APPENDIX A

MAGDALEN HILL DOWN

Management Plan

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

April 2002

CONTENTS

1 Summary of Proposals

2 Introduction

3 Background

4 Sequence of events

5 PART ONE: Mitigation Land

6 Design

7 Habitat type

8 Topsoil removal

9 Preparation and seeding

10 Water

11 Access and fencing

12 Management

13 PART TWO: supporting land

14 Design

15 Preparation and seeding

16 Access and fencing

17 Management

Appendices

Appendix 1 Proposed boundary of Mitigation Land, and superseded

boundaries (Drg. no. 01)

Appendix 2 Proposals plan and woodland planting (Drg. no. 02)

Appendix 3 Mitigation Land: contract details (Drg. no. 03)

Appendix 4 Proposals for south east corner (Drg. no. 04)

Appendix 5 Seed specification for Mitigation Land

Appendix 6 Wild flower seed: proposed species

1 Summary of proposals

1.1 This Management Plan sets out the County Council's proposals for the management of 22 hectares (55 acres) of County Council owned land at Magdalen Hill Down, Winchester.

Main proposals

1.2 The proposals for the site fall into four main categories:

· the creation and management of 9 hectares (22 acres) of chalk grassland;

· the creation and management of 5 hectares (13 acres) of open woodland;

· the conversion of 8 hectares (20 acres) of arable land to grazing land;

· the provision of public access with connections to existing Rights of Way.

Mitigation Land

1.3 The proposal for the creation of 9 hectares of chalk grassland has arisen as a result of the planning consent to extend the Park and Ride site at Bar End, Winchester. One of the conditions of that consent was that replacement chalk grassland (`Mitigation Land') should be provided at Magdalen Hill as mitigation for the loss of grassland at Bar End. The new grassland would extend the existing Magdalen Hill chalk grassland nature reserve, which lies immediately to the south. The reserve is noted as an exceptional habitat for butterflies. It is proposed that the Mitigation Land should be managed on behalf of the County Council by Butterfly Conservation who manage the existing reserve.

Public access

1.4 Access to the Mitigation Land will be provided for the public, including provision for disabled visitors, with an emphasis on quiet forms of pedestrian based-recreation. Access to the remaining County Council land (supporting land) will also be provided, particularly to the areas of open woodland. Access points will be provided next to existing bus stops in Alresford Road, and a limited-use car park will be provided for disabled visitors.

Implementation

1.5 The implementation of the proposals is subject to the outcome of a Judicial Review into details of the Bar End Park and Ride scheme.

Creation of chalk grassland

1.6 The proposal to create chalk grassland will necessitate the removal of much of the topsoil on the Mitigation Land. After stripping, the less deep soils will provide the low nutrient levels which are vital in maintaining the exceptional diversity of plant species typical of chalk grassland. Planning permission will be sought for the removal of the topsoil from the site and a specialist contractor will be employed to carry out the work. The topsoil will not be stripped on the supporting land.

Archaeology

1.7 Recent archaeological trial pits on the site undertaken by Winchester Museums Service on behalf of Hampshire County Council have revealed that no undisturbed archaeological levels exist within the site other than any features possibly cut into the chalk. Accordingly, the topsoil stripping will not have an impact on archaeological remains. However, the stripping operation will still be subject to archaeological observation.

Supporting Land

1.8 The proposals for the supporting land are intended to complement the character of the existing nature reserve and the Mitigation Land. In order to avoid adverse effects on the areas of chalk grassland, management of the grazing land will include restrictions on fertilisers and herbicides in accordance with the conditions of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. The proposals will also enhance the nature conservation and landscape value of the local area, and contribute towards the overall landscape setting of Winchester.

1.9 The open woodland will be planted in two separate locations, building on existing areas of mature trees. The woodlands will help provide shelter for both butterflies and the public. Additional shelter will be created by the planting of a new hedgerow parallel with an existing hedge on the site's southern boundary. In one of the woodland areas, a beech clump was planted in March 2002, as part of the commemorations to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee Year.

