance, management and monitoring of the Land for the approval of the County Council such scheme to include: Provision for the restoration to heathland and grass heath in accordance with the restoration plan submitted as part of the Application under reference number AT939-D3v4 and dated November 2012 or such other plan as is approved and agreed by the County Council’.3 1.2.2. The resultant plan, Drawing No. AT1073-D1v2, (Computer Ref. A5039001), Current Situation (2016) and Direct Management Actions is supported by the following report which consists of: Section 2 (Current Site Situation) summarises the present situation noting any major changes which have occurred since the 2012 Restoration Management Plan in terms of specific Areas of the Site; and Section 3 (Future Restoration Management) presents the supplementary aftercare details which have been prepared by B&A. It takes account of the current Site situation and restoration works completed to date since the Planning Consent was issued. 1 Modifications to the Approved Restoration Scheme and Submission of Restoration Management Plan, prepared by Bright & Associates for Biffa Waste Services, December 2012 2 Section 1 Introduction, Sub-section 1.2. Planning Consent, paragraph 1.2.1, page 2 3 Agreement Under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 relating to Landfill Site at Deighton Hills Shooting Ground, Attlebridge, Norfolk, Norfolk County Council, page 9 Bright & Associates Page AT1073, October 2016 1 Biffa Waste Services Attlebridge Landfill Site, Norfolk, Restoration Management Plan (dated October 2016) 1.2.3. This report bases much of the detail on the 2012 Restoration Management Plan and as stipulated under Condition 2 of Planning Consent, Reference C/5/2012/5008 (dated 10 April 2015); which constitute the Approved Details for the Site. 1.2.4. With respect to the 2012 Restoration Management Plan, it should be noted that the broad management aims and objectives for the Site, together with the establishment of specific species and habitats, has not fundamentally altered. 1.3. DEFINITIONS 1.3.1. The 2012 Restoration Management Plan concerns the ‘Modifications to the Approved Restoration Scheme and Submission of Restoration Management Plan’ which is included in Appendix 1 for reference. 1.3.2. Drawing No. AT1073-D1v2, (Computer Ref. A5039001) refers to Drawing No. AT1073-D1v2, (Computer Ref. A5039001), Current Situation (2016) and Direct Management Actions. 1.3.3. The Site applies to the Planning boundary (red line) shown on Drawing No. AT1073-D1v2, (Computer Ref. A5039001). 1.3.4. Area 1, 2 etc. specifies a part of the Site listed in Table 1 Future Restoration Management, Areas 1 to 11 (2016-2018) and identified on Drawing No. AT1073-D1v2, (Computer Ref. A5039001). Bright & Associates Page AT1073, October 2016 2 Biffa Waste Services Attlebridge Landfill Site, Norfolk, Restoration Management Plan (dated October 2016) 2. CURRENT SITE SITUATION 2.1. SITE REVIEW (AUGUST 2016) 2.1.1. A Site review was conducted by B&A in August 2016 and the following is of note: Restoration work has taken place on Site with Area 8 being restored by completing capping and soil placement. Subsequently, this Area has been established with grassland; Tree planting has taken place in Areas 10 and 11; Heathland areas have become more established (in area extent); and Tree and shrub regeneration has increased in places within the Site. 2.2. AREAS 1 TO 11 2.2.1. The direct management actions presented in Table 1 Future Restoration Management, Areas 1 to 11 (2016-2018) constitute the medium-term actions outlined in the 2012 Restoration Management Plan. The Area numbers correlate to those in the 2012 Management Plan, albeit with a minor adjustment to Areas 9 and 10, together with an additional new Area (No.11) which reflects the current Site situation and landuses observed during the Site review. Works are proposed broadly over 2017 and 2018 to facilitate the management objectives set out in this report. 2.2.2. The underlying approach with recognition to approved restoration management plan, Drawing No. AT939-D3v4 (Computer Ref. A5039200) and Drawing No. AT1073-D1v2 (Computer Ref. A5039001); is as follows: Development of heathland and mixed scrub in Areas 1, 3, 4 and 6; Development of improved grassland in Areas 2 and 8; Development of a sandy substrate grassland in Area 5; and Proposed planting in Areas 10 and 11. 2.2.3. The long term proposal to allow public access as indicated by Drawing No. AT939-D3v4 (Computer Ref. A5039200) remains current and valid, however, this will only take place upon removal of Site infrastructure. Bright & Associates Page AT1073, October 2016 3 Biffa Waste Services Attlebridge Landfill Site, Norfolk, Restoration Management Plan (dated October 2016) 3. FUTURE RESTORATION MANAGEMENT 3.1.1. Having completed the Site Review (August 2016) and noted the findings, Table 1 summarises the broad restoration aims, management approach and direct management actions for 2017 and 2018 for each Area (1 to 11). An example photograph is provided for illustrative purposes. 3.1.2. Generally, this concerns the control of weeds, containment of scrub regeneration where it occurs (at the expense of reducing heathland) and ongoing heathland regeneration works where some further active input is required to ‘assist’ or facilitate the process of natural regeneration. Clearance work and weed control are more noticeable actions. Once the heathland is harvested and seeded from Area 3 and 4 into Area 1, the results (success or otherwise) of this process are likely to extend further into the longer-term management process. 3.1.3. Reference should be made to Drawing No. AT1073-D1v2, (Computer Ref. A5039001). 3.1.4. Longer term management actions proposed as part of this report, will include a Site review in 2020 and 2025. This will identify the process of maintenance and future action tasks which will enable habitats to be sustained or altered accordingly. Bright & Associates Page AT1073, October 2016 4 Biffa Waste Services Attlebridge Landfill Site, Norfolk, Restoration Management Plan (dated October 2016) Table 1: Future Restoration Management, Areas 1 to 11 (2016- 2018) AREA 1 Broad restoration aim: The long-term restoration aim is to establish heathland within areas that are currently open and not established with scrub such as Gorse, Willow and some Birch. Currently a small area in the centre of the Site is beginning to exhibit positive heathland regeneration. Management Example photograph Direct management approach actions Retain current 2017 & 2018 proportion of open Cut back ground by cutting encroaching Willow back Gorse, Birch and Birch. Cut to and Willow scrub ground level, dispose along line of cuttings by illustrated. shredding, leave in piles on Site. Prevent Gorse and 2017 & 2018 Birch regeneration. Hand pulling (small regen trees) or cutting back. Shred cuttings and leave on Site. Retain rabbit 2017 grazed Gorse. Allow Gorse growth and rabbit graze but cut back extended growth. Instigate mole Winter 2016/Spring control. 2017 Mole control. Bright & Associates Page AT1073, October 2016 5 Biffa Waste Services Attlebridge Landfill Site, Norfolk, Restoration Management