2024 – 24 April HLS minutes
Summary
Document Viewer
Spend profile 2023-24 4th Quarter
| Register Serial number | Task Mgr | Project Title | Budget 2023/24 | Revised Forecast 2023/24 | Actual spend to 31.03.2024 | Updated by | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VGS STAFF | |||||||
| 1 | TW | VGS Project Staff | £39,757.00 | £39,757.00 | £20,503.53 | TW | |
| 2 | TW | Administration | £8,000.00 | £10,000.00 | £9,969.64 | TW | |
| £47,757.00 | £49,757.00 | £30,473.17 | |||||
| VGS | |||||||
| 3 | TW | VGS Grazing payments | £462,000.00 | £792,957.00 | £825,346.91 | TW | £191K 2022 Cattle Supplement |
| 4 | TW | Sponsorship of LAS | £42,000.00 | £53,905.22 | £53,905.22 | TW | |
| 5 | TW | Small Grant fund | £15,000.00 | £15,000.00 | £16,050.00 | TW | |
| 6 | TW | Microchipping at Beaulieu Road Sales | £3,000.00 | £5,000.00 | £0.00 | TW | |
| 7 | TW | Reflective collars | £24,000.00 | £24,000.00 | £12,510.00 | TW | |
| 8 | TW | Agister Salary contribution | £45,000.00 | £57,000.00 | £57,000.00 | TW | |
| 9 | TW | Stallion Scheme | £14,000.00 | £17,737.00 | £9,337.62 | TW | |
| 10 | TW | Bloodline Scheme | £5,000.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | TW | |
| 11 | TW | Futurity Scheme | £9,500.00 | £8,000.00 | £8,276.00 | TW | |
| 12 | TW | NF Pony Publicity Group | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | TW | |
| 13 | TW | NF Livestock Society (Marketing + £1,000 Foal Shows) | £9,000.00 | £9,000.00 | £9,000.00 | TW | |
| 14 | TW | NF Trust (Beaulieu Road Maintenance) | £6,500.00 | £6,500.00 | £6,500.00 | TW | |
| 15 | TW | NF Pony Enthusiasts Club | £1,500.00 | £1,500.00 | £1,500.00 | TW | |
| 16 | TW | Pony Welfare & Fallen Stock Programme | £25,000.00 | £25,000.00 | £17,000.00 | TW | |
| 17 | TW | Young Commoner training | £3,500.00 | £3,500.00 | £3,500.00 | TW | |
| 18 | TW | Drift Fencing | £15,000.00 | £19,000.00 | £21,345.22 | TW | |
| 19 | TW | Pound rebuild programme | £12,000.00 | £20,000.00 | £24,414.00 | TW | |
| 91 | TW | Replacement trailers & Locks | £37,176.00 | £37,176.00 | £41,206.00 | TW | |
| VGS Sub Total | £729,176.00 | £1,095,275.22 | £1,106,890.97 | ||||
| VGS Grand Total | £776,933.00 | £1,145,032.22 | £1,137,364.14 | ||||
| HLS Overheads - STAFF COSTS | |||||||
| 20 | TW | HLS Secretarial Support from Verderers | £15,812.00 | £15,812.00 | £15,812.00 | TW | |
| 21 | NPA | NPA Staff Costs | £21,500.00 | £27,594.00 | £27,594.00 | TW | increase in line with inflation |
| 22 | NH | FC Supporting Staff & Admin costs | £25,100.00 | £25,100.00 | £25,781.46 | ||
| £62,412.00 | £68,506.00 | £69,187.46 | |||||
| HLS Overheads - Other | |||||||
| NPA | Communications - Support | £25,000.00 | £32,086.00 | £32,058.88 | TW | increase in line with inflation | |
| 23 | NH | Communications | £1,000.00 | £1,000.00 | £998.84 | JK | |
| 24 | NH | FC Office Charges | £2,046.00 | £2,046.00 | £511.50 | JK | |
| 21 | NH | FC Misc Staff Costs | £5,000.00 | £5,000.00 | £8,530.29 | JK | |
| 93 | NH | FC Vehicle Leasing | £20,000.00 | £20,000.00 | £22,265.82 | JK | |
| Non Native Plants | £53,046.00 | £60,132.00 | £64,365.33 | ||||
| 33 | TW | Non Native plants Project | £32,000.00 | £32,000.00 | £32,000.00 | TW | |
| £32,000.00 | £32,000.00 | £32,000.00 | |||||
| SAMS | |||||||
| 32 | NH | no projects planned | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | NH | |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | |||||
| NPA | |||||||
| 71 | NPA | Lidar Analyst | £34,728.00 | £44,571.00 | £44,571.00 | TW | increase in line with inflation |
| 73 | NPA | Lidar Non-Staff | £9,423.00 | £9,423.00 | £7,660.20 | TW | |
| £44,151.00 | £53,994.00 | £52,231.20 | |||||
| Redundancy Contingency | |||||||
| 60 | TW | Project Staff | £4,524.57 | £4,524.57 | £0.00 | TW | |
| £4,524.57 | £4,524.57 | £0.00 | |||||
| TERRESTRIAL RESTORATION | |||||||
| 63 | NH | Open Habitat Restoration | £200,000.00 | £115,000.00 | £74,083.80 | JK | |
| 1903 | NH | Ridge & Furrow | £150,000.00 | £130,000.00 | £111,456.82 | JK | |
| 65 | NH | Rhododendron | £40,000.00 | £40,000.00 | £31,893.00 | JK | |
| 66 | NH | Bracken Control | £14,400.00 | £14,400.00 | £10,839.00 | JK | |
| 2301 | NH | Holly Holm Management | £9,600.00 | £6,000.00 | £0.00 | JK | |
| 68 | NH | Coppicing/Pollarding | £20,000.00 | £20,000.00 | £20,856.00 | JK | |
| 2201 | NH | Conifer removal from A&O woodland | £90,000.00 | £33,960.00 | £33,960.00 | ||
