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Contents
Chapter
1 Introduction
2
2 Forestry
7
3 Landscape
24
4 Biodiversity
29
5 Access, Recreation and Sport
38
6 Historic Environment
47
7 Community Participation
52
8 Regeneration and the Economy
60
9 Agriculture
65
10 Tourism
71
11 Mineral Workings, Landfill Sites and Derelict Land
85
12 Planning
90
13 Transport and Traffic
96
14 Research and Monitoring
102
15 References
104
Appendices
1 UK Sustainable Development Indicators and Defra’s
Aim and Objectives
105
2 The National Forest Vision
106
3 Landscape Character, Indicative Planting Areas and
Planting Design
108
4 National Forest Trees and Shrubs
117
5 National Forest Biodiversity Action Plan Targets.
118
6 Mineral, Landfill and Derelict Sites - Forest Related Afteruses
119
7 Socio-economic profile of the Forest area
120
8 Timing and Prioritisation of Strategy Actions
121
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In the ten years since the first Strategy was produced
for the creation of The National Forest, we have moved
from an exciting, ambitious and highly innovative
concept to a great new Forest in the making. The Forest
is quite literally taking shape and transforming the
physical, social and economic landscape of a great
swathe of central England.
Foreword
The National Forest has been described as a symbol of hope for the nation.
It is also very much a child of its time. It is a manifestation of a growing
awareness of our duty of care for our environment, our need to cherish it and
desire to pass it on undamaged, or even enhanced, to future generations.
Furthermore the restoration and glorification of the landscape is intertwined
with the regeneration of the area’s economy and the enrichment of the lives
and well-being of its residents and growing numbers of visitors. Thus the
Forest is also a living, practical example of that much sought-after but elusive
concept – sustainable development.
At the heart of this whole great enterprise lies an ever-widening network of
partnerships and supporters all actively engaged in bringing about the
transformation. Spearheading and orchestrating this hive of activity is the
National Forest Company established by Government in 1995 and now
proudly sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs (Defra).
This new Strategy, covering the next ten years of the Forest’s development,
builds on the successes of the early years, learns from the experience so far and
faces the future with confidence and determination. Inclusivity and
partnership lie at the philosophical heart of the Forest and its Strategy. In this
spirit I wish it well and look forward to the continuing burgeoning of this
the strategy
inspiring Forest for the nation.
Ben Bradshaw MP, Minister for Nature Conservation & Fisheries
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1.1 The Vision
The National Forest encompasses 200 square miles of the heart of England (Map
1). Spanning parts of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, it is a
quintessential slice of the Midlands - rich in historic, ecological and cultural
interest and ref lected in a varied landscape.
Map 1 – The National Forest boundary and location
➔ t o STO K E - O N -T R E N T
➔
➔
t o D E R BY
A50
t o NOT T I NG H A M
A50
24A
A511
A38
✈
R
East Midlands Airport A453
Melbourne
A515
Hoar Cross
BURTON
UPON TRENT
Newchurch
A453
23A
A6
Ticknall
A511
Rangemore
24
t
ren
rT
ive
A514
M1
A42
SWADLINCOTE
A444
A38
Barton-underNeedwood
Tre
nt &
Staunton
Harold
Walton-on-Trent
Mer
sey
Can
al
Loughborough
23
ASHBY DE LA
ZOUCH
A512
Manchester
Rosliston
Overseal
Alrewas
A513
Croxall
A38
Donisthorpe
Oakthorpe A42
Ravenstone
Stoke
COALVILLE
Copt Oak
A447
22
Ibstock
11
M1
Lichfield
Coventry
Markfield
Newtown
Linford
A50
t o B I R M I NG H A M
M42
A444
A447
Leicester
Northampton
Oxford
Cardiff
Bristol
London
Thornton
➔
Tamworth
Derby Nottingham
Birmingham
A511
Measham Heather
➔
Sheffield
Whitwick
Moira
➔
t o COV E N T RY
21A
L E I C E ST E R
to Hinckley
Linking the remnant ancient forests of Needwood and Charnwood, the new Forest
also covers a substantial area of the former Leicestershire and South Derbyshire
Coalfield, the attractive farmland landscapes of South Derbyshire, the
industrialised Trent Valley corridor and a number of towns and other settlements.
The idea is to create, within this setting, a vast new forested landscape for the
nation, that frames a mosaic of farms, open land, towns and villages. From its
original 6% woodland cover, the eventual wooded area will spread over about a
third of the area, thereby establishing a substantial working forest and transforming
the landscape, the environment and the economy of the Forest area.
1.2 Origins
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The National Forest was conceived by the then Countryside Commission in 1987
(1). It proposed that a forest, on a similar scale to the New Forest, should be created
in the middle of the country to demonstrate the many benefits that trees and
woodland can bestow.
2
By bringing forestry into the lowlands close to where most people live, it could
be genuinely multi-purpose – a new resource for recreation and tourism, creating
rich new wildlife habitats, restoring damaged landscapes and offering an
alternative, productive use of farmland. Woodland could also be put to greater
economic use beyond its traditional timber uses, as the basis for economic
regeneration, particularly in an area much affected by mineral working and the
demise of coal mining.
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The inspiring idea caught the public imagination and in 1991 the Countryside
Commission established a Development Team to draw up a strategy for its
creation. Following three years of research and consultation the strategy was
published, to widespread acclaim in 1994. The Government of the day announced
that it was to set up a new, independent public company – The National Forest
Company (NFC) – to spearhead the implementation of the Strategy. The NFC was
established in April 1995 as a company limited by guarantee and a NonDepartmental Public Body. It is sponsored by the Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
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1.3 Sustainable Development
Sustainable development has been at the heart of the Forest’s philosophy from the
outset. Environmentally the Forest aims to protect what is valued, whilst enhancing
the environment where it is most needed. Economic sustainability is based upon
developing a new, Forest-related economy (linked to leisure, tourism and wood
products), together with the Forest’s role in contributing to broader economic
regeneration of the area. The Forest’s creation is also significantly improving the
quality of life of local residents and visitors to the area. A healthier, vastly improved
environment, new recreation facilities, access to more local wildlife and new jobs
are all improving people’s well being.
Social, environmental and economic sustainability are therefore essential to the
Forest’s success. An improved environment is a spur to new economic activity and
provides an attractive setting for people to live in, work and spend their leisure
time. A successful economy will be the foundation for achieving long-lasting
environmental and social benefits. Linked to this, a well motivated and skilled local
community will play a key part in the long-term stewardship of the Forest through
new jobs and voluntary activity.
1.4 The Political importance of The National Forest
The National Forest is embedded in Government policy (2,3), is recognised as a
national exemplar of sustainable development and is contributing to a wide range
of UK sustainable development indicators. It is also helping to meet the aim and
objectives of Defra (see Appendix 1).
The Forest is also contributing to a wide range of other policy agendas, including:
Integrated Regional Strategies; Regional Environment Strategies; Regional
Forestry Frameworks (Forestry chapter); biodiversity (Biodiversity chapter); access
to the countryside (Access, Recreation and Sport chapter); agricultural
diversification (Agriculture chapter); economic development (Regeneration and
the Economy chapter); social inclusion, healthy living and environmental
education (Community Participation chapter), plus many others highlighted
throughout the document.
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The National Forest is not a statutory designation and this Strategy is also nonstatutory. Nevertheless, it is recognised as an important consideration in statutory
planning terms and has been written into a number of policy and planning
guidance strategies (see Chapters 11 and 12).
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1.5 The Story So Far
The National Forest is becoming increasingly evident in the landscape. In its first
10 years it has more than doubled woodland cover (14% as at 31/03/03) and is
transforming the area and the way it is perceived. The Forest is:
■ creating a vastly improved environment;
■ becoming a vibrant place in which people want to live, work and spend
their leisure time;
■ creating a new Forest identity and ‘sense of place’;
■ knitting together areas once blighted by derelict land and mineral working,
open agricultural landscapes and urban areas (through urban forestry);
■ involving local people and creating renewed community pride and spirit;
■ regenerating the local economy, especially of the Coalfield, and creating
new jobs;
■ creating a new tourism resource and
■ improving recreation and public access opportunities.
1.6 The Revised Strategy
Since the original Strategy was published in 1994, much has changed in the Forest
itself and in the context within which it is being created. This revised Strategy
looks ahead to anticipate the opportunities and challenges for the Forest over the
next 10 years.
Strategy audit and consultation exercise
The revised Strategy is based upon a thorough, independently verified audit of the
1994 Strategy (4). This established what had been achieved so far and identified
activities and targets that remain relevant, plus ones that are no longer relevant.
A wide range of organisations and individuals were then consulted on the future
issues that the Strategy should address. This was followed by a nationwide, three
month consultation on the draft Strategy, which generated almost 1,000 responses.
The comments arising from this consultation exercise have been taken into
account in producing this Strategy document.
Principles of the Strategy
The Strategy retains the overall Forest vision (Appendix 2) and the original Forest
boundary. It is not a site-specific blueprint for the Forest, but provides the
framework within which a wide range of individuals and partner organisations can
participate in its creation. Its key principles are to:
the strategy
■ create a coherent and identifiable new entity known as The National Forest;
■ transform the area through a purposeful conversion of land use on a significant
scale and at an exceptional rate;
■ be a recognisable forest – by expanding wooded cover to about one-third of
the area;
■ enrich a diversity of landscapes and wildlife habitats;
■ be enjoyable, welcoming and accessible for all;
■ involve local communities in the Forest’s creation;
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■
■
■
■
stimulate and add value to social and economic development;
be a working forest - contributing to national timber supplies;
be sustainable - environmentally, economically and socially;
be geographically diverse and sensitive to landscape, natural and cultural
history, and
■ help to integrate urban and rural environments.
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Strategy content and cross-cutting themes
The Strategy covers the main themes that were included in the original Strategy,
plus many new topics (e.g. geographic focusing of Forest activities, developing a
woodland economy, healthy living, business and skills training). There are also
three important cross-cutting themes that are applicable to the Strategy as a whole:
Social Inclusion - The Forest aims to appeal to all abilities, ages and groups
irrespective of culture, social or economic background. Social Inclusion is a key
objective in encouraging people to visit and enjoy the Forest’s many attractions and
to getting people involved in its creation through community and voluntary
activities. Particular attention will be paid to involving socially and economically
disadvantaged, minority and disabled groups, especially from within and near to
the Forest area. This will require partnership working with a wide range of
stakeholders and interest groups.
Marketing - Effective and sustained marketing of the Forest through information,
education and awareness raising will be crucial to its success. Marketing cuts across
all aspects of the Forest’s creation and is key to creating and maintaining support for
the Forest and raising its profile amongst a wide range of audiences, both locally
and nationally. Key audiences will include:
■
■
■
■
■
■
Government;
public and private sector organisations;
landowners;
special interest and voluntary organisations;
residents and the general public and
visitors to the area.
Marketing is considered in more detail in the accompanying document to the
Strategy which sets out the means of delivering the Strategy (see below).
Maintaining Quality - It is essential that the ‘Forest infrastructure’ of new
the strategy
woodlands, wildlife habitats, recreation sites, trails and visitor attractions is
maintained to the highest standards, for both local residents and visitors to enjoy. It
is equally important to raise the environmental quality of the Forest area as a whole,
so that it becomes valued and respected as a high quality environment. In some
locations endemic problems such as f ly tipping, litter and abandoned vehicles can
detract from the high quality environment that the Forest is creating. To achieve
and maintain high environmental quality will require concerted effort and
partnership working by specialist agencies, local authorities, the NFC, landowners
and local communities across the Forest area.
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1.7 Concise Strategy and delivery of the Strategy
To accompany this Strategy a separate document encompassing a concise version of
the Strategy and the means to implement the Strategy has also been produced.
A range of means and partners have already been deployed in the successful
opening years of the Forest’s creation. The future means of implementation draws
on the experience gained and sets out the types of financial mechanisms,
partnership working and marketing activity that will be needed to deliver the
Strategy’s Actions. The timing and priority for the Strategy’s Actions is set out in
Appendix 8 to this document.
The principles of implementing the Strategy will continue to be based upon:
on-going Government support;
leadership by the National Forest Company;
voluntary participation by landowners and other partners;
no compulsory purchase of land;
targeting financial incentives within the Forest boundary;
partnership working with public, private and voluntary sectors;
involvement of local communities;
multiple ownership and management of land and
promotion of social inclusivity and equal opportunities.
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■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
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Forestry
2.1 Introduction
The Forest will create a major new wooded environment with new trees and
woodlands ultimately covering around a third of the area. The strategic importance
of forestry cannot be overstated. It is important in its own right as a means of
creating rich new landscape and wildlife habitats; stimulating a new woodlandrelated economy; being a focus for recreation, tourism and community
involvement; and in contributing to global environmental objectives, such as
reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Forestry is also creating a major new structural framework for all the other land
use activities in the area. This is resulting in a vastly improved environment for
people living in the area, for business investment and visitors spending their leisure
time here.
2.2 Tree planting targets and progress
The original Forest Strategy set an overall target of achieving around a third
wooded cover. (Types of planting contributing to this target are described in
section 2.5). Considerable progress has been made as wooded cover has more than
doubled from 6% to 14.3%, with over 5 million trees having been planted
(31/3/03). Eventually around 15 million trees will be planted in all.
Woodland target
Existing woodland (1990/1)
New planting target
New woodland (31/3/03)
Total wooded cover (31/3/03)
-
33%
6%
27%
8.3%
14.3%
(16,566 ha).
(3,012 ha).
(13,554 ha).
(4,177 ha).
(7,189 ha).
There has been a good spread of woodland creation across the Forest (Map 2). The
biggest impact has been in the Coalfield, particularly through planting on derelict
and mineral worked land, and in the Mease Lowlands and Melbourne Parklands
with significant new planting on farmland.
The rate of new planting envisaged (70% of the 13,554 ha target in the first
10 years) has, however, proved too ambitious. This was reviewed in 1998 and a
new annual target was set of 500 ha. per year. This rate of planting is now being
achieved (Table 1).
Table 1 - Forest Planting by Year
600
Amount of Planning (Ha)
575
500
501
400
480
502
407
370
300
200
240
209
100
0
502
114
1990/1
1991/2
119
84
75
1992/3
1993/4
1994/5
1995/6
1996/7
1997/8
1998/9
1999/0
2000/1
2001/2
2002/3
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Map 2 Woodland Cover and Landscape Zones
PRE-NATIONAL FOREST WOODLAND COVER IN 1991
5
2
1
3
6
4
1 - Needwood & South Derbyshire Claylands
2 - Trent Valley Washlands
3 - Mease & Sence Lowlands
4 - Leicestershire & South Derbyshire Coalfield
10km
5 - Melbourne Parklands
6 - Charnwood
THE NATIONAL FOREST AS AT JANUARY 2004
5
1
2
3
6
4
Woodland
Major Water Features
Main Urban Areas
Motorways
10km
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A Class Roads
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For the next 10 years a new aspirational target is proposed of 4 - 5,000 ha. This
would move wooded cover to 22 - 25% (over 66% of the overall woodland cover
target). A planting range has been chosen as future planting decisions are likely to
be inf luenced by a range of factors including:
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■ the willingness of landowners to continue to bring land forward, particularly
higher grade agricultural land;
■ the availability of land on the open market;
■ the price of land;
■ the effect of new agri-environment measures on farm diversification choices;
■ agricultural tenancy constraints;
■ the rate and availability of planting incentives;
■ the willingness of mineral companies to restore sites to Forest uses, rather than
returning areas of land to agriculture; linked with a decreasing amount of land
that is likely to be available for restoration over the next 10 years (see Table 3);
■ competing or alternative uses of land;
■ new or extended protective designations of land and
■ possible resistance to planting in some areas by local residents.
Whilst land is physically plentiful therefore (Table 2), other factors are likely to
make it increasingly difficult over time to reach the 10-year target.
Action F1: The target to achieve around a third wooded cover will be
retained and reviewed by the NFC towards the end of the 10
year period.
Action F2: An aspirational target of 4 - 5,000 ha of woodland creation is
proposed for 2004-14. This target will be reviewed in 2009.
2.3 Forestry Strategy Principles
Sustainable Woodland Development
There will be an increasing need to balance the continuing job of forest creation
with the management of newly planted and mature woodlands. Sustainable,
environmentally sensitive forest management will be essential to realise the multipurpose potential of the woodland resource. The UK Forestry Standard, England
Forestry Strategy, Regional Forestry Frameworks (RFF) and the NFC/Forestry
Commission (FC) Concordat provide the context for sustainable forest
management. Within this context woodland certification to meet best practice
standards will be a high priority.
The Forest should aim to be an area of excellence for sustainable forestry. A
key partner in achieving this aim will be the FC. At a regional level it will be
particularly important that the Forest inter-relates with the FC’s RFF for the East
and West Midlands.
New woodland planting should aim to link areas of existing woodlands to
achieve landscape-scale change across the Forest area. This approach will create
a robust woodland framework - for biodiversity, by maximising habitat
connectivity; and for landscape impact, by creating woodland areas of high visual
and strategic impact.
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Landscape–scale change
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Multi-purpose woodlands
The Forest is recognised in the England Forestry Strategy as a national exemplar of
multi-purpose forestry. The theme will be continued of creating genuinely multipurpose woodlands which produce good quality timber, enhance the landscape,
enrich biodiversity and create opportunities for recreation, access and community
involvement. This recognises that not every use is suitable in every woodland, but
all woods should have more than a single purpose.
Mixed species Forest
The aim of Forest planting is to create a diverse forest of predominantly
broadleaved character. The original Forest Strategy envisaged an overall balance of
60% broadleaves to 40% conifers. The majority of woodlands are likely to be either
broadleaved or mixed species, with few being mainly conifers. Current planting is
84% broadleaves to 16% conifers (4).
Nationally there has been a major shift towards broadleaved planting which
coincides with greater public awareness of wanting to see more broadleaves. In The
National Forest mixed woodland planting is likely to continue in some farmland
schemes, but based upon current experience it is likely that the original 60%
broadleaf planting target will be exceeded.
The new English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) is planned to be introduced in
2005. It will be important to review the long-term balance of broadleaves to
conifers when the EWGS has been in operation for a few years, to see if more
broadleaved planting continues to be taken up by the Forest’s landowners.
Action F3: The NFC will test views on the long-term balance of broadleaf
to conifer planting in the medium term (2007-9).
2.4 Woodland Creation
Strategic Potential
The Indicative Forestry Strategy (IFS) in the original Strategy, identified Preferred
planting areas - those areas with best potential for woodland creation, which have
few identified environmental constraints; and Sensitive areas - where new planting
will be limited, but not excluded, by environmental considerations (Map 3).
the strategy
Broadly the IFS is still valid. However, there is a need to update constraints
mapping for ecological, archaeological and heritage sites, geological exposures and
river f loodplains. The best way to capture and monitor this information is on the
NFC’s Geographic Information System (GIS). This process has started, but it
requires a concerted effort by partner organisations to continue to put their
records onto GIS. Until this is complete the original IFS constraints framework will
be retained.
10
Increasingly, landscape will also become an issue that limits planting in certain
places, as some areas reach an optimal level of tree cover. Map 4 identifies wellwooded landscapes that now generally only have scope for linkage planting. More
sophisticated modelling and visualisation of landscape change is needed to help
assess when planting capacity has been reached in certain landscapes (section 3.4,
Landscape chapter). It will also be important to gauge public perceptions (see
Action L3, Landscape chapter).
Action F4:
T H E
A GIS constraints mapping system will be developed to
supersede the original Indicative Forestry Strategy.
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Preferred Areas
Unsuitable Land
F O R E S T
3
Main Existing Woodlands
5
7
4
Sensitive Areas*
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7
4
24
BURTON
UPON TRENT
21
6
2
24
0
17
12
8
S T R A T E G Y
Based on DOE Circular 29/92, Indicative Forest Strategies
11
10
25
23
16
33
20
18
5km
22
SWADLINCOTE
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* where new planting may be limited, but not
excluded by:- river floodplains; archaeological
sites; historic parklands; areas of ecological
value and geological interest.
ASHBY DE LA
ZOUCH
13
11
35
39
41
34
26
45
18
32
COALVILLE
36
30
19
15
40
31
14
14
44
Map 3 Indicative Forestry Strategy
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2
1
27
44
2 0 0 4
40
40
29
44
28
37
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13. Historic parkland, archaeological sites
14. Ecological area, river floodplain,
archaeological sites
15. Historic parkland, archaeological sites
16. Archaeological sites, ecological sites
17. Ecological area, geological site,
archaeological site
18. Ecological area, archaeological sites
19. Ecological area
20. Geological sites
21. Ecological area, historic parkland,
geological sites, archaeological sites
22. Ecological area
23. Archaeological sites, ecological sites
24. Ecological area, historic parkland,
archaeological sites, geological sites
25. Ecological area, archaeological sites
26. Ecological area, historic parkland,
archaeological sites
27. Archaeological sites, ecological sites
28. Archaeological sites, geological sites
29. Archaeological sites, historic parkland,
ecological sites
30. Archaeological site, ecological sites
31. Archaeological sites
32. Archaeological sites, geological site
33. Ecological area, archaeological sites
34. Ecological area, archaeological site
35. Ecological area, archaeological sites,
historic parkland
36. Archaeological sites, ecological sites
37. Archaeological sites, ecological sites
42
43
38. Ecological area
39. Ecological area, archaeological sites
40. Ecological area, archaeological sites,
historic parkland
41. Ecological area, geological sites,
historic parkland, archaeological sites
42. Ecological area
43. Ecological area, archaeological sites
44. Ecological area, geological sites,
historic parklands, archaeological sites
45. Geological site
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1. Historic parkland, ecological area,
archaeological sites
2. Ecological area, historic parklands
3. Ecological area, historic parkland
4. Ecological area, historic parklands,
archaeological sites
5. Ecological area
6. Archaeological sites, ecological sites
7. Archaeological sites
8. Archaeological sites, ecological area,
historic parkland
9. Archaeological sites
10. Archaeological sites
11. Archaeological sites, river floodplain,
ecological area, historic parkland
12. Ecological sites, archaeological sites
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Land availability
There is a substantial land resource to achieve the remaining 18.7% planting, to
reach the 33% woodland target. 28% of the land area is free from major constraints,
with a further 39% having some potential within various limitations (Table 2).
Table 2. Land available for planting
Fixed constraints
Built development (existing)
Built development (planned)
Ecological sites (non woodland)
Open water
Archaeological sites
Geology
Service lines
Potential land with some limitations
Sensitive landscapes (well wooded and historic landscapes,
river floodplains).
Areas of Grade 2 agricultural land
Areas with development potential
Land without major land use constraints
Existing woodland
TOTAL
% land area
10.5 est.
1.5 est.
3.6
1.0
1.0
0.5
0.25
18.35%
Hectares
5,271
753
1,807
502
502
251
125
9,211
25.0 est.
12,550
10.0
4.0 est.
39.0%
28.35%
14.3%
100.0%
5,020
2,008
19,578
14,232
7,189
50,210
Several broad types of land are available for woodland creation. Table 3 indicates
the proportions that each are expected to make towards the 4-5,000 ha planting
target. Planting on agricultural land will require the utmost priority. It will be
important to monitor planting related to land types and to adjust target amounts
as necessary.
Table 3. Planting Land Types
Land type 2004-14 planting contributions
%
76
13
4
4
3
100%
Agricultural land
Mineral worked/derelict land
Urban areas/fringes*
Transport corridors*
Development-related land
TOTAL
ha
3,820
630
200
200
150
5,000 ha
(*these land types will also include some planting on agricultural land).
What counts as woodland creation?
the strategy
Many types of planting will contribute towards the Forest’s creation (see section
2.5). New woodlands are not intended however, to be ‘wall to wall’ trees. All
schemes generally include at least 20% open ground and in many schemes this may
be more. (Eg the National Forest Tender Scheme, allows for up to 50% unplanted
land). There will also be a smaller number of schemes that will have less than 50%
tree cover, for example:
12
■ sites for nature conservation, where more open habitats will be included;
■ certain mineral sites restored to water-based recreation uses, where fringe
planting will create the effect of wooded enclosure;
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■ parklands, where replacement tree planting, combined with mature trees and
woodland will create the impression of strongly wooded landscapes.
The wooded framework of the Forest will therefore be a mosaic of wooded
features, all combining to create the effect of a landscape with around a third
tree cover.
2.5 Indicative Planting Areas
Indicative planting areas will underpin the next phase of woodland creation. These
have been developed from the strategic assessment of planting potential and how
new planting relates to landscape character (Chapter 3 and Appendix 3). They take
a stage further the Indicative Planting Areas that guided woodland creation in the
original Strategy.
Map 4 classifies the Forest into nine main types of area that are suited to different
types and scales of planting. These and other cross-cutting planting themes are
described below. In general new planting will be preferred in more open unplanted
landscapes, but small-scale schemes that meet specialist objectives will also be
considered in more wooded landscapes.
