Agenda item

To receive a report on the Southwood Woodland Management Plan 2021 to 2031 from Tim Mills, Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing and Debbie Salmon, Ecology and Biodiversity Officer (copy attached).

The Board welcomed Tim Mills, Head of Economy, Planning, and Strategic Housing and, Ecology and Biodiversity Officer, Debbie Salmon who were in attendance to present the Southwood Woodland Management Plan, 2021-2026. The Plan covered a five year period, after which a review would take place, followed by a further five year plan.

It was noted that a survey of the site had been carried out to assess what was present and the condition of the site. A number of habitats had been found, these included:

·         Birch woodland – classed as secondary woodland and required some maintenance

·         Veteran Oaks – over 400 years old

·         Heathland – glade created by Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership

·         Bog habitats – Head waters of the Ively stream, currently an underground culvert

·         Wet woodland – valuable and rare habitat, birch present in this area required thinning

·         Ditches – required thinning and re-profiling

Several animal species had also been identified on the site,  including, badgers, deer, bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. The invertebrate population had been exceptionally good, 675 different species had been spotted in the Woodland and combined over the two sites (the Woodland and the Country Park) 952 species had been identified. The requirement to gain SSSI status for invertebrates was 1000 different species.

The vision for the Southwood Woodland Management Plan was to:

·         manage the site to increase its biodiversity value whilst enabling access to nature for all visitors

·         re-create the habitats that were present in the 1800’s when the site had been open fields with areas of heathland and moorland by removing the majority of the birch from the woodland allowing the wooded heath to regenerate naturally

·         compliment the work proposed within Southwood Country Park and join up the habitats already present to create a connected and varied habitat complex for the public to enjoy

The key objectives of the Management Plan were identified as:

·         Clearing the birch and conifer trees over the five year period

·         Maintain the wet woodland and ditches by thinning the tree canopy and clearing the ditches to increase the aquatic invertebrate species

·         Re-naturalising the Ively Brook to meander through the woodland

·         Health and safety objectives to include – an annual tree survey and check of infrastructure, this was supported by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership who volunteered on site and the newly appointed Ranger on the Southwood Country Park site

·         Install replacement directional and educational signage

The Board discussed the Plan and raised a number of issues, including land grabbing, garden waste dumping, use by cyclists and future plans for the Country Park site.

It was noted that both land grabbing by neighbouring residents and dumping of garden waste were an issue on the site and action had been taken, and would continue to be taken, to address this with residents. The garden waste issue raised concerns around the spread of invasive species, such as Yellow Arch Angel. It was noted that the invasive plant was currently being tackled through spray treatment, but the digging up of the plants would be undertaken if necessary. It was noted that the Council was aware of the boundaries of all the Council owned open spaces across the Borough and engagement with residents would be the first step in reclaiming land that had been taken. If this was unsuccessful further legal action would be considered.

In response to a query regarding cycleways through the Southwood sites, it was noted that the existing pathways were wide and currently well used by both pedestrians and cyclists. It was important however to strike the right balance for leisure and enjoyment for all in the natural environment and maintain a suitable environment for the species present. In the longer term the aim was to provide a network of pathways to allow travel between Basingstoke and the Blackwater Valley.

It was noted that a feasibility study would be carried out on the use of the existing clubhouse on the Southwood Country Park site. It was hoped that a cost effective solution would be found to use some elements of the existing structure to create a visitor centre and café. It was suggested that consultation would take place through the summer months with visitors/residents on the design of the country park and visitors centre complex.

The Chairman requested that some changes be made to the key objectives to show a greater balance on biodiversity, the connectivity between the two sites and how public access would be improved.

The Board NOTED the presentation and it was agreed that any further comments from Members should be email direct to Mr. Mills and Ms. Salmon.