1.10 After the first five years, Butterfly Conservation will take over the responsibility for managing the open woodland areas from the County Council.

2 Introduction

2.1 This Management Plan sets out the County Council's proposals for the management of 22 hectares (55 acres) of County Council owned land at Magdalen Hill Down, Winchester. It supersedes an earlier Management Plan for the site written for the County Council in November 2000 by Charles Flower.

Location

2.2 The site lies to the east of Winchester between the B3404 and the A31. It consists of arable land on a prominent chalk ridge which runs roughly east-west through the site. Alresford Road (B3404) forms the north boundary of the site, Magdalen Hill Cemetery lies immediately to the east, a public footpath and the Masonic Centre form the western boundary, and the Magdalen Hill Down nature reserve managed by Butterfly Conservation lies immediately to the south.

Main proposals

2.3 The proposals for the site fall into four main categories:

(a) the creation and management of 9 hectares (22 acres) of chalk grassland, the

`Mitigation Land';

(b) the creation and management of 5 hectares (13 acres) of open woodland

(woodland, scrub and grassland);

(c) the conversion of 8 hectares (20 acres) of arable land to grazing land, and its

subsequent management;

(d) the provision of public access, with connections to the existing Rights of Way.

2.4 The location of these areas, and other details are shown in the Appendices. Appendix 1 also shows two earlier boundaries of the 9 hectare area (a), both of which are superseded by the boundary proposed in this Plan.

2.5 The Management Plan is in two parts:

Part One deals with (a), the 9 hectares of chalk grassland (Mitigation Land), and public access to that land;

Part Two deals with (b) and (c), the remainder of the land (supporting land), and public access to it.

Mitigation Land

2.6 Proposal (a), for the creation of 9 hectares of chalk grassland has arisen as a result of the planning consent to extend the Park and Ride site at Bar End, Winchester. One of the conditions of that consent was that replacement chalk grassland (`Mitigation Land') should be provided at Magdalen Hill as mitigation for the loss of grassland at Bar End. The new grassland would extend the existing Magdalen Hill chalk grassland nature reserve which lies immediately to the south. The existing reserve is managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch of Butterfly Conservation. It is proposed that the Mitigation Land should be managed on behalf of the County Council by Butterfly Conservation through a long lease of the site.

2.7 The boundary of the Mitigation Land differs from the boundary proposed in the Plan produced in November 2000, and also from the boundaries approved by two meetings of the County Council's Asset Management Sub-Committee in July 2001. The reasons for the different boundary are explained in the Report to the County Council's Regulatory Committee meeting on 29 May 2002.

Supporting land

2.8 Proposals (b) and (c), for open woodland and additional grazing land are intended to complement the character of both the existing reserve and the Mitigation Land. As a whole, the proposals for this prominent site will not only enhance the nature conservation and landscape value of the local area, but also contribute towards the overall landscape setting of Winchester.

Public access

2.9 The Mitigation Land will be available for public access with an emphasis on quiet forms of pedestrian-based recreation. During the establishment of the chalk grassland flora, partial restrictions on public access will be necessary. In due course, livestock will be used to maintain the nature conservation value of the land. Access to the remaining County Council land will also be provided, particularly to the areas of open woodland.

2.10 The principal access will be in the form of a route running the whole length of the County Council's land. The new route will link with existing Rights of Way. The route will consist of a graded stone-surfaced track following the ridgeline, affording good views to the west, north and south, and linking the sheltered woodland areas at each end of the site. This provision will also allow disabled visitors access to the landscape with minimal or no assistance. The route is shown in Appendix 2.

2.11 Gates, waymarks and information signs will be installed to national accessibility standards. Butterfly Conservation will assume responsibility for the recreational land management of the site on completion of the lease. The County Council will provide support through waymarking and other measures where appropriate.

Lease to Butterfly Conservation

2.12 The whole of the County Council's land (22 hectares) will be leased to Butterfly Conservation with effect from September 2002, subject to the implementation of the proposals. The lease will be subject to executive member approval and a report will be prepared when the proposals are approved.