Woodland expansion areas
Christopher Beech
The main areas for large-scale woodland creation, to match the large-scale,
unwooded landscape character. A wide-range of planting types are suitable,
including farm woodlands, commercial plantations, community woods, forest
parks, short rotation coppice and conservation woodlands (especially in
Charnwood, the Trent Valley and areas of Needwood).
New planting on farmland (Grangewood, Derbyshire)
New planting has added considerably to these landscapes. There is scope for some
major new planting but the emphasis will generally be on linkage planting to
connect existing woodlands – both within these areas and to connect with
adjoining landscapes. Planting options are similar to the woodland expansion
areas, but with particular opportunities for conservation planting adjoining well
wooded landscapes.
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Woodland linkage areas
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14
the strategy
Major Water Features
Main Urban Areas
Motorways
A Class Roads
F O R E S T
Map 4 Indicative Planting Areas
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Woodland Expansion Areas
Woodland Linkage Areas
Well Wooded Landscapes
Historic Enclosures
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Urban/Urban Fringe
Ancient Woodland Priority Areas
Transport Corridors
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Woodland
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Well wooded landscapes
The most extensively wooded areas where there is only scope for small-scale,
strategic planting that links existing woodlands. These landscapes correspond with
many of the Sensitive Areas highlighted in the Indicative Forestry Strategy.
Conservation planting should be a priority, particularly Ancient Woodland
extension and parkland restoration. There is also scope for farm woodlands,
community woods, amenity and hedgerow tree planting.
Floodplain landscapes
In the f loodplains of the Rivers Trent, Tame and Mease, f loodplain woodlands,
belts of planting associated with lakes and pools, short rotation coppice and black
poplar planting should be high priorities. The f loodplain edges blend into
woodland expansion areas where farm woodland planting is also suitable.
Historic enclosures
Areas with a small-scale, largely intact field pattern, where only small-scale planting
is appropriate, to complement the landscape character. Planting options include
farm woodlands, community woods, conservation and hedgerow tree planting.
Urban/urban fringe
Christopher Beech
Land is limited for large-scale planting, but there is wide scope to create a green
framework for built development. Options include community woods, forest
parks, development-related planting, conservation woodlands, short rotation
coppice and urban forestry schemes.
the strategy
Swadlincote Woodlands Urban Forest Park
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Transport corridors and gateways
Transport corridors give a vitally important first impression of the area. They will
be a focus for strategic, visual impact planting to develop the impression of
travelling into a forested landscape. Planting will also be encouraged at gateway
entry points to the Forest, such as adjacent to National Forest road signs and near
to the Forest boundary. Priorities include roadside, development-related, amenity
and conservation planting.
Ancient Woodland priority areas
Ancient Woodlands (section 2.7) are mainly clustered in the Needwood,
Charnwood and Melbourne Parklands areas. Priority areas focus upon clusters of
Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland to extend and connect remnant Ancient Woods.
This approach will draw upon the experience of the Forestry Commission’s
JIGSAW projects.
Parklands
Parklands are spread throughout the Forest area, but with clusters in Needwood,
Charnwood and the Melbourne Parklands. They require individual consideration
related to their historic character, irrespective of the landscape area in which they
are found. Retaining and managing parklands and reinstating areas of former
parkland should be a high priority.
Three cross-Forest planting themes will also be promoted:
Hedgerow trees
In many areas mature hedgerow trees are a characteristic feature and through their
size and antiquity contribute strongly to landscape character. However there are
generally few younger replacements. Natural regeneration of hedgerow trees will
be encouraged and new tree planting will be undertaken when hedges are planted
(see Chapter 4).
Symbolic trees
There are many places where tree planting can have special symbolic interest or
meaning. These features add elements of surprise, interest and variety to the Forest
and will include:
■ special landscape features – including arboreta, avenues of trees and orchards.
■ feature trees – marking the Forest boundary, parish boundaries and as focal
points in villages and urban areas.
■ commemorative and memorial planting – of individual trees and special new
woodlands (eg woodlands for green burial).
Development-related planting
the strategy
New built development will require appropriate landscaping to help integrate it
within the Forest setting (section 12.2, Chapter 12). Equally important is
promoting forestry as an after-use on mineral worked land, derelict land and
landfill sites (see Chapter 11).
16
Action F5: Woodland creation will be encouraged with regard to the
planting areas on Map 4. The Indicative Planting Areas will be
reviewed at regular intervals, dependent upon the take up of
new planting schemes.
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2.6 Woodland design and establishment
Design
New woodlands should be designed to follow the UK Forestry Standard, Forestry
Commission best practice guidelines and to ref lect the individual site and planting
purpose. Particular attention should be paid to landscape character and design to
produce quality timber, habitat diversity and connectivity and to ensure public
safety. Design guidance for the Forest’s landscape types is in Appendix 3.
Woodland establishment
Most new woods will be planted, with the trees protected by tree shelters. Tree
shelters are increasingly changing the look of the landscape. They can also
damage young trees if left to disintegrate. Site managers will need to ensure that
woodlands do not appear untidy to visitors, or that trees become damaged as tree
shelters degrade.
Woodlands will also be established by natural colonisation. This will be the
preferred means of extending Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands. There may also
be opportunities on derelict and mineral worked land and on farmland adjacent to
existing woods.
Species
The tree species suited to the Forest area are listed in Appendix 4. The choice of
species will depend upon the management objectives for individual woodlands.
Provenance
The National Forest has an exemplary role to play in raising the profile of using
local provenance tree stock. The NFC operates a local provenance policy that
promotes the use of broadleaf stock from within the Forest area or other UK
sources. Effective links need to be maintained between seed sources, tree nurseries
and planting partners.
Where trees are to be grown for high quality timber stock should be from seed from
a Forestry Reproductive Material approved source.
Action F6: The NFC local provenance policy will be reinforced and
further promoted to stimulate supply and demand of local
provenance trees.
2.7 Woodland management
Action F7: The NFC will initiate research to identify unmanaged
woodlands and assess their management options and
timber potential.
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Woodland management is crucial to creating a working, sustainable Forest that
delivers multiple benefits. It is also critical to developing the Forest’s woodland
economy and maximising its potential as a renewable timber resource. There is a
particular need to stimulate management in mature woodlands. On large forestry
estates woodlands are generally managed. In addition over 250 ha of farm and
Ancient Woodlands have been brought back into management (4). However there
are many other woodlands that remain unmanaged.
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Newly planted woods
Land managers need to ensure continued management of newly-planted
woods. Replacing any failed planting, managing weed growth and maintaining
access routes, visitor facilities, site signage and wildlife habitats will all be
important. Woodland thinning and pruning is also essential, especially in
commercial woodlands between the 10-15 year stage, to ensure that their timber
potential is realised.
Action F8: The NFC will work with the Forestry Commission to advise
on and promote management plans for newly planted woods.
Small woodlands
Diseconomies of scale and often difficult access for timber extraction can hamper
cost-effective management of many farm and amenity woodlands. Many woodland
owners also lack woodland management skills and an awareness of potential timber
markets and the value of their woods. There is a need to raise awareness of
woodland management issues and identify training needs for landowners.
Action F9:
The NFC will encourage the development of a forestry and
rural skills base for the Forest area.
Ancient Woodlands
Robert Fraser
Ancient Woodlands1 are irreplaceable national assets. They require protection and
sensitive management to retain and enhance their biodiversity value. They cover
only 2.3% of the Forest area, but represent the final core of sites that retain a link
with the area’s historic forests. Of the remaining sites around half are Ancient
Semi-Natural Woodlands, which have the highest conservation value.
the strategy
Ancient Woodland at Oakwood Pastures, Staffordshire
18
There is potential to extend Ancient Woodlands by natural colonisation or local
provenance planting to create new areas of native broadleaf woodland. This will
enhance the biodiversity of individual woods and help to link fragmented sites.
Ancient Woodlands that have been planted with non-native trees and retain
significant remnants of their former ecological diversity would also benefit from
being returned to native broad-leaved stands, for similar conservation reasons,
unless there are good reasons for not doing so.
1
Ancient Woodland has had continuous cover since at least 1600AD and may be: Ancient Semi - Natural Woodland - sites retaining the
native tree and shrub cover that has not been planted, but may have been managed by coppicing, felling or has regenerated naturally. Plantations
on Ancient Woodland Sites - where the original native tree cover has been felled and replanted, often with conifers.
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Action F10: Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands should be sensitively
managed to enhance their biodiversity value. Natural
regeneration will be the preferred method for re-stocking and
extending sites.
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Action F11: Plantations on Ancient Woodland sites will be targeted to
return sites to native broadleaf stands, using natural
regeneration, direct seeding or tree planting of local
provenance stock.
Woodland management techniques
The Forest will become an exemplar of best woodland management practice. The
UK Forestry Standard and Forestry Commission guidance should be followed and
landowners will be encouraged to adopt long-term management plans.
Management techniques will vary depending upon the objectives, size and tree
species of individual woods. They will include small areas of clear felling, selective
felling in coupes to allow continuous cover management and minimal
intervention areas.
Action F12: Woodlands will be identif ied that demonstrate best
management practices for woodland owners.
2.8 Area-based strategies
To help focus woodland creation and management in particular parts of the Forest,
area-based strategies have proved very successful. (Eg. the Burton Urban Forestry
Strategy, Ashby Woulds Strategy and the NFC’s Strategic Visual Impact Sites
study).
Action F13: Area-based strategies will be considered for:■ Urban/urban fringe forestry - targeting Burton upon Trent,
Swadlincote, Ashby de la Zouch and Coalville in a combined central
belt across the Forest.
■ The proposed Forest Park around Conkers Visitor Centre, owned by
the Heart of the National Forest Foundation, and other woodlands in
the central Forest area.
■ Ancient Woodlands – to identify the best potential sites for extending
Ancient Semi-Natural Woods and restoring Plantations on Ancient
Woodland sites.
2.9 Ancient Trees
Action F14: The NFC will raise the profile of the Forest’s ancient trees by
commissioning survey work to identify their location and
condition; and will promote best practice management
to landowners.
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Ancient trees, particularly in parklands and hedgerows, are striking features in the
landscape, which add greatly to local distinctiveness and enrich the biodiversity of
the area. These trees are irreplaceable assets and require protection and sensitive
management to avoid them being lost or damaged. Little is known however, about
their distribution and condition.
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2.10 Woodland Economy
Woodland Economy
Growing high quality timber will be a main aim for much woodland planting. The
Forest offers a major long-term opportunity to develop a new woodland economy,
centred on the Forest area and contributing to regional and national markets.
National softwood timber markets are depressed due to the volume of cheap
imported timber. However, there is a unique opportunity for the Forest to become
a national showcase for growing high quality hardwoods, given the high percentage
of broadleaf planting. In the future National Forest hardwoods can help to
substitute some of the national demand for imported tropical hardwoods and
thereby contribute to the Government objective of sustainable management of
natural resources.
This potential will only be realised by stimulating the timber market. Encouraging
woodland management and timely thinning of new woodlands is crucial, and
linking the resulting wood products to market outlets. This will create the
incentive for landowners to manage their woodlands and is key to realising a high
quality end product. It is essential therefore that planting and management
decisions are made with both short and long-term timber markets in mind.
It is also important that the woodland economy is not seen in isolation. It is an
important aspect of the broader Forest-related economy, embracing tourism,
leisure, farm diversification and rural business development (see Chapter 8).
For many landowners timber production will be integrated with other rural
business ventures.
Market opportunities
Wherever possible the aim should be to achieve local value-added activity. A
variety of market opportunities should be pursued:
20
Christopher Beech
the strategy
■ wood as a renewable energy resource – using woodland thinnings and short
rotation coppice as wood fuel for heat and power units and electricity
generation.
■ manufacturing timber products such as fencing, garden products and rustic
furniture.
■ niche markets, such as woodland crafts and charcoal production.
■ timber processing, including developing on-site saw milling.
■ furniture and joinery manufacture (in the longer term).
■ processing plants for panel and pulp products (beyond the Strategy period).
Fountain Timber Products, Moira, Leicestershire
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Over time the Forest should become a national exemplar for wood-based business
ventures. For example, demonstrating the use of wood-fuelled heat and power
units in new public buildings; encouraging the establishment of locally-based small
to medium sized enterprises; and promoting the Forest location to attract new
timber processing technologies.
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Market development
Many business opportunities will take time to develop as woodland cover expands
and matures. For others it is important to stimulate market development at an early
stage to encourage new sustainable business development. This can be achieved by:
■ promoting the use of wood, wood products and developing markets (eg.
wood fuel).
■ promoting woodland management and using thinnings for wood fuel, fencing
and garden products.
■ developing National Forest branding of wood products, made from National
Forest timber.
■ niche marketing, for example of “National Forest Oak”.
■ establishing stronger links with market outlets and the timber industry.
■ cooperative timber marketing amongst woodland owners and promoting
information on potential markets.
■ promoting the Forest as a pilot area to encourage woodland certification (eg
under the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme). This would especially benefit
small woodland owners. The benefits of developing a group certification
scheme for the area should also be considered.
■ developing new business skills (e.g. related to the technology of operating wood
fuel heat and power units).
Action F15: The NFC will prime the establishment of a National Forest
focused Wood Marketing Association to promote and
coordinate market development.
The timber resource
To match timber availability with market outlets, there is a need to better
understand the Forest’s current and developing timber resource. Initial work was
done on this in the early 1990s, but it now needs updating.
There is a need to assess the volume, range of species and marketable quality of
timber that is being grown. Information is also needed about when timber will be
coming ‘on stream’, potential timber value, the likely end products and the
potential market outlets.
Action F16: The NFC will commission research to assess the current and
planned timber resource and establish systems to monitor
timber potential.
Developing the woodland economy will require partnership working with a wide
range of organisations. The National Forest can benefit from being part of a bigger
network of forestry activity across the Midlands, that includes both mature forest
areas and other woodland creation initiatives. There are opportunities to learn from
best practice initiatives, such as Heartwoods in the West Midlands, in relation to
wood marketing techniques. New business and marketing opportunities need to be
seized both regionally and nationally and links should be made with marketing
initiatives, promotional campaigns, business support mechanisms and current
policy initiatives.
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Partnership working
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2.11 Climate change
Climate change is likely to have a variety of effects on trees and woodlands and will
have implications for their future management (5). Ongoing research by
Government and academia will be essential to get better understanding and
awareness of the potential impacts of climate change and how these can be managed
in relation to trees and forestry.
Woodland owners will need to be vigilant in looking for signs of damage to trees
and woodlands that could result from climate change and report these to the
Forestry Commission. Many signs may only occur incrementally over time.
Equally climate change may open up new opportunities for forestry, by being able
to grow a wider range of tree species; and timber yield classes of certain species
could significantly increase (5).
Action F17: The NFC will work with partners to produce best practice
advice for woodland owners on managing the effects of
climate change on trees and woodlands.
Action F18: The NFC will contribute to national research by encouraging
monitoring of tree growth, health and condition in a sample
of mature and newly planted woodlands across the Forest.
2.12 Carbon Sequestration
The Forest has an important symbolic role to play in helping to fix carbon
dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere through woodland planting and thereby
helping to reduce the effects of climate change. This contributes towards the
Government’s headline Sustainable Development Indicator of combating
greenhouse gas emissions.
Research undertaken for the original Strategy estimated that by year 50 around
1 million tonnes of CO2 will have been fixed. This will be offset to some extent
by emissions from visitor traffic. Nevertheless, the net effect will be that some 1417,000 tonnes of CO2 will be fixed each year.
Since these estimations were made, better modelling techniques have been
developed to monitor the different rates of carbon uptake in different tree species
and the effects of woodland management upon the carbon cycle. The National
Forest would benefit from updated research to assess its current and predicted
carbon sequestration rates. This work will be designed to fit within the context of,
and contribute towards, national research programmes.
Action F19: The NFC will commission research to assess the carbon
sequestration progress and future potential of the Forest and
to develop a framework for long term monitoring.
the strategy
2.13 Deer and woodland pests
22
The Forest is creating large new areas of natural habitat for deer, grey squirrels
and rabbits. To many people these animals are a delight, but they can cause
considerable damage to trees. Deer can also affect agricultural crops and wildlife
habitats in woodlands, through browsing of plants. All these animals will require
long-term management strategies. Public education of the damage that they can
cause is also important.
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The NFC is a member of the Deer Initiative. Deer management activity is already
underway including, landowner seminars, monitoring population ranges, specialist
research (e.g. into traffic accidents), site design and management in certain
locations (deer fencing), and the establishment of deer management groups.
Equivalent activity will be needed to control Grey Squirrel damage when
appropriate advice/mechanisms are available.
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As the woodland area expands it is also likely to result in an increase in certain
injurious weeds (e.g. ragwort). Effective control of ragwort will require partnership
working with statutory authorities and landowners, following national
best practice.
Where problems of deer, woodland pests or injurious weeds cross land holdings
cooperative management will also be needed between neighbouring landowners.
Action F20: The NFC will work with relevant partner organisations to
promote best practice management of wildlife pests and
injurious weeds in Forest schemes.
2.14 Woodland fire prevention
Fire prevention in woodlands will become an increasingly important issue as more
new planting is added each year. Protecting the economic woodland resource and
safeguarding both people and property is essential.
The NFC in partnership with the Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire Fire
Services has produced best practice guidance on woodland fire prevention. This
encourages landowners to prepare fire plans for their land holdings and to seek
specialist advice from County Fire Services.
Action F21: The NFC will promote National Forest fire guidance to
woodland owners.
2.15 Best practice, research and innovation
The National Forest should be used as a national learning resource and location for
best practice, research and demonstration related to trees and woodlands. The
pioneering National Forest Tender Scheme and Demonstration Woodland
project (examining woodland creation techniques), are two national initiatives
trialed in the Forest. Innovative silviculture is also promoted and the Forest
includes a national research programme linked to the creation of the UK’s largest
Walnut woodland.
Action F22: The NFC will work with relevant partner organisations to
disseminate best practice and research arising from forestry
initiatives developed in The National Forest.
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There is a need for the various forestry bodies (eg the NFC, Forestry Commission,
Forestry and Timber Association, Community Forests, National Urban Forestry
Unit, Woodland Trust, National Small Woods Association and forest industry
bodies), to work together to promote excellence in best practice, research and
innovation. All of these organisations have their own strengths and experience,
which collectively, the forestry industry nationwide can benefit extensively from.
23
Landscape
3.1 Introduction
The changing Forest landscape
A new woodland landscape is unifying the Forest area and meeting the original aim
of linking the remnant ancient Forest landscapes of Needwood and Charnwood.
Within this wooded framework extensive new wetlands, meadows and heathlands
are adding major new areas of open country and helping to enrich the visual texture
and biodiversity of the landscape. Farmland landscapes are changing significantly,
as new woodlands and better management of hedgerows, field margins and other
habitats have become more evident. Mineral and derelict land restoration is also
having a major impact, as degraded landscapes are returned to attractive Forest uses.
This activity has been on a large scale, especially in the Coalfield, and in the Trent
Valley where major new wetlands are being created.
Robin Weaver
This rich mosaic of activity is adding a new layer of landscape character to the
already rich and varied character of the existing landscape. The scale of landscape
transformation that the original Forest concept envisaged is being realised.
Buildings Farm, near Hartshorne, Derbyshire
The built environment
the strategy
Built development is also a major component of the changing landscape. Natural
growth of urban areas is an integral part of the Forest’s evolution. However, new
developments need to fit within their Forest setting and contribute to it through
woodland landscaping (see Chapter 12).
24
Development that is badly located, or out of scale with its setting, undermines the
Forest’s aims and will sit discordantly in the landscape. Trees should not simply be
used to disguise or screen development which is badly sited or designed.
Nevertheless, a well-wooded setting can tolerate and enhance new and existing
built development.
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3.2 Landscape Strategy Principles
Respecting landscape character
It will remain fundamental that the Forest’s creation continues to respect and
enhance landscape character. The aim is to blend new woodlands and other habitats
with the existing character of the landscape, to ensure that the Forest’s creation
continually adds to the quality of the landscape overall.
A cohesive landscape
The Forest aims to create a mosaic of landscapes with new woodlands providing the
framework for agriculture, wildlife habitats, urban areas and other land-uses. The
new woodland landscape will be cohesive across the Forest area. However, the
density of woodland will vary depending upon landscape character and future uses
of the land.
3.3 Landscape character
National Forest landscape character
Fundamental to creating the Forest is understanding the area’s landscape evolution,
its physical, historic, ecological and current land use inf luences and the character
and quality of its landscapes. This was achieved through undertaking a landscape
assessment in 1994. This assessment was updated in 2004 (Map 5) in response to
woodland and other habitat creation having dramatically changed parts of the
Forest landscape.
The landscape assessment identifies six landscape character areas, which are
individually distinctive and form parts of wider landscapes that extend beyond the
Forest boundary; and six landscape types, which are defined to a greater or lesser
extent by woodland, agricultural, urban and industrial inf luences. Descriptions of
the landscape character areas and types are in Appendix 3.
Taken together the landscape character areas and types describe the subtle
differences in landscape that occur across the Forest area. The landscape types also
guide the type, scale and design of woodland planting suited to different parts of the
Forest. This is essential to ensure that new planting matches the scale of different
landscapes and fits with their character. Appendix 3 illustrates the link between the
Forest’s landscape types and the indicative planting areas (Map 4, Chapter 2). It also
includes planting design guidance for each landscape type.
The landscape character areas and types are also important in helping to guide other
types of habitat creation suited to different parts of the Forest.
National and county landscape character assessment
Action L1:
The National Forest landscape character framework will
continue to guide the Forest’s creation.
Action L2:
The NFC will use its grant mechanisms to develop Forestrelated schemes which add to the character and quality of the
Forest’s landscapes.
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The Forest’s landscape character areas coincide with the national Countryside
Character Map of England produced by the Countryside Agency. The Forest’s
landscape assessment also relates well to the county-based assessments undertaken
by Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire County Councils. In Derbyshire a
wider range of landscape types have been defined, which provides valuable
supplementary information to guide land use change at a very local level.
25
26
the strategy
landscape
NEEDWOOD & SOUTH
DERBYSHIRE CLAYLANDS
Greaves
Handbury
Burton
West
Needwood
MELBOURNE PARKLANDS
Hoar
Cross
Burton
East
un
de
rN
ee
dw
oo
d
Dunstall
Calke
Smisby
Blackbrook
Overseal
Coton in the Elms
Ashby
de la
Zouch
Th
rin
gs
to
ne
Trent
S T R A T E G Y
TRENT VALLEY
WASHLANDS
MEASE & SENCE
LOWLANDS
LEICESTERSHIRE & SOUTH
DERBYSHIRE COALFIELD
Charley
Coalville
Packington
CHARNWOOD
Stanton
under
Bardon
Ibstock
Wooded Parklands
Shepshed
Coleorton
Newton Linford
Markfield
Ellistown
Enclosed Farmlands
Thornton
Floodplain Farmlands
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National Forest Landscape Types Boundary
Gr
ob
y
F O R E S T
Swadlincote
Ba
rto
n
Yoxall
Bretby
Urban / Urban Fringe
Historic Settlements & Enclosures
Countryside Character Areas
0
10km
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Map 5 Landscape Character Areas and Landscape Types
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3.4 Landscape change
The effects of the Forest’s creation
Whilst trees take time to grow, the grain and look of the landscape will change
significantly over the next 10 years. Young and established woodlands will be more
visible in the landscape and by 2014 22-25% of the land area will be under various
stages of woodland cover.
Already some parts of the Forest are becoming well-wooded as a result of Forest
creation. These include areas where unwooded landscapes have been transformed
by new planting and areas where new planting links with mature woodlands (Map
4, Chapter 2).
The effects of woodland creation are most noticeable when several woods coalesce
to make a significant impact in a local area. In many instances this may be
acceptable to achieve a critical mass of woodland that has high visual and strategic
impact. In other cases too much woodland could overburden a landscape and
appear discordant in a particular landscape character area. Increasingly it will be
important to assess the capacity of already well-wooded landscapes and their ability
to take additional planting.
Meadow, heath and wetland habitat creation has also been extensive (400 ha) and
by 2014 it is estimated that a further 600 ha of these habitats will have been added
to the Forest. Most sites so far are relatively small (1-5 ha), are spread across the
Forest area and are linked to new woodland schemes. However, more extensive
landscape changes are prominent in the Trent Valley with its concentration of
wetlands; and in the Bagworth/Thornton, Mease and Sence Lowlands and
Melbourne Parklands areas, where large areas of rough and meadow grassland are
linked with clusters of new woodlands.
Assessing and monitoring this scale of landscape change presents a big challenge.
