Download 3. Long term vision, management objectives

Elam Wood
Biodiversity Wood
Management Plan
Date (dd/mm/yyyy)
25. 5. 2011
Date of last review 1(2.1.3)
N/A
Owner / tenant
B.M.D.C.
Agent / contact
Bob Thorp
To
2031
Signed declaration of tenure
rights and agreement to public
availability of the plan2
(UKWAS 1.1.3/1.1.5/2.1.2)
1.
Background information
1.1 Location
Nearest town, village or feature
Grid reference
Total area (ha)
Keighley
SE063434
6.31
1.2 Description of the woodland(s) in the landscape
Elam Wood is located on the eastern flank of the Aire valley approximately 1 km north of
the town of Keighley. It slopes from east to west, the upper eastern boundary is pasture,
the lower is the Leeds Liverpool canal. It is one of a number of woods that form a
patchwork of connected woodlands in this part of the valley
1.3 History of management
There are no written management records for the wood, however there is much evidence
of coal mining in the form of small spoil heaps and depressions. These are known to date
from the mid nineteenth century. Trees growing on these sites appear to have been
planted on the abandoned workings.
1
The plan must be reviewed every five years.
As owner, tenant or manager, you have the right to manage the wood in accordance with
this plan. At least a summary of the management plan must be made publicly available on
request.
2
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2.
Woodland information
2.1 Areas and features
2.1.1 Designated areas
In
woodland
Adjacent
to
woodland
Yes
Yes
Map
Special Areas for Conservation (SACs)
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
Ramsar Sites (see note on Guidance)
National Nature Reserves (NNRs)
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
Other designations e.g.: National Parks (NPs), Areas
of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), Local Nature
Reserves (LNRs)
Woodlands
Watercourses
Details
Elam Wood is a Bradford Wildlife Area. The adjoining canal is designated as a Site of Ecolgical or
Geological Interest
In
woodland
2.1.2 Rare and important species
Red Data Book or BAP species
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
Yes
Rare, threatened, EPS or SAP species
Details
There are no ecological records for this wood, however Yorkshire Ecological Survey does have a
record of a grass snake sighting
In
woodland
2.1.3 Habitats
Ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW)
Yes
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
Woodlands
Other semi-natural woodland
Plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS)
Semi-natural features in PAWS
Woodland margins and hedges
Veteran and other notable trees
Breeding sites
Habitats of notable species or subject to HAPs
Unimproved grassland
Rides and open ground
Valuable wildlife communities
Feeding areas
Lowland heath
Peatlands
Others
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Details
The part of the wood known as Carr Clough is designated as A.S.N.W., although, it is clear that the
site has been cleared and replanted at least once and P.A.W.S may in fact be a more appropriate
designation from a management perspective.
2.1.4 Water
In
woodland
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
Watercourses
Yes
Yes
Watercourses
Lakes
Ponds
Wetland habitats
Details
The Leeds Liverpool canal adjoins the wood, several small streams, some seasonal drain the wood
In
woodland
2.1.5 Landscape
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
Landscape designated areas
Landscape features
Rock exposures
Historic landscapes
Areas of the woodland prominent from roads
Yes
Woodlands
Areas of the woodland prominent from settlements
Yes
Woodlands
Details
Elam Wood is visible from the A 650 trunk road and surrounding settlments
2.1.6 Cultural features
In
woodland
Adjacent
to
woodland
Public rights of way
None
recorded
None
recorded
Map
Prominent viewing points
Permissive footpaths
Areas managed with traditional management
systems
Details
Elam Wood Road runs through and adjacent to the woodland along the SW edge. Western Avenue
runs through the wood at Carr Clough and marks the northern extent of Council ownership. There
are no definitive ROW in the wood but several trails have been created by walkers and cyclists.
Between Western Avenue and Elam Wood Road a cycle trail has been constructed by users and a
path is evident in the woodland strip between Elam Wood and the canal.
In
woodland
2.1.7 Archaeological features
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
Scheduled monument
Historical features
N/A
2.2 Woodland resource characteristics
The wood is predominantly sycamore, beech, oak,and birch with some thorn and ash.