2.13 The lease would have a 25 year duration, enabling Butterfly Conservation to apply for Countryside Stewardship funding for appropriate parts of the supporting land. The rent would be subject to negotiation and confirmation of the Stewardship application. The Head of Terms of the lease would include annual management reports and liaison between Butterfly Conservation and the County Council.

3 Background

3.1 The County Council acquired the land at Magdalen Hill in December 2000 in order to provide grassland to replace that which will be lost to the proposed Bar End Park and Ride site. Prior to this, the site had been in arable use, producing a rotation of cereals, peas and flower bulbs until 1996, and mainly cereals after that date. There is still some evidence on the site of Magdalen Hill Camp, a First World War army camp. The camp occupied the majority of the 22 hectares of land recently acquired by the County Council, as well as an equally large area to the north of Alresford Road. Some of the remains of the camp are still apparent on the ground at Magdalen Hill.

3.2 The need for a Management Plan for the site has arisen from the requirement to create and manage a chalk grassland habitat to extend the existing Magdalen Hill Down nature reserve. In November 2000, Charles Flower, in full consultation with Butterfly Conservation, produced the first Management Plan for the site. Charles Flower and Butterfly Conservation have also been closely involved with the County Council in producing this Management Plan.

3.3 Before the first Management Plan was written, Ron Allen of The Environmental Project Consulting Group was asked to investigate the soils at Magdalen Hill Down to assess the potential for creating chalk grassland. In essence, his recommendations were that:

· the depth of the topsoil should be significantly reduced to lessen soil fertility, finishing with varying depths;

· after sowing an appropriate chalk grassland seed mix, the site should be monitored for success, with regular mowing of excessive grass growth;

· as the sward develops the site should be grazed to reduce grass growth and encourage the development of a herb-rich habitat. These recommendations were supported by Charles Flower in the first Management Plan.

4 Sequence of Events

February 2002

4.1 Completion of new fencing next to Alresford Road along the north boundary of the County Council's land, making the site secure.

March 2002

4.2 New plantation to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee planted outside Mitigation Land; the Leader of the County Council, and the Lord Lieutenant to plant two ceremonial trees in May 2002.

April - May 2002

4.3 Removal of the derelict water tower in the south east corner of the County Council's land, and clearance of site.

July 2002

4.4 Top off the vegetation on the whole of the Mitigation Land and supporting land.

4.5 The following works are subject to the outcome of the Judicial Review (into the approval of the details of the Bar End Park and Ride scheme), and to the approval of the County Planning Officer.

Autumn 2002 or spring 2003

4.6 Stripping of topsoil from Mitigation Land and excavation of mini chalk pits; creation of new banks on the supporting land.

Autumn 2002 or autumn 2003

4.7 Sowing of chalk grassland seed on the Mitigation Land and the mini chalk pits area;

Autumn 2002 (or later)

4.8 Planting of open woodland areas and new hedge; connection of water supply to site; installation of fencing and gates; creation of car park for disabled visitors; creation of surfaced paths.

Autumn 2003

4.9 Sowing of seed on supporting land.

5 PART ONE: Mitigation Land (9 hectares/22acres)

5.1 This part of the Management Plan addresses the area of land immediately north of the existing nature reserve where 9 hectares of chalk grassland is to be created.

6 Design

6.1 The primary aim is to develop 9 hectares of high quality chalk grassland, dominated by characteristic species of established chalk grassland. This will match the original reserve and fulfil Butterfly Conservation's objective of encouraging as wide a range of butterflies as possible. To complement these aims, several other features have been included:

Mini chalk pits

6.2 An area has been identified within the Mitigation Land to the south of the ridgeline of the Down for small scale excavations (mini chalk pits). The area is also sheltered by a block of scrub on the edge of the existing nature reserve. The purpose of the area is to provide:

· disturbed chalk with significant slopes facing in all directions, in order to establish specialised chalk-loving plants, which may be out-competed by more vigorous species on the rest of the Mitigation Land;

· shelter for butterflies in the form of humps and hollows of bare chalk with differing microclimates. Such irregularities in the ground conditions will not occur elsewhere on the site;

· bare ground conditions are also of great value to a wide range of invertebrates, and most of the area will remain unseeded in order to perpetuate the bare ground for as long as possible.