Monitoring will be especially important across the Forest’s landscape character
areas, in order to achieve a spread of woodland cover across the Forest and to
avoid an over domination in certain areas. This accepts that some landscapes are
capable of absorbing more planting than others (Map 4, Chapter 2). It will also be
necessary to build a geographic picture of habitat change in general. This will
enable better targeting of habitat creation activity to link fragmented habitats in
particular landscapes.
Community views on landscape change
The changing landscape will be most noticeable to local residents and visitors.
Their views will need to be taken into account, especially if there is a feeling that
some areas ‘have enough trees’. Community views will be sought by the NFC
through special projects (eg. community visioning/planning for real techniques);
visitor surveys; and by involving local people in the design of new woodlands close
to where they live.
Action L3:
Residents and the visiting public will be consulted on
optimum levels of tree planting.
The NFC records the geographic spread and extent of Forest creation on its
Geographic Information System (GIS). However a long-term approach is needed
towards developing more sophisticated recording and imaging techniques to assess
and monitor landscape change. This needs to address:
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Recording landscape change
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Landscape visualisation - To show how woodlands and landscapes will mature
across the Forest over time; and to assess the local landscape effects of new planting.
This would help to judge the ‘fit’ and acceptability of new planting schemes in
certain landscapes; as well as providing a powerful promotional tool to demonstrate
the ‘virtual’ Forest to stakeholders and the public.
Integrated landscape impact - To show the geographic links between new and
mature woodlands and the creation and management of other wildlife habitats.
This would present an integrated, ‘big picture’, of the scale of habitat change and
management across the Forest.
Action L4:
GIS systems will be developed to assess, monitor and
demonstrate the landscape effects of the Forest’s creation.
Landscape surveys
Complementing GIS technology there is a need for periodic landscape surveys to
check that new woodlands and other habitats are fitting well into their landscape
setting. The issue of sites coalescing will be important to monitor, to ensure that
individually well designed schemes collectively fit together in broader landscape
design terms.
Action L5:
The NFC will commission research to assess the landscape
effects of new planting and habitat creation across the
Forest’s landscapes.
Historical landscape recording
the strategy
The changing landscape also has an important historical dimension, as the Forest is
creating a major new layer of landscape history. Given the unique nature of the
Forest a ‘timeline’ of photographic records will be kept to capture the various stages
of the Forest’s changing landscape. The National Forest LANDshapes project
(section 6.11, Chapter 6), presents a special opportunity to draw together historic
landscape and aerial photography and to record the Forest landscape ‘10 years into
the making’.
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4.1 Introduction
Biodiversity – the variety of life on earth – is central to the Forest’s creation and its
sustainable growth and development. The Forest offers a rare opportunity to create
a large-scale, ecologically diverse new woodland environment for current and
future generations of people to enjoy.
The knitting together of some 19,000 ha of new and existing woodlands,
hedgerows, meadows, heathlands and wetlands will create landscape-scale
biodiversity change across the area. The Forest will attract and support thousands
of more common wildlife species, as well as many declining and some rare species.
In so doing it will significantly help to redress the loss of habitats that the area has
faced in the past.
Biodiversity is also improving the quality of life of local residents and visitors. The
Forest is re-connecting people with nature by creating new, accessible green space
close to where they live, work and spend their leisure time. An ecologically rich
environment is inspiring and contributes to physical and spiritual well being. It is
also important for tourism, as nature and wildlife is one of the main reasons why
people visit National Forest sites (6). Increasingly the Forest will become known as
a place to experience and learn about the natural world and to relax from the
pressures of modern day living.
4.2 Biodiversity of the Forest
The existing resource
The Forest’s ecological resource is diverse and covers some 9% of the area (7).
Significantly, almost half of this interest is concentrated in Charnwood. Whilst a
range of habitats are represented, 64% is woodland or wood pasture/parkland,
which shows the relative paucity of other habitats that now survive (Table 5).
Table 5 – Principal Habitats
Habitat Type
Ancient woodland
Plantation woodland
Wet woodland
Wood pasture / parkland
Grassland
Heathland
Open water
Other wetlands
Total
Area (hectares)
1,143 ha
1,132 ha
40 ha est.
638 ha
946 ha*
140 ha
334 ha
214 ha
4,587 ha
% of Forest area
2.3%
2.3%
0.1%
1.3%
1.9%
0.3%
0.7%
0.4%
9.3%
* This figure includes around 550 ha of parish/district wildlife sites the current status of which is unknown, as many have not been surveyed
for over 10 years.
the strategy
2.8% of the Forest’s wildlife sites have statutory protection and a further 1.7% are
classified as county level Sites of Biological Importance (Table 6).
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biodiversity
Table 6 – Wildlife sites classification
Description/classification
Designated areas
Special Area for Conservation
National Nature Reserve
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Local Nature Reserves
Number of sites
% of Forest area
1
1
25
5
2.8%
84
1,350 est.
1,466
1.7%
4.8%
9.3%
Other classifications
Sites of Biological Importance
District and parish level ecological sites
Total
}
New Forest activity
The Forest’s creation is adding a whole new layer of ecological interest, through
extensive new woodland planting and the creation of many other habitats.
By 2003, 4,177 ha of new woodland and 400 ha of other habitats had been created.
In addition 600 ha of existing wildlife sites (Table 5) have been brought
into management.
4.3 Biodiversity Strategy Principles
Retaining and enhancing ecological character
Wildlife sites and protected species will continue to be safeguarded and biodiversity
will be maximised through the sympathetic design, creation and management of
wildlife habitats, with respect to the ecological character of the area. English
Nature’s Natural Areas framework (8) and the National Forest Biodiversity Action
Plan will guide this approach.
Habitat connectivity
The Forest’s creation aims to achieve Forest–wide habitat connectivity by linking
areas of high quality habitat with fragmented wildlife sites, through woodland and
other habitat creation. Over the life of the Forest 13,554 ha of new woodland and
around 1,000 ha of other habitats will be added to the existing ecological resource.
This will significantly reduce the fragmentation of habitats, increase the viability of
isolated wildlife sites and enable wildlife species to thrive and disperse across the
Forest’s landscape.
Wildlife and people
the strategy
The Forest’s creation presents a wonderful opportunity to make biodiversity part of
peoples’ everyday lives. Raising awareness and broadening the appeal of
biodiversity amongst local residents and visitors will be especially important. This
will help to engender understanding of the need to conserve the biodiversity of the
Forest for present and future generations. Developing appropriate access to wildlife
sites; providing interpretation and facilities for watching wildlife; developing
environmental education programmes; and involving people in conservation
projects and wildlife recording, will all be important.
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4.4 Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)
A BAP for the Forest area was produced by the NFC and conservation partners in
1998. This identifies national and local habitats and key species of importance. 13
of the 38 UK BAP’s nationally important habitats are present in the area and there
are 7 habitats of local importance. 570 key species have also been identified, of
which 216 are recognised as globally or nationally threatened.
The objectives of The National Forest BAP are to:
■ maintain and enhance the quality, extent and range of wildlife habitats,
ecosystems and diversity of species characteristic of the area;
■ conserve international, national and locally important habitats and species and
enhance their status;
■ restore and extend habitats and ecosystems where they have been degraded and
prevent further degradation.
National Forestry Company
These objectives are being met through habitat and species action plans. Appendix
5 sets out the BAP targets. The NFC monitors progress annually (9) and this shows
that the Forest area is contributing significantly to biodiversity targets from local to
international levels. Especially notable are gains made against nationally important
habitats (e.g. hay meadows, heathland and hedgerows) and the fact that otters have
returned to rivers in the area.
The Otter - National Forest BAP species
In the future the BAP will benefit from a more geographically targeted approach,
by focusing on habitats and species that are characteristic of certain parts of the
Forest. The idea of a ‘BAP map’ will be developed to help target habitat
management, creation and species enhancement works.
Action B1: The National Forest area BAP will continue to provide the
focus for habitat and species conservation action.
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The BAP will be formally reviewed every 5 years. Reviews will be guided
by English Nature’s Natural Areas framework (8) and work undertaken for the
Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire BAPs that cover parts of the
Forest area.
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biodiversity
4.5 Habitat management
There is a need to encourage management of all habitats as lack of management can
result in the decline and loss of ecological interest. Priority will be given to BAP
target habitats, especially concentrations of habitats that are characteristic of certain
parts of the Forest (e.g. heathlands in Charnwood).
Woodland and Ancient trees
Sympathetic management of woodlands will aim to increase structural and
ecological diversity. This will be achieved by:
■
■
■
■
retaining selected old, over-mature trees and areas of decaying wood;
incorporating grassland glades, rides, wetlands and other habitats;
including under-storey shrub planting, and
enhancing woodland edges by natural regeneration of trees and shrubs and
creating irregularly shaped edges to improve habitat diversity.
Woodland management and the special requirements of Ancient Woodlands and
trees are discussed in the Forestry chapter.
Wood pasture and parkland
Wood pasture and parkland are particularly important for their remnant ancient
trees (wood pasture) and mature ornamental trees (parklands), which are often
homes to rare wildlife species. Unimproved grassland is often associated with
these habitats.
The NFC has researched the potential to enhance and extend parkland sites
(section 6.6, Chapter 6). Retaining the integrity of sites and encouraging
appropriate management is essential. Opportunities will be sought to reinstate
fragmented sites through appropriate grassland creation and new tree planting
(using local provenance stock at wood pasture sites).
Other habitats
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Robert Fraser
the strategy
The majority of grassland, heathland and wetland habitats tend to be isolated
within agricultural landscapes, though there are distinct clusters of sites in several
ecologically sensitive areas (Map 3, Chapter 2). There is great potential to integrate
these habitats within new woodland schemes, to secure their long-term
management and to extend sites through habitat creation.
Heathland at Charnwood Lodge, Leicestershire
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Wildlife corridors
Many linear wildlife habitats need management to enhance their wildlife interest,
as they provide important links between existing and newly created habitats.
These include:
■ hedgerows – through hedgelaying, replanting gaps and allowing hedges to grow
thicker (e.g. 4 metres wide) and taller (over 1.5 metres);
■ field margins – retaining wide headlands, linked wherever possible with
hedgerow management;
■ roadside verges – identifying and designating roadside verge nature reserves and
enhancing the ecological interest of grasslands in particular;
■ watercourses – encouraging a range of open water, wet grassland and marginal
wetland habitats and
■ former railway lines – encouraging grasslands and regenerated scrub and
woodland.
Action B2: The NFC will promote and encourage habitat management
through its grant schemes and by targeting f inancial
mechanisms operated by other organisations.
4.6 Habitat creation
The most extensive biodiversity gains will be achieved through planting the Forest
itself, but there are opportunities to create a wide range of other habitats including
meadows, heathlands, wetlands and hedgerows. The priority will be to extend
existing habitats and to link fragmented ones.
The official opening by Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment
Agency of Kelham Bridge Nature Reserve
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Martyn Pitt
The Forest has the potential to create large-scale, showcase, conservation projects.
Priority areas would need to be identified, but could include the Trent Valley (eg
focusing on wet woodland and other wetland habitats) and Charnwood (eg
heathland and Ancient Woodland extension). Large-scale habitat creation will help
to maximise biodiversity gains by creating more viable habitats and meet the needs
of certain species (e.g. reedbeds need to be at least 20 ha in size to be suitable for
attracting Bitterns).
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biodiversity
Habitat creation will be targeted towards:
■ arable farmland and improved grassland;
■ the restoration of mineral workings and landfill sites;
■ the reclamation of derelict land (recognising that such land can have intrinsic
biodiversity interest) and
■ landscaping of new built developments.
New woodlands
For biodiversity there is a major opportunity to increase core areas of native broadleaved woodland. Conservation planting will be especially focused in Ancient
Woodland priority areas; areas of well-wooded farmland; and in f loodplain
farmland landscapes (Map 4, Chapter 2).
However all new woodlands should seek to enhance ecological interest by the
ways in which they are designed, established and managed. Creating a range of
habitats will increase species diversity, and grassland glades, rides, wetland habitats,
shrub and hedgerow planting should all be considered. Care will be needed when
siting new woodlands to ensure that as trees mature they do not shade out or
naturally colonise, on adjoining habitats, such as ecologically valuable grasslands
and heathlands.
New woods will take time to develop the species diversity of mature woodlands.
This process can be helped by siting new woods close to existing habitats (e.g.
species-rich hedgerows), to help the spread of f lora and other wildlife species.
Young woodlands can also be enhanced by introducing woodland f lora through
direct seeding and planting.
Action B3: The NFC will encourage woodland flora habitat creation
projects to demonstrate and promote best practice techniques.
Creating other habitats
Habitat creation will relate to the natural ecological character of the area. Certain
parts of the Forest will therefore provide a focus for particular types of habitat
creation. Targeting habitat creation will be addressed through the BAP review.
Until this has been undertaken the priorities for non-woodland habitats identified
in the original Forest Strategy will continue to be pursued (Table 7).
Table 7 – Priorities for non-woodland habitat creation
Habitat type
Heathland and acid grassland.
Hay meadows.
Calcareous grassland.
Wet grassland, reedbeds and grazing marsh.
Open water (large scale).
Field ponds.
the strategy
Wood pasture and parkland.
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Short rotation coppice.
Hedgerows and field margins.
Post industrial sites, parks and gardens.
T H E
F O R E S T
National Forest landscape area
Charnwood and the Leicestershire and South
Derbyshire Coalfield.
Agricultural and parkland landscapes.
Specific locations in the Melbourne Parklands.
Trent Valley and watercourse corridors.
Linked to the restoration of mineral workings in
the Trent Valley and the Leicestershire and South
Derbyshire Coalfield.
Agricultural landscapes, but especially in the
Mease and Sence Lowlands.
Remnant sites, particularly in Needwood,
Charnwood and the Melbourne Parklands.
Agricultural landscapes in general.
Agricultural landscapes in general.
Derelict land sites and urban areas.
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Action B4: The NFC will encourage the creation of new habitats through
its grant schemes, agri-environment schemes, restoration of
mineral, landf ill and derelict land sites, development
landscaping and riverside improvements.
biodiversity
Demonstration sites
The nature, variety and scale of habitat creation lends itself to establishing
demonstration sites which exemplify different techniques being used.
Demonstration sites will trial, document and promote best practice from which
other landowners and projects outside of the Forest can learn. This will build upon
innovative approaches already developed on a number of wetland, heathland and
grassland habitat schemes.
The Forest should also be used as a venue to trial ecologically sustainable initiatives.
For example, demonstrating the best species to select for short rotation coppice, to
maximise ecological benefits and provide a sustainable economic resource for
wood fuel.
Action B5: The NFC, with conservation partners, will develop and
promote best practice in habitat creation through
demonstration projects.
4.7 Wildlife species
The mosaic of habitats being created will benefit a wide range of wildlife species.
Key species are being targeted for conservation action through the BAP (Appendix
5). Over time as the Forest matures and its biodiversity increases, it has the
potential to attract other nationally rare species, such as goshawk and red kite.
There will be a need to review and monitor species enhancement programmes.
Actions geared towards certain species may become less necessary if their
populations expand and become sustainable. Equally, other species may warrant
attention if populations decline, or if new species colonise the area and need help
to establish viable populations.
Action B6: The NFC and conservation partners will periodically review
the BAP species to target for conservation action.
4.8 Earth Sciences
Geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Regionally Important Geological
Sites are unique features of the landscape warranting conservation. A special feature
in the Forest are the Pre-Cambrian rock outcrops in Charnwood.
There is a need to raise awareness of earth science issues through their inclusion in
Geodiversity Action Plans and by interpreting geological features that have public
access, or can be seen from view points.
the strategy
Action B7: The NFC will encourage the production of a Geodiversity
Action Plan for the Forest area.
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biodiversity
4.9 Urban Nature Conservation
Biodiversity improves the quality of life in the Forest’s urban areas. Many urban
nature conservation projects have been developed, with a strong emphasis on
community involvement. Such initiatives contribute towards meeting objectives in
the Urban White Paper (10) and the Forest area BAP.
The following types of schemes will be encouraged in urban areas:
■ protection and management of remnant wildlife habitats;
■ creating new informal greenspace through urban forestry and community
wildlife schemes;
■ encouraging sympathetic wildlife management in public parks, churchyards,
cemeteries, institutional grounds, allotments and along roadside verges;
■ creating habitats linked to new developments and on redundant industrial
land and
■ developing nature areas in school grounds.
Action B8: The NFC will encourage and support the development of
urban wildlife projects.
4.10 Community involvement
The Forest has an important educational and awareness raising role to help link
people with nature through the process of creating the Forest. Community
involvement is discussed in the Community Participation chapter. However, there
are a number of ways in which people will be specifically encouraged to get
involved in biodiversity activity, including:
■ environmental education programmes run at Forest visitor centres (see section
7.7, Chapter 7).
■ climate change monitoring – through the Woodland Trust’s phenology
initiative, which encourages volunteers to monitor how plants and animals in
the natural environment are responding to seasonal changes brought about by
climate change, eg. recording early f lowering of plants and seasonally early
nesting by birds;
■ involvement in practical conservation projects eg. through the work of the
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and
■ wildlife surveying and recording, by helping to monitor changes to local
wildlife as the Forest develops over time.
Action B9: The NFC will encourage and support the promotion of
greater public awareness of biodiversity and involvement in
nature conservation projects.
4.11 Local Provenance
the strategy
The NFC promotes the use of local provenance trees (Action F6, Chapter 2). This
has significant benefits for conservation orientated woodland schemes, as well as
making an important ecological contribution to other forestry schemes.
36
There is no equivalent policy however, for using other plant or seed material within
non-woodland habitats. It would greatly benefit habitat management and creation
schemes if the National Forest policy was widened to include local provenance flora.
Action B10: The NFC will develop with conservation partners a
local provenance f lora policy and promote its use in
biodiversity schemes.
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4.12 Biodiversity Designations
The Forest’s biodiversity gains and improvements to habitat quality are being
reflected in more land being designated for its conservation value. The River Mease
has been designated a Special Area for Conservation and SSSI; Charnwood Lodge has
become the areas’ first National Nature Reserve; and new Forest sites at Lount,
Nature Alive and Billa Barra have been designated as Local Nature Reserves (LNRs).
As the Forest’s biodiversity is enhanced, there is likely to be further scope for
designating more Forest sites as LNRs. This would give added protection to
‘leading’, new, biodiversity sites and may access funding through English Nature to
help with their management. Periodic audits of ‘contender’ LNR sites will be
needed to assess whether they meet English Nature’s designation criteria.
Action B11: The NFC will encourage appropriate sites to be put forward
as Local Nature Reserves.
The process of creating the Forest also provides an opportunity to contribute
towards the Government’s sustainability target to improve the condition of
designated wildlife sites (especially SSSIs), through appropriate management;
particularly when sites are linked with new woodland creation schemes.
Action B12: The NFC will work with partners to help improve the
condition of designated wildlife sites.
4.13 Monitoring ecological change
The scale and pace of ecological change in the Forest sets it apart from many other
areas of the country. Monitoring change is integral to the Forest’s development and
designing ecological monitoring schemes that are cost effective, accurate and
reliable presents a considerable challenge.
The NFC has helped to fund phase 1 ecological survey work (Staffordshire) and
surveys of grasslands (Derbyshire), roadside verges (Staffordshire) and otter
distribution. Baseline surveys have also been undertaken at several Forest sites, with
a view to monitoring ecological change over time. In addition the NFC’s
Geographic Information System (GIS) has the potential for wide-ranging habitat
and species monitoring.
■ BAP habitat creation and management and species enhancement monitoring,
including geographic monitoring across the Forest area;
■ contributing, where possible, to the monitoring of wild bird populations (a
Government headline sustainable development indicator). Such monitoring
will also contribute data for the regional woodland bird index;
■ updating ecological records held by County Ecological Records Centres (a high
priority needs to be given to surveying parish and district wildlife sites, many of
which have not been surveyed for over 10 years);
■ site surveys, to monitor the ecological development of a small number of
representative, newly created sites over time;
■ contributing information to national reporting through the Biodiversity Action
Reporting System and the National Biodiversity Network and
■ encouraging landowners to adopt the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme, which
could help to deliver ecological monitoring.
A partnership approach will be crucial to realising this programme of activity.
Action B13: The NFC will
monitoring work.
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In the future monitoring will need to focus on:
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Access,
recreation
and sport
5.1 Introduction
The Forest aims to create a major new resource for sport and recreation that will
appeal to local residents, day visitors and longer-staying visitors. It will provide a
diverse range of high-quality recreation, public access and sporting experiences
based upon outdoor activity. In so doing the Forest will make a significant
contribution towards the Government’s sustainability objective of ‘a countryside
for all to enjoy’ (11).
Creation of the Forest will provide the setting for many activities. The full range of
opportunities will however, take time to develop, as new woodlands will need to
mature to provide the setting for some formal activities.
5.2 Current progress
Creating a welcoming and accessible Forest is paramount and significant progress
has been made, with 84% of the land so far committed to the Forest having some
form of public access (4). Access issues will continue to be a prime concern,
especially within the context of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act
2000, to which the Forest can make a major contribution.
Christopher Beech
The Forest is also adding to the area’s variety of sport and recreation pursuits. A
wide range of new facilities has already been established including, footpath and
cycle routes, horseriding trails, orienteering, carriage driving and mountain bike
courses and the second phase restoration of the Ashby canal (4).
Carriage driving at Grangewood, Derbyshire
Increasingly, the Forest is also used as a venue for sporting events such as crosscountry horseriding, carriage driving and orienteering championships. In addition
the Football Association’s national training centre is being established at Byrkley
Park in the Staffordshire part of the Forest.
5.3 Sport and Recreation Strategy Principles
the strategy
Contributing to National Forest goals
Sport and recreation contributes to a wide range of National Forest goals. The
greater the range of opportunities that are created the more appeal and enjoyment
of the Forest this will create for local residents and visitors. Walking, cycling and
sports activities contribute greatly towards health and fitness promotion. The
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Forest will also be promoted as a venue for sports events, which will help to develop
the Forest’s profile regionally and nationally. Equally important is the contribution
of sport and recreation to the economic and environmental sustainability of the
Forest and in helping to market the Forest overall.
Sustainable development
access,
recreation
and sport
Sport and recreation development must be sustainable. Siting of facilities should
safeguard the environment and ensure that developments are in harmony with, and
contribute to, their Forest setting. Activities also need to be appropriate to their
location. A balance is needed between ‘honey pots’ of activity (eg. in the Coalfield
and Trent Valley) and retaining less accessible areas (eg. Needwood, Mease
Lowlands, Melbourne Parklands and Charnwood) for more quiet, informal
pursuits. National principles that guide sustainable sport and recreation should be
followed (12), as should Codes of Conduct operated by sporting organisations.
Land use planning and zoning
The planning system provides the basis for sustainable sport and recreation
development. Good planning and land management is essential to integrate
activities and avoid conf licts. The area is large enough to accommodate many
different pursuits, but zoning will be needed to separate potentially conf licting
ones. Noisy sports will need to be separated from quieter activities and on sites used
for multiple activities it may be necessary to zone by areas and times. In certain
instances, where there are very sensitive wildlife habitats or species considerations,
public access may need to be restricted.
Charging for facilities
The NFC aims to encourage as much free public access to the Forest and to
specialist facilities as possible. However, the public will be expected to pay for special
visitor facilities. These may include visitor attractions (see Chapter 10), certain
leisure facilities (eg. fishing by permit), car parking at some Forest sites and certain
types of access (eg. horseriding, when it is offered on a permit only basis). Charging
should not however, be pitched at levels that deter people on lower incomes.
Partnership working
Achieving the Forest’s potential will require partnership working and learning from
best practice. Key partners will include, sport and recreation stakeholders and
governing bodies, local authorities, the Forestry Commission, local communities
and potential user groups. The NFC will act as an enabler to help form partnerships,
target resources and identify mechanisms to enable new initiatives to develop.
5.4 Demand for Sport and Recreation
the strategy
The Great Britain Day Visits Survey (13) highlights that 24% of day visits are to the
countryside and these generate an estimated £9 billion per year to national and
rural economies. Walking (26% of visits), playing sport (10.5%) and cycling (4%)
– all key targets to develop in the Forest - are three of the prime reasons why people
visit the countryside.
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access,
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5.5 Trails and Access
The Forest aims to develop an extensive network of Forest sites with access, Rights
of Way and new trails, that enable visitors to walk, ride and cycle in a safe
environment. (Map 6 highlights the main access areas and trails network). A key
challenge is to develop interlinking trails that connect major access, recreation,
sport and tourism locations and link into nearby long distance trails. Trails that link
settlements with the rural Forest area will also be important.
The Forest’s access agenda needs to be closely tied in with the CRoW Act 2000
and the work of the local authorities and Countryside Agency on Rights of Way
Improvement Plans and Local Access Forums. Improved access in the Forest also
needs to be linked with access planning and provision in neighbouring areas.
