Shotley Cliff and Woodland Survey

Shotley Heritage Park

Shotley Cliff and Woodland Survey

January 2012

Shotley Gate

1.0 Introduction

1.1Shotley Parish Council have the opportunity to purchase Shotley Cliff and associated Woodland from it's current owner, and developing it as Shotley Heritage Park. It is a site comprising 7 acres of mature woodland, 50 acres of intertidal foreshore and a soft London clay cliff that links the two of varying height (see attachment 1, photo of part of cliff, foreshore and woodland).

1.2A key task is to manage the woodland in a way that improves accessibility for the public, improves it's overall appearance and at the same time preserve an existing valuable wildlife habitat for the future. Observed birdlife within the woodland during the few years up to 2011 are listed in attachment 2.

1.3In addition, the cliff and woodland trees and shrubs will be managed in such a way as to improve the overall stability of the cliff, which is at risk in various places from collapsing due to a combination of previous coastal erosion, and 'slumping'.

1.4Shotley Parish Council have consulted with Ian Peters (see note below), a local wildlife and birdlife enthusiast to walk through the area and make comment as to how the points in 1.2 and 1.3 can be achieved.

Note: Ian Peters is an experienced wildlife expert, well known in Suffolk and particularly on the Shotley Peninsula. He was Chairman of the Local 'Suffolk Wildlife Trust' from 1987 into the early 1990's and has been a bird ringer for the 'British Trust for Ornithology' since 1968. He is a member of 'Plant Life International', involved in 'Suffolk Peninsula Volunteers for Nature Conservation' and is currently Chairman of the 'Viking Forest Project' steering group.

2.0Overview of the Woodland Area

2.1The woodland comprises approximately 7 acres of trees native to Suffolk of varying ages from saplings to mature species including Scots Pine and Oak. Similarly, shrubs include Hawthorne, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle and Hazel in varying degrees of growth and maturity (see attachment 3, photo 1).

2.2Many plants species exist including primrose, dogs mercury and bluebell although these are being overshadowed by the uncontrolled growth of other species such as brambles, nettles, and an abundance of 'Alexander' – a deeply invasive plant in the area that thrives in the estuarine conditions (see attachment 3, photo 2).

2.3The area is currently accessible via a number of designated public footpaths. Although well used by the local community and visitors they are not clearly marked, nor access limits defined. This has led to unmanaged access to all parts of the woodland and the trampling of plant species that would otherwise have thrived. Wildlife habitats are frequently disturbed reducing the chances of nesting and breeding (see attachment 3, photo 3).

2.4Residential properties are close to the woodland and there is evidence of fly tipping of kitchen and garden waste. There is currently no information or incentive to address this problem as the woodland is unkempt and unmanaged.

2.5Through the years, as a result of the existence of the Naval Dry Training ship 'HMS Ganges' in Shotley Gate (established in 1905, closed in 1976), the woodland has been used for operational purposes. Evidence of a barrage balloon concrete anchorage point, the remains of brick walls, concrete fencing stumps, corrugated iron sheeting etc can be seen. Many of these remains are trip hazards along the public footpaths, others are simply unsightly within an existing green space. Occasionally the concrete platform will become strewn with broken glass and other rubbish, reflecting it's existence as a place where no one appears to care what happens (see attachment 3, photo 4).

2.6The woodland is a natural recreational space. Over the years, tree huts have been built and fallen down, rope swings placed over tree branches, and occasional fires lit. As a wild, empty, unkempt and private woodland little has been done to address these things. Rope swings are causing damage to trees and exposing roots (through foot scour), particularly when located at the top edge of the cliff, eventually leading to tree loss. Ground compaction in these areas is also a problem. Lack of regular supervision, easy access to all areas, and a lack of alternative managed facilities is causing long term environmental damage (see attachment 3, photo 5).

2.7Uncontrolled growth is leading to barren patches of ground, where insufficient light gets through to promote fresh growth. Many trees are tall and spindly, and in some cases are top heavy with the growth of Ivy. In high winds, these trees are prone to being blown down which causes many problems – exposes root soil which often washes away down the cliff slope in heavy rain and fallen tree often block existing pathways which leads to alternative 'ad hoc' routes damaging flora and fauna. Fallen trees often die as a result of these events (see attachment 3, photo 6).

3.0Overview of the Cliff and Foreshore

3.1Shotley Cliff lies above the River Stour tidal estuary. At the Cliff's most Easterly point it is approximately 30 metres above sea level. at it's most Westerly point it is approximately 3 metres above sea level. The foot of the cliff has suffered from coastal erosion over the years, and in 1954 approximately 840 metres of sheet piles were installed by the Royal Navy to the toe of the cliff to protect against further erosion problems. During 2010 – 2011, a further 258 metres of steel mesh gabions filled with recycled concrete were installed to the most Westerly point of the toe of the cliff to provide erosion protection (see attachment 3, photo 7).

3.2The cliff is for the most part covered with natural growth of trees and shrubs, similar to that within the woodland. However, as a result of coastal erosion, groundwater seepage and rainwater run off, various parts of the cliff have collapsed or slumped, exposing areas of bare clay without any growth.