6.3 The area will be fenced off to exclude grazing. This will provide opportunities for particular food plants on which butterflies prosper, such as kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), which are very susceptible to grazing.

6.4 The creation of the mini chalk pits area will be subject to an archaeological watching brief in accordance with an agreed written scheme of investigation.

Additional shelter

6.5 As downland is by its nature extremely exposed, two additional features are proposed. These will provide shelter for both butterflies and the visiting public:

· a green lane - this is outside the Mitigation Land, and is therefore referred to in Part Two;

· areas of scrub - these will be developed within and along the boundary of the mini chalk pits area, using species which are scarce or absent at present, such as guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) and juniper (Juniperus communis). In the longer term, one or two areas of scrub may also be developed beneath the ridgeline on the southern edge of the Mitigation Land.

7 Habitat type

The Specification

7.1 In 1995, an area of arable land east of the existing nature reserve was converted to grassland in order to extend the habitat for butterflies. The area is known as the Extension. In his Management Plan for the Extension, Dr Gibson of Bioscan UK Ltd describes the grassland of the original reserve as `versions of community CG3'(Bromus erectus grassland) in the National Vegetation Classification. Dr Gibson also set out a specification (see Appendix 5) for a wild flower seed mix which could be used on the Extension. Because of the proximity of the Extension, it is appropriate to use the criteria set out by Dr Gibson when considering the seed mix for the Mitigation Land.

Appropriate seed sources

7.2 Wild flower seed of Hampshire/Dorset provenance is available. However, local grass seed is not easily obtainable, because commercial varieties have generally performed so well that a market for the truly wild varieties has been impossible to develop. Grass seed for the Extension was brush harvested at several sites in Hampshire, including Martin Down National Nature Reserve, but large amounts of false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) were included. This has caused problems ever since.

7.3 In 2001, brush harvesting took place on Salisbury Plain for another site. Arrhenatherum elatius comprised as little as 2% of the collected seed, whereas Bromus erectus made up nearly 20%.

7.4 Seed sources for wild flowers: brush harvesting wild flowers is very difficult, because they set seed throughout the summer season. Additionally, many of the desirable species are low growing and cannot be brush harvested, such as wild thyme (Thymus praecox), dwarf thistle (Cirsium acaule) and horseshoe vetch (Hippocrepis comosa). For the seeding of the Extension, bought-in seed of the correct provenance resulted in the establishment of all the species required by Butterfly Conservation, and in the appropriate proportions. A similar operation will therefore be repeated on the Mitigation Land.

7.5 Seed sources for grasses: it is considered unwise to use the same sources of grass seed as those used for the Extension, as this would perpetuate the problems with Arrhenatherum elatius. If Salisbury Plain can be used again as a brush harvesting site, a base mix of grasses will be collected to which will be added species of known provenance, such as quaking grass (Briza media).

8 Topsoil removal

8.1 In order to create 9 hectares of chalk grassland, a significant reduction in the depth of the topsoil is necessary to reduce soil fertility. Soils with low nutrient levels are vital in maintaining the exceptional diversity of plant species typical of chalk grassland. To achieve a diverse habitat, the soil stripping should leave a variety of topsoil depths over the site.

Topsoil depths

8.2 Soil surveys show an average topsoil depth of roughly 30cm across the site with little variation. To achieve the topsoil depths required to sustain chalk grassland it is proposed that approximately 30% of the site should be stripped to leave the topsoil 5cm deep. The most appropriate area for this lies on the south facing slope immediately north of the existing nature reserve. The small area identified for the mini chalk pits is also north of the existing reserve. All the topsoil will be removed from the mini chalk pits area. Over the remainder of the Mitigation Land, the stripping operation will leave the topsoil 15 cm deep. The locations of these areas are shown in Appendix 3.

