Writing a management plan (5year) to cover trees in Con Area

[Andy Collins]

I wish to write a management plan to cover ongoing works in a conservation area, to present to the council.

My thoughts are to include:

A brief summary of the history of the site

A description of the work intended, spread over the next 5 years to cover the maintenance of veteran trees, removal of "unsuitable" trees ie self set sycamores.

Year on year planting of specimen trees.

 

Site plan?

 

Any suggestions for anything I have not covered above please?

[toprotter]

Hi Andy,

Access, flora n fauna, deer fencing etc

[APC]

Brief summary of surrounding land use?

[RobArb]

sustainability plan/ideas, tourism, transportation, monitoring

[RobArb]

include maps of land use aswell, street layouts, open spaces etc

[dumper]

you should include lists of flora and fauna existing on or using the site especially any protected or rare, history of the site, any previous management practises,it should include detailed assessment and recommendations for the whole site,identifying opportunities for habitat creation and or enhancement it should refer to the county biodiversity plans you should explain why any works are required and what will happen if they are not carried out, detailed site plans,surrounding land use and any footpaths and access points it should have clear objectives and prescriptions for the site. maybe a soil and water table investigation

[Paul Barton]

Hi Andy,

 

See if you can find any records of the most recent landscape character appraisal. This will highlight key species and desirable features that you can relate your management plan to. Sounds like a good project.

[Andy Collins]

Thanks, all good stuff so far

[Giles Hill]

I'd include a list of aims and objectives fairly early on. eg

 

Aims:

-Maximise remaining contribution of Veteran Trees

-Enhance landscape character

-Enhance ecology

etc

 

Objectives:

-Schedule works to veteran trees stock, to maintain their contribution to the ecology and landscape character of site.

 

-Appraise areas of naturally generated trees and where appropriate, remove trees to enhance landscape character through the reinstatement of historic views / reduce competition with more important trees etc.

 

-Remove invasive species and species which are not in keeping with historic charcter of site - eg 20th century introduced species and cultivars.

 

-Replacement planting - retain or relocate naturally generated saplings where possible, to maintain local provenance. New planting to comprise specis appropriate to historic charcter of site. New trees to be sited carefully to maintain historic views and open spaes between trees

 

 

 

The aims and objectives would also inform your management prescriptions - i.e. the actual works to be carried out.

[Andy Collins]

Good stuff Giles.

One thing I didnt really consider was the lifespan of this plan. I wanted to cover 5 years, but due to conservation area regs, notification of intent can only cover 2. I'd sort of hoped with a 5 year plan it would help to save on this. Of course i can "step" the program to cover all, with a further notification at a later date. However I know of a neighbouring council that has allowed a 5 year plan written for the exact purposes that I intended, with no restriction of re-notifying after 2years. Now with Con area rules being statutory, how can there be this difference?