Bierley Hall Woods
Community Woodland
Management Plan
Date (dd/mm/yyyy)
30. 6. 2011
To
2031
Date of last review 1(2.1.3)
N/A
Owner / tenant
Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Agent / contact
Bob Thorp
Signed declaration of tenure
rights and agreement to public
availability of the plan2
(UKWAS 1.1.3/1.1.5/2.1.2)
1.
Background information
1.1 Location
Nearest town, village or feature
Grid reference
Total area (ha)
Bradford
SE175293
10.68
1.2 Description of the woodland(s) in the landscape
Bierley Hall Wood is situated in a shallow valley in an area of mixed housing and industrial
use. The southern end of the wood has some connection to semi open country. The site is
the former landscaped ground of large house, little trace of the house or landscaping is
now visible.
1.3 History of management
Despite the site belonging in the 18th and 19th centuries to the Richardsons, a family of
keen gardeners and botanists there are no known records of management of the site. It is
known that the Hall was demolished in1968, and little appears to have been done apart
from felling related to Dutch Elm Disease, and the planting of a block of new woodland,
both were done in the early 1980’s
1
The plan must be reviewed every five years.
As owner, tenant or manager, you have the right to manage the wood in accordance with
this plan. At least a summary of the management plan must be made publicly available on
request.
2
Management Plan Framework
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2.
Woodland information
2.1 Areas and features
2.1.1 Designated areas
In
woodland
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
In
woodland
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
Special Areas for Conservation (SACs)
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
Ramsar Sites (see note on Guidance)
National Nature Reserves (NNRs)
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
Other designations e.g.: National Parks (NPs), Areas
of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), Local Nature
Reserves (LNRs)
Details
The site is designated a Bradford Wildlife Area
2.1.2 Rare and important species
Red Data Book or BAP species
Yes
Rare, threatened, EPS or SAP species
Details
There are no ecological records for this wood. Bluebells are present
In
woodland
2.1.3 Habitats
Ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW)
Other semi-natural woodland
Plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS)
Semi-natural features in PAWS
Woodland margins and hedges
Veteran and other notable trees
Breeding sites
Habitats of notable species or subject to HAPs
Unimproved grassland
Rides and open ground
Valuable wildlife communities
Feeding areas
Lowland heath
Peatlands
Others
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Details
N/A
In
woodland
2.1.4 Water
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
Watercourses
Lakes
Ponds
Yes
Watercourses
Wetland habitats
Details
There are three ponds, originally part of the landscape features in the bottom of the valley
In
woodland
2.1.5 Landscape
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
Landscape designated areas
Landscape features
Rock exposures
Yes
Historic landscapes
Areas of the woodland prominent from roads
Yes
Areas of the woodland prominent from settlements
Yes
Details
Rock formations are present, original part of the landscaping features
In
woodland
2.1.6 Cultural features
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
Public rights of way
Prominent viewing points
Permissive footpaths
Yes
Footpaths
Areas managed with traditional management
systems
Details
The wood is entirely open to public access, and there are informal paths throughout the wood
In
woodland
2.1.7 Archaeological features
Adjacent
to
woodland
Map
Scheduled monument
Historical features
Details
N/A
2.2 Woodland resource characteristics
A mix of ash, birch, beech, cherry, horse chestnut, oak, rowan, sycamore, thorn, and
willow. There is an understorey of beech, birch, cherry, elm, holly, rhododendron and
thorn.Groundcover is bramble, bluebell ,nettle and wild garlic. Some balsam is present
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2.3 Site description
Most of this valley site is accessible to vehicles with reasonable paths throughout the
wood. It is located in a mostly shallow sided valley, only the upper, northern end becomes
steep sided. There are three ponds along the length of the site, popular with anglers.
Many of the trees are now mature with some large beech in particular
2.4 Significant hazards, constraints and threats
There are few hazards apart from steep sides to the upper end of the valley. The number
of users and limited visibilty are a constraint to any operations within the wood. Fly
tipping, litter, illegal horse grazing, quad incursions and fires are all threats to the wood
3.
Long term vision, management objectives and strategy
3.1 Long term vision
It is intended that the wood which is a popular venue for walking, angling and
orienteering will be maintained as a multi age regenerating broadleaf woodland providing
recreational and educational opportunities for the surrounding community.
3.2 Management objectives
No.
Objective
1
2
3
4
Maintain the trees in a safe condition for visitors
Produce a mixed age regenerating broadleaf woodland.
Remove invasive species.
3.3 Strategy
The strategy to achieve the above requires managing the regeneration present to favour
native species. Removal on non natives is not a practical proposition given the size and
location of the mature beech. A programme of rhododendron removal will be initiated
both to open the woodland floor and remove a Phytopthora vector. A small number of
trees will be felled on the northern edge of the site to increase light levels in adjoining
houses, a felling licence will be obtained for their removal. Due to the numbers of people
using the wood standing deadwood will not be allowed to develop.