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Under-storey is patchy with elder and rhododendron. Groundcover is bracken and
bramble or almost absent. Blue bells are evident in some areas.
2.3 Site description
The wood is roughly rectangular with its western edge being the canal, the northern end
connects to other woodland, and the south adjoins housing. There is a single track public
road through the wood with some housing in parts of the wood not owned by B.M.D.C.. It
is a feature of the wood that parts are in public ownership, and part in private. The
physical characteristics of the wood are of a sloping valley side wood with several stream
gullies, one in particular forming a small clough. Throughout the wood are the visible
remains of coal workings. Vehicle access is limited to parts of the wood adjoining the road
2.4 Significant hazards, constraints and threats
As well as much of the wood being on an uneven slope there are cross gullies. Much of
the site is inaccessible to vehicles Threats to the wood, include minor fly tipping,
occasional barbecues/camping associated with canal boats, encroachment form adjoining
residents, walkers and cyclists creating new routes.
The wood is in a conservation area, and there are T.P.Os on some trees in Carr Clough
3.
Long term vision, management objectives and strategy
3.1 Long term vision
The long term vision is to return the site to a mixed age, native broadleaved woodland
capable of natural succession with increasing biodiversity values. This would be
consistent with plans being implemented at the adjacent Low Wood sites. A full ecological
survey has not been carried out but blue bells are evident and their preservation and
enhancement informs woodland management.
Areas of beech plantation, sycamore, rhododendron, bracken and balsam encroachment
will be removed to create more favourable conditions for the development of native
ground flora and restocking with oak, ash, birch and alder.
3.2 Management objectives
No.
Objective
1
Provide a safe environment for all users including walkers, cyclists, equestrians and
visitors by boat.
Remove non native species.
Restock with typical species
Define and contain the cycle trail and canal side path
2
3
4
3.3 Strategy
The strategy to achieve the above objectives requires an ongoing programme of
rhododendron removal (mechanical or horse pulling), together with removal of beech and
sycamore by group or coupe felling. Branch wood to be left in situ (habitat piles) and a
percentage of non-natives will be ring-barked to provide vertical dead wood habitat .
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3.4 Woodfuel initiative
Would you be interested in receiving information on funding opportunities for the
purchase of harvesting machinery or wood fuel boilers?
Yes – support development of horse logging and movement of wood by barge.
(delete as appropriate)
4.
Management prescriptions/operations
4.1 Silvicultural systems
4.1.1 Harvesting
Group or coupe felling of beech and sycamore
4.1.2 Phased felling and restructuring of plantations
N/A
4.1.3 Establishment, restocking and regeneration
Prospects for natural regeneration with typical species is limited due to poor ground
conditions (disturbed soils), predation and competition. Restocking with typical species in
cleared group/coupe areas with transplant. Non UK seed sources (southern French oak)
will be considered alongside those of local provenance.
4.2 New planting
N/A
4.3 Other operations
N/A
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4.4 Protection and maintenance
4.4.1 Pest and disease management
Deer use the wood in considerable numbers. Despite this, there appears to be no damage
to young trees. There is a rabbit population, but damage appears minimal, and predation
seems to be keeping their numbers in check. There is some balsam near the canal to be
removed along with rhododendron.
4.4.2 Fire plan
In the event of a fire actions for B.M.D.C. staff are
1 Inform Fire and Rescue Services
2 attend with beaters if possible
3 Close the wood to the public
Fire and Rescue will normally attend with one pump and call upon further resources as
necessary.
4.4.3 Waste disposal and pollution
If any pollutants are brought onto site they will have been identified in the operational
risk assessment and suitable spill kits carried
4.4.4 Protection from unauthorised activities
Cycle, walking and horse riding in the woods are not proscribed activity but this activity
requires a managed response: defining trails, surfacing, ensuring separation where
necessary. Some proscribed motorbike activity has occasionally been reported and
mobile rangers have been and will continue to be used to prevent this. Encroachment
and clearing ground cover adjacent to property has been experienced and is generally
dealt with through a cease and desist letter.
