Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council Item 5

Yateley Common Management Committee

15 February, 2006

Yateley Common Site Manager's Report - October, 2005 - January, 2006

Contact: Andy Davidson. 01252 874376

1. Introduction

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

2. Fly-tipping

2.1 Fly tipping is still occurring on the site. This is in the main garden waste in small loads. This is likely to be disreputable garden contractors or the householders themselves.

3. Dumped Vehicles

3.1 There has been only one dumped vehicle since the last meeting. This is definitely down on the average over preceding years.

4. Motorbikes

4.1 There has been some apparent increase in the activity of motorbikes on the common, particularly after the Christmas period. As always we are liaising with the local police concerning this issue.

5. Byelaws and Signage

5.1 No further signs have been put up across the common due to re-development at the Yateley Depot. The storage barn is being rebuilt which has resulted in the workshop area being used to store tools and materials. The signs will start being put up again around the site once we have this area clear to put them together.

6. Rights-of-Way Review

6.1 Bridleway 24 to the north of Brandy Bottom has been extinguished. There are still some issues outstanding concerning Rights-of-Way around Brandy Bottom which are being dealt with by the Area Team Leader, North.

7. Site Maintenance

7.1 The track works on Yateley Common have been completed.

7.2 Tree surgery work has been carried out around adjoining properties, at Wyndham's Pool and near to the Cricketers public house. Such work is carried out where trees are diseased or damaged and are considered unsafe. Oaks at the Wyndham's Pool car park and by the Cricketers have been pollarded during this work rather than removing them entirely.

7.3 Scrub clearance work has been carried out on the West End; East End and around Brandy Bottom. A total of 5.3 hectares have been cleared this year.

8. Sewage leaks

8.1 After successive sewage leaks on the common from a pipe leading from the Ely public house, Greene King have carried out repairs to this pipe and the incidents have now stopped.

9. Effects of the Drought

9.1 Whilst the water levels on Strood Pool and the A30 Gravel Pit have risen they have still to reach their normal levels for this time of year. It remains to be seen what level they reach. This is particularly important for Strood Pool which is used by school groups for pond dipping.

10. Wyndham's Pool

10.1 The concrete surfacing of the bridleway running along the top of the dam at Wyndham's Pool is showing signs of deterioration. This damage will be investigated to see what repair works are required.

11. Volunteers

11.1 The number of volunteers working on Yateley Common was very good in 2005. This included a placement student with us for 6 weeks during the summer; monthly tasks carried out by the Yateley Society; two days work by Camberley Rotaract and a local resident helping rangers on regular basis. Along with work carried out by Community Service this has resulted in nearly 300 volunteer days on the common. In the main this has been directed toward scrub clearance on the heath, and track maintenance.

12. Schools and Educational Activities

12.1 Use of the common by schools and other groups has increased again during 2005.

12.2 The figures for students include participants in guided walks. The figures for students visiting the common includes six separate visits on successive weeks by Year 1 of Frogmore Infants School.

12.3 This increased use of the common by local schools and communities is very satisfying and is due in no small part to the range of walks and the quality of the schools education pack that the Northern Area Team provide.

13. Archaeology on Yateley Common

13.1 Following on from her work on the common, Carol White intends to do a presentation on her findings and an exhibition to coincide with her dig this year. This will be during the middle two weeks of August. The suggested venue is Yateley Library who has expressed interest in the proposal.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report be noted.

4cR020206

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 disclosure exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.