| 2202 | NH | Thinning A & O plots | £9,600.00 | £13,500.00 | £4,830.00 | ||
| 69 | NH | Lost Lawns | £42,000.00 | £60,840.00 | £57,726.00 | JK | |
| 70 | NH | Verge Restoration | £20,000.00 | £20,000.00 | £0.00 | JK | |
| 100 | NH | Heather Baling | £6,000.00 | £2,400.00 | £3,120.00 | NH | |
| £601,600.00 | £456,100.00 | £348,764.62 | |||||
| Monitoring (Terrestrial) | |||||||
| 2205 | NH | Specialist species surveys - Six-spotted cranefly (Idiocera sexguttata), Beaulieu dung beetle (Liothorax niger) | £5,252.00 | £8,664.00 | £5,472.00 | JK | |
| 2101 | NH | Botanical Survey - R&F sites | £3,000.00 | £2,625.00 | £2,436.00 | JK | |
| 2302 | NH | Specialist species surveys: Brown diving beetle (Agabus brunneus), | £3,532.00 | £5,472.00 | £4,560.00 | JK | |
| 1904 | NH | Dartford Warbler (Repeat) | £8,000.00 | £8,000.00 | £7,440.00 | JK | |
| 27 | NH | Nightjar ( Repeat) | £23,820.00 | £23,820.00 | £22,345.00 | JK | |
| £43,604.00 | £48,581.00 | £42,253.00 | |||||
| Monitoring (Wetland) | |||||||
| 2303 | NH | Wetland Monitoring reports - North Slufters, Harvestslande | £4,800.00 | £4,800.00 | £0.00 | JK | |
| 102 | NH | Bats | £2,000.00 | £2,000.00 | £1,116.00 | JK | |
| 25 | NH | Botanical Survey | £10,800.00 | £5,350.00 | £5,347.01 | JK | |
| 104 | NH | Fixed point photography | £500.00 | £500.00 | £0.00 | NH | |
| 103 | NH | Water Hydrology | £1,000.00 | £1,000.00 | £874.79 | NH | |
| 105 | NH | Riverfly Partnership | £500.00 | £500.00 | £0.00 | NH | |
| £19,600.00 | £14,150.00 | £7,337.80 | |||||
| WETLAND | |||||||
| Project Staff Costs | |||||||
| 57 | NH | Terrestrial Works Supervisor Pb6a | £36,000.00 | £36,000.00 | £31,161.08 | JK | |
| 60 | NH | Contract Manager Pb4 | £49,200.00 | £49,200.00 | £50,323.52 | JK | |
| 61 | NH | Terrestrial Restoration Works Officer Pb5 | £37,800.00 | £37,800.00 | £40,401.61 | JK | |
| 62 | NH | Wetland Restoration Officer Pb5 | £37,800.00 | £37,800.00 | £39,276.69 | JK | |
| 622 | NH | Monitoring Officer Pb6a | £28,350.00 | £18,900.00 | £19,399.36 | JK | |
| 623 | NH | Verge Restoration Officer Pb6a | £36,000.00 | £36,000.00 | £37,049.24 | JK | |
| 2204 | NH | Senior Wetland Restoration Officer Pb4 | £29,500.00 | £29,500.00 | £19,753.96 | JK | |
| 2206 | NH | Works Supervisor Wetland Pb6a | 18,000.00 | 18,000.00 | 18,740.64 | JK | |
| £272,650.00 | £263,200.00 | £256,106.10 | |||||
| Wetland Restoration | |||||||
| 48 | NH | Repair and Maintainence | £168,000.00 | £143,000.00 | £141,734.76 | JK | |
| 2203 | NH | Picket Bottom Mire | £38,000.00 | £42,500.00 | £47,114.21 | ||
| £206,000.00 | £185,500.00 | £188,848.97 | 0.00 | ||||
| T&C Planning Costs | |||||||
| 51 | NH | Wetland Restoration Planning | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | NH | |
| £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | |||||
| Total Habitat Restoration | £498,250.00 | £462,850.00 | £452,292.87 | ||||
| Total FE spend all serials | £1,196,600.00 | £1,020,677.00 | £901,398.40 | Claim 34 & 35 & 36 & 37 | |||
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
| Planned Spend Estimate | Actual Spend to Date |
|---|---|
| Total VGS Spend £1,177,032.22 | £1,169,364.14 |
| HLS Overheads Staff Costs £68,506.00 | £69,187.46 |
| Non Native plants & SAMS £60,132.00 | £64,365.33 |
| Monitoring £62,731.00 | £49,590.80 |
| Project Staff Costs £267,724.57 | £256,106.10 |
| Terrestrial & Wetland Restoration £641,600.00 | £537,613.59 |
| T & C Planning costs £0.00 | £0.00 |
| NPA £53,994.00 | £52,231.20 |
| TOTAL Planned Spend £2,331,719.79 | TOTAL Actual Spend £2,198,458.62 |
| Income from NE | Actual Income from NE £2,033,229.35 |
| End of year payment £2,033,229.35 | End of year payment £2,033,229.35 |
| Bugeted in-year underspend 2023 -£298,490.44 | In-year underspend -£165,229.27 |
| B/fwd underspend from 2022 £2,482,988.00 | B/fwd underspend 2022 £2,482,988.00 |
| Budgeted accumulated underspend £2,184,497.56 | Accumulated underspend £2,317,758.73 |
| Education Payment - Annual payment | |
| NPA Educational Access - payment per visit £5,190.00 | £5,190.00 |
HLS Board Update April 2024
Jackie Kelly
15/04/2024
HLS Board Meeting Update Jan-Mar 2024
Actions from HLS Board Meeting held on 31/01/2024
- Rhododendron public survey – FE will bring an update for discussion with the Board.
- Verge proposal from Boltons Bench to Denny Campsite – FE is sharing the proposal with partner organisations for comment as requested.