Site-based access
The most substantial public access gains will come through creating access to new
woodlands. This also provides the best opportunities for creating multi-use access
for walkers, cyclists, horseriders and disabled users.
Public access achieved so far has been based upon the principle of landowners
providing voluntary access. This has especially appealed to private landowners as
evidenced by the substantial uptake of access through the National Forest Tender
Scheme (4).
High priority will be given to securing access in perpetuity to Forest sites, especially
through land acquisition, mineral and derelict land reclamation and developmentrelated schemes. When the NFC acquires land it is required to put in place an exit
strategy to transfer the land to a third party. Providing access in perpetuity is a
condition of the land transfer, subject to any special site considerations (eg.
restricting access to sensitive wildlife areas).
Action SR1: The NFC will promote land acquisition to develop Forest
sites that provide access in perpetuity.
Action SR2: The NFC will encourage permanent access to Forestschemes developed on restored mineral and derelict land and
linked with built developments.
The CRoW Act, 2000 may also result in other types of land in the Forest being
dedicated for access in perpetuity, for example heathland. The Act also provides the
opportunity for woodland owners to voluntarily dedicate land for access. This
could apply to land that the NFC acquires directly or in partnership with others
and to Tender Scheme sites.
Action SR3: The NFC will encourage the dedication of land for access in
accordance with the CRoW Act, 2000.
the strategy
Permissive site-based access will also be encouraged through long-term
agreements such as the National Forest Tender Scheme (NFTS), AgriEnvironment Schemes and Access Agreements operated by local authorities. A
high priority will be to maintain permissive access gained through time-limited
agreements once they expire.
40
Action SR4: The NFC will explore options for retaining access on NFTS
sites when their contract periods expire.
T H E
F O R E S T
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F O R E S T
Main Urban Areas
Motorways
A Class Roads
Rivers
S T R A T E G Y
Map 6 Access Areas and Forest Trails
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Potential Trails
Proposed National Forest Long Distance trail
Main Access Areas
Canals
Canals Planned
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the strategy
10km
access,
recreation
and sport
Proposed Linking Trails
access,
recreation
and sport
Rights of Way
Rights of Way (RoW) provide an important, basic access resource across the Forest
area. 90% of the network is footpaths, with bridleways poorly represented,
comprising only 6% as against 13% nationally. Much has been done to improve the
condition and waymarking of RoW, but a lot remains to be done to meet national
policy targets set by the Countryside Agency. The CRoW Act will help to speed
up RoW improvements through local RoW Improvement Plans.
The NFC has also had some success in encouraging landowners to dedicate new
RoW on woodland sites. This enables new strategic and permanent access to be
secured.
Action SR5: The NFC will encourage the continued development of a
systematic programme to improve, maintain, waymark
and promote RoW, and will encourage the dedication of
new RoW.
Footpaths
A tiered approach is being taken to developing new walking trails to provide short,
family walks, medium distance Forest trails, through to a more challenging
National Forest long distance path.
Short walks will be a basic resource in all parts of the Forest. Many local routes
using RoW and new Forest sites have already been put in place. New circular walks
should be targeted that radiate from major access, recreation and tourism locations,
villages and urban areas.
Christopher Beech
Action SR6: The NFC will continue to work with partners to develop a
Forest-wide network of short walks.
Walkers at Rosliston Forestry Centre, Derbyshire
the strategy
Medium distance trails aim to provide longer routes, typically 5 -15 miles, that link
new Forest sites and other attractions in particular parts of the Forest. Several trails
have been developed by the NFC in partnership with other organisations and
landowners. Map 6 highlights the potential to add new routes. Periodically routes
will be updated to incorporate newly created woodlands.
Action SR7: The NFC will work with partners to complete and promote
the medium distance trails network.
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A long distance loop path will be developed that spans the east-west extent of the
Forest (Map 6). This will be a new, national, 60 - 70 mile route, that will
particularly appeal to overnight visitors to walk in stages over several days. The
route should link to nearby long distance routes including the Staffordshire
Millennium Way and Leicestershire Round.
access,
recreation
and sport
Action SR8: The NFC will facilitate the development and promotion of
a National Forest long distance path.
Cycleways
Recreational cycling is growing in popularity and will be an important attraction
for visitors. Cycling is also a key aspect of sustainable transport planning for the
Forest (see Chapter 13). A number of new cycle routes have been created including
parts of Sustrans Routes 54, Alrewas to Burton upon Trent and 63, Leicester to
Burton upon Trent (4).
In 2002 the NFC, local authorities and Sustrans produced a Cycling Strategy for
the Forest area. This targets the creation of more off-road routes (as there are few
existing ones); creating safe routes along quiet lanes; and developing links between
urban and rural areas. The development of a segregated, safe network of cycle
routes should be a high priority.
Action SR9: The NFC will work to co-ordinate implementation of the
Cycling Strategy.
Bridleways
The paucity of bridleways means that there are insufficient safe, off-road
horseriding routes. Whilst a number of new routes have been created (4) the overall
network is fragmented. There is a need for a Forest-wide horseriding strategy, plus
a partnership approach to encouraging the creation of more riding routes. A
strategy will need to address:
■ the potential for a long distance route;
■ creation of local circular rides;
■ developing new routes on mineral restoration schemes, woodland sites and
along field margins;
■ the relationship between free and toll routes with an emphasis on encouraging
as much free access as possible;
■ dedication of new bridleways;
■ horse box parking at strategic locations and
■ funding of a horseriding network.
Action SR10: The NFC will coordinate the development and
implementation of a National Forest horseriding strategy.
Opportunities need to be explored to develop appropriate multi-use trails, where
space and ground conditions permit. These should favour horseriders, cyclists and
all abilities users. Derelict railway lines and canal towpaths have particular potential,
as demonstrated by the Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail and Ashby Canal towpath.
Routes through certain woodlands and by agreement across farmland will also be
explored.
Action SR11: The NFC will encourage the development of multiuse trails.
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Multi-use trails
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access,
recreation
and sport
All abilities access
The National Forest should be developed as a centre of excellence for all-abilities
countryside access. This will require site owners to make special efforts to meet the
requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
All-abilities access to appropriate Forest sites and trails will be a prime
consideration. A number of sites already provide all-abilities access and the
Leicestershire Standing Committee on Disabled Access has helped the NFC to
produce a disabled access sites guide. Disabled user groups should continue to be
involved in the design and promotion of new all-abilities access.
Action SR12: The NFC will encourage site owners to provide all-abilities
access and will promote the opportunities available.
Waymarking
The NFC has initiated waymarking of Forest trails in agreement with local
authorities. This is an important element of branding the Forest for visitors. The
Forest and visitors to it would benefit greatly if this branding principle was
extended to the waymarking of RoW and other trails in the area. This would
require a long-term initiative to replace waymarking posts and discs (as they decay),
with ones that include the Forest logo. Such an initiative would need the support
of local authorities, the Countryside Agency and landowners.
Action SR13: The NFC will discuss with key partners the benefits of
Forest-branded waymarking of RoW and trails.
5.6 Developing new sport and recreation opportunities
The Forest has the potential to develop a wide range of new sport and recreation
activities, given its strong base of water resources, the potential to restore derelict
and mineral-worked sites, opportunities to diversify farmland and scope to
incorporate activities suited to a woodland setting.
To achieve its full potential it will require the commercial leisure sector to take a
lead, with the encouragement of the NFC. Partnership working is also needed
between stakeholder groups to:
■ review and monitor leisure trends and their applicability to the Forest;
■ assess and periodically review both latent and expressed demand for sport and
recreation activities;
■ review the locational requirements of various sports and
■ identify mechanisms to develop, fund and operate different activities.
Water recreation
the strategy
There is potential to establish accessible water on a large-scale for a wide variety of
high-quality water sports. The area already includes a variety of enclosed waters,
with six Severn Trent Water reservoirs, several lakes and many fishing pools. It also
has good waterway networks, including several rivers, the Trent and Mersey Canal
and part of the re-watered Ashby Canal. There are many opportunities to add to
and make better use of these resources, including:
■ the restoration of mineral workings in the Trent Valley for multiple water
sports, including motorised and non-motorised activities. Progressive
restoration of Barton Quarry, in particular, will provide a competitive water
skiing course, jet skiing, rowing and canoeing courses, boating and fishing.
■ restoration of coal and clay workings to multiple uses.
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access,
recreation
and sport
■ farm diversification – providing water areas for angling and introductory
canoeing.
■ The River Trent – extending rowing facilities to create a major rowing centre;
and increasing access for canoeing.
■ encouraging use of the Trent and Mersey and Ashby canals for canoeing.
■ continuing the re-watering of the Ashby Canal to link into the national canal
network.
■ promoting canal cruising on the Trent and Mersey canal and the use of Barton
and Shobnall marinas to visit the Forest.
■ encouraging greater and/or more f lexible use of existing water areas, including
Severn Trent Water reservoirs.
Christopher Beech
Action SR14: The NFC will encourage the development of sites for a
range of water sports.
Canoeing on the Ashby Canal, Leicestershire
Woodland, field and air-based sports
The Forest offers a variety of settings that could accommodate a wide range of
woodland, field and air-based sport and recreation activities (Table 8). These
include both challenging and more informal pursuits. Suitable sites will need to be
identified through the local planning system and suitable sports clubs or
organisations should be encouraged to establish and operate facilities.
Table 8. Woodland, field, air-based and other activities
Woodland-related activities
Orienteering
Mountain bike/BMX courses
Paintball
Fitness trails
Adventure play areas
Picnic areas
Field-based activities
Archery
Boulder parks/climbing walls
Cross-country courses
Carriage driving
Clay pigeon and game shooting
Golf (beginners courses)
Pitch sports
Air-based and other activities
Ballooning
Gliding
Flying
Abseiling
Rock climbing
Action SR15: The NFC will help to develop new land and air-based sport
and recreation activities.
The original Forest Strategy highlighted the need to identify suitable new locations
for motor sports - which often have difficulty in securing sites due to planning
restrictions and environmental health issues (eg. the potential effects of noise). In
certain parts of the Forest there is also illegal use of sites for scrambling, which
organised venues could help to overcome. Attempts to identify new sites have so
far proved unsuccessful.
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Motor sports
45
access,
recreation
and sport
There are already motor sports venues near to the Forest that cater for a range of
activities including, Donington Race Circuit, Fradley karting track and
Curborough motorcycle sprint course. At Lawns Farm in the Forest there is also a
motorcycle scrambling course.
Provision of new facilities should complement what is already available and look to
meet local needs. Suitable activities might include sites for hill climbs, motorcycle
trials, scrambling and trail riding. Some of these activities could be grouped
together on discreet sites, whilst others (eg. trail riding) will need on and off-road
linear routes.
New sites would need to be located in appropriate locations away from settlements
and avoid quieter zones of the Forest; be in areas where ambient noise levels are
already high; and where natural or created topography and woodland planting can
be used to ameliorate any noise impacts. Derelict land or mineral worked sites may
offer some of the best opportunities.
Action SR16: The NFC will support the identification and development
of suitable new venues for motor sports.
Mineral and derelict land sites
Due to their large scale, certain mineral and derelict land sites may offer some of
the best opportunities to accommodate multiple sport and recreation uses (see
Appendix 6). Restoration of appropriate sites should aim to provide one or more
of the following:
■ multiple access - for all-abilities users, cyclists and/or horseriders.
■ facilities that need a planned landscape - eg. motor or water sports.
■ appropriate land or air-based activities (see Table 8).
Improving local leisure facilities
The Forest area includes many locally-used leisure facilities. Whilst these are
unlikely to be major visitor attractions in their own right, many could be used by
visitors when they come to the area. Visitors will therefore help to support the use
of local facilities. Over time this may warrant further investment by leisure
providers, for example in improved swimming facilities, tennis courts, sports
centres and play facilities.
5.7 Information and marketing
Developing the sport and recreation resource needs to be matched by high quality
marketing and information, to let potential visitors know what is available. Sport
and recreation marketing will be integral to marketing the Forest overall.
the strategy
Much has already been achieved with the production of a National Forest access
pack; trails, cycling, horseriding and disabled access guides; visitor attraction
promotions; and promotion of activities through the National Forest website
www.nationalforest.org
46
In the future there should be a concerted effort to ‘Forest brand’ sport and
recreation activity to contribute towards the overall branding of the Forest area.
This can be achieved by adopting a common approach towards on-site information
and interpretation; Forest-branded trails; and developing promotional literature
within an overall Forest theme.
Action SR17: The NFC will promote and raise awareness of the sport and
recreation opportunities in the Forest.
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Historic
environment
6.1 Introduction
The Forest aims to help protect and enhance the heritage of the area and through
its creation add a whole new layer of landscape history.
The Forest area has a rich historic environment. Its exceptional variety includes
nationally important pre-historic sites, remains of medieval settlement, remnant
ancient forests (Needwood and Charnwood) and a rich industrial heritage
inf luenced by mining industries and brewing in Burton upon Trent. Historic
buildings, archaeological remains and features which form the very grain of
the landscape, such as hedgerows and stone field walls, all contribute to this
heritage resource.
The historic environment contributes strongly to defining local distinctiveness of
places and landscapes within the Forest. It also establishes a crucial time-line with
the past, as heritage sites and archaeological remains contain irreplaceable
information about the area’s history and offer potential to increase our future
knowledge. Heritage is also a key element of the Forest’s tourism resource and has
a valuable role to play in environmental education.
6.2 The Heritage resource
Robert Fraser
Some 640 archaeological sites have been identified, which cover about 1% of the
Forest area (14). There are 26 Scheduled Ancient Monuments plus the remains of
13 parklands, 4 of which are listed on the Historic Parks and Gardens Register.
Moira Furnace and Ashby canal, Leicestershire
In 1994 the (then) Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England
also undertook an extensive historical map and aerial photographic survey of the
area. This identified many previously unrecorded sites, though the majority of
these need validating to see if they remain ‘in the field’.
Table 9 highlights some of the key features from the main archaeological periods
represented in the Forest. In reality relics from these periods do not occur in
isolation, as traces of human occupation overlie one another to form complicated
layers of archaeological activity. Details about archaeological sites are held by
County Sites and Monuments Records.
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the strategy
Knowledge of archaeology is reasonably good in some areas, but for large areas it is
incomplete. This is partly a ref lection of the extent to which visible sites have
survived and the degree to which buried evidence can be detected.
47
historic
environment
Table 9 - Key archaeological features
Archaeological period
Prehistoric and early sites.
Representative features
■ Henges, barrows and crop marks.
■ Bronze and iron age hill forts and enclosures.
■ Possible Roman routeways and settlement.
Medieval sites.
■ Deserted village sites, castle earthworks and
moated sites.
■ Deer parks.
■ Ecclesiastical sites.
Historic landscapes.
■
■
■
■
Industrial archaeology.
■ 15th century coal mining bell pits.
■ 18th and 19th century ironworks, lime workings,
blast furnaces, collieries and pottery works.
■ Tramways and canals.
■ Brewery buildings.
Ridge and furrow and enclosure field systems.
Commons and related settlements.
Ancient woodlands.
Parkland landscapes.
6.3 Historic Environment Strategy Principles
Protecting the historic environment
The Forest’s archaeological remains are a finite and non-renewable resource and
are often vulnerable elements in the landscape. Respecting the area’s historic
environment is fundamental to creating the Forest as it presents both opportunities
and constraints. This is especially important in the context of sustainable
development.
Heritage sites will continue to be protected from inappropriate Forest planting and
related developments. New woodlands will avoid damaging or obscuring
archaeological remains and unduly affecting the historic character of the landscape.
They will continue to be designed to enhance the setting of heritage sites. Forestrelated built developments will adhere to national planning policy guidance (15).
Linking past, present and future
The Forest’s creation presents a new chapter of history and a unique opportunity
to link the past and present into the future. The historic, national, significance of
the Forest makes it essential to capture this new ‘history in the making’. It is also
important to draw together the diverse past history of the area, to ‘tell the story’ of
its evolution. The National Forest LANDshapes project (section 6.11, Chapter 6)
aims to address this.
Celebrating and linking the area’s history with the developing Forest should
permeate the interpretation of heritage and Forest sites, community involvement
in local heritage initiatives, promotional information for visitors and education
activity linked to the national curriculum and lifelong learning.
the strategy
6.4 Integrating the historic environment
48
There is widespread potential to protect and promote sensitive management of
heritage features through Forest creation. The following will be encouraged:
■ enhancing the setting of visible archaeological sites, historic buildings and
conservation areas through new planting;
■ restoration of historic parkland landscapes;
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historic
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■ sensitive management of Ancient Woodlands and the archaeological remains
often associated with them;
■ maintaining and restoring historic landscape features such as hedgerows and
stone field walls;
■ encouraging the repair and re-use of historic buildings for Forest-related
diversification;
■ improving the condition of archaeological sites under arable cultivation by
incorporating them as areas of open land in new planting schemes and
■ encouraging public enjoyment and appreciation of archaeological sites, historic
landscapes and buildings through interpretation, promotion and visitor
management.
Action H1: The NFC will use its grant schemes to encourage the
inclusion of heritage features in Forest projects.
6.5 Woodland creation schemes
A wide range of historic features are being protected and managed in the ‘open
ground’ elements of new woodland schemes, including areas of ridge and furrow,
an iron age hillfort and earthwork and a windmill site (4). In other instances new
woods may need to be sited and designed to provide a buffer zone between the
woodland and the heritage feature - the size of the buffer being dependent upon
the nature of the interest.
Consultation over individual schemes involves County Archaeologists, County
Conservation Officers and English Heritage (as appropriate) and this system works
well. Sites of unknown archaeological potential can sometimes present problems,
but based upon reasoned professional judgement by these specialists, it is accepted
that planting may not be appropriate in some cases.
Action H2: The NFC will encourage the siting, design and management
of new woodlands to respect the setting of historic sites.
6.6 Parklands
Parkland at Staunton Harold Hall, Leicestershire
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Robert Fraser
Historic parkland landscapes, characterised by their gardens, pleasure grounds,
parkland and woodland are distinctive features in the landscape and contribute
strongly to the Forest’s wooded resource. Fine examples survive of both medieval
deer parks and 18th and 19th century ornamental parklands. Calke Abbey,
Staunton Harold Park and Coleorton Hall are designated as grade II* on the
Historic Parks and Gardens Register and Bradgate Park is grade II.
49
historic
environment
Parklands have potential to add to the Forest’s wooded resource through sensitive
management and restoration. In 2002 the NFC, with support from the Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF), undertook a study of the potential for parkland restoration.
This highlighted great scope for better management of parkland features,
replacement tree planting and restoring areas of former parkland.
A scheme to achieve all these elements needs to be developed in the Forest area.
Unfortunately current HLF funding is not set up to enable this to happen. When
HLF’s funding criteria is reviewed the NFC will seek changes to it to enable a
Forest-wide approach to be developed for parkland enhancement and restoration.
When planning parkland restoration the need to respect the original design
intentions of individual parks and to seek specialist advice is essential.
Action H3: The NFC will encourage the restoration and management of
historic parklands.
Public parks in the Forest’s towns also make significant contributions to the urban
Forest environment. Many of these are also in need of renovation. The importance
of public parks is recognised in the Urban White Paper (10). The Commission for
Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE Space) is responsible for their
renaissance, with funding also available through the HLF.
Action H4: The NFC will encourage local authorities to bid for funding
to renovate public parks.
6.7 The built heritage
There are many important built heritage assets in the Forest. High profile projects
have been set up to restore a number of these. Moira Furnace, the Ashby Canal
(phase II), Sharpes Pottery and Grace Dieu Priory are successful examples of what
can be achieved. This process needs to continue.
Equally important is the need to find new uses for redundant and ‘at risk’ historic
buildings, in both urban and rural areas. The Forest’s creation will generate
business diversification opportunities and new tourism, leisure and wood-based
enterprises could be ideally suited as new uses for such buildings.
Action H5: Local planning policies should encourage the restoration of
built heritage features and the re-use of historic buildings for
Forest-related uses.
6.8 Interpretation and public access
There is great potential to interpret heritage sites and to create appropriate public
access to them. Interpretation helps to educate and explain the history of the area
to local residents and visitors. Linked with public access, this will add greatly to
people’s enjoyment and appreciation of heritage assets within the Forest.
the strategy
Action H6: The NFC will encourage interpretation and public access to
heritage sites through its grant schemes and through the
work of other organisations.
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6.9 Archaeological records and surveys
To ensure the best protection of the historic environment it is essential to have the
fullest picture of information that is available and to understand why the resource
is important. There is a need to develop a common standard of information in a
Geographic Information System (GIS) format. There will also be a need for survey
work to keep records up to date.
historic
environment
Action H7: The NFC will work with partners to develop GIS-based
archaeological records.
6.10 Historic landscape character assessment
Better understanding is needed about the historic environment as a totality and
how it integrates with the landscape and natural environment. To help achieve this
English Heritage is promoting the concept of historic landscape character
assessment. This provides information on the heritage character and value of wider
landscapes and provides a fuller context for individual heritage sites.
Staffordshire and Derbyshire County Councils have undertaken historic character
assessments, but there is a need to complete the process across the Forest and to
ensure that the findings are of a common standard.
Action H8: The NFC will encourage and support historic landscape
character assessment work.
6.11 Heritage in the Making project
The NFC’s LANDshapes – ‘Heritage in the Making’ project is an exciting new
initiative that aims to draw together and record the history of the Forest area. This
unique project will run for 3 years from June 2003 and is supported by the Heritage
Lottery Fund. Its focus is based upon community involvement, with the aim of
developing locally-based heritage projects, oral and written histories about the area
and education initiatives. The project will complement existing heritage initiatives
that operate in the area.
The end products will include a published book on the history of the area, website
material, a photographic library, an oral history archive and site-based
interpretation of the Forest’s different landscapes and heritage features.
This ambitious project will significantly raise the profile of and interest in heritage
issues across the Forest. It will also add to the understanding, enjoyment and
appreciation of the Forest by local residents and visitors, as well as providing
valuable new sources of information to add to the area’s historical records.
the strategy
Action H9: The NFC will work with partners to implement the
LANDshapes project.
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Community
participation
7.1 Introduction
The National Forest aims to create a local and national community asset that
significantly improves the quality of life of local residents and visitors to the area. A
vastly improved environment, new recreation facilities, access to more local wildlife
and new jobs are all helping to instil new community spirit and pride in the area.
Community participation is a key objective, as the Forest’s success depends upon
continued public support and enthusiasm for it both locally and nationally.
Community participation contributes to public enjoyment and understanding of
the Forest, environmental education and lifelong learning and health promotion. It
is also a key aspect of raising awareness of the Forest.
The Forest’s communities of interest are wide ranging and include local residents,
schools, visitors, public supporters from across the country, landowners, businesses
and many special interest groups.
Local support for the Forest is high. It is essential that this continues as local people
need to feel ownership of the Forest and be able to inf luence its development.
Increasingly the Forest is also becoming better known regionally as more people
visit the area and attractions such as Conkers and Rosliston Forestry Centre. Over
the next decade community involvement will grow in importance as the Forest
becomes more widely known nationally.
7.2 Community Participation Strategy principles
Social Inclusion
The NFC will continue to adopt an all inclusive approach to community
involvement. All socio-economic groups will be involved, including people of all
abilities and ages. Special efforts will be made to involve minority interests,
including ethnic minorities, disabled and inner city communities. Stronger links
will be developed with minority interests within the Forest’s settlements and in
nearby towns and cities. The aim will be to ensure that as many audiences as
possible are aware of the Forest and the recreation, tourism and environmental
education facilities that it offers.
A Forest for the nation
Local community involvement will remain a high priority to foster a sense of
ownership and pride in the Forest and to harness voluntary activity. It will be
important to promote the Forest to the growing number of people moving into the
area, as well as to longer established residents, who will be more familiar with the
scale of change. Increasingly there will be a need to encourage more regional and
national participation to develop the concept of ‘a Forest for the nation’. The NFC
will promote the principle that all should be encouraged to participate in the
creation, management and enjoyment of the Forest and, through their
commitment to it, play a part in its long term stewardship.
the strategy
Community engagement and development
52
The NFC aims to continually improve ways to engage communities. Improving
feedback from local communities and undertaking awareness surveys and focus
group work to identify new ideas will all be important. Involving local people also
seeks to encourage and enable local communities to take action for themselves.
Building confidence in the Forest and developing skills within communities
will help to generate new Forest initiatives that are locally inspired, supported
and implemented.
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Partnership working with a wide range of organisations will be essential to engage
local communities. These will include, among others, Parish Councils, Rural
Community Councils, local authorities, Local Strategic Partnerships (particularly
linking into Community Strategies), Black Environment Network, British Trust
for Conservation Volunteers, Woodland Trust, Wildlife Trusts, disability groups,
plus many special interest groups.
community
participation
7.3 Involving People – ways and means
The NFC facilitates community participation by promoting and supporting
Forest-related activities, which are then taken forward by a wide range of
community groups and local stakeholders. Community participation takes place on
a number of levels, from people receiving information about the Forest, being
consulted on Forest proposals, getting involved in projects and events, through to
communities developing their own projects. There is an extensive, well-established
programme of community activity already in place (4).
