Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve Management Plan 2008 - 2013 Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve Management Plan 2008 – 2013 Contents 1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................9 2 Background............................................................................................................9 3 Site Description and Importance.........................................................................10 3.1 Topography, Geology and Water......................................................................... 12 4 Site History...........................................................................................................12 5 Management Group Organisational Structure ..................................................16 6 Contacts at the Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve ...................18 7 Location and Directions ......................................................................................20 7.1 Location.................................................................................................................. 20 7.2 Directions ............................................................................................................... 23 7.3 Ownership .............................................................................................................. 24 8 Finances...............................................................................................................24 8.1 Three Rivers District Council Funding and Grants........................................... 24 8.1.1 Countryside Stewardship Scheme.............................................................................24 8.2 Licences within Chorleywood House Estate ....................................................... 25 9 Byelaws.................................................................................................................26 10 Surveys..............................................................................................................26 10.1 Bat Surveys ............................................................................................................ 26 10.2 Moth Survey (2008) ............................................................................................... 26 10.3 Wildflower Survey (2008) ..................................................................................... 26 10.4 Lichens (2004)........................................................................................................ 27 10.5 Birds (2003 and 2010)............................................................................................ 27 10.6 Veteran Trees (2002) ............................................................................................. 27 10.7 Butterflies (2009 - 2011) ........................................................................................ 27 10.8 Dragonflies and Damselflies (2010)...................................................................... 28 11 Healthy, Safe and Secure.................................................................................28 11.1 Healthy Living and Physical Activity .................................................................. 28 11.2 Perception of Safety............................................................................................... 28 11.2.1 Crime Statistics...........................................................................................................29 11.3 Staff Presence......................................................................................................... 29 11.4 Control of Dogs...................................................................................................... 30 11.5 Risk Assessments and Health and Safety ............................................................ 31 2 11.6 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)............................................................................................................ 32 11.7 Health and Safety – Reporting, Reviewing and Monitoring.............................. 34 12 Equipment, Building and Landscape..............................................................34 12.1 Grounds.................................................................................................................. 34 12.1.1 Community Involvement and Maintenance.............................................................35 12.2 Buildings................................................................................................................. 35 12.2.1 Disability Discrimination Act....................................................................................35 12.2.2 Building Policies – Maintenance and Refurbishment .............................................35 12.3 Equipment.............................................................................................................. 37 12.3.1 Maintenance and Provision of Equipment and Safety Equipment........................37 12.4 General ................................................................................................................... 38 12.4.1 Maintenance is of a high standard............................................................................38 12.4.2 Programmed Maintenance of Equipment................................................................38 12.4.3 Inspection Regimes.....................................................................................................38 13 Litter, Cleanliness, Vandalism, Waste and Recycling ....................................41 13.1 Policies and Methods for gathering evidence relating to dog mess, flytipping and vandalism.................................................................................................................... 41 13.2 Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994................................................................................................................ 42 14 Environmental Management and Sustainability............................................42 14.1 Environmental Management Systems ................................................................. 43 14.2 Pesticide Use........................................................................................................... 43 14.3 Peat Use .................................................................................................................. 45 14.4 Resource Conservation and Pollution Reduction............................................... 45 14.5 Energy Efficiency................................................................................................... 46 14.5.1 Vehicles........................................................................................................................46 14.6 Water Efficiency.................................................................................................... 46 14.7 Reduce, Reuse and Recycle................................................................................... 47 15 Conservation of Nature....................................................................................47 15.1 Habitat Action Plan Background......................................................................... 47 15.2 Key to Habitat Action Plans ................................................................................. 48 15.3 Habitat Action Plan – Year One .......................................................................... 49 15.4 Habitat Action Plan – Year Two.......................................................................... 50 15.5 Habitat Action Plan – Year Three ....................................................................... 51 15.6 Habitat Action Plan – Year Four......................................................................... 52 15.7 Habitat Action Plan – Year Five .......................................................................... 53 15.8 Grounds Maintenance Contract Actions for Chorleywood House Estate........ 54 15.9 Conservation of Heritage...................................................................................... 54 15.10 Capital Works.................................................................................................... 54 15.10.1 2011/12.........................................................................................................................54 3 15.11 Habitat Action Plan Specifications .................................................................. 55 15.11.1 Grassland Management.............................................................................................55 15.11.2 Grazing........................................................................................................................55 15.11.3 Meadow Seeding.........................................................................................................56 15.11.4 Woodland Management.............................................................................................56 15.11.5 Chestnut Avenue ........................................................................................................59 15.11.6 Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort Control...............................................................59 15.11.7 Replacement of Failed Transplants and Bramble Removal (‘Beating Up’)..........59 15.11.8 Coppice........................................................................................................................59