Overview of habitat restoration delivered Apr 2023 to Mar 2024:
| HLS project | Habitat restoration work delivered Apr 2023 to Mar 2024 |
|---|---|
| Open habitat restoration |
Natural regen removal from thrown open Inclosures: 57.1 ha at Knightwood, Woossons Hill, Fawley, Marchwood and Dunces Arch Scrub and tree removal from wetland habitats: 2.9 ha at Fort Bog, Holmsley, Ravensnest and Furzey Lodge Mire |
| A&O woodland restoration | Timber clearance (Woodcrates), 2.5ha at Brook Wood |
| Ridge & furrow | Stump shearing, ridge and furrow removal carried out at Dunces Arch (4.8ha), Ravensnest (7.7ha), Turf Hill/Millersford (12.3ha) and Dur Hill (1.8ha) |
| Rhododendron |
Spraying programme treated 17.94 ha across 12 sites at Burley (South Oakley, Cranes Moor, Dur Hill, Old House, Vales Moor, Verely, Common Moor) and Brockenhurst (Aldridgehill, Ober Heath, Black Knowl, Ferny Knapp, Fletchers Thorns) Winter cut & burn programme treated 11.87 ha cross 4 sites: Vereley, Turf Croft/Common Moor, Mouses Cupboard/Old House, Dur Hill (southern end) |
| Bracken control | Forage harvesting: 23 sites treated totalling 30 ha Ryetec trial: 2.28 ha at Millersford |
| Holly coppicing/pollarding | Holly treated to benefit epiphytic lichens at 9 sites totalling 7.65ha: Eyeworth Wood, Queen North Wood, Bramshaw Wood, Long Beech, Rockram Wood, Yolsham Hill, Park Hill, Tantany Wood and Penerley Wood |
| Lost lawns project | 1.23 ha at Balmer Lawn, 1.56 ha at Tantany Wood, 2.02 ha at Stricknage |
| Verge restoration | Strategic review of informal parking spaces across Open Forest |
| Wetland restoration and repairs/maintenance |
Repairs/maintenance at 8 sites: Amberslade, North Slufters, Shirley Holms Mire, Claypits Bottom, Deadman Bottom, Cowleys Heath East, The Noads Mire, Longbeech Restoration at 1 site: Picket Mire |
HLS Forestry England Progress Report
Updates should be read in conjunction with the Programme Register (Annex A).
Budget Update
Claim 36 was issued in January. A Programme Register is attached (Annex A) summarising Forestry England actual spend to end of Q4 (31 March 2024). Claim 37 was issued in April. As noted on the Programme Register, we are awaiting final figures for 2 items (serial numbers 57 and 93); any additional spend identified will be included with Claim 38.
A provisional programme and budget for 2024-25 will be brought to the meeting for discussion.
The provisional budget will be based on estimated costs for projects we currently expect to deliver this financial year (costs will be updated as we get quotes from contractors).
Staff Update
Our full-time Works Supervisor left the team in February (PR serial 57), recruitment is underway to appoint a replacement.
Restoration of Lowland Heath: Option HO2
Open habitat restoration: PR serial no. 63
The following projects were completed in Q4:
- Natural regen removal: Fawley (31.4 ha), Marchwood (2.1 ha) and Dunces Arch (7 ha).
- Wetland sites: Work to clear trees and scrub from spoil banks and stream/mire edge completed at Furzey Lodge Mire (0.45 ha). Clearance of trees from wet flush area within fenced off pen completed at Ravensnest (0.8 ha).
The following projects are in preparation for Sep 2024-Feb 2025:
- Clearance of felled timber from the above winter works will be carried out when conditions are suitable at each site.
- Natural regen removal: Rolling programme of work to remove natural regeneration from ‘thrown open’ Inclosures will continue in Sep 2024-Feb 2025. To include further work at Knightwood, Woossons Hill, Markway, Dur Hill, Longdown and Ipley. Sites brought to our attention by Natural England in condition assessment feedback are also being assessed, including Dames Slough and Wick Wood.
- Mature conifer removal: The initial phase of work at Ober Heath to remove mature conifer from Open Forest is planned in to start from mid-July 2024. Timing of the work will take account of the presence of red deer in this area, along with other constraints.
- Other sites are also being assessed for inclusion in future work programmes.
Ridge & furrow removal and stump shearing: PR serial no. 1903
- Minor drain infill work was carried out at Dur Hill following the stump shearing work (1.8 ha) that was done in Q3.
- Track reinstatement at Turf Hill is partially complete, the remaining work will be carried out when ground conditions are suitable.
- Programme of work for Sep 2024-Feb 2025 to be confirmed. Sites coming forward may include Highland Water, North Slufters and Ipley, depending on the timing of harvesting operations.
Rhododendron management: PR serial no. 65
- The winter cut & burn programme is complete. Sites treated include Vereley, Turf Croft/Common Moor, Mouses Cupboard/Old House and Dur Hill (southern end).
- Planning and preparation underway for the summer spraying programme. Sites include Little Wootton, Black Knowl, Matley, Turf Hill/Millersford, Dunces Arch, Knightwood Inclosure, Woosons Hill/Barrow Moor, Swan Green/Alum Green, Milkham, Pilmore Heath, Highland Water Inclosure, Broomy Lodge and Castle Malwood Park.
Bracken management: PR serial no. 66
The programme for 2024 will again focus on forage harvesting operations due to the ongoing restrictions on using Asulam. Following a successful trial last summer, we will also expand the use of a tractor and Ryetec to cut and collect bracken at sites in thrown open Inclosures where this method would be more suitable than the forage harvester. Potential sites include Dunces Arch, Turf Hill/Millersford, Highland Water and Anderwood.
Holly holm management: PR serial 2301
Fencing work was due to start in late summer/early autumn 2023 but was postponed to 2024 due to difficulties sourcing chestnut stakes and posts. This project follows on from the trial to encourage holly holm regeneration by removing grazing pressure for a period of time via temporary exclosures. Deer-proof fencing will be erected around selected holly holms where regeneration has been in decline. The pens will be in place for at least 5 years to allow time for holly to regenerate around the base and trunk. Proposed sites include Freeworms Hill (south of Fritham Plain), west side of Ocknell Wood, Seven Holms (west of Slufters), Withybeds Bottom, Bolderwood Hollies, Berry Beeches and Potterns Ford. Sites will be selected where ground conditions are suitable for the work.
Restoration of Wood Pasture & Parkland: Option HC13
Holly pollarding: PR serial no. 68
A mix of pollarding and coppicing was undertaken across 9 sites (7.65 ha) during Q4 to treat dense understorey holly to benefit epiphytic lichens: Eyeworth Wood, Queen North Wood, Bramshaw Wood, Long Beech, Rockram Wood, Yolsham Hill, Park Hill, Tantany Wood and Penerley Wood. Further sites will be selected from the survey report (N. Sanderson, 2018/19) for treatment in Jan-Mar 2025.