Topsoil removal

8.3 It has been estimated that it will be necessary to remove approximately 14,000 cubic metres of topsoil from the site. The topsoil is fairly flinty and contains a small amount of rubble remaining from the army camp. At an appropriate time, planning permission will be sought for the removal of the topsoil from the site. The planning application will address the details of the operation, including access to the site, lorry movements, turning areas, dust control measures and the method of working. A specialist contractor will be employed to remove the soil.

Archaeology

8.4 The existence of Bronze Age bowl barrows to the west of the Mitigation Land, but outside the County Council's land, indicates that there is some potential that archaeological remains may be preserved in the area. This is also suggested by the generally high level of recorded archaeological sites in the surrounding area. Recent archaeological trial pits undertaken by Winchester Museums Service on behalf of Hampshire County Council have revealed that no undisturbed archaeological levels exist within the site other than any features possibly cut into the chalk. Accordingly the topsoil stripping will not impact on archaeological remains. However, any works which will disturb the chalk itself will be subject to archaeological observation and investigation in the form of a watching brief. This work will be undertaken by an appropriately qualified archaeologist in accordance with an agreed written scheme of investigation.

8.5 To maximise the visibility of archaeological remains appropriate areas will be stripped by a mechanical excavator with a toothless bucket under the supervision of

an archaeologist. No back tracking will occur on stripped areas until the areas is considered clear of any archaeological deposits.

9 Preparation and seeding

9.1 The procedure for the preparation and seeding of the two larger stripped areas (remaining topsoil depths: 5cm and 15cm) would essentially be the same.

Seedbed preparation

9.2 It is suggested that whatever the state of the soil surface after stripping, it should be left untouched and only harrowed at a later date to remove any weed growth should this occur. Harrowing may have to be repeated should there be a considerable time lapse between the end of soil stripping and sowing in September. This exercise will be extremely weather-dependent, and a contractor able to offer a prompt service will be required.

9.3 If weed growth is minimal, and some weeks elapse between harrowing and sowing, a check will be made to establish whether the soil surface has consolidated and whether a final harrowing is necessary prior to sowing.

Sowing

9.4 The sowing operation will involve broadcasting the seed, and rolling with Cambridge rolls. Brush harvested seed is notoriously difficult to sow using a conventional drill or even a fertiliser spreader. The contractor will be made aware of this potential problem.

9.5 As suggested earlier, the mini chalk pits will be left mostly unsown to allow natural regeneration, although a few key species will be established by means of seed or plug plants.

10 Water

10.1 The present water supply from Alresford Road to the existing nature reserve will be extended to supply the Mitigation Land and the supporting land.

11 Access and fencing

11.1 The principal access will be in the form of a route running the whole length of the County Council land and connecting with the existing Rights of Way network. The route will be accessible for disabled visitors. It will consist of a 2m wide path which will keep to the ridgeline where possible and follow the easiest slope. The gradient of the path will be approximately 1:20 and the surface material will be of limestone of 10mm to dust, on a suitable sub-base.

11.2 Fencing of stock netting and twin strands barbed wire will be erected to create the west, north, and east boundaries of the Mitigation Land. Field gates will be provided to allow access for stock and agricultural vehicles. Kissing gates to national accessibility standards will be provided at the side of field gates where the new access route crosses fences. Stiles will provide pedestrian access across the supporting land from bus stops in Alresford Road. The locations of gates and stiles are shown in Appendix 2.

11.3 The mini chalk pits area will be fenced off from the main part of the Mitigation Land. Suitable access arrangements will be provided for users of the existing public footpath which runs along the southern boundary of the Mitigation Land and the mini chalk pits area.

