Hampshire County Council Item 8

Yateley Common Management Committee

27 June 2006

Yateley Common Site Manager's Report - March - June 2006

Contact: Nicki Paton - 01252 870425

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 has been a mixed assortment mainly over 30 tyres, various bags of green waste and a number of Christmas trees. There was a large load of soil fly tipped by the old tin church off Reading Road. There was an attempt to fly tip witnessed by Andy Davidson and Nicki Paton in March, but as those responsible were not caught in the act of tipping, a prosecution could not be made. The vehicle sped off; registration details and description of vehicle were taken for future reference.

3. Dumped Vehicles

3.1 There have been four and a half dumped vehicles since the last meeting. Three of these incidents happened over the Easter weekend. The cars have now all been removed.

4. Motorbikes

4.1 There has been some apparent increase in the activity of motorbikes on the common, particularly as the weather has improved. As always we are liaising with the local police concerning this issue. Vicky Booth, the Yateley Common ranger met with PCSO Porter from Hants Police to discuss the enforcement of site byelaws under his new powers.

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 now complete and being re-filled with equipment and materials. The signs will start being put up again around the site once we have the workshop area clear to put them together.

6. Rights-of-Way Review

6.1 There are still some issues outstanding concerning Rights-of-Way around Brandy Bottom which are being dealt with by Phil Allen. A survey of all bridleways needing resurfacing, widening or opening was carried out in March. Some work has commenced, but others must wait till the felling season starts in September.

6.2 Bridleway 21 has been virtually cleared up to the A30. Dragons' teeth are to be put in before its completion so as not to allow illegal entry onto the Common. Bridleway 28 behind Haywards Cottage has had further surfacing works.

7. Site Maintenance

7.1 Scrub clearance on the burnt section of Brandy Bottom heath was finished by a local volunteer.

7.2 Track works on the Cricketers Green are due to commence Wednesday 14th June to re-grade the track leading up to The Cricketers public house. It is anticipated that the work will take 2-3 weeks.

7.3 Some of the benches around the Common recently attracted graffiti, which has since been removed

8. Travellers

8.1 On 26th March a group of travellers moved onto the Cricketers Green from the old mushroom compost farm. Reports from members of the public allowed a quick response from HCC staff and the gypsy liaison officer was on site by late afternoon. The Police were involved and the group were on the move by the end of the day, leaving only a couple of black bags of rubbish. Dragons' teeth have since been installed in the locations vulnerable to vehicle access.

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. At present there is no pond dipping on Strood Pool.

10. Old Wellmore

10.1 A substantial den was found on a piece of woodland next to Old Wellmore in Yateley. On the evening of 6th May there was a fire in the den and Yateley fire fighters were called out. The remains of the den were cleared out a couple of days later along with the ditches which had filled up with leaves.

11. Wyndham's Pool

11.1 The concrete surfacing of the bridleway running along the top of the dam at Wyndham's Pool is showing further signs of deterioration. This damage is due to be investigated to see what repair works are required. Surveyors who will report back on the damage are meeting Phil Allen on site this week.

12. Volunteers

12.1 We have had good numbers of volunteers since the last meeting. There have been the monthly Yateley Society volunteers and Berkshire Conservation volunteers have visited twice. Community Service has carried out a number of tasks including bridleway re-surfacing, litter picking and clearing burnt gorse.

13. Events & Education

13.1 An information stand was displayed at the Yateley May Fair which attracted a lot of public interest. Free mask-making for children was also provided.

13.2 The annual walks programme is well under way with a number of walks due to be held over the coming months.

13.3 There have been a number of school visits already to the Common with at least 6 more due in the next 6 weeks. The ranger team has also taken part in bird box making for a local school, a visit from Basingstoke and Deane WATCH Group and talks to Primrose and Tangent groups.

14. Reptile tins on Yateley Common

14.1 Last July 34 reptile tins were placed around Yateley Common with the guidance and help of the Herpetological Conservation Trust. Since February the tins have been checked on a monthly basis and have provided sightings of one slow worm, and several sightings of addergrass snake and common lizard.

15. Archaeology on Yateley Common

15.1 Carol White will be carrying out archaeological work around Brandy Bottom heath from 12th to 28th August this year. Preceding this, Carol White intends to do a presentation on her findings and an exhibition to coincide with her dig on 8th August. The suggested venue is Yateley Library who has expressed interest in the proposal.

16. Garden License for 14 The Flats/62 Baileys Close

16.1 The request for a garden license previously agreed by the Committee has now been passed to the Estates department who are dealing with this issue directly.

17. Re-location of Post Box on Cricket Hill Lane

17.1 The Royal Mail has written in requesting the re-location of a post box from Cricket Hill Lane to the corner of the Cricketers Green adjacent to the track. They have requested the re-location for safety reasons. Since the installation of the traffic islands along Cricket Hill Lane it has now become dangerous to stop at the post box.

Resolution

a) That the report be noted.

b) That approval be given for the erection of a post box from Cricket Hill Lane to County Council owned land at the corner of Cricketer's Green.

Appendix

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

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 are planned.

Countryside walks programme in effect.

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 2006.

Create/maintain populations of important species

No activities proposed in this period

Restore heathland from scrub and secondary woodland

No activities proposed for this period.

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

No activities proposed in this period.

Improve quality of heathland habitats

Bracken spraying will be carried out.

Spot spraying of scrub will be carried out.

Improve quality of grassland habitats

The green in front of The Cricketers will be cut in late August.

Reduce fragmentation of habitats

No activities proposed in this period.

Reinstate grazing

No activities proposed in this period.

Eliminate invasive alien species

Removal of Floating Pennywort.

Ragwort pulling to be carried out at the Landbank.

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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