Restoration of A&O woodlands: PR serial no. 2201
The remaining small amount of felled timber in Woodcrates will be cleared when ground conditions are suitable. Other A&O woodland sites will be assessed for inclusion in future work programmes.
Thinning A&O Plots: PR serial no. 2202
Felling work was completed in Q4 in Brook Wood (2.5 ha) to thin old planting areas and regeneration pens to restore a more natural woodland structure. Felled timber will be cleared when ground conditions are suitable.
Bramshaw Wood will be assessed for restoration work in the 1950s beech plantation, to thin trees around surviving veteran trees to benefit epiphytic lichens and carry out irregular thinning elsewhere (as recommended in the 2018/19 survey report by N. Sanderson). Work will be planned in for winter 2024-5.
Restoration of species-rich grassland: Option HK7
Lost lawns: PR serial no. 69
The following projects were completed in Q4:
- Holly cutting was carried out to benefit lichens on veteran trees at Tantany.
- Work was carried out at Stricknage Wood to remove areas of scrub and trees on lawn habitat (2.02 ha).
- Felled timber at Tantany, Stricknage and Balmer Lawn will be cleared when ground conditions are suitable.
The following projects are in preparation for Sep 2024-Feb 2025:
- The second phase of agreed works at Balmer Lawn and removal of remaining birch at Anderwood Lawn.
- Other sites are being assessed for potential future works. Site consultation visits will be arranged as necessary.
Verge Restoration: PR serial no. 70
The following work is in preparation for 2024/25:
- Minor interventions will be carried out at the following sites in Q1 (postponed from March 2023 due to wet ground conditions):
- Bringing forward old measures and new barrier at Canterton Lane
- Various repair work at Broomy, Brockenhurst and Emery Down
- Closure of parking area and verge protection work at Furzey Lane
- Reduction of unauthorised parking area and verge protection around Shirley Holms
- Installation of barrier near Bracken Cottage, Blissford Hill track to prevent further erosion to large area used for unauthorised parking.
- Boltons Bench to Denny Campsite: Forestry England has developed a proposal to protect and restore SSSI habitats from unauthorised verge parking between Bolton’s Bench car park and Denny Campsite. The proposed work includes car-free ditching and bringing forward old measures closer to the road where possible, and installing dragon’s teeth in select areas that are not suitable for ditching. Some stretches of the road will not require new measures as they already have natural features that deter verge parking. The proposal has been agreed in principle with the HLS Board and Natural England and we are sharing the proposal with partner organisations for comment.
Wetland Restoration
Repair and maintenance: PR serial no. 48
The proposed programme of wetland work for summer 2024 includes repairs and maintenance at the following sites:
- Shirley Holms Mire – minor nick point repairs (postponed from 2023).
- Islands Thorns – repair nick point and raise bed level for a short stretch.
- Wootton – ensure link drains are working effectively along Inclosures.
- Ober Water (at Markway) – cut off exposed stakes and bed level raise and reprofile short section of bankside.
Picket Bottom Mire: PR serial no. 2203
A small-scale new wetland restoration project was carried out at Picket Bottom Mire to infill a deep eroding nick point and bed level raise the channel along an enclosure edge. As reported last time, the site has been monitored over the winter and is now stable and recovering well. We will continue to monitor it and will plan in remedial work in a future year if it is required.
Other wetland sites: PR serial numbers TBC
The following sites are also in the proposed programme of wetland work for summer 2024:
- Penny Moor – Bed level raise ditch and level spoil; allow secondary trend line across lawn to south; remove 2 bridges and replace with gravel ford crossings (amended Option 3 – submitted to Verderers Court and approved May 2023).
- Anses Wood – Infill eroding section of channel and relocate watercourse to lowest point in the floodplain (submitted to Verderers Court and approved Nov 2023).
- Hawkhill Mire – Repair nick points in channel, replace culvert with ford, press in stakes and remove temporary fence from previous restoration work (submitted to Verderers Court and approved Dec 2023).
- Furzey Lodge Mire – Repair nick points in channel feeding into Inclosure (submitted to Verderers Court and approved Dec 2023).
- Furzey Lodge Mire/Rans Wood - Remove trees/scrub from drain running parallel to Rans Wood, remove spoil, reinstate meanders and bed level raise channel (submitted to Verderers Court and approved Dec 2023 to progress work downstream of car park; a revised proposal for the upstream section will be submitted in due course).
- Ravensnest Inclosure – Drain infill, majority of works will use spoil from adjacent spoil banks. Restoration proposals will follow the principles of wetland restoration being developed through the Forum, as set out in the draft Restoration Plan.
Update: New Forest Freshwater & Wetlands Restoration Forum (FWRF)
Work is ongoing to finalise the draft Restoration Plan and develop the Communications and Engagement Strategy. The next Forum meeting will be on 22 May.
Heather Baling: PR serial no. 100
Two hundred heather bales were produced in Q4 for future wetland restoration projects.
Survey and Monitoring
Woodlark (repeat): PR serial no. 1902
Repeat bird survey for Woodlark is underway (last done in 2019, previous survey reports available here).
Bat: PR serial no. 102
Budget line to cover the costs of bat surveys if they are required before tree felling.
Botanical survey – ridge & furrow sites: PR serial no. 2101
The second post-restoration survey at Matley Ridge will be carried out this summer to monitor how the vegetation is continuing to develop following works to restore open habitats after commercial forestry. Initial post-restoration surveys are also planned this year for Turf Hill, Millersford and Dunces Arch.
Botanical survey: PR serial no. 25
The vegetation survey reports for North Slufters and Harvestslade have been finalised with information about the pre-restoration condition of these sites. As reported previously, the surveys trialled a new vegetation survey protocol to monitor wetland restoration projects. The surveys found that at 5+ years after restoration, both sites support a wide range of quintessential habitats.
The same protocol was used to carry out meso-habitat mapping at Pondhead and Wootton in 2023 and a draft report has been received. It will be finalised later this year with results from further survey work designed to assess the quality of the habitats present. A pre-restoration survey of habitats present at Penny Moor will also be commissioned using the new vegetation survey protocol.