People will be engaged in the Forest’s creation through community projects,
volunteering and health promotion activities, environmental education, the arts,
information exchange and marketing activities. Many of these are often interlinked which can result in far richer and lasting community experiences. The arts,
for example, are often used to inspire community events and school visits to Forest
education centres are increasingly linked with practical Forest projects.
7.4 Community projects and initiatives
The Forest presents a unique opportunity for people to literally help create the
Forest, through the design, planting and management of new woodlands and tree
planting projects. Equally important are community projects that celebrate and
interpret the area’s cultural heritage and its links with the Forest’s heritage in the
making. This helps to define local distinctiveness and contributes to the Forest’s
‘sense of place’. The Forest also provides an attractive setting for community events
and festivals, which help to draw people into the area for leisure and recreation.
Table 10 highlights the range of community projects that will be encouraged.
Table 10 - National Forest Community Projects
Other Forest-related activities
■ involvement in NFC’s LANDshapes project,
(Chapter 6).
■ practical conservation projects.
■ Walking the Way to Health schemes.
■ community arts projects, including
village features.
■ recreation and sports events.
■ developing ‘Friends of Groups’ for Forest sites.
■ National Forest festivals.
■ local festivals (eg. Ashby canal festival).
■ Parish plans and mapping projects.
■ voluntary warden schemes.
■ wildlife surveying and recording.
Action C1: The NFC will encourage and support Forest-related
community projects, activities and events.
the strategy
Tree and woodland activities
■ community tree planting schemes.
■ free trees schemes for towns, villages and
gardens.
■ growing trees from seed.
■ community orchards.
■ NFC’s Plant and Adopt a Tree schemes.
■ tagging and replanting hedgerow trees.
■ community tree and wildflower nurseries.
■ urban forestry projects.
■ woodland management projects.
■ ‘planning for real’ exercises, to help design
new woodlands.
■ involvement in events, such as National
Tree Week.
■ consultation on optimum levels of tree planting
(see Action L3, Chapter 3).
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community
participation
As the Forest becomes better known regionally and nationally special attention will
need to be given to involving visitors and public supporters from around the
country. A number of approaches will need to be developed, such as:
■ visitors planting trees on special community planting days.
■ recruiting ‘armchair supporters’ by promoting NFC’s Plant and Adopt a
Tree schemes.
■ developing the NFC database to create a ‘Friends of the Forest’ supporters
scheme. This could provide a means for individuals to volunteer for activities to
help the Forest’s creation.
■ encouraging expansion of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
(BTCV) conservation working holidays programme.
■ developing residential opportunities for organised groups to participate in
Forest activities.
■ consideration of a ‘members Zone’ on the NFC website to facilitate contact
between individuals interested in the Forest and the NFC.
Action C2: The NFC will encourage participation in the Forest’s creation
by local communities, visitors and public supporters from
around the country.
7.5 Volunteering
Courtesy of BTCV
Volunteer involvement in the Forest has grown dramatically, especially amongst
local people. Each year several thousand people are involved in community tree
planting and other Forest projects and the BTCV organise over 2,500 volunteer
workdays undertaking practical conservation projects.
the strategy
BTCV volunteers dry stone walling, Leicestershire
54
This trend is set to continue as more people learn about the Forest and the range
of volunteering opportunities widens. Indeed the success of the Forest will
increasingly depend upon networks of volunteers and special interest groups to
help create and maintain many Forest projects. Volunteering cuts across many
Forest activities and will be encouraged through:
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■ conservation volunteering – this will be a high priority through the work of
BTCV. It contributes to tree planting, biodiversity and public access activity
and provides community skills training through the practical courses that
BTCV run. There is potential to expand activity by growing both local and
national volunteer involvement in the Forest.
■ the NFC’s LANDshapes project (section 6.11, Chapter 6).
■ community tree planting and other community projects (Table 10).
■ the Walking the Way to Health Scheme (section 7.6).
■ community involvement in the design, creation and maintenance of Forest
sites. Community and voluntary groups will be encouraged to become owners
or managers of locally inspired schemes.
■ voluntary wardens – including Forest site, footpath and tree warden networks.
■ community fora – including ‘Friends of’ groups.
■ wildlife recording – of Forest sites and monitoring of Biodiversity Action Plan
habitats and species.
community
participation
Action C3: The NFC will encourage and support volunteer involvement
in woodland schemes and other Forest-related projects.
Action C4: The NFC will work with BTCV to expand conservation
volunteering in the Forest.
7.6 Health promotion
The Forest’s creation is making an important contribution towards Government
targets to improve community health. The planting of hundreds of woodlands
providing public access, the creation of new wildlife habitats (Chapter 4) and the
development of a wide range of sport and recreation facilities (Chapter 5) are
resulting in a much greener, healthier environment for people to live in and spend
their leisure time.
Fresh air enjoyment, cleaner air, increased opportunities for physical exercise and
raising general fitness levels (through countryside walking, sport and recreation),
plus the positive effects on emotional and mental well being, are just some of the
personal, ‘quality of life’ benefits that the Forest offers. These benefits are
particularly evident for local residents as the Forest is creating major new access to
local countryside on people’s doorsteps. National Forest visitor surveys (6)
highlight walking, scenery, wildlife and peace and quiet as some of the main reasons
why people are visiting Forest sites.
The Government has placed healthy living high on its agenda. It highlights
coronary heart disease, cancer and mental health as requiring special attention (16).
Walking has an important role in helping to prevent these diseases and in meeting
the Government’s recommendation that people take at least 30 minutes exercise
five times a week.
In 2001 the NFC with South Derbyshire District Council, South Derbyshire
Primary Care Trust, and the Countryside Agency established a ‘Walking the Way
to Health’ Scheme in the South Derbyshire part of the Forest. This involves people
in regular healthy walking and specifically targets General Practitioner referrals,
people on cardiac rehabilitation programmes, adults with learning disabilities and
mental health problems and residents subject to social exclusion, such as the
elderly, disabled and single parents. The scheme has proved very successful with
hundreds of people involved each year.
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‘Walking the Way to Health’ Scheme
55
Christopher Beech
community
participation
‘Walking the Way to Health’ – Rosliston Forestry Centre, Derbyshire
The scheme is being extended to other parts of the Forest using a network of
trained walks leaders. In the longer term there is potential to achieve Forest-wide
coverage, involving other local authorities and Primary Care Trusts.
Action C5: The NFC will encourage and support the expansion of the
‘Walking the Way to Health’ Scheme.
Other health-related initiatives
A number of other Forest-related initiatives are also directly contributing to health
promotion and healthy living, including:
■ BTCV’s ‘Green Gym’concept, which promotes exercise for health as part of its
conservation volunteer programmes.
■ promoting healthy eating as part of the National Forest Orchards campaign, the
National School Fruit Scheme and related Apply Day events.
■ tree planting schemes in hospital grounds, as high quality environments with
views of trees have been proven to improve recovery rates of patients in
hospital.
■ roadside planting, which is helping to reduce air pollution and noise for nearby
communities.
Action C6: The NFC will encourage, support and seek outside funding
for Forest-related initiatives that contribute towards health
promotion and healthy living.
the strategy
7.7 Environmental Education
56
The Forest offers a rich and varied resource for environmental education and
lifelong learning and has the potential to become one of the biggest and most
exciting outdoor classrooms in the country. There is scope for educational
involvement from primary and secondary schools through to adult and higher
education. In particular the Forest offers a range of opportunities linked to the
national curriculum.
There has been rapid growth in environmental education activity (4). Major Forestrelated education centres have been established and many school and youth groups
have been involved in tree planting and school grounds nature reserve projects.
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community
participation
The Forest’s role as a vast, new, learning resource – both locally and nationally –
will grow in importance as the woodland area expands and matures. To achieve its
full potential will require partnership working with education authorities, colleges
and further education, regional education networks and specialist organisations
such as Learning through Landscapes, the Forest Education Initiative and the
Centre for Environmental Education.
Involving young people
Involving young people is especially important as they will literally grow up with
the Forest. Their involvement will help to develop understanding and appreciation
of the Forest and a sense of ‘ownership’ towards conserving it in the future. It will
remain a high priority to involve schools, scout and guide groups, Wildlife Watch
and Wildlife Explorer groups in Forest projects.
Christopher Beech
Access to the Forest for many schools and groups can however, be difficult,
especially those in nearby cities due to the cost of transport. In 2002 the NFC and
Countryside Agency ran a successful pilot project linking inner city schools from
Derby, Leicester and Birmingham with educational visits to the Forest. The NFC
is keen to expand these links, especially to involve socially disadvantaged schools
from surrounding towns and cities.
Exploring wildlife - children from Leicester
Young people will be encouraged to participate in the Forest through:
Action C7: The NFC will use its grant schemes to support the
involvement of young people in the creation and educational
use of the Forest.
the strategy
■ visits to environmental education centres and woodland sites offering
educational access.
■ tree planting at new woodland sites.
■ adopting the NFC’s Plant a Tree for Schools scheme.
■ growing trees from seed.
■ developing school grounds nature reserves and woodland projects.
■ developing schools tree and wildf lower nurseries.
■ schools and other groups ‘adopting’ woodlands for educational use and study.
■ twinning schools with the planting and management of woodlands.
■ developing Forest-focused Wildlife Watch and Wildlife Explorer groups
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Environmental Education Centres and sites
Highly successful Forest education centres have been established at Conkers and
Rosliston Forestry Centre. These generally attract schools and educational groups
from within one hour’s drive of the Forest. Their success is due largely to having
dedicated education officers who provide curriculum-relevant programmes and
direct support for teachers. There is a need to ensure that they grow sustainably to
meet the growing demand for their services.
The Forest also includes several other education centres, notably at Snibston
Discovery Park, Cropston Reservoir, the National Memorial Arboretum and
Coors Museum. These centres are individually themed but have potential to
develop stronger links related to the Forest context. This would help to connect the
range of environmental education messages being promoted within the area.
There is also a need to assess whether current education centres meet all of the
education group visits needs of the area and whether other centres are needed in
other locations. This is linked to the need to review the provision of visitor centres
(see Chapter 10), as most education centres are part of larger visitor attractions.
At a local level there is also a growing number of new woods which encourage
educational visits. These are an important long-term resource for local schools
in particular.
Action C8: The NFC will encourage sustainable growth in educational
visits to Forest education centres and woodlands offering
educational access.
Education Cluster Group
To help coordinate environmental education activity an Education Cluster Group
has been established, which is linked to the Forestry Education Initiative. This group
has an important role to help make the most of the educational resource that the
Forest is creating. The Group has undertaken audits of woodland sites for education
use, facilitated teacher training and acts as a conduit for exchanging best practice.
Education Group Visits Guide
All of the main environmental education facilities within the Forest are promoted
through the NFC’s Education Group Visits Guide (17). This Guide is targeted
through local education authorities at 3,000 schools in and around the Forest area.
In the future the Guide will also be promoted through the NFC website.
Action C9: The NFC will support the work of the Education Cluster
Group and promote environmental education facilities
through the Group Visits Guide.
Adult and higher education
the strategy
The Forest is increasingly a focus for student projects and collaborative working
with Universities and colleges. Visitor surveys (Loughborough University), soil and
vegetation site surveys (Derby University), wet woodland research (Aston
University) and landscape change research (Cambridge University) are just some of
the collaborative projects that have involved students.
There is also scope for close working with local colleges, as these provide important
vocational training for local people. Courses that have links with the Forest’s
creation would benefit from having a strong Forest-related content.
58
T H E
Action C10: The NFC will encourage joint working with Universities and
colleges on collaborative projects.
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7.8 The Arts
The arts are important in helping to interpret, celebrate and shape the identity of
the Forest area and its local distinctiveness. They are also a key aspect in connecting
people with their cultural heritage and the Forest’s heritage in the making.
community
participation
The NFC will encourage arts initiatives that express the Forest’s creation. Both
local arts organisations and nationally renowned artists have contributed highly
imaginative visual and creative arts to inspire Forest projects and activities (4). This
artistic variety and blend of ideas should continue. Locally inspired arts initiatives
will continue to be encouraged and, given the Forest’s national status, greater
attention will be given to involving nationally renowned artists.
The following arts themes will be promoted:
■ working with timber – especially sculptures and Forest features such as seats,
gates, fencing and signs.
■ the changing Forest landscape – expressing community views about the newly
developing Forest, ‘sense of place’.
■ marking the Forest boundary – using arts features and ‘landmark’ trees.
■ heritage in the making – the arts as a means of expression in the NFC’s
LANDshapes project (section 6.11, Chapter 6).
■ village features – continuing the Forest-wide programme.
■ local distinctiveness – valuing what is locally important to local communities.
■ celebrating and involving local communities in new woodland sites.
■ using the arts to inspire Forest-related events, festivals and activities.
■ ‘landmark’ Forest features – eg. creating a Forest equivalent of the ‘Angel of the
North’ sculpture.
■ environmental education – creative arts linked to curriculum-based activities.
Action C11: The NFC will use its grant schemes to encourage and support
Forest-related arts initiatives.
7.9 Community communications
Keeping people informed about the Forest is a high priority. The NFC undertakes
wide-ranging activity to keep people up to date with Forest progress and to
promote new facilities that are available. This includes:
This activity has so far had most impact locally and sub-regionally. There is a far
bigger challenge to make the Forest better known regionally and nationally. It is
also important to make the Forest known to minority interests. In 2003 the Black
Environment Network undertook an audit of the NFC’s publications to assess
their suitability in reaching ethnic minority audiences. As a result of this work
special attention will be given to social inclusion issues when considering
community communications.
Action C12: The NFC will continue to promote the Forest to a wide range
of communities of interest using a variety of techniques.
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■ publications – including Forest Scene, public access, trails and visitor guides;
Landfile (for farmers); education and group visits guide; and site guides.
■ NFC website – www.nationalforest.org
■ media relations.
■ campaigns – such as Adopt and Plant a Tree.
■ on-site interpretation of Forest sites.
■ talks to community, special interest and schools groups.
59
Regeneration
and the
economy
8.1 Introduction
The Forest is beginning to make a significant contribution to the local economy
through the creation of new Forest-related jobs, particularly linked to tourism,
leisure and the woodland economy; the development of new skills training for local
people; and the creation of a more attractive environment for business growth and
inward investment.
The NFC recognises that economic regeneration is an important crossGovernment agenda and that the Forest has an important role to play in helping to
deliver Government objectives, especially related to the social enterprise sector,
improving community participation and developing the citizenship curriculum
through environmental education activity (section 8.6).
8.2 Current Progress
Economic change in the Forest area has been more rapid than was envisaged in the
original Strategy. The Forest’s creation has been a significant factor, alongside the
growth in service industries and the impact of information technology. The effects
of the Forest include:
■ providing a framework for tourism and leisure development with associated
services (4).
■ improving the environment in the Leicestershire and South Derbyshire
Coalfield, which has been part of a successful regeneration and economic
development programme (4).
■ diversification of the rural economy, which is safeguarding some jobs and
creating others (4).
■ the improved environment is providing an attractive setting for new housing,
with more people moving into the area. The population has grown from
189,000 to 200,000 people over the last 10 years.
■ there has been a significant fall in unemployment, with more purchasing power
in the local economy and increased spending by visitors, all of which are
unprecedented in the area.
8.3 Future Issues
the strategy
Despite this progress notable socio-economic problems remain and new issues
related to the Forest’s development need to be addressed. It is important to ensure
that economic development is sustainable and regeneration efforts reach all sections
of the community. Future issues include:
60
■ particular wards in Burton upon Trent and the Coalfield, where significant
socio-economic problems persist. The Forest’s creation needs to relate to
regeneration efforts in these areas, especially in terms of social inclusion, health,
the local economy and environmental improvements.
■ from 1995 – 2001 substantial areas in the Coalfield and East Staffordshire
benefited from European funding (RECHAR and Objective 2) and
Government initiatives (Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) and the Rural
Development Programme). Now only five wards in Burton upon Trent qualify
for Objective 2 and SRB funding. In the future Regional Development
Agencies and sub-regional partnerships will be key to supporting economic
development activity across the Forest.
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■ woodland owners will need advice and support to fully exploit the economic
benefits of the Forest’s creation. Developing a woodland economy (section
2.10, Chapter 2), together with business skills and training will be essential.
■ special business support mechanisms and skills training will also be needed for
tourism development (section 10.8, Chapter 10) and farm diversification
(sections 9.4 and 9.5, Chapter 9).
regeneration
and the
economy
8.4 The Economy
The key characteristics of the area’s economy and its socio-economic profile are set
out in Appendix 7. For the Forest the key drivers of change to the economy over
the next ten years will be:
■ development of the tourism, leisure and service sectors to meet the needs of the
growing number of visitors to the area and the increasing resident population.
■ the increasing importance of a new woodland-related economy (see Chapter 2).
In both cases the role of the private sector will be fundamental, as the establishment
and development of businesses will be essential to the growth of the new economy.
The role of the NFC and public sector partners will be to set policy direction and
provide a support framework (eg. infrastructure, skills, training and marketing) in
which the private sector can grasp the opportunities presented by the Forest’s
creation. Whilst larger businesses are likely to take an increasing interest, it will be
new and existing small and medium sized firms, individual landowners and
investors that will be key.
8.5 Regeneration and Economy Strategy Principles
Forest-related regeneration
The NFC will continue to promote the Forest as a key element of regeneration
activity. Effort will focus upon the direct impact that can be made, especially in
relation to tourism, diversifying the rural economy, developing a new woodland
economy and developing new skills related to these activities. The Forest will also
continue to be promoted as a more general spur to economic activity and as an
environmental driver to encourage inward investment.
Influencing other economic activity
the strategy
Most of the real power to direct economic development and regeneration activity
lies with other agencies, through Integrated Regional Strategies, Regional
Economic Strategies, Sub Regional Partnerships and local economic initiatives (eg.
Local Strategic Partnerships). The NFC needs to engage with these structures to
ensure that the creation and development of the Forest becomes integrated into the
thinking of the agencies responsible for this work (Table 11). This would be
mutually beneficial, as the Forest can contribute towards delivering the objectives
of these agencies and closer integration will add value to the work of the NFC,
partner economic development organisations, landowners and investors.
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regeneration
and the
economy
8.6 Policy Context
Contributing to the national agenda
The NFC is well placed to inf luence and respond to the national economic
regeneration agenda and to engage with regional and local partners to deliver
Government objectives. In particular:
■ The NFC supports the Government’s aim to develop the social enterprise
sector, especially encouraging organisations to dedicate profits to the public
good. The NFC will engage with the Department of Trade and Industry and
other partners (eg. Social Enterprise East Midlands), to explore how this
developing sector might be encouraged to support the creation the Forest;
together with how the proposed national accreditation standard for businesses
might support the Forest’s work.
■ The NFC shares the Government aim to increase people’s participation in their
local communities (see Chapter 7), thereby helping to meet Home Office
targets.
■ The NFC is also committed to lifelong learning (see Chapter 7) and will
explore with the Department of Education and Science how the Forest can
support their efforts to develop the citizenship curriculum, through
environmental education activity.
Regional and local policy context
The regional and local policy context is complex and is affected by the inf luence of
nearby urban areas (Derby, Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicester and the West
Midlands conurbation) and major communications networks (A38, A50, M42 and
M1). This is compounded by the fragmented responsibility for economic
development and regeneration in the area (Table 11).
Table 11 – Economic development responsibilities.
Geographic Areas
East and West
Midlands Regions
Counties and subregions
Districts
■ County Councils (3)
■ Sub-Regional Partnerships (3)
■ Learning and Skills Councils (3)
■ Small Business Services (3)
■ Business Links (3)
■ East Staffordshire, Lichfield, South
Derbyshire, North West
Leicestershire, Hinckley &
Bosworth and Charnwood.
Area-based programmes and local
agencies/enterprises.
Responsibilities
Regional strategies, funding
programmes and policies.
■ Regional Forestry
Frameworks/forestry economy.
■ Strategy and policy.
■ Strategy and funding.
■ Training, skills and business
development.
■ Business advice and support.
■ Business advice and support.
Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs)
and other economic initiatives.
(County Councils also operate
LSPs in their areas).
Action in individual communities
including social and community
enterprise.
the strategy
Local
Organisations Involved
■ Regional Development Agencies (2)
■ Government Offices (2)
■ Regional Assemblies (2)
■ Forestry Commission
Partnership and cross boundary working will be essential to bring these agencies
together where there are opportunities related to the Forest’s economy. In 2003,
the NFC together with emda, Advantage West Midlands and four district councils
commissioned a National Forest Cross Regional Economic Study. This
highlighted the importance of cross boundary working on tourism, rural
diversification, woodland economy and transport infrastructure issues, to develop
the Forest’s economy. It will be equally important that the NFC links into policy
initiatives led by other agencies, such as the work by emda and Advantage West
Midlands to develop and promote the environmental economy.
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economy
8.7 Future Action
Partnerships
The NFC must focus primarily on the physical creation of the Forest. However, it
is also the best placed organisation to ensure that others act together to maximise
the economic benefits of creating the Forest for local residents and businesses. In
some instances the NFC will be able to act directly with local agencies and
businesses. In the majority of cases, however, it will act as an enabler to bring
together agencies that might otherwise act independently. The emergence of
regional policy making and funding and the importance of sub-regional and local
partnerships for implementation are significant issues that need to be addressed.
Action RE1: The NFC will seek to maximise the economic development
potential of the Forest through joint working, especially at
regional, sub-regional and county levels.
The Forest-related Economy
To realise the direct economic benefits arising from the Forest’s creation,
opportunities should be sought for Forest-related economic development by
encouraging clusters of activity related to:
Wood products (section 2.10, Chapter 2).
Wood fuel energy systems and networks (section 2.10 Chapter 2).
Tourism and leisure (see Chapters 5 and 10).
Farm diversification (section 9.3, Chapter 9).
Tree and wildf lower nurseries and forestry contracting businesses.
Christopher Beech
■
■
■
■
■
Staunton Harold sawmill, Leicestershire
Action RE2: The NFC will work to maximise the economic benefits of
forest creation. A strategy and action plan to develop the
forest-related economy will be kept under regular review.
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the strategy
The NFC will take a lead in identifying and promoting these opportunities,
notably by implementing the strategy and action plan to develop the Forest-related
economy approved by the NFC in 2003 (18); and through the Actions set out in
the Forestry, Tourism, Access, Recreation and Sport and Agriculture chapters. A
range of partners will be important to this work and their engagement with Forest
landowners and investors will be critical to success.
63
regeneration
and the
economy
Economic and Social Inclusion
The benefits arising from the Forest’s creation should be accessible to all sections
of the community. The Forest should be used to assist in developing an
economically active, healthy and well-trained local work force. To help achieve this
the NFC will support partners to run targeted schemes aimed at maximising the
benefits of creating the Forest for local communities.
Action RE3: The NFC will continue to support targeted regeneration
programmes aimed at addressing pockets of economic and
social deprivation in the Forest area.
The Town Centres
The Forest’s towns and larger villages are where the majority of local residents live.
They are also important in terms of the impression which they give to visitors.
Town centres in particular are where visitors are drawn to use local services, find
tourist information and to look for accommodation and restaurants. It is important
that town and village centres are managed and developed to ref lect the creation of
the Forest. In turn, the development of tourism can help to increase the viability of
these centres, to the benefit of local residents and visitors.
The economic benefits of urban greening and development-related landscaping are
also important for town and village centres. These issues are addressed in Chapters
2 and 12.
Action RE4: The NFC will encourage town centre improvement and
management programmes which support tourism
development and offer opportunities to promote and market
the Forest.
Skills and Business Development
The local population is witnessing rapid economic change associated with the
Forest, especially in the Coalfield and in rural parts of the Forest. For local people
to reap the full benefits of this change, new attitudes and skills are required,
especially to meet the needs of the growing number of visitors to the area and in
developing a new woodland economy. Joint working with agencies such as emda,
Advantage West Midlands, Learning and Skills Councils and Business Links will be
essential to achieve this. (Refer also to section 2.7, Chapter 2; section 10.8, Chapter
10; and sections 9.4 and 9.5, Chapter 9.)
Action RE5: The NFC will encourage the provision of training and
business development programmes to address the needs and
opportunities arising from the Forest’s development.
the strategy
Monitoring Economic and Social Impact
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It is vital that the economic and social progress of the Forest is measured to
demonstrate the effects of the project and to inform future policy directions. The
Forest cuts across various administrative and statistical boundaries and as a
consequence NFC has developed a methodology to overcome the difficulties of
collecting and analysing data. Socio-economic monitoring of the Forest area
started in 2001 (19) and will be reviewed and updated every 2-3 years. Over time
a bespoke picture of the Forest will be built up using census material and other
economic data from the Office for National Statistics.
