Care & Management of Rotherham's Woodland Estate

Introduction The Council’s woodland estate extends to 482 hectares and includes 42 individual sites. Approximately half of these are ancient woodlands – these are recognised as the most important woodland type in England for nature conservation. Ancient woods make up only about 1% of land cover in the UK. Map showing where to find Council Woodlands (71 Kb)

Management Planning

The woods are being managed for:

• Their benefits for personal health and well-being e.g. recreation and education.
• Wildlife conservation.
• Landscape importance.
• Protection of historic features.
• Production of wood products.

Policies and Strategies

The Council’s woodland planning and management is done in accordance with, European, national, regional and local legislation, policies and strategies.

Woodland policy statement (97 Kb)
 Chemical Use Policy (21 Kb)
 Woodland Monitoring Policy (15 Kb)
Community strategy 2005-2010

Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation

Full PowerPoint presentation of the above information (3.7 Mb)

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Woodland Management Plans

• The council has been working for many years to prepare management documentation for each woodland to guide management.
• All woodlands have a site appraisal providing brief information about the woodland.
• Many woodlands have a management plan in place providing detailed information about the site together with a five year work programme.
• The work programmes are reviewed every five years.
• Each plan has a number of main aims and objectives.

The main aims

• To conserve the semi natural characteristics and natural history of woodland and to promote diverse woodland structure.
• To promote the benefits of wellbeing and sense of place in woodlands, together with provision for safe and appropriate access and recreation.
• To involve the community in care and management of woodland and to encourage its use as an education resource.
• To protect and encourage further research of woodland archaeology and historic interest.
• To perpetuate and promote the character of woodland in the landscape.
• Subject to all of the above, maximise income to offset expenditure.

The Ojectives

The aims are supported by a number of objectives that vary from site to site. These objectives identify a whole range of steps and operations to be carried out to deliver the aims e.g. tree felling.

Management of Trees and other Plants

Aim 1 : To conserve the semi-natural characteristics andd natural history of woodland and to promote diverse woodland structure:-

Selective Thinning

Selective Felling

The technique is used to fell small groups of trees from one particular area of woodland. The increased light levels encourage new trees to regenerate naturally from seed that is already present in the woodland.

Coppicing

Coppicing is a traditional form of management used as a method of harvesting ‘crops’ from trees. The wood and timber is used for building, and fuel mainly. The steel industry in South Yorkshire was founded from the energy generated by charcoal produced from coppiced woodland.

Clear Felling and Replanting

• This is another form of management sometimes practiced by some woodland owners.
• All trees in the management area are felled at the same time. The trees are then replaced either by replanting or natural regeneration.
• Clear felling tends to be done for economic reasons only.
• Rotherham Borough Council does not use this form of management as it can have a significant impact on wildlife, amenity and landscape.
• Rotherham’s woodland estate relies mostly on natural regeneration rather than replanting.

Control of invasive species, including non-native plants

The main invasive species we need to control are:

• Bracken
• Japanese knotweed
• Himalayan balsam
• Rhododendron

We need to control them because they can quickly colonise large areas, excluding native plants and preventing young trees from regenerating.

Management for Ecology

The main ecology considerations are:

• To improve the quality and range of habitats in woodlands and to recognise the importance of continuing ecological survey.
• To maintain and promote rare habitats in Rotherham.
• Control invasive species.

Health and Well-being

• Regrettably Rotherham has some poor health statistics, particularly related to instances of circulatory disease.
• Exercise is vital to combat the high instances of this type of disease in the district.
• Rotherham’s woodland estate offers an attractive and safe setting for exercise and to promote healthier lifestyles.

Access Improvements

We endeavour to improve footpaths and bridleways where necessary. Where ever possible paths are upgraded to improve access opportunities for all.

The council strives to find a balance between good access for all legitimate woodland uses whilst maintaining site security.

Upon request we will issue keys to users who need access through locked gates for pushchairs or wheelchairs, where appropriate.

Simple seats and benches are installed in many woodlands to improve facilities for users. If you have a suggested location in a woodland we would be happy to hear from you and give your suggestion some consideration.

Visitors are welcome

A trail, approximately 1.5 miles long can be followed through Canklow Wood giving information about the woodlands history, management, wildlife and plants.

As part of the Heritage Lottery Fund Award, a series of leaflets have been produced for all of the ancient woodland sites in Rotherham. Education packs have been developed to encourage local schools to use their local woodland.

Community Involvement

Aim 3 : To involve the community in care and management of woodland and to encourage its use as an education resource.

• During the development of all management plans comments are invited from local residents and known interest groups in the area to ensure their views are taken into account.
• The proposals are presented at Area Assembly meetings to ensure wider consultation.
• A good working relationship has been established in and around many of the woods over the years with interested members of the community regarding woodland management

Consultation

• Local communities and known interest and user groups are kept informed of ongoing management and maintenance operations.
• User groups that may be affected by management operations are given prior notice of works and where possible offered alternative provision.
• Link to consultation policy

Archaeology

AIM 4 : To protect and encourage further research of woodland archaeology and historic interest.

Archaeological features are often better preserved in woodlands than on agricultural land because there is less ground disturbance from activities such as ploughing.

Archaeological Survey

With the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, detailed archaeological survey has been completed in five of the ancient woodlands, identifying the exact location of monuments giving as detailed a description of their origin as possible.

The work is essential in helping to protect archaeological monuments from damage.

Any work affecting a scheduled monument must first have the consent of the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Monuments can be an attractive place for mountain bikers and sometimes motorcyclists to use. This causes serious erosion to monuments.

More seriously, digging is causing irreversible damages to some monuments.

Unauthorised digging may result in prosecution.

Where ever possible we try to protect monuments from erosion and physical damage. Serious damage is reported to English Heritage.

Timber Uses

AIM 6 : Subject to all of the above, maximise income to offset expenditure

Timber Extraction

Threats

Presently the greatest threat to Rotherham’s woodland estate is the impact of antisocial behaviour problems.

Sadly problems or littering, flytipping, vandalism, arson, illegal motorcycling, theft and damage to archaeology have become common place in many of the woodlands. The measures taken to address and put right these problems are causing a serious drain on the very limited resources available to manage the estate.

Opportunities

Funding and support for this work.

• The Heritage Lottery Fund has supported much of the work shown here, together with funds from Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Forestry Commission and Countryside Agency (now Natural England).
• The South Yorkshire Forest Partnership provides considerable support, including support to attract funding. Rotherham has benefited greatly from the Forest Resources Grant, European Objective 1 funding.
• The woodland estate is included in the Forestry Commission’s English Woodland Grant Scheme and receives an income from this to fund certain management operations.
• Local communities and individuals contribute to the development of management plans and work programmes.
• A considerable input has been received from Professor M Jones, particularly with regards to interpretation and cultural and historical accuracy.

Value for Money?

• Most of the woodlands are very close to where people live, many within close walking distance.
• All woodlands are open 365 days a year and access is free to everyone to enjoy a wide range of activities.
• The council hosts a number of free events throughout the year, including guided walks.
• Leaflets for the ancient woodlands are available, free of charge.
• Schools are welcome to use the woods as outdoor classrooms. Accompanied visits by Council staff may be arranged by appointment.