Wetland monitoring reports: PR serial no. 2303
Site-based monitoring case studies will be commissioned for North Slufters and Harvestslade. These will combine data from various completed survey reports (including botanical survey, River Habitat Survey, fish and macroinvertebrate surveys) into a single succinct report for each site. The report will describe the site at 5+ years after restoration in the context of habitats present and relevant measures of success.
Fixed point photography: PR serial no. 104
Budget line to cover consumables for camera equipment.
Water hydrology: PR serial no. 103
We piloted the use of remote telemetry units to measure water level and temperature with units installed through the Latchmore catchment and Dockens water. We have retrieved the units and are reviewing the data collected.
Riverfly Partnership: PR serial no. 105
Our citizen science volunteers are surveying 2 Riverfly sites (Pondhead and Millersford) from April to October this year. We are reviewing the data collected so far and preparing an update on the results for the HLS website.
Spend profile: 2023-24
| Register Serial No. | Project Title | Budget Apr23-Mar24 | Revised Forecast (updated Jan24) | Actual spend to 31.03.24 | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | FE Supporting Staff & Admin costs | 25,100.00 | 25,781.46 | ||
| 60 | Project Manager Pb4 | 49,200.00 | 50,323.52 | ||
| 61 | Terrestrial Restoration Officer Pb5 | 37,800.00 | 40,401.61 | ||
| 57 | Works Supervisor Pb6a | 36,000.00 | 31,161.08 | WS post vacant since 26 Feb 2024. Final actual spend for Q4 TBC (current figure covers Apr23 to Jan24) | |
| 62 | Wetland Restoration Officer Pb5 | 37,800.00 | 39,276.69 | ||
| 622 | Monitoring Project Officer Pb5 | 18,900.00 | 19,399.36 | Monitoring Project Officer started 09 Oct 2023 | |
| 623 | Verge Restoration Officer Pb6a | 36,000.00 | 37,049.24 | ||
| 2204 | Senior Wetland Restoration Officer Pb4 (0.6 FTE) | 29,500.00 | 19,753.96 | Fixed term ended 30 Nov 2023 | |
| 2206 | Works Supervisor Pb6a (0.5 FTE) | 18,000.00 | 18,740.64 | ||
| 288,300.00 | 288,300.00 | 281,887.56 | |||
| 23 | Communications | 1,000.00 | 998.84 | ||
| 24 | Forestry England - Office Charges | 2,046.00 | 511.50 | Pro rata charge for Jan-Mar 2024. Previously charged once a year (last charge was Mar23), we will apply this as a quarterly charge in arrears for future claims. | |
| 93 | Forestry England - Vehicle Leasing & Business related mileage | 20,000.00 | 22,265.82 | Final actual spend TBC (awaiting FE figures for new electric vehicle) | |
| 21 | Miscellaneous Admin/Staff costs | 5,000.00 | 8,530.29 | ||
| 28,046.00 | 28,046.00 | 32,306.45 | |||
| Sub-total Overheads | 316,346.00 | 316,346.00 | 314,194.01 | Final actual spend TBC (see above) | |
| 32 | No projects planned | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| 63 | Open Habitat Restoration | 200,000.00 | 103,000.00 | 74,083.80 | Tree & scrub management on open habitats, natural regen work in V Inclosures, restoration of slender cottongrass sites, mature pine removal, Inclosure restoration plans. Forecast reduced in line with actual costs and because Ober Heath project deferred to Aug 2024 |
| 1903 | Ridge & Furrow | 150,000.00 | 111,500.00 | 111,456.82 | Stump shearing and/or removal of ridges and furrows from V Inclosures. Forecast reduced in line with actual costs. |
| 65 | Rhododendron | 40,000.00 | 30,000.00 | 31,893.00 | Summer spraying programme, winter cut & burn programme |
| 66 | Bracken Control | 14,400.00 | 10,839.00 | 10,839.00 | Forage harvesting only |
| 2301 | Holly Holm Management | 9,600.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | Deer-proof fencing for regeneration pens around 7 holly holm sites. Project postponed to next FY due to difficulties sourcing materials. |
| 414,000.00 | 255,339.00 | 228,272.62 | |||
| 68 | Coppicing/Pollarding | 20,000.00 | 30,000.00 | 20,856.00 | Holly management programme to benefit lichens (targets sites identified in N. Sanderson report). Forecast increased in line with planned programme. |
| 2201 | Restoration of A&O woodlands | 90,000.00 | 33,960.00 | 33,960.00 | Removal of conifer and natural regen from A&O woodlands (Woodcrates). Forecast reduced as Tantany Wood is covered by Lost Lawns line 69 |
| 2202 | Thinning A&O plots | 9,600.00 | 4,830.00 | 4,830.00 | Programme to thin regeneration plots in A&O woodlands (Brook Wood). Forecast reduced in line with actual costs. |
| 119,600.00 | 68,790.00 | 59,646.00 | |||
| 69 | Lost Lawns | 42,000.00 | 87,966.00 | 57,726.00 | Removal of scrub and natural regeneration from sites identified in the Lost Lawns Report (N. Sanderson) (Tantany Lawn, Balmer Lawn, Stricknage). Forecast reflects expected costs. |
| 70 | Verge Restoration | 20,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 0.00 | Verge restoration project. Planned work programme postponed to next FY due to wet ground conditions. |
| 62,000.00 | 92,966.00 | 57,726.00 | |||
| 2205 | Specialist species surveys: Six-spotted cranefly (Idiocera sexguttata), Beaulieu dung beetle (Liothorax niger) | 5,252.00 | 5,472.00 | 5,472.00 | Follow up surveys for Six-spotted cranefly and Beaulieu dung beetle (as per recommendations in 2022 survey report). |
| 2302 | Specialist species surveys: Brown diving beetle (Agabus brunneus), New Forest mud beetle (Helophorus laticollis) | 3,532.00 | 4,560.00 | 4,560.00 | New surveys for Brown diving beetle, New Forest mud beetle |
| 1904 | Dartford Warbler (repeat) | 8,000.00 | 7,440.00 | 7,440.00 | Repeat bird survey (last done 2018). Forecast reduced to reflect costs for HLS area only. |
| 27 | Nightjar (repeat) | 23,820.00 | 22,345.00 | 22,345.00 | Repeat bird survey (last done 2018). Forecast reduced to reflect costs for HLS area only. |
| 2101 | Botanical Survey - R&F sites | 3,000.00 | 2,436.00 | 2,436.00 | First post-restoration survey at Matley. Forecast reduced in line with actual cost |
| 102 | Bats | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | 1,116.00 | |
| 25 | Botanical Survey | 10,800.00 | 5,350.00 | 5,347.01 | Surveys following new monitoring protocol to assess wetland restoration sites at 5 years post-restoration. Forecast reduced as some of the survey work has been deferred to summer 2024 |