3.3Access from the foot of the cliff to the woodland at the top is varied. As a result of the installation of gabion erosion protection to the toe of the cliff in 2010/2011, a footpath has been able to be reinstated which gives access to the woodland at the most Westerly point of the cliff. A set of timber steps cut into the cliff provides partial access from top to bottom, although these are not an officially designated public right of way, and are currently in a very poor state of repair. Several other 'makeshift' points of access from bottom to top have been made throughout the woodland, which results in damage to vegetation, shrubs and trees, and they become gulleys for rainwater during storms. This leads to further damage through loss of soil, the paths become too muddy, and alternatives are created, thereby causing further damage (see attachment 3, photo 8).

3.4The Foreshore below the cliff is tidal, with the whole 50 acres underwater at high tide. It consists of mudflats littered with shingle, rocks, building rubble from past pre-planning construction works, seaweed and washed up debris. The area runs adjacent to the existing RSPB reserve at Erwarton Bay. At various points of low tide, the mudflats are a well used feeding ground for migrating birds.

4.0Recommendations for improving Foreshore, Cliff and Woodland

4.1Following purchase of the area much can be done by the community group to improve the general condition of the woodland, and to provide improved access that will discourage disturbance of wildlife habitats and damage to flora and fauna. On the flat level areas of woodland, some cutting back of bramble should be done to thin out, which will encourage new growth. In clear areas, additional planting of native shrubs such as Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Cherry plum is recommended. This will provide early pollen for bees and other insect species. Some coppicing of blackthorn will encourage new stronger and wider growth. Overall, for the flat areas, improvements are described as 'low intervention, not major'.

4.2For the existing footpaths the width should be strimmed to an overall approximate width of 1 metre. Where trees overhang and obstruct pathways, offending branches should be cut back. Similarly with deadwood where it is unsightly and blocking access. Trip hazards and other obstructions are causing people to seek alternative easier access, which is damaging to vegetation. Trip hazards should be removed and if roots are exposed they can be covered. Clear definition of pathways will discourage people from walking elsewhere.

4.3Spindly trees can be cut back to encourage more light to reach beneath the trees. This will help other plant species to grow – e.g. Primrose, Dogs Mercury, Bluebell. In some areas the Scots Pine can be cut down to give more space for the Oak trees to grow. Oak trees provide more habitat potential than Scots Pine. In general, some areas of the woodland will benefit from tress being cut back or even felled as necessary. Felling should be reserved for those trees that are suffering from damage or have been partially blown over.

4.4Long term damage is being caused 'rope swings' hanging from branches. These should be removed and either re-sited to less sensitive areas, or alternative environmentally friendly recreational facilities developed. The woodland can provide facilitates for all ages if managed properly.

4.5The problem of the dumping of kitchen and garden waste may be on the increase, with the local recycling centre now charging for the disposal of green waste. Aside from the unsightliness and smell of dumping green waste, the by products of it's de composure does affect the natural environment by changing soil conditions and putting unhelpful nutrients into the ground damaging natural plant species. The change in status of the woodland from 'unmanaged, unkempt, unloved and uncared for' to 'managed and cared for by community volunteers' will deter some of the current offenders. Clearing existing dumped waste and planting in it's place will also deter future problems. In specific places where the problems continue, fences and warning signs may need to be erected.

4.6The woodland can be successfully preserved as a natural wildlife habitat as well as a usable amenity for visitors. With proper management, this balance can be achieved. Specific places have been identified for development as Heritage Information points – for example the transformation of the existing derelict barrage balloon anchorage point can become a viewing gallery for impressive views across the river Stour upriver to Manningtree. Information boards are planned to be sited at theses locations. The idea of providing specific 'stop off zones' where people can learn about the Heritage (natural and man-made) with direction to other areas along specific designated pathways is very much supported. This will improve the likelihood of keeping people away from areas where habitats can be disturbed, and away from the danger of slipping down the slope of the cliff. Litter bins should be installed where appropriate and regularly emptied.

4.7The siting of bird boxes and bat boxes is encouraged and in the longer term there is potential for the construction of bird hides. From the vantage point of the westerly end of the woodland there are excellent views over the RSPB reserve at Erwarton Bay.

4.8For the sloping cliff itself similar actions as within the woodland are recommended. In addition, where there is exposed bare clay, new planting is encouraged to help knit the soil together with root growth. This will help reduce loss of cliff material due to water run off, and reduce the amount of soil being deposited on the lower footpath at the toe of the cliff. Willow is a good species to use in these situations. With the installation of the new erosion protection to a 258 metres section of cliff, there is a high incidence of bare soil adjacent to the footpath. This should be treated as a high priority within the first two years of ownership.

4.9The 50 acres of tidal mudflats don't offer any specific additional opportunities for wildlife conservation nor any specific problems other than the need for regular clean up and removal of rubbish that gets washed in with the tide. There is potential for the mudflats to be further protected by becoming part of the existing designated RSPB reserve at Erwarton Bay.

5.0Costs and ongoing management and maintenance

5.1During the initial two years after taking ownership of the woodland, cliff and foreshore there will be costs incurred in getting the area into a better state than at present. Labour costs will be nil, as there are many volunteers willing and able to help with the project. The main costs will be disposal of waste (skip hire) or specialist machinery hire (chipper) and possible purchase of saplings, shrubs etc for new planting. Thereafter, the ongoing costs will be minimal as volunteers or 'friends of the Heritage Park' will continue to manage the woodland.