Action RE6: The NFC will undertake regular monitoring of the economic
and social impact of The National Forest.
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Agriculture
9.1 Introduction
Retaining and developing an environmentally diverse and economically thriving
farmed landscape is central to fulfiling the Forest vision. There will be a major
conversion of farmland to forestry, but even with around a third of the area
ultimately planted with trees, substantial tracts will remain in some form of
agricultural land management.
Crucially, over 75% of the proposed new planting over the next decade will need
to take place on farmland. Farmland will also increasingly be the focus for agrienvironment schemes, which will help to meet the Forest’s biodiversity targets and
encourage new public access. There are unprecedented opportunities for
landowners to help create the Forest through diversification into forestry,
recreation, sport, tourism and environmental initiatives. Both farmers and
farmland are therefore key to the Forest’s future development.
Farmers will continue to have an important land management role. Equally, farm
diversification will provide an economic rationale for helping to ‘keep farmers on
the land’, and thereby help to retain the social structure of farming families in the
area. Diversification will also make an increasingly important contribution to the
rural economy.
The changing context
Changes to the support for agriculture through the Common Agricultural Policy
(CAP) are resulting in more farm support moving from production-based
payments towards the expansion of agri-environment schemes, including the
introduction of an Entry Level Scheme. Agricultural support is being promoted
through the England Rural Development Programme.
Due to a variety of difficulties facing agriculture, coupled with growing
recognition of the need for further change, Government produced a new strategy
for sustainable food and farming in 2002 (20). This targets financial and other
assistance to help farmers add value to their products, by reconnecting them with
customers and the rest of the food chain; rewarding them for providing
environmental goods; helping them get training and advice to develop their
businesses; and developing a ‘whole farm’ approach to regulation. The
Government is also reviewing Learning and Skills provision and Rural Delivery
mechanisms which will give further help to farm businesses in the area.
Aspects of this changing policy could work either for or against the Forest’s
creation. For example, the growing of crops for fuel oil could provide economic
competition against Forest-related use of farm land. Much of the detail remains to
be established as the various changes are implemented. What is clear is that there
will be a continuing change in the structure, pattern and profitability of farming
and a growing need for farmers to find other sources of income and, in many cases,
new uses for their land.
Approximately 69% of the Forest area is farmland. 49% is classified as Grade 3
land, with 10% each of Grades 2 and 4 (Map 7). The best quality land (Grade 2)
supports cereals, general cropping and horticulture. Grade 3 land (which also
includes some best and most versatile land) is of good to moderate quality, capable
of producing high yields of some arable crops, especially cereals, and grass for
grazing or harvesting, with scope for mixed cropping. Grade 4 land occurs on river
f loodplains and the poorly drained soils of the coal measures. This is mainly
confined to grass production and fodder crops.
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the strategy
Farming in the Forest
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agriculture
Map 7 Agricultural Land Quality
AGRICULTURAL LAND
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
0
NON-AGRICULTURAL LAND
5km
Land predominantly in urban use
Other land primarily in non-agricultural use
Based on original work by ADAS (Wolverhampton)
9.2 Agriculture Strategy principles
The success of the Forest so far in engaging private landowners in its creation is
based upon five key principles:
■ participation by landowners will be entirely voluntary;
■ there will be no compulsory purchase of land;
■ an attractive and realistic financial incentive is needed to stimulate land
conversion;
■ public access to new woodlands and other land will be encouraged and secured
by agreement, but will not be compulsory and
■ there will be agreement between landlords and tenants over Forest-related
schemes.
Apart from any statutory access provisions which may arise from the Countryside
and Rights of Way Act 2002 (eg. access to heathland), these principles remain valid.
They will continue to guide the NFC’s approach to working with private
landowners and developing Forest-related farm diversification schemes.
the strategy
9.3 Farm diversification
66
The NFC is encouraging farm diversification, using woodland creation as a focus.
This is providing a setting for many other forms of diversification. By 2002 this had
resulted in:
■ 96 farm forestry schemes, covering 1,640 ha.
■ 28 leisure, tourist accommodation, catering, biodiversity and heritage schemes.
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Farm diversification at Beehive Farm, Derbyshire
Looking to the future, the opportunities have never been greater for landowners to
continue this trend and to broaden the economic base of their businesses, through:
■ utilising NFC grants.
■ the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) – especially agrienvironment schemes and the Rural Enterprise Scheme.
■ combining NFC and ERDP grants to develop whole farm diversification
schemes.
■ purchase of farmland for woodland creation – by the NFC, Forestry
Commission, forestry investors and other organisations.
Action A1: The NFC will use its grants and promote other appropriate
mechanisms to encourage farm diversification to Forestrelated uses.
The main types of Forest-related diversification that will be encouraged
include:
Woodland creation and management
New farm woodlands will aim to grow high quality timber and provide a setting
for sport, recreation, tourism, biodiversity and forest-related business activity.
Planting on farmland can also help to meet broader environmental objectives such
as soaking up nitrate run-off. Opportunities include primarily commercial
woodlands, woods for nature conservation and short rotation coppice for
biomass/wood fuel. Managing existing farm woodlands is also a high priority (see
section 2.7, Chapter 2).
Sport and recreation
■ equestrian centres – offering livery, tuition and outriding, linked to riding
routes.
■ stabling and cycle hire facilities.
■ sites for orienteering, mountain biking, cross country horse riding and clay
pigeon shooting.
■ water sports facilities, eg. angling pools.
■ woodlands for game shooting.
■ temporary uses of land for training and events by sports clubs.
■ forest trails and picnic areas.
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Particular opportunities for landowners to add to the Forest’s sport and recreation
facilities include:
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Christopher Beech
agriculture
Equestrian centre, Orange Wood, Derbyshire
Farm tourism
Landowners are well placed to benefit from, and fill gaps in, the accommodation
network, including:
■ bed and breakfast and self-catering farm-based accommodation.
■ caravan and camping sites.
■ developing redundant farm buildings to provide bunk house barn and hostel
accommodation.
■ developing walking and cycling breaks with tourism providers. For example, by
linking accommodation through pre-booked packages and taking visitors’
luggage forward to the next accommodation point.
There are also opportunities to develop catering and retail facilities for visitors,
including farm tea rooms, restaurants, speciality food outlets and farm shops.
Venues for outdoor events, farm trails and school visits to farms can also
be developed.
Forest-related businesses
The Forest provides a setting for a wide range of related business activity, including:
■ diversification into contracting services – for woodland creation, habitat
management and the creation of new recreation facilities.
■ tree and wildf lower nurseries.
■ small-scale timber processing to meet local needs.
■ woodland craft outlets.
■ garden products (eg. timber furniture, garden mulch).
■ development of Forest-related products (eg. Forest honey, speciality foods).
the strategy
Biodiversity
68
Many landowners are already managing and creating wildlife habitats. The
introduction of a new Entry Level agri-environment scheme will broaden
the opportunities to contribute towards biodiversity and environmental
protection activity.
Action A2: The NFC will encourage farm diversification to woodland,
sport, recreation, farm tourism, Forest-related business and
biodiversity uses.
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Best practice exemplar
The combined diversification experience being developed in the area, coupled with
extensive future opportunities, highlights the Forest as a major, national and EU
exemplar of diversification best practice. The experience from The National Forest
should be more widely promoted. Equally, the Forest area should be used more
extensively as a national pilot area for trialing new farm diversification approaches.
Action A3: The NFC will promote The National Forest as a venue for
trialing and developing farm diversification best practice.
9.4 Business advice and support
Diversification of farm businesses needs to be backed up by business advice and
support networks for landowners. In particular there is a need to help landowners
plan for and market their products. Diversification potential will be enhanced if
landowners perceive their neighbours as complementary rather than as competitors
and if cooperative approaches are developed to market farm and woodland
products.
Business advice and support should be linked to the Government’s Investing in the
Future workstream and initiatives developed through the ERDP, emda and
Advantage West Midlands. Links with various networks will be needed to help
channel advice and support including:
■ Business Link – establishing strong links through Rural Business Advisors.
■ exploring opportunities with Business Link and Learning and Skills Councils
to establish a specific, Forest-related Business Advisor.
■ a Farm Business Advice Service - building upon the work of existing networks
such as ‘Farm Business Buddies’ in Leicestershire.
■ a Wood Marketing Association (see Action F15, Chapter 2).
■ National Forest Tender Scheme Club – to continue to exchange information
and best practice between woodland diversification schemes.
■ National Forest Tourism Marketing Forum – to provide a focus for farm
tourism business development and exchange of best practice.
■ tourism promotion – integrating farm tourism products within National Forest
visitor attraction, accommodation and Food in the Forest promotions.
■ advisors network – the NFC will continue to act as a focal point to direct
landowners to specialist advisors.
Action A4: The NFC will work with partners to develop business
advice and support networks to assist Forest-related farm
diversification.
9.5 Skills training
■ woodland management skills – to ensure the economic potential of farm
woodlands is realised.
■ timber processing and marketing – to help encourage new business ventures.
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Landowners and farming families will need to learn new skills if they are to make
the most of diversification opportunities. In 2002 the NFC undertook a training
needs assessment (21) which identified the following skills gaps:
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agriculture
■ tourism development skills – including visitor marketing and management and
customer care/welcome training
■ business development skills – for businesses that have already diversified.
Skills training is being taken forward through an East Midlands based EU
vocational training scheme; the Leicestershire Rural Partnership (identification of
IT training needs); Stephenson’s College and the British Trust for Conservation
Volunteers (rural skills training); LANTRA (forestry skills training); and the Deer
Initiative (deer management). There is also a need to more effectively engage
Learning and Skills Councils to help meet the training needs of farming families.
Action A5: The NFC will encourage the development of training for
landowners to support the diversification of farm businesses.
9.6 Tenanted land
There is a need to ensure that tenant farmers have the fullest opportunity to play
their part in the Forest’s creation. Much tenanted land is owned by large country
estates, mineral companies and institutional landowners (eg. Church dioceses, The
National Trust and Severn Trent Water). So far only a small number of
diversification schemes have been developed by tenants. Tenants should be
encouraged, with their landlords agreement, to undertake new woodland planting
or to develop agri-environment schemes and forest-related services that do not
require major landuse change (eg. farmhouse bed and breakfast accommodation).
the strategy
Action A6: The NFC will encourage the involvement of tenant farmers
in the Forest’s creation.
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10.1 Introduction
The Forest area is developing far quicker than predicted into a major, new tourism
resource. In 2002 5 million visitors came to the area and visitor spending was
£164m (22)1. Tourism is contributing significantly to economic regeneration and
supports 4,500 jobs in the area (22). (See 2 for UK comparative figures).
The aim is to create a new, national, tourism destination based upon substantial
outdoor activity and a variety of indoor attractions. Existing tourism attractions
will blend with new Forest attractions and a growing and changing network of new
woodlands, trails and sport and recreation facilities.
Tourism development aims to create better facilities for local residents and
surrounding towns and cities, and a national resource for longer stays by people
from across the country. Potential visitors include 200,000 local residents; 10
million people within a 90 minute drive for day trips; and 29 million people within
21/2 hours drive for longer stays (23).
10.2 Tourism Strategy Principles
Sustainable Tourism
The Forest will be developed as an exemplar of sustainable tourism. This will
require:
■ sustainable economic growth by tourism businesses;
■ developing and promoting the Forest area as an all year round visitor
destination;
■ carefully planning, integrating and managing tourism so as not to over develop
the area, or affect the natural ‘green’ resource upon which it depends;
■ minimising the potential impact of large numbers of visitors through careful
visitor management and
■ learning from the experience of other destinations, to apply best practice.
National Forest Brand
Developing a strong National Forest brand is essential for developing the tourism
product and marketing the Forest to visitors. The Forest’s unique selling point is
the sheer scale and planned diversity of the Forest’s creation, embracing a rich
variety of landscapes and other features. Visitors can come and see, learn about and
literally help create, this major ‘Forest in the making’. Conveying this creative
woodland image and experience will be central to developing the Forest’s brand.
Quality Assurance
Tourism must maintain the highest standards of quality. This needs to permeate the
creation and management of all tourism attractions, accommodation, marketing of
attractions to visitors and ensuring the highest standards of customer service.
Quality assurance is an essential part of building the Forest image for visitors,
encouraging visitors to stay longer and ensuring that repeat business is achieved.
Tourism will need to be based upon developing easy access both to the Forest area
and within it. Public transport development, linked to attractions and integrated
with forest trails and cycle routes, will be critical.
1
2
The methodology used (the Cambridge model) has been refined twice since 1999, so earlier tourism figures for the Forest area are unfortunately not
comparable with the 2002 figures.
131.9m tourist trips were made in England in 2001, of which 22% were visits to the countryside. The total value of tourism trips by UK residents
was estimated at £4.13bn (13).
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Accessibility
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Partnership Working
The NFC will work in partnership with a wide range of organisations, local
authorities and tourism businesses, to develop the Forest’s tourism potential. The
National Forest Tourism Working Group will be a key mechanism. It is also
important for the Forest to link into the regional tourism strategies for the East and
West Midlands; local tourism partnerships/structures; and community linked
organisations, who can help to inspire community led tourism initiatives.
10.3 The tourism product
The Forest’s range of tourism attractions is set to grow extensively over the next 10
years. This will combine a variety of well-established attractions with a new layer
of Forest-related attractions and leisure and recreation activities. Visitors will be
able to do many different things in the area and this will encourage longer stay and
repeat visits. The Forest is in a strong position to develop a very varied tourism
product under a range of themes (Table 12).
Table 12 - National Forest Tourism Themes
Tourism Theme
National Forest woodlands
Visitor attractions
Forest trails and access
Sport and recreation
Accommodation
Heritage sites
Wildlife
Villages and countryside
Environmental education
Events and festivals
Food and drink
Visitor Potential
adding new woodlands each year with trails, picnic sites,
forest art and special features (eg. arboreta).
including Forest-themed attractions, existing attractions and
future developments.
expanding the network for walkers, cyclists, horseriders and
disabled users.
increasing the range of outdoor facilities in particular.
facilitating provision of a range of high quality and appropriate
accommodation to attract overnight visitors.
improving interpretation and visitor access.
developing opportunities for watching wildlife.
maintaining attractive villages and developing access to
attractive countryside.
continuing to develop the Forest as an outdoor learning resource.
using the Forest as a venue for Forest-related, sporting and other
events and festivals.
identifying and promoting local speciality food and drinks.
Action T1: The Forest’s tourism product will be developed around the
themes in Table 12.
Development issues relevant to these themes are discussed below.
National Forest Woodlands
the strategy
New woodlands range from sites with comprehensive visitor facilities to those
simply offering informal public access. All woodlands with access should be
welcoming for visitors; and features such as car parks, picnic areas, trails, site
signage, interpretation boards, seating and waymarked paths, should be maintained
to the highest standards. The NFC will promote best practice management and
consideration will be given to ‘kite marking’ of sites to meet maintenance standards
expected for Forest sites. (Refer also to Action F8, Chapter 2).
Action T2: The NFC will encourage regular site maintenance audits for
woodlands with public access to maintain high standards of
visitor welcome.
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Visitor attractions
The Forest includes a wide range of visitor attractions (24). Major additions have
included Forest-themed attractions, including the highly acclaimed CONKERS
Discovery Centre, which has created a strategic, central focus for the Forest. To
maintain their appeal, especially for repeat visits, visitor attractions will require
continued investment to refresh and periodically update their facilities.
CONKERS Waterside, Leicestershire
A number of attractions would also benefit from a stronger National Forest focus,
for example by incorporating Forest-related interpretation material and
information stands/kiosks and by installing Forest branded road signage. This
would help visitor attractions to market their location in the Forest. It would also
benefit the Forest by creating ‘gateway’ sites to help visitor orientation around the
Forest, as well as helping to develop The National Forest brand. (Gateway sites
could also include attractions near to, but outside the Forest boundary). Potential
‘gateway’ sites include:
■ CONKERS Discovery Centre
■ Rosliston Forestry Centre
■ National Memorial Arboretum
■ Snibston Discovery Park
■ Calke Abbey
■ Foremark, Staunton Harold and Thornton
Reservoir Visitor Centres
■
■
■
■
■
Bradgate Park Visitor Centre
Coors Visitor Centre
Barton Marina
Byrkley Park garden centre
Bosworth Battlefield
Action T3: Sustained growth and development of visitor attractions will
be a high priority. The suitability of certain attractions to be
developed as Forest ‘gateway’ sites should be considered with
site owners.
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In the future there could also be potential to develop new visitor attractions. For
example, themed visitor centres based upon the wildlife of the Forest (located in
Charnwood) and the canal heritage (linked to the Trent and Mersey canal); or a
Forest Field Studies Centre, linked with accommodation. Any new attractions will
need to be judged upon their own sustainable merits.
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tourism
Forest trails and access
Developing a comprehensive network of Forest trails and access linked to visitor
accommodation and attractions will be high priority (see section 5.5, Chapter 5).
Sport and recreation
Sport and recreation is also an integral part of the tourism product. Developing
new outdoor facilities will be a priority (see section 5.6, Chapter 5).
Accommodation
The Forest’s success as a visitor destination will be partly determined by the quality
and range of accommodation that it provides. Developing additional
accommodation is key to developing the short-breaks market. A particular concern
is the lack of accommodation with family appeal and for group visits. There is also
an opportunity to attract more business and international guests as a result of
increased passenger use of East Midlands airport.
Expansion of accommodation will need to be carefully managed, phased and
appropriate to its setting. The National Forest Tourism Working Group should
periodically undertake audits of the number, types and occupancy rates of
accommodation establishments in the area. This will help to ensure that new
accommodation is market driven and that demand develops in relation to existing
capacity. The Forest enjoys a higher than average level of participation in national
accommodation grading schemes. New operators will be encouraged into these
schemes to help raise accommodation standards further.
Over time a wide range of accommodation types will be needed:
Short to medium term: - camping and caravan sites;
(next 10 years)
- group accommodation - bunkhouse barns; youth
hostel; or related to education/outdoor pursuits in
activity or field study centres;
- bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation;
- accommodation linked to self-contained leisure
developments (eg. farm attractions);
- serviced and self-catering accommodation eg. log
cabins; converted outbuildings in a woodland setting;
- improvements to hotels; adding rooms to pubs and
inns; and new budget and business hotels;
- assessing the feasibility of ‘resort’ accommodation
such as a holiday village.
the strategy
Long term:
(10 years plus)
74
- activity centres;
- additional budget hotels;
- a comprehensive network of bed and breakfast, inns
with rooms and serviced farm house accommodation;
- high quality ‘resort’ accommodation and leisure
facilities such as a holiday village, country house hotels
and country clubs.
Action T4: The NFC will encourage appropriate expansion of a wide
range of high-quality, inspected accommodation.
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Heritage
The Forest area has a rich cultural heritage (see Chapter 6). Interpreting this to
visitors and making links between the past history of the area and the ‘Forest in the
making’ will be very important. The NFC’s LANDshapes project will greatly assist
this (see section 6.11, Chapter 6).
Many heritage sites are in private ownership, but an increasing number are opening
to the public through the National Gardens Scheme, organised events and by
allowing educational access to schools and colleges. This trend is welcomed and
will be encouraged.
Action T5: Private owners will be encouraged to create new visitor access
to historic places of interest.
Wildlife
The Forest is developing into a rich area for wildlife and f lora (see Chapter 4).
Many places are already attractive for bird watching and in future other locations
could be developed for viewing species such as otter and deer. Avoiding disturbance
to wildlife is a prime consideration, but sensitively located and managed facilities
(eg. bird hides) would open up new opportunities for wildlife watching.
Action T6: Identify with conservation partners, appropriate locations for
showing the Forest’s wildlife to visitors and encourage
provision of high quality visitor facilities.
Villages and countryside
The Forest includes a variety of attractive landscapes and villages, which offer
visitors the chance to explore quieter areas of the Forest. In these areas there is an
opportunity for local communities to benefit from visitors by encouraging village
and farm-based tourism, particularly linked to the trails network. Initiatives could
include new catering and retail outlets, bed and breakfast accommodation and craft
workshops.
Action T7: Local planning policies should encourage small-scale tourism
developments in villages and rural areas.
Environmental education
The Forest is a major resource for environmental and heritage education visits,
particularly by schools. Several visitor attractions provide excellent facilities that are
specially linked to the national curriculum. These include: CONKERS Discovery
Centre, Rosliston Forestry Centre, the Coors Visitor Centre and Snibston
Discovery Park. Future development of environmental education is considered in
Chapter 7.
Events and Festivals
The Forest is also a venue for a variety of other festivals (eg. Burton Beer Festival);
local shows (eg. Ashby Show); and sporting events (eg. carriage driving). In the
future the Forest has potential to stage national events and to develop its own
national events, for example a Forest Triathlon or Marathon boundary race.
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The Forest embraces many Forest-related events and offers visitors the chance to
help create the Forest through tree planting days and planting memorial trees (see
Chapter 7). Special National Forest festivals are also organised that have attracted
over 10,000 visitors.
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Richard Eaton
tourism
Burton-upon-Trent Regatta, Staffordshire
All events and festivals would benefit from being developed under the Forest
banner. Annual planning between event organisers to coordinate activities will be
increasingly important.
Action T8: The NFC will encourage greater promotion of the Forest as a
venue for year round events and festivals.
Food and drink
There will be growing interest in food and drink as a tourism theme as visitor
numbers and particularly overnight stays increase. The NFC promotes food and
drink through its ‘Food in the Forest’ guide. Future opportunities include:
the strategy
■ promoting locally produced food and drink; local outlets (eg. specialist shops,
farmers markets); and local campaigns.
■ promoting specialities (eg. beer in Burton upon Trent) and encouraging the
development of new brands (eg. the National Forest bottled water company).
■ using local products in catering at tea rooms, cafes and restaurants.
■ encouraging workplace tourism (eg. at outlets such as Marmite).
76
The food and drink product should be developed within an overall National Forest
brand and quality assurance will be essential.
Action T9: The NFC, with tourism partners, will identify and promote
local speciality food and drinks.
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10.4 Tourism Development Clusters
There is widespread potential for sensitive, sustainable tourism development across
the Forest area. This will range from active ‘honey pot’ areas to quieter areas to
explore ‘off the beaten track’.
The original Strategy identified ‘Areas of Opportunity’ for targeting tourism and
leisure development, which focused on concentrations of derelict and mineral
worked land. Many of these areas have been tackled or are underway. Based upon
this activity, and coupled with future tourism potential, several distinct clusters of
activity are developing across the Forest (Map 8). These include both ‘busy’ and
‘quieter’ tourism areas.
Within each cluster there is potential for further tourism development to
complement and create links with existing attractions. Table 13 highlights the key
attractions within each cluster, the tourism themes that can be pursued and their
future tourism potential. These areas offer the best opportunities for maximising
tourism development over the next 10 years (whilst accepting that they may not be
the only areas where tourism development is suitable).
Action T10: The NFC will work with partners to promote the tourism
clusters on Map 8 as priority areas for tourism development.
10.5 Transport
Sustainable transport is critical for tourism as the sustainability of the Forest itself
could be compromised by increasing numbers of car-borne visitors. A Forest-wide
Transport Strategy is needed (see section 13.6, Chapter 13).
10.6 Marketing and Communications
Effective and sustained visitor marketing and communication will be essential to
realise the aim of putting the Forest on the national tourism map. The key message
for the next 10 years will be to - “Come and experience the Forest we are all
creating” and not to promote the end product, to avoid misleading visitors who
may otherwise expect to see a mature forest.
Visitor markets
The original Strategy estimated that at its peak the Forest would attract 5.9m
visitors per year, 90% of which would be day visitors. By 2002 5m visits had been
achieved, 93% of which were day visits with 7% staying overnight.
Visitor marketing has so far concentrated on the day visits market with promotional
activity targeted at local residents and visitors within 11/2 hours drive of the Forest.
Over the next 10 years the aim will be to gradually expand visitor marketing from
regional to more national activity. This is with a view to growing the number of
day visits and overnight stays and to increasing the proportion of overnight stays.
Action T11:
T H E
Aim to achieve 5.8m visitors to the Forest area by 2014 and
increase overnight stays to 10%.
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It is difficult to be precise about future visitor projections. Targets are put forward
in Action T11, but these will need regular review to take account of any changed
circumstances that may affect visitor markets.
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Woodland
Major Water Features
Main Urban Areas
Motorways
A Class Roads
tourism
A50
A515
Rivers
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Map 8 Tourism Clusters
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A512
A38
1 - Heart of the Forest
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A444
M42
3 - Mease Farms and Woods
4 - Trent Valley Water Park
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5 - Snibston-Thornton Forest Parks
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6 - Charnwood Forest
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7 - Needwood Forest
M1
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Table 13. National Forest Tourism Clusters
1. Heart of the Forest
Forest tourism theme
Key existing attractions
■ Visitor attractions
■ Heritage
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
- CONKERS Discovery Centre.