12 Management

12.1 Stripping the topsoil will remove a considerable amount of fertile topsoil, and subsequent plant growth will be reduced. There are two distinct stages to management:

Year one (or Year of Establishment)

12.2 Whenever plant growth approaches 25cm, the material should be topped. This should be carried out on dry days to overcome the need to collect the arisings.

Subsequent years

12.3 There is virtually no experience of grassland management following soil stripping as is being proposed on the Mitigation Land. Management of the site will entail allowing the wild flowers and grasses to grow and set seed, and removing the annual growth in such a way that the sward is left at the appropriate height. A timely combination of grazing and topping will be used by Butterfly Conservation to achieve their objectives.

13 PART TWO: supporting land (13 hectares/33 acres)

13.1 This part of the Management Plan addresses the remaining land (supporting land) in the County Council's ownership outside the Mitigation Land. Topsoil stripping is not proposed on this land.

Landscape enhancement

13.2 The proposal is to convert 13 hectares of the existing arable land into 8 hectares of grazing land and 5 hectares of open woodland. The woodland will be created in two separate locations. At the eastern end of the site next to the cemetery, 3 hectares will be planted, with 2 hectares at the western end. Together, the grassland and woodland proposals are intended to complement the character of both the existing adjacent nature reserve and the Mitigation Land. The proposals will also enhance the nature conservation and landscape value of the local area, and contribute towards the overall landscape setting of Winchester.

Golden Jubilee planting

13.3 In March 2002, a beech clump was planted within the proposed woodland area at the eastern end of the site, as part of the commemorations to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee Year. In order to create a visible landmark, the clump has been planted on the highest part of the County Council's land. A low bank approximately 0.5m high will be created to encircle the clump and to reinforce its commemorative status.

14 Design

14.1 The County Council's land lies on a ridgeline of high ground and is visible over a wide area. Immediately to the south of the Council's land, the steep scarp slope of the existing nature reserve emphasises the prominence of the ridge. The generally open character of the site allows both long and spectacular views in most directions, including good views over the city. These characteristics make public access to the site an attractive proposition.

Landscape character

14.2 In order to retain the open character whilst aiming to complement the existing landscape features, particular care has been taken to ensure that the location and extent of the woodland planting enhances rather than obscures the excellent views from the site. The inclusion of broad sweeps of grassland within and through the woodland areas will also help to achieve this aim. Additionally, the two woodland areas will build upon existing areas of mature trees where the views are already limited. Within the woodland planting at the western end of the site, open swathes of grassland have been included to retain views from Alresford Road to three Bronze Age tumuli immediately south of the County Council's land.

14.3 The `open' woodland will combine grassland with areas of scrub and tree planting. The grassland areas will complement the chalk grassland within the Mitigation Land and on the existing reserve. The trees and shrubs to be planted will be generally limited to indigenous species occurring naturally on chalk soils. Local provenance stock will be used if it is available. The areas which include shrub species will be planted at 1.5m centres, and areas comprising only tree species will be planted at 2m centres. The tree and shrub species are listed in Appendix 2.

New hedgerow and green lane

14.4 The southern boundary of the Mitigation Land is predominantly open, with an existing hedge at its eastern end. In order to provide additional shelter for both butterflies and the public, a green lane will be created by the planting of a new hedgerow parallel with the existing hedge. The latter, which separates the Mitigation Land from the Extension, is an important landscape feature. It has been recently been strengthened by planting on its southern side.

14.5 The new hedgerow will be planted on a low bank at 4 plants per metre. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) will be planted on the north side, and a wide mix of indigenous shrub species on the south side. Standard trees will be included, such as beech (Fagus sylvatica), field maple (Acer campestre), oak (Quercus robur), holly (Ilex aquifolium) and whitebeam (Sorbus aucuparia). The bank, apart from the hedge planting strip, will be seeded with a grass/wild flower seed mix, similar to that used for the woodland glades.