| 2303 | Wetland monitoring reports - North Slufters, Harvestslade | 4,800.00 | 4,800.00 | 0.00 | Site-based monitoring case studies - deferred to next FY |
| 104 | Fixed point photography | 500.00 | 500.00 | 0.00 | |
| 103 | Water Hydrology | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 874.79 | |
| 105 | Riverfly Partnership | 500.00 | 500.00 | 0.00 | |
| 63,204.00 | 56,403.00 | 49,590.80 | |||
| 48 | Repair and Maintainence | 168,000.00 | 141,734.76 | 141,734.76 | Forecast reduced in line with actual costs |
| 2203 | Picket Bottom Mire | 38,000.00 | 47,114.21 | 47,114.21 | Forecast increased in line with actual costs |
| 100 | Heather Baling | 6,000.00 | 3,120.00 | 3,120.00 | Forecast reduced in line with actual requirement |
| 212,000.00 | 191,968.97 | 191,968.97 | |||
Survey and Monitoring
Wetland Restoration
HLS Overheads - STAFF COSTS
HLS Overheads - Other
Historic Environment
Option HO2 Restoration of Lowland Heath
Option HC13 Restoration of Wood Pasture & Parkland
Option HK7 Restoration of Species Rich Grassland
| Operational Expenditure | £870,804.00 | £665,466.97 | £587,204.39 | Operational Expenditure |
| TOTAL Expenditure | £1,187,150.00 | £981,812.97 | £901,398.40 | TOTAL Expenditure |
2023-24 Claim Profile
| Q1 Claim 34 | £92,986.89 |
| Q2 Claim 35 | £180,815.80 |
| Q3 Claim 36 | £385,804.19 |
| Q4 Claim 37 | £241,791.52 |
| Office charge £511.50 claimed on a separate invoice | |
| TOTAL | £901,398.40 |
| Final actual Operational spend TBC | |
NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
Report to HLS Board: April 2024
Maria Court, Senior Communications Officer
Media coverage
World Wetlands Day
On World Wetlands Day on 2 February, we posted a video on our social media channels highlighting the importance of wetlands with a link to the HLS site.
Posts across all NPA channels received 11,308 impressions and 435 engagements (likes, comments, shares etc).
Forestry England shared a video – see below for stats.
Verges
The Spring/Summer edition of Park Life features a spread on New Forest verges, focusing on why they need to be protected, the work of the HLS scheme and the Verge Restoration Officer.
65,000 readership, distributed via the Lymington times as well as local outlets and given out from the ranger vans as public engagement.
Verges leaflets
The Verge Protection leaflet, to be used by the Verge Protection Officer and rangers, has now been updated and printed, with an e-version on the website. 2024-Verge-leaflet-WEB.pdf (hlsnewforest.org.uk)
HLS website
The verges section of the website (Protecting New Forest verges - HLS New Forest) has been given a complete refresh and has been split into three easy-navigable sections.
- Introductory page about the importance of verges and how people can help
- Page featuring completed projects, including maps of works, photos before and after restoration, plus photos of rare plant and animal species found on New Forest verges.
- Page featuring upcoming projects with maps, as well as photos of irresponsible parking and how it causes damage to verges.
HLS Comms strategy
The Behind the Scenes campaign over the second half of 2024 will support HLS comms including content on verge protection; heathland habitats; wetland restoration; commoning; and species surveys.
The campaign outline is as follows:
Objectives:
- More people understand that behind the scenes/views, the ponies and a place to live and visit is an incredibly special landscape with a rich tradition of commoning, a world capital for wildlife and an ark for some of our most rare species.
- More people know about those working behind the scenes - professionals, volunteers and communities who love the New Forest and are passionate about what they do to care for it. It’s a living, working landscape which has been managed by people for centuries.
Strategy:
- A ‘deep dive’ into the habitats and species that live here – an in-depth look at the mosaic of different habitats, the conditions here which are different to anywhere else, the rare species...
- The stories of the experts, landowners, volunteers and communities about how they help care for the landscape.
The campaign will also be the theme for the NPA’s stand at the New Forest Show, featuring HLS priority species and projects, with photos and interviews with staff related to the HLS scheme. The content calendar proposed by the NPA is currently being finalised and being sent round to partners.
Ranger van interpretation
Interchangeable magnetic displays have been produced to be attached to the inside of the NPA ranger mobile information unit and for use as educational printouts. The display features a range of species, why they are special and where and when they might be seen.
Coming up
- Alison Barnes will be a guest speaker at the New Milton Town Council AGM in late April. One of the Partnership Plan case studies will include an overview of the wetland restorations at Wootton.
- Endangered species day 17 May. An opportunity to focus on wildlife surveys funded by the HLS scheme, plus any rare species (eg southern damselfly) helped by the HLS scheme.
- Invasive species week will be held from 20 – 26 May 2024. Possibility of re-running the public rhododendron survey, as well as a wider focus on the work to control non-native species that have been introduced to the Forest either intentionally or escaping from private gardens over the past century. Undoing the things which people thought were a good idea at the time.
- Dragonfly Week 6 – 14 July 2024.
- Heath Week 29 July – 4 August 2024.
- New Forest Show 30 July – 1 August. Stands to include Behind the Scenes content as outlined above.
- FE and NPA to work on appropriate messaging around ‘right tree, right place’ and the importance of heathlands. This to be linked to the Forest Design Plan and terrestrial works of the HLS. Web updates and possible film to explore the history of the area and how it has been grazed for many, many years.
- ‘Ground truthing’ surveys identifying features in the landscape with the help of archaeology volunteers.