- Ashby Castle, Moira Furnace, Ashby
Canal, Sharpe’s Pottery.
Woodlands
- many new woods with public access.
Forest trails
- walking trails linking key sites;
horseriding; cycling; all abilities access;
Ashby Woulds heritage trail.
Sport and recreation - Swadlincote Ski Centre; CONKERS
activity trail; orienteering.
Health and fitness - Springs Health Hydro.
Environmental
- CONKERS Discovery Centre.
education
Events and festivals - eg. Ashby canal festival, Ashby Show.
Food and drink
- restaurants in Ashby de la Zouch,
Swadlincote and at CONKERS; tea rooms.
Future tourism potential
■ Forest
focus/gateway
■ Visitor attractions
■
■
■
■
■
■
- further development of CONKERS
Discovery Centre.
- Leicestershire Forest Park development
around CONKERS; extend the re-watering
of the Ashby canal for leisure boating and
canoeing.
Accommodation
- Youth hostel, caravan and camping sites.
Woodlands
- woodland expansion area including
restoration of mineral workings to
recreation and conservation uses.
Forest trails
- further links of all types between key
sites, especially cycling.
Sport and recreation - water sports at Donington Lake; golf at
Nadins.
Events and festivals - linked to visitor and heritage attractions
and new woodlands.
Food and drink
- promotion of current facilities.
2. Melbourne Parklands and Reservoirs
Forest tourism theme
Key existing attractions
■ Heritage
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
- Calke Abbey, Melbourne Hall, Staunton
Harold (including Ferrers Arts and Crafts
Centre).
Water sports
- Foremark and Staunton Harold reservoirs.
Outdoor recreation - mountain biking, orienteering, carriage
driving.
Woodlands
- mature woods and new woodlands with
public access.
Forest trails
- walking trails linking key sites,
horseriding, cycling.
Towns, villages and - attractive towns and villages - Melbourne,
countryside
Ticknall; attractive countryside.
Accommodation
- bed and breakfast, caravan sites.
Food and drink
- pubs and restaurants.
Future tourism potential
■ Forest
- Calke Abbey, reservoir visitor centres,
focus/gateway
Melbourne.
■ Sport and recreation - new activities linked to the reservoirs.
■ Woodlands
- new planting with public access to link
existing sites.
■ Forest trails
- further trails; links of all types between
key sites.
■ Farm diversification - to leisure, accommodation, catering and
retail.
■ Accommodation
- especially self catering, caravan and
camping.
■ Food and drink
- especially linked to settlements.
■ Events and festivals - linked to heritage attractions, reservoirs,
towns and villages.
3. Mease farms and woods
Forest tourism theme
Key existing attractions
■ Visitor attractions
■
■
■
■
■
■
■ Forest
focus/gateway
■ Woodlands
- Rosliston Forestry Centre
- woodland expansion area with public
access.
■ Forest trails
- developing links to Trent Valley and Heart
of the Forest clusters; focus for
horseriding and cycling.
■ Farm diversification - to leisure, accommodation, catering and
retail.
■ Sport and recreation - focus for quiet country pursuits.
■ Wildlife watching
- Rosliston Forestry Centre and River
Mease.
■ Accommodation
- farm-based accommodation, bed and
breakfast, caravan and camping, log
cabins.
■ Events and festivals - Linked to visitor and sporting attractions.
■ Food and drink
- particular opportunities for farm-based
initiatives.
the strategy
■
- Rosliston Forestry Centre, Beehive Farm,
Chapman’s garden centre, Safari Parties
and Grangewood Zoo.
Sport and recreation - Garlands shooting ground, Catton
horseriding event course, fishing, carriage
driving, orienteering.
Woodlands
- many new woods with public access;
healthy walking at Rosliston Forestry
Centre.
Forest trails
- walking trails linking key sites,
horseriding, all abilities access.
Environmental
- Rosliston Forestry Centre.
education
Villages and
- attractive villages; accessible
countryside
countryside.
Events and festivals - Catton Hall, Rosliston Forestry Centre,
Beehive Farm, Grangewood.
Food and drink
- tea rooms, restaurant at Rosliston Forestry
Centre, pubs.
Future tourism potential
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Table 13. National Forest Tourism Clusters
continued
4. Trent Valley Water Park
Forest tourism theme
Key existing attractions
■ Visitor attractions
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
- National Memorial Arboretum (NMA), Coors
Visitor Centre.
Heritage
- Trent and Mersey canal (canal boating),
Coors Visitor Centre, Marstons brewery.
Sport and recreation - Branston golf club, fishing, Barton marina.
Wildlife
- wetland nature reserves and woodlands.
Forest trails
- walking trails, Sustrans cycleway, all
and access
abilities access, Burton washlands, Trent
and Mersey canal towpath.
Food and drink
- Burton upon Trent, beer and its breweries;
NMA.
Accommodation
- Wychnor hotel and country club, Burton
upon Trent hotels.
Events and festivals - eg. Burton beer festival, Burton washlands
fayre, national waterways festival.
Future tourism potential
■ Forest
focus/gateway
■ Water sports
and recreation
- National Memorial Arboretum, Coors Visitor
Centre, Barton marina.
- development of a Trent Valley water park
following restoration of mineral workings;
Barton marina a key site for canal users.
■ Wildlife
- development of wetland wildlife sites
following mineral working.
■ Forest trails
- development of trails and cycle routes to
link Mease Farms and Woods and
Needwood clusters; River Trent riverside
path.
■ Woodlands
- woodland expansion area with new
access.
■ Accommodation
- improvements to existing hotels, new
hotels.
■ Food and drink
- particular focus on Burton upon Trent.
■ Events and festivals - linked to visitor, heritage and
sport/recreation attractions.
5. Snibston - Thornton Forest Parks
Forest tourism theme
Key existing attractions
■ Visitor attractions
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
- Snibston Discovery Park, Thornton
reservoir visitor centre.
Heritage
- Donington le Heath Manor House, Snibston
Discovery Park, Swannington Incline,
Hough windmill.
Heritage education - Snibston Discovery Park.
Woodlands
- large new Forest parks with public access
- Sence Valley, Bagworth Woods, Battram
Woods.
Forest trails
- walking trails linking key sites, cycling, all
abilities access, horseriding.
Sport and recreation - fishing at Thornton reservoir; orienteering
at several sites.
Wildlife
- bird watching at Sence Valley Forest Park.
Events and festivals - Snibston a major venue.
Food and drink
- restaurants and tea rooms.
Future tourism potential
■ Forest
focus/gateway
■ Woodlands
■
■
■
■
■
- Snibston Discovery Park and Thornton
Reservoir.
- woodland expansion area; reclamation of
Nailstone Colliery and granite quarries
(long term) to leisure and conservation
uses.
Sport and recreation - develop new sites eg. diving/climbing at
Markfield Quarry; orienteering at Ibstock
Grange.
Forest trails
- development of walking, cycling,
horseriding and all abilities trails.
Farm diversification - to leisure, accommodation, catering and
retail.
Food and drink
- sector needs developing.
Events and festivals - linked to visitor and heritage attractions
and woodlands.
6. Charnwood Forest
Forest tourism theme
■ Visitor attractions
■ Woodlands
■ Recreation
■ Forest trails
■ Heritage
■ Wildlife
the strategy
■ Food and drink
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■ Villages and
countryside
Key existing attractions
- Bradgate Park and Beacon Hill Country
Park.
- Charnwood Ancient Forest, many mature
and new woods with public access.
- large outdoor recreation areas (Bradgate
Park, Beacon Hill) with public access;
rugged upland peaks with viewpoints;
fishing.
- walking trails linking key sites, plus
horseriding routes.
- monastic heritage sites, Bradgate Park,
Charnwood Forest.
- many nature reserves, Cropston and
Blackbrook reservoirs.
- Home Farm, Nanpanton; restaurants and
pubs.
- attractive villages and countryside.
Future tourism potential
■ Forest
focus/gateway
■ Visitor attractions
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
T H E
F O R E S T
- Bradgate Park Visitor Centre.
- development of a Forest wildlife visitor
centre/field studies centre.
Wildlife
- develop facilities for showing wildlife to
visitors.
Forest trails
- develop medium distance walking trails;
potential for horseriding, cycling and all
abilities access. Potential for themed trails
- geology, wildlife, Ancient Woods and
monastic sites.
Recreation
- interpretation at major viewpoints.
Woodlands
- linkage planting, plus restoration of granite
quarries (long term) to conservation and
leisure uses.
Accommodation
- bed and breakfast, camping, bunk house
barn type facilities.
Farm diversification - to leisure, accommodation, catering and
retail.
Food and drink
- opportunities linked to villages and farm
attractions.
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7. Needwood Forest
Forest tourism theme
■ Visitor attractions
■ Heritage
■ Forest trails
■ Woodlands
■ Recreation
■ Villages and
countryside
■ Health
■ Food and drink
Key existing attractions
- Byrkley Park garden centre.
- historic parkland estates, Needwood
Ancient Forest.
- walking trails linking key sites,
horseriding.
- Jacksons Bank and several large, new
woods with public access.
- Jacksons Bank picnic area.
- attractive, unspoilt rural area and villages.
- Hoar Cross health spa.
- Byrkley Park garden centre and
village pubs.
Future tourism potential
■ Forest
focus/gateway
■ Heritage
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
- Byrkley Park garden centre.
- encourage new access to country estates
eg. through the National Gardens Scheme.
Sport and recreation - development of country sports and
pursuits linked to estates; high quality,
discreetly sited leisure developments.
Woodlands
- woodland expansion area. Encouraging
public access to existing and new woods.
Forest trails
- development of trails of all types.
Accommodation
- country house hotels, bed and breakfast,
bunk house barns.
Farm diversification - to leisure, accommodation, catering and
retail.
Events and festivals - linked to country estates/sports.
Food and drink
- opportunities linked to country estates,
local villages.
Market Segments
The National Forest Tourism Working Group (TWG) has undertaken market
segmentation research to help target visitor marketing. Initial segments have been
identified as ‘Empty Nesters’, Family groups and School, Scout and Guide Groups.
Market segments will need to be reviewed periodically to match the Forest’s
growing tourism product with suitable new markets. In particular there will be
new opportunities to attract sport, recreation and disabled visitor markets.
Action T12: The National Forest TWG will review visitor market
segments every 3-5 years.
Branding
Visitor marketing will need to ref lect the Forest’s brand values (25) and in turn will
help to develop a strong Forest brand. The Forest logo should be used on signage,
interpretation boards, trail waymarkers, ranges of Forest-related merchandise and
promotional material to develop the Forest brand in the minds of visitors. The
NFC has also developed a logo licencing agreement. Tourism businesses will be
encouraged to use the Forest logo in their own promotions.
Action T13: The NFC will promote uptake of the National Forest logo
licencing agreement.
Visitor marketing
the strategy
The National Forest Tourism Working Group (TWG) has developed a strong
partnership approach to marketing. A key aspect of this is coordination within an
overall Forest theme and positioning the Forest at the heart of a larger geographic
area for visitor marketing (‘The National Forest and beyond’). This approach avoids
duplication of effort and achieves ‘added value’ for tourism partners by pooling
resources to achieve wider and more targeted visitor marketing.
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tourism
This approach will need to be applied to a wide-range of visitor promotions:
■ Promotional literature – featuring visitor attractions, accommodation and food
and drink outlets.
■ Websites – National Forest (www.nationalforest.org) and links to other sites.
■ Joint ticketing initiatives.
■ Tourism exhibitions and events.
■ Advertising, advertorial and public relations.
■ E-marketing.
■ Development of a destination management system linked to Tourist
Information Centres and visitor attractions (medium to long term).
Action T14: The National Forest TWG will coordinate visitor marketing
of the Forest and its’ surrounding area and attractions.
Signage
A coordinated, Forest-themed, approach also needs to be applied to all forms of
tourism signage. A start has been made but much remains to be done.
Road signs – National Forest boundary and village entry signs are helping to raise
awareness of the Forest as a tourism destination (see Action TR7, Chapter 13).
Brown and White signs – See section 13.11, Chapter 13.
Tourist Information Points – An audit of Tourist Information Points (TIPs) was
undertaken in 2002. Locations need to be identified for new TIPs; for example at
motorway services within and near to the Forest, within settlements, at lay-bys and
linked to visitor attractions.
Action T15: The National Forest Tourism Working Group will identify
locations for new TIPs and a programme will be developed to
standardise TIPs within a Forest themed design.
Interpretation boards – Information panels on interpretation boards can often
weather and fade within 3-5 years and need replacing. All interpretation boards
should ideally include the Forest logo and text about the Forest, to recognise a site’s
location in and contribution to, the Forest. This information should be included
by site owners on new boards and when boards are updated or renewed (see
Action T2).
Trails waymarking – See Action SR13, Chapter 5.
10.7 Research and surveys
A strong research base is essential to monitor the effects of tourism, to understand
the Forest’s visitor market and to make best use of resources. There is also a need
to take account of national tourism trends and research that is relevant to the Forest
and to measure progress against national benchmarking. The following research
and surveys will be undertaken:
the strategy
Economic Impact Assessment
82
The NFC commissions economic impact assessments of tourism (22) to monitor
changes in visitor numbers, patterns of visiting (eg. day visits and overnight stays),
tourism expenditure, job creation and national comparisons.
Action T16: The NFC will undertake Economic Impact Assessments of
tourism every 2-3 years.
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Awareness surveys
Measuring local and national awareness is a key aspect of assessing progress in
marketing the Forest generally, but also has direct relevance for visitor marketing.
Action T17: The NFC will undertake periodic awareness surveys of The
National Forest.
Visitor surveys
Visitor surveys were undertaken at six woodland sites in 1998 and 2001 (6), to
assess visitor profiles, where people had travelled from, and why and how
frequently they are visiting. Similar surveys are also undertaken by other visitor
attractions. It will be increasingly important to undertake visitor satisfaction
surveys to measure customer service and to find out visitors likes and dislikes about
Forest sites and attractions.
A coordinated approach to visitor surveys should be developed between tourism
partners and visitor attractions. This should aim to establish similar, standardised
surveys to enable comparative analysis and benchmarking. There would also
be great benefit in sharing information and best practice and commissioning
joint research.
Action T18: Periodic visitor surveys will be undertaken at selected
Forest sites; and similar surveys will be encouraged at
visitor attractions.
10.8 Tourism business development
Effective support mechanisms need to be in place to help develop tourism
businesses and to support new ventures. These will include:
Business advice and support
Particularly related to funding sources, business management, information and
communications technology, marketing and promoting best practice (eg. The
Green Audit Kit for sustainable tourism business development). There is a key
role here for Business Links, Learning and Skills Councils, emda and Advantage
West Midlands.
Skills training
A training needs assessment has been undertaken by the NFC (21). This highlights
the need to develop high workforce standards of customer care and service to
ensure repeat business. Specialist skills training should be coordinated by Business
Links, Visit Heart of England, The British Hospitality Association and further
education colleges.
Coordinated marketing
the strategy
The National Forest logo licencing scheme (Action T13) will help to build an
identity for, and awareness of, the Forest brand.
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tourism
Business communication
Businesses need to be aware of the latest tourism trends so that they can develop
their visitor product. The NFC’s Tourism Marketing Forum helps to meet this
need, together with familiarisation tours. The NFC also plan to produce a tourism
business newsletter and/or annual factsheets to keep businesses informed of current
activity, useful contacts, Forest promotions and examples of best practice.
Businesses should also be encouraged to learn from one another and benchmark
their activities against best practice exemplars. A tourism business club should be
established from within the industry to facilitate industry visits, sharing of
information and discussion of shared issues.
10.9 Visitor Management
The prospect of attracting large numbers of visitors as the Forest grows as a tourism
destination will have widespread visitor management implications. Visitor
management will need to be addressed at heavily used sites and attractions, in
heavily used areas (eg. the Ashby Woulds) and across the Forest, especially in
relation to public access. Traffic management will also be a critical issue (see
Chapter 13).
The Forest will need to learn from best practice developed in other heavily visited
parts of the country. Well-resourced ranger services will be important to provide
information and interpretation material to visitors and to act as points of contact for
site management problems identified by landowners. The NFC will need to lead
in coordinating activity but will not directly employ ranger services itself.
Implementation of visitor management initiatives will be a shared responsibility
through a wide partnership.
the strategy
Action T19: The NFC will develop a visitor management strategy
and assess the feasibility of developing a National Forest
ranger service.
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11.1 Introduction
Restoration of mineral, derelict and landfill sites provides a major opportunity to
contribute to a wide-range of Forest-related uses including, woodland creation,
biodiversity, public access, sport and recreation and tourism development.
Mineral workings and to a lesser extent derelict land and landfill sites remain
prominent features in parts of the Forest area. The area is rich in a variety of
minerals including sand and gravel in the Trent Valley, coal and clay in the
Leicestershire and South Derbyshire Coalfield and granite in Charnwood. Derelict
land, primarily left over from deep mine workings, remains a legacy in parts of the
Coalfield; and some former mineral workings now operate as landfill sites.
Together these activities cover over 4% of the Forest area (Table 14).
Mineral
workings,
landf ill
sites and
derelict land
Table 14 - Mineral Workings, landfill sites and derelict land
Landuse activity
Mineral workings
Landfill sites
Derelict land
Total
Current area (ha)
1,787
28
300
2,115 ha
% of Forest area
3.5
0.06
0.6
4.16%
Mineral and landfill workings will not simply cease at one point in the future. It is
therefore important that long-term relationships are maintained with the minerals
industry and local authorities to ensure that The National Forest remains a
significant consideration when new planning applications are determined and
completed sites are restored.
11.2 Restoration progress
By 2003 964 ha of land had been restored to Forest-related uses (Table 15). The
amount of derelict land reclamation has been particularly significant. Many of the
once-black scars of the Coalfield have been transformed into thriving new
woodlands, which has given the area a tremendous physical, visual and
psychological boost.
Table 15 - Restoration to Forest uses, 1991 – 2002
Type of land
Mineral land
Derelict land
Total
Land restored (ha)
697
267
964 ha
% of total Forest creation
19
7
26%
11.3 Strategy principles
Planning permission for mineral and landfill workings will not be acceptable
merely because an applicant expresses a willingness to restore a site to Forest-related
uses. Mineral Planning Authorities will assess the suitability of developments based
upon a range of planning factors, including the appropriateness of the proposed
restoration scheme. Restoration schemes should, wherever possible, be designed to
ref lect the National Forest Strategy.
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the strategy
Planning permission and restoration
85
mineral
workings,
landf ill
sites and
derelict land
Maximising Forest-related benefits
The NFC will continue to advocate that the restoration of mineral workings,
derelict land and landfill sites should favour Forest-related afteruses wherever
possible and that individual restoration schemes should maximise Forest-related
benefits. High quality restoration will be encouraged, using all available soil
resources and avoiding undue compaction. This will ensure that any alternative
future after uses for restored sites (eg. agriculture) are not precluded in the long
term. Best practice guidelines in restoring sites should be followed.
11.4 Future context
The future context for mineral and landfill operations and derelict sites presents a
complex set of issues. Mineral working and landfill have significant local impacts
and new proposals often generate local opposition. Government policies, market
demand (eg. for minerals), landowner interests, environmental impacts and suitable
after-uses all have a bearing upon the operation and restoration of sites. In addition,
negotiations for new operations can often involve old consents and previous
dereliction and sometimes link landfill proposals to follow on from mineral
working. These issues can dictate the pace at which sites are restored and in some
cases may delay or hamper Forest-related restoration.
As for derelict land, this remains a blight in certain areas. It downgrades the local
environment and affects the image of the area for tourism and inward investment.
The Government’s target to build 60% of new homes on ‘brownfield’ land is likely
to limit the amount of land that can be restored to Forest uses in the future.
11.5 Planning policy context
It is essential that the Forest continues to be written-in to minerals, waste disposal
and derelict land policy at all levels, as this provides the context for restoration of
individual sites. The Forest is included in National Minerals Planning Guidance
(26, 27) Regional Planning Guidance (28, 29), County Minerals and Waste Plans
and strategies produced by English Partnerships, emda and Advantage West
Midlands. As new policy documents are produced the NFC will seek to inf luence
them to include policies which ref lect the objectives of the Forest Strategy. In turn
the Forest can help to meet the policy objectives of other organisations by
delivering practical solutions to the restoration of mineral workings, derelict land
and landfill sites through Forest-related schemes (see section 11.6).
Action M1: The NFC should continue to be a non-statutory consultee on
minerals, waste disposal and derelict land policy documents.
11.6 Restoration of sites
the strategy
Overall potential
86
Restoration of mineral, derelict and landfill sites will continue to make an
important contribution to the Forest’s creation over the next 10 years. Research for
the Strategy estimates that around 630 ha of land could be restored to Forest-related
uses - 480 ha from mineral and landfill sites and 150 ha of derelict land (see
Appendix 6). In the longer term a further 1,450 ha of mineral and landfill sites
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mineral
workings,
landf ill
sites and
derelict land
remain to be restored, based upon current activity. However it is difficult to
estimate the proportion of this land that could be restored to Forest-related uses, as
many restoration proposals are indicative at this stage.
Restoration offers some of the best opportunities for creating multi-purpose Forest
sites. Woodland creation should remain a prime focus for many schemes, but there
is also a need for more imaginative restoration to nature conservation, recreation
and sports uses. Public access should also be a major consideration, for a wide range
of users. The aim should be to achieve high quality restoration schemes that
accommodate two or more Forest-related activities.
The NFC is consulted on planning applications and restoration proposals by local
authorities, mineral and landfill operators and other site owners. The NFC values
this dialogue and it is important that it continues.
Action M2: The NFC should continue to be a non-statutory consultee on
minerals, landfill and derelict land planning applications and
site restoration plans.
Mineral and landfill sites
Due to their scale mineral and landfill operations can have wide-ranging
environmental impacts. To help compensate for these impacts advance planting,
screening of sites by peripheral tree planting and progressive restoration should all
be encouraged. Such works will contribute to final restoration schemes.
Christopher Beech
Action M3: The NFC will encourage the restoration of 480 ha of mineral
and landfill sites to Forest uses by 2014.
More Forest-related restoration could be achieved were it not for the fact that parts
of many mineral and landfill sites are restored back to agriculture. Agricultural
restoration is preferred by mineral companies and landowners as it offers prospects
of rental income and higher land values. However with appropriate restoration and
aftercare, forestry is not incompatible with Government policy for safeguarding the
long term potential of best and most versatile agricultural land (Grades 2 and 3a in
the Forest area).
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Sence Valley Forest Park, Leicestershire - restored opencast coal site
87
mineral
workings,
landf ill
sites and
derelict land
This issue has resulted in the Forest losing land to agricultural restoration at a
number of sites and this situation is likely to continue in the future. To overcome
the issue it would require a change in Government policy to positively favour
Forest-related restoration in the Forest area, rather than include it as an option.
In instances where a mineral or landfill operator is not the outright owner of the
land, the landowner’s requirements will continue to be respected, particularly if the
owner does not want a Forest-related restoration scheme on their land.
Action M4: The NFC will encourage Government to consider amending
national Minerals Planning Guidance to favour restoration to
Forest-related uses in the Forest area.
Derelict land sites
Reclamation of derelict land should continue to be a high priority. A key to success
will be continued targeting of reclamation funding towards Forest-related and
other schemes, by Regional Development Agencies, Sub-Regional Partnerships
and local authorities. The NFC will advocate with these organisations an active
land reclamation programme in the area.
Around 300 ha of derelict land remains in the Forest area. Of this, around 150 ha
could be used for built development. It must also be recognised that some
derelict sites can have biodiversity, geological or archaeological interest. Extensive
tree planting and other uses may not always therefore be appropriate. Best
practice in reclaiming sites will be promoted, including the ROOTS restoration
planning system.
the strategy
Robert Fraser
Action M5: The NFC will encourage the restoration of 150 ha of derelict
land to Forest uses by 2014.
Lount Nature Reserve - formerly Lount Colliery
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Integrated Restoration Strategies
In some areas of the Forest there are high concentrations of mineral, landfill and
derelict sites. These areas can benefit from Integrated Restoration Strategies that
consider long-term restoration of wider areas and how individual site restoration
proposals can complement one another. This approach has proved particularly
successful in the Ashby Woulds area of Leicestershire. The Central Rivers Initiative
in Staffordshire is developing a similar approach in the Trent and Tame Valleys.
Partnership working involving mineral and landfill companies, owners of derelict
land, local authorities, specialist organisations and community representatives is
key to the success of such initiatives.
mineral
workings,
landf ill
sites and
derelict land
Action M6: Integrated Restoration Strategies should be considered for
parts of the Forest, including granite quarries and landfill
sites in Charnwood and clay workings in the Coalfield.