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3.4 Woodfuel initiative
Would you be interested in receiving information on funding opportunities for the
purchase of harvesting machinery or wood fuel boilers?
No (delete as appropriate)
4.
Management prescriptions/operations
4.1 Silvicultural systems
4.1.1 Harvesting
N/A
4.1.2 Phased felling and restructuring of plantations
N/A
4.1.3 Establishment, restocking and regeneration
The regeneration present will be managed to favour native species
4.2 New planting
N/A
4.3 Other operations
N/A
4.4 Protection and maintenance
4.4.1 Pest and disease management
N/A
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4.4.2 Fire plan
In the event of a fire, actions for B.M.D.C staff are;
1 Contact the Fire and Rescue Service
2 Attend with beaters if possible
3 Close the wood to the public
Fire and Rescue will normally attend with one pump and call upon further resources as
necessary
4.4.3 Waste disposal and pollution
If any pollutants are carried into the woods during forestry operation they will have been
identified in the operational risk assesment and suitable spill kits carried
4.4.4 Protection from unauthorised activities
A combination of ranger patrols, liason with West Yorkshire Police and reporting by
members of the public helps to keep misiuse to a minimum
4.4.5 Protection of other identified services and values (4.1.1)
4.5 Game management
N/A
4.6 Protecting and enhancing landscape, biodiversity and special features
4.6.1 Management of designated areas
N/A
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4.6.2 Measures to enhance biodiversity and other special features (2.1.1k and 6.1.1)
Unless in an area inaccessible to the public standing deadwood will not be left, fallen
deadwood will be in situ.
4.6.3 Special measures for ASNW and SNW
N/A
4.6.4 Special measures for PAWS
N/A
4.6.5 Measures to mitigate impacts on landscape and neighbouring land (3.1.2)
N/A
4.7 Management of social and cultural values
4.7.1 Archaeology and sites of cultural interest
If any sites of possible interest are identified they will be protected during forestry
operations
4.7.2 Public access and impacts on local people
N/A
5.
Consultation
Organisation/individual
Date
received
Comment
Public
6.
Response/action
There will be
notification by signage
of forthcoming work
Monitoring plan summary
Objective
number, issue
or UKWAS
Requirement
Indicator
Method of
assessment
Monitoring
period
Management Plan Framework
Responsibility
How will
information be
used?
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Tree safety
Condition
Remove invasise
weeds
Presence
Q.T.R.A. risk
assesment
Visual
Anually
B.M.D.C.
Annually
B.M.D.C
To task work
teams
To task work
teams
(Amendments to guidance – replicable to allow comparison over time 2.3.2b and required
scope of monitoring activities 2.3.2c plus annual monitoring related to effectiveness of
measures for special areas 2.3.5)
7.
Work programmes
7.1 Outline long-term work programme (2011 to2031)
Compartment
or area
All wood
All wood
New planted
area
Year
Activity
Arboricultural/forestry
operations as generated by
surveys
Remove invasive weeds
Thin/formative prune
6-10
11-15
16-20
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
7.2 Short-term work programme (2011 to2016)
8.
Year
Compartment
or area
Activity
All wood
All wood
North East
boundary
Arboricultural work as generated by surveys
Invasive weed control
Fell 5 trees on boundary with houses on
Knightsbridge Walk
1
2
3
4
5
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
Costings (2.2.1)
All costs will be met by B.M.D.C
9.
Maps
List all maps here and append to plan.
Map No./Title
Description
Woodlands
Watercourses
Identifies woodlands
Identifies watercourses
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10.
Thinning, felling and restocking proposals
Applicants seeking funding through the wood fuel initiative for harvesting machinery or
wood fuel boilers must indicate the total volume that is to be thinned and felled during the
period of this plan, by completing Table A.
This section should not be completed for any other applications.
All applicants must complete Table B. where harvesting work is to be undertaken.
Table A.
Species
Total estimated volume to be harvested during
plan period (m3)
Broadleaves
Conifers
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Table B.
This section must be completed if you wish to gain felling licence approval from the Forestry Commission. The work detailed below should
match the proposals set out in the plan.
For details on how to complete the table, please refer to EWGS 4 Woodland Regeneration Grant Guide (PDF 84kb).
Cpt/sub
cpt
Area
Area to
be
worked
Type of
felling
% of felled
area
comprising
BL
Management Plan Framework
Type of
licence
Change in
woodland
type
Preferred
claim year
Restock
species %
CON
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Establishment
by natural
regeneration
%
Standard
proposals
Notes
Addition information if required
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