NEW FOREST NON-NATIVE PLANTS PROJECT
REPORT TO THE NEW FOREST HIGHER LEVEL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON 24 APRIL 2024
This report outlines relevant activities of the New Forest Non-Native Plants Project since the previous report dated 19 January 2024 which was submitted for the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme (HLS) Board meeting held on 31 January 2024.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (which hosts the New Forest Non-Native Plants Project) is very grateful for the funding provided by the New Forest HLS scheme for the control of invasive non-native plants within the Open Forest on the Crown Land.
Control of invasive non-native plants
Control of Pitcher Plants
On the afternoon of Sunday 3 March 2024 Holly Fitzgerald of Forestry England emailed the Project Officer to report a population of Pitcher Plant Sarracenia purpurea growing in a bog near Pilmore Gate Heath. Holly had been alerted to these plants by her colleague Suzannah (Suzi) Eggleston, the New Forest HLS Monitoring Officer. Although Suzi did not recognise the plants, she mentioned them to Holly as she was concerned that they might be an invasive non-native species.
Holly visited the area on Saturday 2 March 2024 and took a GPS reading in the middle of the clumps of Pitcher Plants at SU 27587 08767. Due to the need to avoid disturbance to ground-nesting birds, Holly decided that prompt action was required so she and her partner carefully cut off and bagged the seedheads from the ‘mother plant’, dug up two smaller clumps of Pitcher Plants with a small hand tool and removed lots of tiny plants from within a ‘square of approximately 5 metres’ until her bag was full.
Holly explained that a spade would be required to dig up the ‘mother plant’ and offered help with its removal.
The Project Officer was aware that time was of the essence (due to the ground nesting bird breeding season) so decided to visit the site on the afternoon of 3 March 2024 to dig up the remaining plants with help from volunteer Clive Chatters.
A large clump (described by Holly as the ‘mother plant’) was recorded by the Project Officer at SU 27585 08775 and a smaller clump was recorded at SU 27585 08772. Both these clumps were dug up by Clive Chatters whilst the Project Officer removed a few small plants and seedlings by hand.
The Project Officer is grateful to Suzi Eggleston, the New Forest HLS Monitoring Officer, for discovering the existence of the Pitcher Plants at this site.
Page 1
Left: The larger clump of Pitcher Plants recorded by the Project Officer on 3 March 2024 at SU 27585 08775.
Right: The smaller clump of Pitcher Plants recorded by the Project Officer on 3 March 2024 at SU 27585 08772.
Left: The Project Officer standing by the large clump of Pitcher Plants at SU 27585 08775.
Right: Clive Chatters digging up this clump. Photos taken on Sunday 3 March 2024.
The Project Officer prepared a report to summarise the discovery and removal of the Pitcher Plant population and sent it on 5 March 2024 to Dr Niall Moore and Dr Olaf Booy of the Great Britain Non-Native Species Secretariat (GBNNSS) and Dr Kevin Walker, Head of Science, Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI).
“Catherine, I have just read the report. Talk about a rapid response – found on March 2, removed by COP March 3, report complete March 5. We need to do this sort of response far more often! I will share with Defra colleagues as an exemplar. Thanks again for sharing. Photos are great and bring it alive.
Niall.”
Page 2
The Pitcher Plants dug up by volunteer Clive Chatters and the Project Officer on 3 March 2024
Page 3
Recording invasive non-native plants
Recording Cotoneaster
The Project Officer was alerted by a local naturalist to a tall Cotoneaster plant growing on the Open Forest by holly bushes near the bus stop at East Boldre; a GPS reading and photographs were taken on 23 February 2024.
The Cotoneaster bush recorded on the Open Forest at SZ 36806 99395 near the bus stop at East Boldre
Recording Euphorbia
Photographs and GPS readings were taken by the Project Officer of the Euphorbia plants growing on the Open Forest (immediately adjacent to the boundaries of adjacent residential properties) near Hatchet Gate on 23 February 2024.
Euphorbia plants photographed on the Open Forest near Hatchet Gate on 23 February 2024 at SU 37080 01732 and SU 37124 01741
Page 4
Work to be undertaken by contractors on Crown Land on Open Forest in 2024
Purchase Orders were issued by the Project Officer on behalf of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust during April 2024 for work to be undertaken by professional contractors to control invasive non-native plants on the Open Forest on Crown Land during 2024.
The Purchase Orders were issued to the contractors with covering letters and site risk assessments which had been prepared by the Project Officer, together with relevant ‘constraints and hazards’ maps which had been prepared by Forestry England. Where available, detailed maps prepared by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust were sent to the contractors to help them find the target species when undertaking the herbicide treatment.
Control of Japanese knotweed
- One herbicide treatment to be undertaken by contractor adjacent to Hillview, Linwood. £85 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment to be undertaken by contractor between Burley and Bransgore. £125 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment to be undertaken by contractor off Cott Lane, Burley. £165 + VAT.
Control of American skunk cabbage
- One herbicide treatment to be undertaken along Mill Lawn Brook downstream of Rooks Bridge. £160 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment to be undertaken upstream of A337 (downstream of Harcourt Wood). £160 + VAT
Control of Yellow Azalea
- Herbicide treatment and cutting to be undertaken by contractor on Open Forest in vicinity of Old House, near Burley. £90 + VAT.
- Herbicide treatment to be undertaken by contractor on Open Forest at South Oakley. £70 + VAT.
- Herbicide treatment to be undertaken by contractor on Open Forest in Busketts area. £65 + VAT.
Control of Gaultheria
- One herbicide treatment to be undertaken by contractor south of Fletcher’s Hill in May or June 2024. £565 + VAT.
- Two herbicide treatments to be undertaken by contractor on island in pond on Broomy Plain (one treatment in April 2024 and one treatment in May or June 2024). £1,195.39 + VAT.
Page 5
Control of Cotoneaster and Berberis
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor in vicinity of former WWI Airfield at East Boldre. £160 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor in vicinity of former WWII Airfield at Beaulieu Heath. £3,150 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor in vicinity of the former WWII Airfield at Stoney Cross. £2,950 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor at Eastern side of Lyndhurst. £95 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor near Bramble Hill Hotel. £280 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor to north of Hatchet Pond. £120 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor in vicinity of Hatchet Moor car park and Little Hatchet Pond. £165 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor at Hatchet Triangle. £270 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor to west of Hatchet Gate. £200 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor in vicinity of Rans Wood car park. £480 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster and Berberis to be undertaken by contractor in vicinity of Setley Pond. £165 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor on Setley Plain. £165 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor to north of A31 near Minstead. £265.40 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor at Pilmore Gate Heath and Acres Down. £280 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor at Boundway Hill. £120 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor at near Piper’s Wait car park £65 + VAT.