15 Preparation and seeding

Seed sources

15.1 Based on the experience of establishing a wild flower/grass seed mix on the Extension, it is proposed that:

· wild flower seed is bought in as described earlier for the Mitigation Land, with a more simplified species list than that used on the Extension. This will avoid using those species which would not thrive under conditions of high fertility;

· the brush harvested native grass seed source used for the Mitigation Land is used for the supporting land. This will minimise contamination of the Mitigation Land by commercial grass varieties.

Preparation

15.2 The vegetation will be topped in July 2002 in order to manage the land in a public-friendly way. The timing of further preparation works is subject to the outcome of the Judicial Review.

15.3 The vegetation could be sprayed off in April 2003, the land ploughed and then left fallow through the growing season. Harrowing could take place on dry days 3 or 4 times during the summer, after greening up. The repetition of the harrowing operation would greatly reduce weed seeds, ensuring that the chosen seed mix would not be out-competed by the original vegetation. Sowing could take place in early September 2003.

Sowing the grassland area

15.4 As described for the Mitigation Land, the seed should be broadcast onto the soil surface and subsequently rolled. Establishment may be quite slow.

Sowing the woodland area

15.5 It will be possible to establish the correct grassland structure and appropriate nectar supplies within the woodland areas, thereby avoiding the usual rank weed species that can invade such woodland.

15.6 Tree/shrub areas: a fescue grass such as Chewings fescue will be sown at 10kg/acre and allowed to develop into a prime small mammal habitat.

15.7 Open spaces/glades: a wild flower/grass seed mix will be sown. The mix will contain species of grasses, nectar-rich wild flowers and larval food plants such as birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), lady's bedstraw (Galium verum), cowslip (Primula veris), scabious (Scabiosa sp.), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), knapweed (Centaurea sp.), wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare), wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and sorrel (Rumex acetosa).

16 Access and fencing

16.1 The principal access route will pass through both the Mitigation Land and the supporting land. As mentioned earlier, it will consist of a 2m wide limestone-surfaced path and it will link with the existing Rights of Way network. The path will also connect with a new car park for disabled visitors, located in the south east corner of the supporting land on the site of the derelict water tower.

16.2 Fencing of stock netting and twin strands barbed wire will be erected to separate the woodland areas from the grazing land. At each end of the new route a sign describing the access and giving information about the site will be provided, to national accessibility standards.

16.3 New stiles will be provided in the recently installed fence along Alresford Road, adjacent to bus stops. The stiles will allow pedestrian access across the supporting land to stiles in the north boundary fence of the Mitigation Land.

Woodland areas

16.4 It is envisaged that the woodland at the western end of the supporting land will eventually be incorporated into the grazing unit immediately south of the County Council's land, currently managed by Butterfly Conservation. This unit includes the three tumuli. Butterfly Conservation will consider the removal of the boundary fence on the north side of the tumuli at a later date.

16.5 At the eastern end of the supporting land the derelict water tower will be demolished and the remains taken off site in Spring 2002. A small car park for disabled visitors will be created on the water tower site. Access to the car park will be controlled by a Radar key gate on the existing bridlepath next to the cemetery. The width of the track at the Radar key gate will be sufficient to maintain bridleway use, and to allow disabled visitors to operate the gate. Other authorised vehicles will use a separate lock on the chain, to allow either party to gain access. All other vehicles will be discouraged by signage and the existing height barrier. Fencing will be installed next to the bridlepath, from the stonemason's premises to the Radar key gate, to improve security of the site.

16.6 As the bridlepath is fairly well used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders, a passing place will be provided for the occasional users of the Radar key gate, but conflict is highly unlikely.

16.7 A short route for disabled visitors will be provided around the Golden Jubilee planting to promote greater accessibility in this area.

16.8 It is accepted that many walkers will be accompanied by dogs, and that access to the woodland will help to reduce dog fouling in the chalk grassland areas. Worrying by dogs will be curbed by provisions in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act which requires dogs to be on leads at certain times in order to protect grazing stock or nesting birds.

17 Management

Grassland area

17.1 There is likely be very strong growth of weeds all through the year of establishment, and repeated topping will be required each time growth exceeds 25-30cm. Topping should be carried out on a dry day to avoid the need for collecting the cut material.

