Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Yateley Common Management Committee Item 4

14 November, 2006

Yateley Common Site Manager's Report - July-October, 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 comprising mainly green waste and builder's soil and rubble. The most `popular' places for fly tipping appear to be the Gravel Pit car parks and Strood Pool car park.

3. Dumped Vehicles

3.1 There were two cars burnt out on the Common in July. During August there were 6 burnt out cars cleared from the East End. Five occurred in the space of a week and were all stolen. Entry was gained via the pin at Strood Pool outer car park. The pin has since been replaced and reinforced. There was also a burnt out motorbike removed from the east end.

4. Motorbikes

4.1 There has been continued illegal use of the Common by motorbikes. All motorbikes seen on the Common by staff are reported to the Police.

5. Byelaws and Signage

5.1 To date there are eight new D-board signs put up around the Common. There are still a number to erect and these will be done as a priority where time allows.

5.2 The Team Leader - North has secured funding from the Countryside Agency Access Management Grant Scheme for the production of map boards and a site leaflet for the Common. The total amount secured is £4,700, which should cover the costs of production.

6. Rights-of-Way Review

6.1 The Team Leader - North is dealing with the outstanding issues concerning Rights-of-Way around Brandy Bottom. There has been a review of the County Estates Practice team and it is hoped that as they deal with such issues a member of their team will follow it up as soon as possible.

6.2 Several bridleways on Brandy Bottom and the East End have been cleared over the summer months, mainly by Community Service. Some resurfacing has been completed by Berkshire Conservation Volunteers.

7. Site Maintenance

7.1 Birch re-growth on the West End was spot sprayed during July, a total of 4.3 hectares. During August, 4.5 hectares of gorse re-growth was spot sprayed on Brandy Bottom. About 2.5 hectares of bracken was sprayed with Asulox on areas of heath near the Hospital Pond, by Stroud Lane and on the burn on Brandy Bottom.

7.2 The bulk of floating pennywort was removed from Wyndhams Pool and the adjacent wet woodland.

8. Effects of the Drought

8.1 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 is hoped that they will reach reasonable levels during the winter months. There is still no pond dipping on Strood Pool.

9. Wyndham's Pool

9.1 The concrete surfacing of the bridleway running along the top of the dam at Wyndham's Pool is due to be investigated to see what repair works are required. Surveyors have made an initial report on the dam and require much of the surrounding vegetation to be cleared to enable them to carry out further investigations.

9.2 The Pool has been closed in terms of fishing access and to dogs swimming since the end of June due to the presence of a very toxic strain of blue-green algae. Water samples were taken by the Environment Agency and analysed for the algae. As of 12^th October algae was still present, but it is likely that as the weather gets colder the algae will die back and the Pool can be re-opened.

10. Volunteers

10.1 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, pulling bracken and clearing burnt gorse.

10.2 We have had help from several local volunteers assisting with tasks such as clearing scrub, boardwalk construction and collecting fly tipping.

10.3 A group of volunteers from Nokia in Farnborough came out one afternoon in August and cleared some scrub from the West End.

11. Events & Education

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

Year	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Schools	7	12	4	11	7
Other Organisations	2	8	7	5	10
Students Visiting Common	323	297	549	823	518
Students Attending Slide Talks/ School Visits	164	331	0	395	275
Children Attending Summer Events	100	68	69	102	30

NB Figures for 2006 as at 13^th October

11.2 Visits to the Common have included several Brownie groups and Frogmore Infants, Potley Hill and Frogmore Junior school groups. There has been an extensive walks programme including Dragonflies & Butterflies, Alien Invaders (plants) and a moth event to celebrate National Moth Night. A local herbalist led a walk around the Common, which was attended by a number of local residents.

11.3 The summer events for children proved less popular than the last few years. It was mentioned by several parents that the schools did not `advertise' the events this year, which may have had an effect on numbers.

12. Archaeology on Yateley Common

12.1 Archaeologist Carol White carried out further archaeological investigations on the Brandy Bottom heath area of the Common. The dig was attended by Yinnon Ezra, Director of Recreation & Heritage and local press coverage of the event was very good. An accompanying display was put on show at the library, preceded by a presentation, which was attended by 15 people, including members of the public and local councillors. A report on Carol's findings is due at the beginning of November.

4cR101006

Appendix

Winter Work Program 2006/7

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

Byelaws to be placed on all D-board signage on site

Rights of Way Network

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. Winter walks programme in effect

Progress on-site interpretation

Map board and site leaflet to be produced. Remainder of D-boards to be put up

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 now complete. Countryside Stewardship work to be completed

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

Carried out under Countryside Stewardship

Improve quality of heathland habitats

Scrub clearance work will be carried out

Improve quality of grassland habitats

The green in front of the Cricketers Green will be cut during October weather dependent

Reduce fragmentation of habitats