Felling licences and higher level stewardship

[elicokiz]

Hi Folks has anyone any experience dealing with the higher level stewardship scheme[HLS]?I am trying to get my head around a job ive been asked to look at, it concerns a field which has been included within a HLS.

The field is currently used for grazing sheep but has recently been managed for golf with associated plantings of mixed fairway trees. The field habitat is now designated as wood pasture and parkland, my understanding is that this is how it will need to be reinstated to comply with Natural England requirements. I also assume that the field must be renovated to a particular period in time? this in mind would i be correct in thinking all the exotic species that have been planted will have to be removed? if this is correct will i need to apply for a felling licence as we would remove in excess of 5 cubic meters or does this become irrelevant under the scheme?

 

please rescue a poor horticulturalist from his ignorance.

Regards

Dave:blushing:

[PhilBeech]

Speak to Natural England and they will give you all the guidance you require for that particular site. There should also be a management plan somewhere if the field is in HLS.

[MikeTM150]

If it involves HLS ring natural england and go through it with them, doing anything without them knowing may result in you getting more than a smacked wirst from the.

 

We have a quite a big HLS agreement, and if you speak to them and not just do it, they are fairly flexible and always very helpful....may be not the quickest but its the only way to do it.

[elicokiz]

If it involves HLS ring natural england and go through it with them, doing anything without them knowing may result in you getting more than a smacked wirst from the.

 

We have a quite a big HLS agreement, and if you speak to them and not just do it, they are fairly flexible and always very helpful....may be not the quickest but its the only way to do it.

 

Thanks Mike, the whole job sounds a little like a hot potato, there is no way i want a boot up the a** if i get it wrong. Will do as you mention and give them a ring.

 

cheers

Dave

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

have you tried UKTC for advice on this?

[Charlieh]

you will need a felling license, you will need to contact FC for this,

 

 

NE will be next to useless as they have been giving duff info on felling for HLS/CSS for ages that has got a few people in legal trouble.

 

HLS doesnt superesed a felling license, if you mention the HLS in the felling license app then FC will contact NE about it. Also dont forget that if its for HLS you shouldnt be felling in bird breeding season and if its selective felling rather than a thinning operation it will need to go on the public register for a month.

[Andy Collins]

as Charlie says, you cannot get your felling licence through NE, this has to come from the Forestry Commission...every time! Felling without a licence will bring down a whole heap of trouble around you. You may also have to consult with Natural England for other advice, and maybe your Local Authority as well.

[MikeTM150]

All in all, get a big mug of coffee and a jar of biscuits, get on the phone, get shoved from pillar to post, be no wiser at the end but you may have a piece of paper allowing you to do something at some point some where.........

[elicokiz]

you will need a felling license, you will need to contact FC for this,

 

 

NE will be next to useless as they have been giving duff info on felling for HLS/CSS for ages that has got a few people in legal trouble.

 

HLS doesnt superesed a felling license, if you mention the HLS in the felling license app then FC will contact NE about it. Also dont forget that if its for HLS you shouldnt be felling in bird breeding season and if its selective felling rather than a thinning operation it will need to go on the public register for a month.

 

Thanks Charlieh, your reply is precisely the reason i started this thread, as it allows synergy of ideas.you guys know far more than me

 

Regards

Dave

[elicokiz]

All in all, get a big mug of coffee and a jar of biscuits, get on the phone, get shoved from pillar to post, be no wiser at the end but you may have a piece of paper allowing you to do something at some point some where.........

 

Biscuits on standby, thanks Mike:thumbup: