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.