HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

RURAL AFFAIRSPANEL

16SEPTEMBER 2008 AT 2.00P.M.

WOODLAND TRUST PROPOSALS – SANDRIDGEFOREST

Report of the Director of Environment.

Author: Rob Rees, Head of Land Management Tel: 01992 555256

Executive Member: Stuart Pile (Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs)

Local Members:Geoff Churchard, DerekHills

  1. Purpose of report

To introduce the Panel to the proposal by the Woodland Trust (WT) to establish a new forest on land near Sandridge, and to supplement the presentation on the proposals from Toby Bancroft and Nick Morgan of the Trust.

  1. Summary

The Woodland Trust(WT) announced on 28 July 2008 their intention to create a new forest on 347 hectares (858 acres) of farmland north of St Albans. It is a significant project involving an investment of £8.5M funding the purchase of land and a programme to plant 600,000 trees over approximately 70% of the site. This planting will take place over

5 years to create the largest continuous area of new planting in the country – it will represent a 1.5% increase in the total area of Hertfordshire woodland. Broad principles for the development have been outlined – the detail will be finalised through consultation with local organisations and the community. The project is being promoted as a national campaign through the Sunday Times, who are sponsoring part of the planting. There is also a local appeal to raise £100,000 towards the project costs.

3.Recommendation

The County Council have responded informally to the WT outline proposals, indicating that it considers the project exciting and ambitious, and looks forward to seeing more detail as this emerges.

The Panel may wish to suggest that,as the project evolves, the WT be invited to liaise closely with relevant county council services. This would involve in particular those with responsibilities for transport, Rights of Way, landscape, biodiversity, and historic environment.

4.Background

4.1The Woodland Trust is a woodland conservation charity, established in 1972 and operates throughout the UK. They are responsible for 1,000 sites covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). The Trust has 300,000 members and supporters, and works towards four key aims:

  • Halt the loss of ancient woodland.
  • Restore and improve the biodiversity of woods.
  • Increase new native woodland.
  • Increase people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland.

4.2At the end of July, the County Council received a number of copies of a letter from the WT, introducing a proposal to create a new forest on 347 hectares (858 acres) of farmland at Sandridge nearSt Albans. The letters requested in-principle support, and invited comments on the outline proposal.

4.3The ambition of the proposal, coupled with a press launch at the site, has meant the proposal has had a significant and national profile, which includes a public sponsorship appeal promoted by the Sunday Times.

4.4On the 5 August the WT held a public meeting at Sandridge, predominantly aimed at local people, introducing the proposals andbasic outline of their plans,County Council Members and officers also attended this meeting. The meeting was oversubscribed and a further meeting was organised on Thursday 14 August in Marshalswick. Broad principles for development of the site were outlined – native species will be planted; a proportion of the site will be left open; it is seen as significant opportunity for public involvement; public access across the site will be increased; there will be extensive consultation locally. Appendix 1 gives some further context, a location map and an aerial view of the site.

4.5There is a target date of 30 September to raise the necessary funding for the purchase of the site and development.

5.Initial Analysis

5.1A project of this scale represents a significant change in land use and will have an impacton the landscape. There will be some form of environmental assessment and master plan development which will capture the detail of aspects such as the existing biodiversity value, historic environment and landscape character - that process has already started with the initial research carried out by the Woodland Trust.

5.2At such a scale the site has the capacity to benefit all three strands of sustainability – environmental, social and economic. With good planning the new woodland has the potential to be an exemplar of sustainable multifunctional land use. There is expansion below on some key points relating to sustainability.

  • Biodiversity – the project will certainly help the delivery of the vision for woodland in the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for Hertfordshire – the planting will represent something like 4% of the 50 year BAP target for increased woodland cover in Hertfordshire (200 ha of the increase from the existing 15000 ha to 20000 ha by 2050). Although not in a specific geographical priority location for woodland development the site meets the BAP target for effort to be concentrated generally: “Adjacent to existing ancient semi-natural woodlands, particularly where accessible from urban areas.”
  • Landscape – although extensive woodland planting is not a prescription in the Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) for the area the site has the potential to provide some of the desirable management listed in the LCA : “promote the appropriate management of coppice woodland in order to re-establish a rich ground flora and the distinction between different management systems, such as high forest, coppice and coppice-with-standards”. The LCA also contains guidance on how new woodland could best benefit the landscape.
  • Carbon Footprint – a definitive calculation of the overall benefit would require much detailed research and even then some of the principle assumptions and science are not conclusive. However it is safe to say extensive woodland could easily provide a sustainable source of traditional woodland products such as fuel and construction materials. The combination of rising oil costs and the need to reduce net carbon emissions is making the management of woodlands a viable and sustainable proposition. Any negative impacts of the site needs to be minimised – if a significant levels of visiting from outside the local area is anticipated then access to the site by means other than cars needs to be encouraged from the outset.
  • Local Economy – there will be employment associated with the planting and establishment of the woodland and its subsequent management. Wheathampstead, Harpenden and Sandridge could potentially see benefit from visitors to the site supporting local outlets and services – as visitors will have to pass through these towns and villages. Increased equestrian access would help develop the local stable and livery businesses.
  • Tourism and Access - in the short to medium term the profile of potential visitors to the site can be gauged from the patterns of use on the adjacent area of Nomansland Common which would suggest relatively local use. The scale and novelty of the scheme may encourage people from further afield to visit in the early stages – especially if they have contributed to the appeal or have helped with the planting. The attractiveness of the area as a place to visit will increase as the planting matures and the site develops a woodland character – which is likely to be at least 30 years in the future.

6. Financial Implications

County Council services will be involved in advising and commenting on detailed plans as they emerge. It is anticipated that any costs incurred can be contained within existing budgets.

Background papers

“A 50-year vision for the wildlife and natural habitats of Hertfordshire”

Prepared by Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust April 1998

Revised by the Biodiversity Partnership March 2006

“Hertfordshire Landscape Character Assessment

Area 102 - AyresEndValleys and Ridges”

080916 Woodland Trust 1