17.2 The land will be available for forage, conservation/hay or silage, with follow up grazing according to seasonal conditions. There will be restrictions on fertilisers and herbicides, and management will be in accordance with the conditions of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. At an appropriate time, Butterfly Conservation will

submit an application for grant aid under the Stewardship Scheme to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The Scheme aims to conserve and enhance the landscape and wildlife habitats, and also to improve opportunities for access to the countryside. The adjacent reserve is already managed by Butterfly Conservation under an existing Stewardship agreement.

Tree and shrub areas

17.3 Management of the grass will not be required, apart from weed control around trees and shrubs to aid establishment. The open spaces/glades will be topped throughout the first year of establishment. Management thereafter will be in early spring or late autumn, as appropriate.

17.4 After the first 5 years, Butterfly Conservation will be responsible for the management of the open woodland areas. Grazing will control grass competition and maintain an even sward height.

17.5 The County Council will ensure that the tree and shrub species are maintained in accordance with good practice for a period of 5 years after planting. This will include keeping an area around each plant free from weed growth using an approved herbicide, and treatment of all pernicious weeds within planting areas with an approved selective herbicide. All plants will be fertilised with an approved fertiliser and those which die or are in poor health, along with those which are damaged or vandalised, will be replaced. Any plants subject to insect or fungal attack will be treated with an approved pesticide, and diseased, dead or damaged growth will be pruned back to the branch collar. All plant shelters, guards, stakes and ties will be checked for effectiveness and adjusted or replaced if necessary, or removed if no longer required.

17.6 Within the Golden Jubilee beech clump, the birch, hawthorn and field maples planted as nurse species will be progressively removed, leaving only beech trees by the end of the fifth year.

23 April 2002

(Appendix 1 see drawing number 01)

(Appendix 2 see drawing number 02)

(Appendix 3 see drawing number 03)

(Appendix 4 see drawing number 04)

Appendix 5 SEED SPECIFICATION FOR MITIGATION LAND

(Reproduced by kind permission of Dr Gibson of Bioscan UK Ltd)

No nationally scarce or rare species should be used in the seed mix.

No species liable to become invasive weeds will be used in the seed mix.

Species not at present found on the existing reserve can be included if they meet the above criteria and are also common constituents of National Vegetation Classification calcareous grassland communities in south-east England.

In determining priorities for seed and plant (referred to below as material) provenance, the following hierarchy applies:

a) For species already known to occur on the existing Magdalen Hill Down reserve.

1 If material originating (ie gathered from or with original parentage of cultivated origin guaranteed in writing) from wild British native stock within the Hampshire Downs can be obtained without excessive cost, then it will be used.

2 If such provenance is not available without excessive cost, then material originating (as above) from limestone or chalk within southern England, south of a line from The Wash to the Severn estuary will be accepted.

3 No other provenance whatsoever will be accepted, and it will be a condition of contract with the supplier of material that the provenance is guaranteed and that the supplier will accept the full cost of restitution work (up to restarting the project after total kill of existing vegetation) should material of other provenance be supplied.

4 Within (1) above, it is accepted that seed gathered from the existing reserve is likely to be too scant and costly to be used for large-scale work. However, small scale seed gathering, possibly followed by growing on plug plants , may be considered in the future.

Purpose:

to provide appropriate material without risking damage to the genetics or local population of species on the existing reserve.

b) For species not known to occur on the existing reserve but appropriate members of chalk grassland communities on the Hampshire chalk.

1 and 2 as in (a) above.

3 Material of guaranteed British origin may also be used if the strict

conditions in (1) and (2) cannot be met without excessive cost. For these purposes, as in (a) above, British origin means gathered from, or descended from only British wild native ancestry

Purpose:

to allow a characteristic community to be well represented and relax

conditions of provenance where there is no risk to local genotypes.

Appendix 6 WILD FLOWER SEED: Proposed species