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Marl Hole Protect Existing Habitats for wildlife

We will look to protect existing habitats to maintain their wildlife value. These habitats comprise:

  • Hedgerows
  • Scrub/tall ruderal vegetation
  • Veteran and mature trees (including lying and standing deadwood)
  • Pond and wet areas
  • Grassland upon the track

We shall protect these Habitats as detailed below when renovating the site.

Complete removal

When we are removing scrub to create the meadow, we will look to retain a significant area of scrub. This will also apply to flower-rich grassland established upon the track, which we will not remove in favour of a bare surfaced track

Damage from machinery during enhancement works

We will endeavour wherever possible to protect existing habitats when using machinery as part of the enhancement works.

High levels of disturbance from recreational pressure

We will look to protect delicate plant species present in marshy areas from damage from increased and intense footfall.

Over-management

We will avoid “over Management” and avoid tidy borders between different areas of habitat. areas of scrub and lying/standing deadwood, where as much as possible will be retained. A gradation at the woodland edge between mature trees, to shrubs, to tussocky grassland will provide a variety of aspects with different microclimates suitable for thermophilic species, such as butterflies.

Protection of plant species

We will make every effort to prevent the introduction of any hybrid or non-native plants into the area.

33% - In Progress

October 2019 Scrub Removal  

When removing scrub to create the meadow, we retained a significant area of scrub including the flower-rich grassland established upon the track.

We ensured that we protected existing habitats when using machinery as part of the enhancement works.