Contact : Andy Davidson (01252-874376)

1. Introduction

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

1.2. This report supports Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) by managing the common for the betterment of the landscape and the local community.

2. Fly-tipping

2.1. Fly-tipping has continued in several areas, but seems to have been less than in previous months.

3. Motorcycles

3.1. Motorcycle activity still continues on the common and surrounding areas. A meeting was called by Councillor Myra Billings of Hart District Council with Blackbushe Airport, British Car Auctions, Councillor Collett, myself and local beat police officers.

3.2. The meeting was very constructive and has resulted in greater communication with all parties. I have since met with the Yateley Beat Sergeant, Dean Wakelen, to identify the main access points which motorcycles are using. Site staff will continue to work with the local beat officers in this and other issues.

4. Burnt Out Cars

4.1. Five burnt out cars have been left on the common during the summer and several of these were removed by Hart District Council. A BMW was burnt out by youths after being parked on the Common.

5. Byelaws and Signage

5.1. Due to several issues the new signs have not been erected as yet on the Common.

5.2. The new byelaws for Yateley Common, with the amendments recommended by this committee, have been sent to DEFRA for comment.

6. Rights-of-Way Review

6.1. The revised maps and schedules for the review of the Rights of Way on Yateley Common have just been prepared and are being checked in preparation for posting on site.

7. School Visits

7.1. A summary of use of the Common by schools and other organisations so far this year is displayed below.

8. Volunteers

8.1 Volunteers have assisted site staff during the summer by helping with litter
picking along the A30 and resurfacing of bridleway 28, east of Strood Lane.

99 Archaeology on Yateley Common

9.1 Carol White carried out further archaeological investigations on the Common during August. She was very successful and collected over 100 pieces of worked flint from near Wyndham's Pool, some of which was associated with a probable Middle Stone Age hearth or camp fire.

9.2 A trench was dug into the mound which was investigated last year and current
indications are that this is a Bronze Age burial mound. Charcoal was collected from
both sites to allow dating. The County Archaeologist and the Countryside Service are
working together to see if funds can be found for this dating.

10. Invasive and Problem Species

10.1 A large proportion of the Floating Pennywort was removed from Wyndham's
Pool. Ragwort was pulled and removed from the Landbank land to protect the
adjacent horse fields and Rhododendron has also been removed from near
Wyndham's Pool.

10.2 Three hectares of Bracken were treated with Asulox to kill it. This was carried
out around Strood's Pool.

11 Site Maintenance

11.1 Quotes have been sought from contractors for re-grading several tracks on the
Common. However, due to a House of Lords ruling, money that had been paid
for access across common land which would have been used for this work has
been frozen. We have therefore not been able to carry out this work.

11.2 A program of replacing rotten dragon's teeth with new has progressed through
the summer.

11.3 Around the Cricketers Green there have been recent issues concerning parking
on the common and a concerned resident has offered to pay for a contractor to
assist site staff in this area. We have agreed in principle to this and will consult
with local residents.

12 Events

12.1 The Hampshire Heath Week, Heathland Fun Day was held in June at
Wyndham's Pool. Whilst it was a successful event in terms of getting together
several County and national organisations to exhibit, the numbers of attending
were low. This may be in part due to the weather and the fact that the Army
Show was run on the same weekend.

12.2 It is anticipated that site staff will take part in next years Hampshire Heath Week.

13. Felling Licence

13.1 As part of the ongoing management of Yateley Common, we are applying for a
felling licence for some areas of woodland over the next five years. This felling
is being carried out to reconnect some areas of heathland or to maintain scrub on
the West End in order to retain its value for wildlife. The support of this
committee is sought in this application.

14. Sale of Land

14.1 We have been approached by one of the residents of The Flats who wishes to
purchase a small section of land. This area consists of a triangle approximately
72 m² of nettles adjacent to their garden. It is separated from the main part of the
common by a tarmac road. It lies outside of the Registered Common and has no
current amenity or special wildlife value. I ask the committee to consider this
application.

RECOMMENDATION

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the application for a felling licence for areas of woodland, over the next five years, reported to the meeting, be endorsed.

(iii) That a garden licence be granted to the residents of "The Flats", as reported to

the meeting, be endorsed.

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 excluded :

1. Published works.

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

TITLE FILE

None

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Appendix

Winter Work Program 2004/5

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

Encroachments

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.

Remove eyesores

Work will be carried out as and when needed.

Protect archaeological features

Liaise with County Archaeologist and Carol White.

Create/maintain populations of important species

No activities proposed in this period

Restore heathland from scrub and secondary woodland

THH & Countryside Stewardship work to be completed

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

Carried out under THH & Countryside Stewardship

Improve quality of heathland habitats

Scrub clearance work will be carried out

Improve quality of grassland habitats

No activities proposed in this period

Reduce fragmentation of habitats

No activities proposed in this period.

Reinstate grazing

No activities proposed in this period.

Eliminate invasive alien species

No activities proposed in this period

Protect high quality woodland

No activities proposed in this period.

Obtain comprehensive data on all species

No activities proposed in this period.

Monitor populations of important species

No activities proposed in this period.

Carry out research

No activities proposed in this period.

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