Dog fouling is now proscribed under a dog control order across all publicly accessible land
in the district. Council Wardens have enforcement powers and can issue fixed penalty
fines.
4.4.5 Protection of other identified services and values (4.1.1)
(N/A
4.5 Game management
N/A
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4.6 Protecting and enhancing landscape, biodiversity and special features
4.6.1 Management of designated areas
Areas classed as ASNW – see above
4.6.2 Measures to enhance biodiversity and other special features (2.1.1k and 6.1.1)
See comments above. All dead wood whether standing or fallen will be left on site, unless
it constitutes a danger to site users. A portion of the non-native species will be left as
standing dead wood and most brash and branch wood left on site.
4.6.3 Special measures for ASNW and SNW
Non native species will be removed, and planting with native stock will continue. UKWAS
6.3.1. will be complied with
4.6.4 Special measures for PAWS
See above
4.6.5 Measures to mitigate impacts on landscape and neighbouring land (3.1.2)
Group/coupe felling will be employed to minimise loss of landscape values.
4.7 Management of social and cultural values
4.7.1 Archaeology and sites of cultural interest
The site has been subject to surface and deep mining which is evident in some features.
Information boards and online information to be considered.
4.7.2 Public access and impacts on local people
The wood is completely open to the public although the cloughs are only accessible with
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difficulty. Carr clough has attracted the attention of MTB/BMX cyclists for many years and
some damage to ground flora may have occurred. The preferred management approach
is one of positive engagement with this community to create safe and defined trails and
carry out works to deliver the higher biodiversity values detailed in WMP. This approach
will require good communication and careful monitoring.
5.
Consultation
Organisation/individual
Date
received
Comment
Response/action
Public
Signs will be posted to
give notification of any
intended work
Ongoing engagement
around the
management plan
Public and known
communities, ward
members
6.
Monitoring plan summary
Objective
number, issue
or UKWAS
Requirement
Indicator
Method of
assessment
Monitoring
period
Responsibility
How will
information be
used?
Structural
diversity
Species
Visual
Annually
C.B.M.D.C.
To monitor
planning and
task work
teams
1scope of monitoring activities 2.3.2c plus annual monitoring related to effectiveness of
measures for special areas 2.3.5)
7.
Work programmes
7.1 Outline long-term work programme (2011 to 2031)
Compartment
or area
All wood
All wood
All wood
All wood
Year
Activity
Remove non native species
Restocking with native species
Arboricultural work as needed
for safety
Control of invasive weeds
6-10
11-15
16-20
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
7.2 Short-term work programme (2011 to 2016)
Compartment
Activity
Year
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or area
All wood
All wood
All wood
8.
1
2
3
4
5
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
Thinning of sycamore
Restocking with native species
Control of invasive weeds
Costings (2.2.1)
Currently all costs will be met by C.B.M.D.C
9.
Maps
List all maps here and append to plan.
10.
Map No./Title
Description
Woodlands
A.S.N.W.
Watercourses
Identifies woodland
Identifies A.S.N.W. woods
Identifies watercourses
Thinning, felling and restocking proposals
Applicants seeking funding through the wood fuel initiative for harvesting machinery or
wood fuel boilers must indicate the total volume that is to be thinned and felled during the
period of this plan, by completing Table A.
This section should not be completed for any other applications.
All applicants must complete Table B. where harvesting work is to be undertaken.
Table A.
Species
Total estimated volume to be harvested during
plan period (m3)
Broadleaves
Conifers
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Table B.
This section must be completed if you wish to gain felling licence approval from the Forestry Commission. The work detailed below should
match the proposals set out in the plan.
For details on how to complete the table, please refer to EWGS 4 Woodland Regeneration Grant Guide (PDF 84kb).
Cpt/sub
cpt
Area
Area to
be
worked
Type of
felling
% of felled
area
comprising
BL
Management Plan Framework
Type of
licence
Change in
woodland
type
Preferred
claim year
Restock
species %
CON
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Establishment
by natural
regeneration
%
Standard
proposals
Notes
Addition information if required
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