- One herbicide treatment of Cotoneaster to be undertaken by contractor near Wilverley Lodge £430 + VAT.
Page 6
Control of Parrot’s Feather
Early summer herbicide treatments, late summer herbicide treatments and interim herbicide treatments to be undertaken by contractor at East End and Hincheslea Bog.
- Early summer treatment £573.30 + VAT
- Late summer treatment and interim treatments £573.30 + VAT
Control of Evening Primrose and Purple Toadflax
- One herbicide treatment on Open Forest at Shepard’s Gutter car park. £65 + VAT.
Submission of grant claim for 2024/25
The grant claim for 2024/25 was submitted by the Project Officer on 2 April 2024.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Aleksandra Piekarska (former Planning and Environment Officer, Forestry England) and Elina Vainio (Environment GIS Technician, Forestry England) for preparing maps relating to work to be undertaken on the Open Forest by contractors on behalf of the NFNNPP during 2024. Thanks to Alexander Glossop (Assistant GIS and Data Officer, HIWWT) for preparing the map on page 3 of this report.
The New Forest Non-Native Plants Project, hosted by Hampshire & Isle of Wildlife Trust, is very grateful to The Verderers and the New Forest HLS Board for the continued financial support given by the New Forest Higher Level Stewardship Scheme.
Report prepared by Catherine Chatters, New Forest Non-Native Plants Officer
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Mobile 07770 923315
e-mail: Catherine.Chatters@hiwwt.org.uk
5 April 2024
Page 7
240405 Report from HIWWT for HLS Board Meeting on 24 April 2024 CAC
New Forest HLS - Archaeology and Heritage Team Report – April 2024
1 of 3
LiDAR and Archaeology Report
April 2024 Board Meeting
Report by: Gareth Owen
HLS Archaeology and Heritage Team:
The team consists of Gareth Owen (Archaeologist), Hilde van der Heul (Assistant Archaeologist) and Stephen Fisher (Archaeological Officer). Since early August 2023 the team has been working without Steve’s support while he has been away on other contract work, reducing the team’s capacity.
Since the January 2024 Board meeting the team has been continuing with ongoing works and responding to new requests from FE HLS. The team has progressed 13 sites for Heritage Impact Assessments (Data Packs) and site mark-ups ahead of ground works for Verge Protection/Restoration, Trees & Scrub Clearance and Stream/Wetland Restoration. In addition we have progressed the processing of the winter 2019-2020 survey data and the Data Consolidation project work. Presented here for the Board’s consideration is a summary of works undertaken and ongoing from Jan 2024 to March 2024.
A review of work undertaken since the previous report:
For all requests received the team conduct an initial Desk Based Assessments followed by, in most cases, a site visit prior to submitting the Heritage Impact Assessment (Data Pack). In some cases, the team will then conduct watching briefs and or monitoring visits as work progresses.
Stream/Wetland Restoration:
Heritage Impact Assessments (Data Packs) were produced for Hawkhill Mire and Furzley Lodge and Gareth joined FE and Historic England’s Assistant Inspector of Ancient Monuments for a site walkover visit at Penney Moor. To access the works area at Penney Moor a Scheduled Monument must be crossed and so Scheduled Monument Consent will be required. The Historic England Inspector was not supportive of previous methodologies being used again to cross the Monument and has required FE to undertake additional work in support of the Consent application or come up with alternative methodologies.
Ridge, Furrow and Stump Removal
No requests/enquiries during this period.
Woodland Restoration
No requests/enquiries during this period.
Verge Protection/Restoration
A Data Pack was produced for six verge sites.
Trees & Scrub Clearance
Four Data Packs was produced for Ober Heath, Markway Inclosure, Dur Hill and Woosons Hill.
Lost Lawns
No requests/enquiries during this period.
2 of 3
Ongoing Work:
Finish processing winter 2019-2020 survey data:
The data processing, of previous surveys, has progressed resulting in over 200 features being added to the current New Forest HLS Heritage Index. There are now three survey datasets left to process, an estimated 150 features.
Concluding the Heritage Mapping Surveys:
Work on the ‘Gap Filling’ surveys has also progressed. The first phase involves reviewing the initial LiDAR alongside more recent LiDAR available online. Once crossed referenced with the HER (and any other heritage data sets) those unknown anomalies that still have the potential to be heritage will be visited, subject to GNB sites.
HLS Projects:
New Forest Heritage Map – Data Consolidation and The Legacy of War on the Forest.
With the data processing of the 2019-2020 survey data well underway we have been able to progress the Data Consolidation project. We started with, what looks to be, the most complete data sets resulting in the consolidation of 67 HLS data sets, bringing together almost 3000 feature records for the first time (see Fig, Map. 1). As we progress with the processing of previous survey data and collecting any new data from the Gap Filling surveys, we will add this to the New Forest Heritage Map. We are still at an early stage of this project but aim to see it concluded by the end of the year.
We are now looking to start the Legacy of War project late Summer early Autumn.
3 of 3
Figure 1: Map showing the consolidated (to date) New Forest Heritage data surveyed by the HLS Archaeology Team and Volunteers.
NEW FOREST LAND ADVICE SERVICE
Report to HLS Board meeting April 2024
Progress and Work Programme 1st January to 31st March 2024
Report by: Rhys Morgan / Sam Loades
This report summarises the work completed by the New Forest Land Advice Service to support commoning in the New Forest from 1st January to the 31st of March.
- Proactive work with commoners to deliver land management advice and support to understand and comply with relevant practices such as Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition and HLS related objectives. 11
- Advice to commoners where HLS land adjacent to their holdings is being affected by inappropriate operations or management, to advise and promote best practice land management. 10
-
Backup grazing:
New Landowner, explaining the importance of backup grazing formed part of that visit. Plus retain the existing setup for the commoning family.
4 acres offered for commoner grazing on a separate location in the forest.
Request for animals to graze land / contacts made between landowner and possible grazier.
