Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Yateley Common Management Committee Item 7

24 June 2004.

Yateley Common Site Manager's Report - February to May 2004

Contact : Andy Davison ( 01252 ) 874376

1. Introduction

1.1. The report outlines the work undertaken at Yateley Common in the period since the last meeting.

2. Travellers

2.1. Travellers moved into the inner gravel pit car park in March. They remained for 10 days and a quantity of rubbish was left, and this was cleared by site staff.

3. Fly-tipping

3.1. Several incidents of fly-tipping have occurred. The amount and site of dumping has been variable, with one incident of 40 car bumpers being tipped at the Strood's Pool car park.

3.2. The tipping of rubble was witnessed along Strood Lane. However there was insufficient evidence to trace the vehicle and enable a prosecution.

4. Dumped Cars

4.1. The number of dumped cars on the Common seems to have reduced with only 5 cars so far this year, compared to an average of 2 cars per month for previous years.

5. Motorcycles

5.1. There has been some apparent decrease in the number of motorcycles on Yateley Common, together with some increase in Police patrols.

6. Heath End

6.1. The limousine business at Heath End now appears to have moved and work can now start on restoring the track verges. The verge west of the track will be defined with dragon's teeth and the compaction broken up to encourage re-vegetation. The extent of ownership of the verge to the east of the track has to be investigated and the implications of the refusal of the most recent planning application has to be considered before completing the work in this area.

7. Byelaws

7.1. The review of the Byelaws is progressing. A new list of byelaws is now ready for sending to DEFRA and a copy is enclosed for information.

8. Rights-of-Way Review

8.1. The review of the Rights-of-Way (ROW) has gone before the Regulatory Committee and been approved.

8.2. Plans for the orders for the extinguishment and diversions are now being prepared. The Senior R-o-W Officer, has recommended that the Diversion Orders be sectioned into three. One would be for east of the Pinch Point, one for west of the Pinch Point and one for Bridleway 20. This is to keep the size of the Orders to a manageable level.

8.3. Bridleway 20 is being taken separately as there were several objections along this bridleway. If objections were raised concerning this section alone this will not now delay the completion of the other Orders.

8.4. Once these final Orders are made they will be posted on site, with notices at each end of the diverted sections. This will allow 28 days for further public comment.

9. Archaeology on Yateley Common

9.1. Carol White, the archaeologist who conducted the successful work on Yateley Common, is seeking to carry out further work in 2004. The County Archaeologist, David Hopkins, visited the site with Andy Davidson, Nicky Hetherington, and Carol White to review the work already carried out by Carol. He has described the Mesolithic (middle stone age) remains as being of county importance. He has also approved further investigation of the mound near the Cemetery Track and test pits in the vicinity of Wyndham's Pool to search for further Mesolithic remains.

9.2. Carol's findings will have implications in terms of the management of Yateley Common. It should be viewed as an `Ancient Landscape' and protected accordingly. Scraping to restore heathland can be carried out as long as only the leaf litter is removed. Further requests to allow easements for electricity cables etc. should be viewed taking possible archaeology disturbance into account.

10. Events

10.1. An event was held on National Moth Night at Wyndham's Pool. This was run by Vicky Booth and 35 people attended.

10.2. As part of Hampshire Heath Week a Heathland Fun Day is being held on Yateley Common as the main event of the week. This is being jointly run with the Yateley Common Team and the Hampshire Heathland Project Officers. It is to be held on 4^th July at Wyndham's Pool with organisations such as Butterfly Conservation, Hampshire Wildlife Trust, Herpetological Conservation Trust, Hart District Rangers and the Yateley Crew from Hampshire Fire and Rescue in attendance.

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That the report be noted.

2. That the Byelaws be submitted to DEFRA, subject to approval by Members.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

Published works.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

4cR110604

Appendix One

Summer work programme 2004

This programme is set out against the long term management objectives in the Yateley Common Country Park Executive Management Plan.

Encroachments

Land outside Heath End, Flats Road will be restored.

Other opportunities to address encroachments will be taken as and when they arise.

Protect site from development pressures on adjacent land

Ongoing monitoring of planning applications and responding to the appropriate authorities when necessary

Minimise illegal activities

Signage to be erected including byelaws

Review Rights of Way Network

The process of resolving these issues is ongoing.

Manage paths

Work will be carried out to manage paths and bridleways

Provide education service

All requests for educational visits will be accommodated where staff time allows.

Summer activities will be planned.

Involvement in the Hampshire Heath Week, Heathland Fun Day.

Remove eyesores

Work will be carried out as and when needed.

Protect archaeological features

Liaise with County Archaeologist and Carol White in preparation for proposed investigation summer 2004

Create/maintain populations of important species

No activities proposed in this period

Restore heathland from scrub and secondary woodland

THH work to be completed

Remove low quality woodland and scrub habitats on the west end of the Common