11.7 Site management and ownership
Achieving the highest restoration standards and long-term management of sites is
essential. Most sites are covered by planning conditions or Section 106 agreements
and include a 5 year after-care period following their restoration. Beyond this
period some site owners are unlikely to want to remain long-term owners and
managers and this is when site management can lapse.
Site owners should consider their options for future site ownership and/or
management when restoration proposals are first being considered. In all instances
potential land owning or managing organisations should be involved in the early
planning of restoration schemes to ensure that sites meet their future requirements.
Potential exit strategies will vary depending upon the restoration purpose.
Guidance on site management and ownership options has been produced by the
NFC (30). Key partners are likely to include local authorities and the Forestry
Commission, who have established considerable expertise in developing and
managing these types of sites, and local communities.
Action M7: The NFC will encourage site owners to develop long-term
site management plans for restored sites.
11.8 Mineral company landholdings
Mineral company landholdings often extend beyond their operational sites to
include significant areas of farmland. These wider landholdings present
opportunities for mineral companies to contribute to the Forest in other ways - for
example, by developing projects using National Forest grants; sponsoring projects
by donating land surplus to requirements; or considering the sale of land for Forest
projects. Some companies are involved in this way but others should also consider
how they could play a fuller part in the Forest’s creation.
the strategy
Action M8: The NFC will establish a mineral landowner liaison group to
discuss options for Forest projects on mineral company
landholdings.
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Planning
12.1 Introduction
Development and the planning system that controls it have a vital part to play in the
realisation of the Forest. Development activity is buoyant in the area. Settlements
are continuing to grow in line with development plans and the improved
environment will continue to attract new business activity and increase the number
of people wanting to live in the area. Proposals for new leisure and tourism facilities
that make use of the Forest are also increasing. This activity is bringing substantial
benefits in the form of new jobs, a more diverse economy, visitor spending and
better facilities for local people.
Locally, statutory development planning is the responsibility of the Forest’s local
authorities and at the regional level the Regional Planning Bodies. The National
Forest has a non-statutory role in the planning system, but national planning
guidance (31) states that local planning authorities should take the Forest Strategy
into account in formulating policies and proposals for development and the use of
land in development plans.
The planning system is currently being reformed through the Planning and
Compulsory Purchase Bill (PCPB). This will affect implementation of the Strategy
as the planning system evolves over the next few years. The Forest will need to be
linked into the new system at national, regional and local levels.
12.2 Planning Strategy Principles
Development and the Forest setting
Regional Planning Guidance, Structure and Local Plans currently identify where
sustainable development will be encouraged in the Forest to meet local needs. New
structures - Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Frameworks - are
proposed under the PCPB which are subject to Parliamentary approval.
The NFC will work with Regional Planning Bodies and local authorities to seek
to inf luence the preparation of planning policy to ref lect the objectives of the
National Forest Strategy. Planning policies should ensure that new development
respects its setting in the Forest and that its nature, scale and location does not
detract from the environment that the Forest is creating.
Development and the Forest setting
In keeping with sustainable development, and to carry forward the Forest vision,
proposed development should contribute to economic, social and environmental
objectives. Development should:
■
■
■
■
promote thriving, inclusive and sustainable communities;
achieve sustainable economic growth;
provide effective protection of the local environment;
be an integral part of the Forest’s creation by making a real contribution towards
meeting the Forest Strategy’s objectives.
the strategy
Development-related planting
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The NFC will work with Regional Planning Bodies, local authorities and
developers to encourage development that integrates with its Forest setting and
contributes to it through woodland planting and landscaping. This will help to
enhance the value of developments in real terms and play an important part in
adding to the Forest’s creation. In turn this will help to create a more valuable
development area and a more attractive environment for future development.
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Christopher Beech
New developments should not, however, be accepted just because an applicant
offers to plant trees. Equally woodland landscaping schemes should not unduly
burden new developments with additional costs or jeopardise their viability. All
landscaping schemes should be drawn up within the context of national planning
obligations (32) (under review).
New housing and woodland planting at Measham, Leicestershire
12.3 Planning Policy Framework
The National Forest features in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 7 (31)
(under review), Regional Planning Guidance (28,29) and the three Structure Plans
and six Local Plans that cover the area. It is also an important aspect of local
authority Community Strategies and many other non-statutory plans and strategies
for the area. It will be essential that the Forest’s objectives continue to be ref lected
in each tier of the planning system and that there is continued commitment to have
regard to the National Forest Strategy when considering planning matters in
the area.
A consistent and inter-linked policy approach is also essential across the Forest,
particularly as it spans parts of two regions, three counties and six districts. Each
planning tier might benefit from having model Forest policies, which could be
drawn up by the NFC’s Planning Working Group. This would give clarity to
developers, planning authorities and local communities when considering Forestrelated planning issues.
Under the proposed new planning system the Forest, or parts of it, may also
warrant consideration for ‘Area Action Plans’ within Local Development
Frameworks. It will also be important that Forest planning policies are linked into
other policy instruments, notably Regional Economic Strategies and County
Transport Plans.
Action P2: The NFC will promote the inclusion of consistent
National Forest policies within Local Development
Plans/Frameworks.
the strategy
Action P1: The NFC will promote the inclusion of the National Forest
Strategy as a policy consideration in National Planning
Guidance/Statements and in Regional Planning Guidance/
Spatial Strategies.
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The NFC also supports the intention of the England Forestry Forum to promote
the revision of Circular 36/78, Trees and Forestry, as part of the review of National
Planning Guidance. This is important to help fulfil the planning objectives of the
England Forestry Strategy, as well as giving added ‘weight’ to development-related
woodland creation and management in areas such as The National Forest.
Action P3: The NFC will encourage the early revision of Circular 36/78,
Trees and Forestry.
12.4 Future development
The Forest area is likely to see increased development pressure in certain locations
over the next 10 years from proposals within the area and from outside the Forest.
Research for the Strategy has identified Local Plan allocations of around 330 ha. of
housing development and 340 ha. of employment sites. The Forest might also face
additional development pressure associated with:
■ the area south of Burton upon Trent, possibly linked with a new road crossing
of the River Trent;
■ and the possible ‘ripple effect’ of major new development around East Midlands
airport, which could increase the demand for housing in the area.
The Forest’s creation is also likely to be a growing attractor for development. A
greener environment will help to attract new business investment and demand for
new housing. Leisure and tourism development will also increase as the Forest
grows as a visitor destination.
Regional Planning Guidance/Spatial Strategies and local planning policy will need
to set a clear framework for development in the Forest area and foresee the
potential effects of this activity on the Forest environment. The NFC will seek to
inf luence regional planning policy by promoting the principle of woodland
planting with development; and local planning policy by integrating the Forest
Strategy thinking when strategic land allocations for new development are made.
This will ensure that new woodland landscaping is an integral part of proposals
when they are agreed.
12.5 National Forest planting guidelines
The original Strategy advocated a series of planting guidelines for new
developments. These have been tested at Local Plan Inquiries and Planning
Inspectors have recommended that they be included as Appendices to Local Plans
or adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance.
the strategy
Development-related planting and landscaping contributes to a wide range of
National Forest objectives, as well as helping to achieve many other socioeconomic and environmental benefits (Table 16). Developments which meet these
objectives and help to achieve wider benefits will be judged to be in accord with
the Forest Strategy.
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Table 16 – The benefits of development-related landscaping
Meeting National Forest objectives
■ Creating an attractive wooded setting.
- helps to mitigate the visual impact of
development.
- integrates development into its Forest setting.
- enhances the value of high quality
development.
- contributes to planting targets.
■ Creating and managing wildlife habitats.
- helps to meet Biodiversity targets.
- can help to link fragmented habitats.
■ Creating recreation opportunities.
- provides new greenspace close to where
people live and work.
- contributes to Forest targets.
■ Meeting strategic policy objectives.
- reflecting different priorities towards
implementing the Forest Strategy across the
Forest’s landscape zones.
- for zonal development policies (eg. urban
fringe).
■ Involving local communities.
- involves local residents, schools and business
employees in environmental schemes.
Meeting other social, economic and
environmental objectives
■ Improving the local economy.
- high quality landscaping improves the
environment around developments.
- job creation through landscaping work.
- a more attractive environment helps to attract
new investment.
■ Creating a healthy environment.
- trees filter polluted air.
- trees provide shade and shelter which can
reduce energy demand in nearby buildings.
- trees help to absorb carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.
■ Providing local green space needs.
- contributing to the Government’s ‘liveability’
agenda for sustainable communities.
■ Reducing noise and visual intrusion.
- belts of trees act as barriers and screens to
intrusive development and provide some noise
attenuation.
■ Improving water run-off.
- trees in urban areas help to soak up surface
water, thereby reducing flooding potential.
Current experience
Over 100 ha of built development-related landscaping has been secured through
Section 106 agreements (4). £1 million has also been secured in commuted sums
towards off-site Forest projects.
Implementation of the planting guidelines has, however, been patchy and
inconsistent across the Forest. Some planning authorities and developers have
achieved exemplary schemes; but in other cases planting has been insignificant in
relation to the scale of development. It has also proved more difficult to achieve
substantial planting with commercial developments, whereas housing and leisure
schemes have achieved much more. This experience suggests that some of the
planting guidelines were pitched too high. There has also been less willingness
amongst certain planning authorities and developers to implement the guidelines.
Since the guidelines were drawn up amendments have also been made to PPG3
(Housing), requiring higher housing densities. This may conf lict with the desire
for on-site planting and as a result some developers are showing increased interest
in providing off-site planting.
Revised planting guidelines
the strategy
As a result of current experience the NFC’s Planning Working Group has reviewed
the planting guidelines and recommended revised guidelines (Table 17). These will
need to be taken forward within the context of the national review of Planning
Obligations and will require consistent commitment to their implementation by
planning authorities and developers across the Forest area. The guidelines will be
periodically reviewed in the light of current practice.
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planning
Table 17 - National Forest development planting guidelines
Development category
Housing developments
■ Sites under 0.5 ha.
■ Sites over 0.5 ha.
Industrial, commercial and
leisure developments
■ Sites under 1 ha.
■ Sites over 1 ha.
Road schemes
■ New routes
All development schemes
Proposed new planting guideline
■ Normal landscaping, appropriate to the sites’s setting.
■ 20% of the development site area to be woodland planting and
landscaping; either on-site or near to the development.
■ Normal landscaping, appropriate to the site’s setting.
■ 20% of the development site area to be woodland planting and
landscaping; either on-site or near to the development.
■ Aim to achieve well-wooded settings with planting adjoining the
road and off-site. Levels of planting will depend upon the scale
and impact of the development.
■ In exceptional circumstances if the planting guidelines cannot be
met, a commuted sum should be paid. This will be at a guideline
rate of £10,000 per hectare of the gross development area.
■ This will go towards the cost of buying land, planting a new
woodland, creating public access to it and maintaining the site
for at least 5 years.
Action P4: The NFC will promote the inclusion of the National Forest
development planting guidelines within Local Development
Plans/Frameworks and development landscaping schemes.
Development planting best practice
The main emphasis of the planting guidelines will continue to be upon woodland
creation (i.e. at least 50% tree planting). However open space can also be included
in schemes and in some cases it will be appropriate to undertake other forms of
habitat creation in lieu of planting.
The NFC’s Planning Working Group has produced best practice guidance for
developers and local authorities creating Forest-related landscaping schemes (30).
This includes advice on landscaping options (see Table 18), model costs of
schemes, best practice examples, site ownership and management and setting up of
planning agreements.
Table 18 - Development landscaping options
■
■
■
■
■
■
New woodlands, woodland belts and spinneys
Parkland
Community orchards
Roadside/avenue trees
Development landscaping
Garden trees
■
■
■
■
■
Recreation facilities
New public access
Habitat creation/management
Heritage protection/management
Interpretation of sites.
Model development planting policy
the strategy
The NFC recommends that local planning authorities include a development
planting policy in Local Development Plans/Frameworks. This should be agreed by
the NFC Planning Working Group and be based upon the following principles,
which could be expanded upon in supplementary planning documents:
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Within The National Forest new developments will be required to reflect the Forest context in their
accompanying landscaping proposals. Developments shall provide on-site or nearby landscaping that
meets the National Forest development planting guidelines. Landscaping will generally involve
woodland planting, but can also include creation and management of other appropriate habitats;
open space provision; and the provision of new recreation facilities. The appropriate mix of
landscaping features will depend upon the setting and opportunities that the site presents.
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In exceptional circumstances, where planting and landscaping cannot be accommodated on or nearby
the development site, due to a lack of land, a commuted sum will be negotiated. This will be towards
the cost of purchasing land for planting, creating a new woodland, providing public access to it and
maintaining the site for at least 5 years. Commuted sums will normally be paid to the local
authority, who in partnership with the NFC will decide how they should be utilised.
planning
Best practice guidance on the creation and future management of Forest-related planting and
landscaping schemes should be followed, as set out in the NFC Guide for Developers and Planners.
Action P5:The NFC will encourage the inclusion of a model development
planting policy in Local Development Plans/Frameworks.
12.6 Forest-related development and rural diversification
The Forest offers unprecedented opportunities for Forest-related development and
rural diversification. These elements are integral to the Forest’s creation and will be
a growing element of the local economy.
The main types of Forest-related development are likely to be:
■
■
■
■
sport and recreation facilities (see Chapter 5).
tourism developments (see Chapter 10).
visitor car parks – linked to new attractions and park and ride facilities.
new wood-based and rural enterprises (see Chapter 2).
Proposals for new Forest-related developments should be encouraged by
local planning authorities provided that:
■ they are compatible with the Forest and assist in furthering the objectives of the
Forest Strategy.
■ they fulfil other policy considerations for the location of development,
notably environmental, landscape, transport, leisure and economic
development factors.
Planning policies should also recognise the importance of agricultural businesses in
helping to create and maintain the Forest’s landscape and the need to ensure their
continued viability. Diversification of farm businesses to Forest-related activities is
set to grow in importance (section 9.3, Chapter 9). There are likely to be particular
opportunities to re-use or adapt existing buildings in the countryside for leisure and
tourism uses and for land-based diversification to recreation uses.
Action P6:The NFC will encourage Forest-related development and rural
diversification; and will promote the inclusion of appropriate
policies in Local Development Plans/ Frameworks.
Existing woodlands and other habitats are important elements of the Forest
framework. Development should not be permitted which might destroy, damage
or fragment important existing woodland and other habitats. Special protection
should be afforded to Ancient Woodlands, nationally designated ecological sites,
Sites of Biological Importance and protected wildlife species. Local planning
authorities should identify important woodland and ecological resources within
Local Development Plans/Frameworks.
Action P7:The NFC will encourage the protection of important woodland
and ecological resources from development proposals.
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12.7 Woodland and Biodiversity protection
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Transport
and traff ic
13.1 Introduction
Creating a sustainable transport system, and in particular managing traffic
generated by visitors, is one of the most critical sustainability issues for the Forest.
Increased car-borne visitors could compromise the sustainability of the Forest as a
major, new visitor destination.
Managing traffic growth and maximising the use of public transport will need to
be high priorities. Improving transport provision will benefit local communities,
with better access to work, leisure and social facilities and visitors to the area. It will
also make the area more attractive for business investment and future development.
13.2 Transport infrastructure
The road network
There is excellent road access to the Forest as it is bisected by the A38, A42 and M1
routes and is also close to the A50 and the M6 toll road. Both the A38 and M1 may
be subject to road widening in the future due to current heavy usage and predicted
traffic growth (33).
Conversely the local road network is of a lower standard. East-west routes are often
slow and crowded, but improvements to the A511 (eg. Ashby bypass) are improving
this situation. The rural parts of the Forest are mainly served by B roads and
country lanes, where traffic f lows are generally light.
Public transport
Certain parts of the Forest are well served by public transport. There is a mainline
railway station at Burton upon Trent and others near to the Forest at Leicester,
Tamworth and Lichfield. Regional trains also run between Birmingham, Burton
upon Trent and Derby.
Bus services to Burton upon Trent, Swadlincote, Ashby de la Zouch and Coalville
from Derby and Leicester are good, but connections between the Forest’s towns are
variable. In comparison, the rural areas are poorly served by bus services.
Service levels for both trains and buses are also less at weekends, when the majority
of leisure visits to the Forest are likely to be made.
In the original Forest Strategy there was a commitment to the Ivanhoe Line rail
route (now known as The National Forest Line), a project to upgrade the Burton
upon Trent to Leicester freight line for passenger use. Unfortunately this key
initiative has not moved forward due to funding difficulties (see section 13.8).
13.3 Future transport issues
the strategy
A variety of factors are likely to result in a significant increase in road traffic in and
around the Forest area over the next 10 years. These are:
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■ continued overall growth in traffic nationally (33).
■ growth in visitor traffic, as the Forest grows as a tourism destination (see section
10.6, Chapter 10).
■ economic growth within the Forest area. House building rates are high,
industrial development is occurring on a large scale and regeneration of town
centres is underway. This will result in more work, shopping and leisure travel.
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■ the proximity of the Forest to major economic growth areas, including the
West Midlands conurbation; Derby, Leicester and Nottingham; and major
planned development at Birmingham and East Midlands airports. These factors
could act as catalysts to future development in and around the Forest.
transport
and traff ic
To help redress the balance of increasing road traffic the Government produced a
10 year transport plan in 2002 (33). Amongst other initiatives, this increases
commitment to public transport, cycling and walking initiatives. These all accord
strongly with the NFC’s wish to see more sustainable transport choices for local
residents and visitors, getting to and travelling within, the Forest area.
13.4 Transport Strategy Principles
Influencing others
The NFC has no direct powers to implement transport initiatives. It is clearly best
placed, however, to draw the attention of all the relevant organisations to the special
transport circumstances arising from the Forest’s creation. In this respect the NFC
will seek to inf luence transport policy and implementation of initiatives that will
meet the transport needs of the Forest over time.
Transport choice for all
Many people who do not have access to a car are precluded from visiting or
becoming involved in the Forest’s creation. A lack of affordable transport choices
could be a significant barrier for some visitors, and in particular disadvantaged
communities in surrounding towns and cities. The Forest will aim to offer a range
of transport choices to enable local residents and visitors to access and enjoy the
benefits of the Forest.
13.5 Policy context
The transport policy context is complicated as the Forest covers parts of two
regions, three counties and six districts, all of which have organisations involved in
transport issues (Table 19).
Table 19 - Transport policy context
Counties
Districts
Organisations involved
Government Offices
Local Government Association
Countryside Agency
Staffordshire, Derbyshire and
Leicestershire County Councils
East Staffordshire Borough Council
Lichfield District Council
South Derbyshire District Council
North West Leicestershire District Council
Charnwood Borough Council
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council
Responsibilities
Transport planning
Regional Spatial Strategies
Rural Transport Partnerships
Local Transport Plans
Partners to the above
Good progress has been made with the recognition of Forest transport issues in
Local Transport Plans and initiatives such as the Burton-Swadlincote Transport
Partnership. Regional recognition has been more limited.
Action TR1:The NFC will promote National Forest transport issues in
relevant transport policy documents.
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Geographic areas
East and West
Midlands Regions
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transport
and traff ic
13.6 Forest-wide Transport Strategy
There is a major opportunity to develop the Forest as an exemplar of best transport
planning and practice. Due to the complex nature of transport planning in the
Forest this would be best achieved through a Forest-wide Transport Strategy. This
would be a non-statutory document focusing on ways to link transport with the
Forest’s recreation and tourism development. It would provide the context for
Forest-related transport issues in Local Transport Plans, Rural Transport
Partnerships, regional and local land use plans and local authority Rights of Way
Improvement Plans. It would aim to integrate with these policy initiatives, not
duplicate them.
The NFC would need to initiate development of the Strategy, but would see it as
a jointly ‘owned’ document, by working with transport and other partners to
produce it. A good start has been made by including a transport component in a
cross-regional economic study commissioned by the NFC and economic
development partners in 2003.
A Forest-wide Transport Strategy would raise the profile of sustainable transport as
a crucial issue to realising the Forest. It would need to address:
■ development of public transport, to and within the Forest and its integration
with tourism and recreation attractions, including development of the National
Forest Line, bus services, local shuttle buses and park and ride initiatives;
■ the role of community transport to provide community links to tourism and
recreation attractions (eg. ‘Dial a Ride’ type schemes);
■ a road route hierarchy - to identify suitable routes for visitor traffic;
■ traffic management and highway safety measures, particularly at major tourism
attractions (eg. CONKERS);
■ consideration of designating quiet lanes/roads for recreational routes;
■ car and coach parking for visitors; and horse box parking linked to riding routes;
■ integration of Forest trails and cycle-ways with public transport and car parks;
■ provision of cycle hire facilities; consideration of allowing bicycles on trains and
buses; and secure cycle tracks at visitor attractions.
■ road signage - including National Forest boundary and settlement signs and
brown and white tourism signage.
■ visitor research - to identify where visitors are travelling from and the transport
routes and modes they use, to inform future transport planning; and
■ information and marketing - to promote public transport; links with trails and
cycle-ways; and to identify new initiatives (see section 13.12).
Action TR2:The NFC will work with transport and other partners to
produce a Forest-wide Transport Strategy.
the strategy
13.7 Rural Transport Partnerships
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At a local level, Rural Transport Partnerships, involving the Countryside Agency,
County and District Councils and other partners, also offer potential for action.
These operate in East Staffordshire, South Derbyshire and West Leicestershire and
aim to improve rural public transport. For the Forest there is scope to link new and
extended bus services to recreation and tourism attractions. The partnerships
would benefit from having a single framework for the Forest area. Current
arrangements operate until 2005, but it will be important that National Forest
issues become embedded in mainstream rural transport policy beyond this time.
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Action TR3: The NFC will work with transport partners to agree a
framework for rural transport initiatives in and around
the Forest area.
transport
and traff ic
13.8 Public transport improvements
National Forest Line
The proposed National Forest Line, with six new stations in the Forest area, would
be a truly valuable asset to the Forest’s development. It offers strategic potential to
inter-link stations with bus services, park and ride facilities, cycle hire, cycle-ways
and Forest trails.
Difficulties of capital and revenue funding are causing uncertainty about the
proposal. The NFC’s view is that the Line should remain a commitment in
Regional policy and Local Transport and Development Plans. The current
uncertainty should not however, delay other public transport improvements, which
are needed anyway, and would complement the future development of the line.
It is important that the future of the Line is decided early on in the new Strategy
period. If the proposal cannot proceed, and the line is no longer needed for its
current freight use, consideration should be given to developing it for other Forestrelated uses. For example, as a tourism asset in its own right for rail excursions
across the Forest; or as a strategic cycle, horse-riding and all-abilities trail, with
associated cycle hire, public transport and park and ride connections.
Action TR4: The NFC will continue to encourage rail authorities, rail
companies, regional agencies and local authorities to pursue
implementation of the National Forest Line.
Bus and coach services
Improved bus and coach services, especially at weekends, are needed to the Forest
from surrounding towns and cities and within the Forest to link recreation and
tourism attractions. This would make a significant contribution to expanding
transport choice for local residents and visitors and to the sustainability of the Forest
as a visitor destination.
Improved bus links are important in terms of social inclusion, to ensure that the
Forest is accessible to all sections of the community, particularly disadvantaged
communities within urban centres and those without cars.
Action TR5: The NFC will encourage provision of bus services to
recreation and tourism attractions, from local towns and
adjoining urban areas.
The continued development of recreational routes adds to the Forest’s leisure
resource (see Chapter 5) and contributes to sustainable transport options when
visitors arrive in the Forest. Encouraging the use of recreational routes has
environmental and economic benefits, by reducing car use by visitors and
encouraging visitors to stay longer in the area.
Action TR6: The NFC will encourage transport partners to support the
development of recreational routes, linked to public
transport and car parks.
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13.9 All-abilities, cycling and horseriding routes
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transport
and traff ic
13.10 Car parking
Car parks should be provided at all major sport, recreation and tourism
attractions, visitor and information centres and at proposed National Forest Line
stations. Small-scale car parks should also be linked with the main publicly
accessible woodlands.
Special care will be needed when considering new car parks in rural areas, as some
locations have experienced car break-ins, burnt out vehicles, anti-social behaviour
and incursions by travellers. Liaison with the police regarding site security should
be undertaken when new car parks are planned.
All new car parks should include information about the Forest. Design of sites will
also need to consider special needs such as space and turning areas for horse-boxes
and coaches in appropriate locations.
13.11 Road signage
The NFC, with the help of transport partners, has developed a common approach
to National Forest boundary and settlement road signs which has helped to brand
and raise awareness of the Forest. This programme needs to be extended across the
Forest, as settlement signs only cover the central part of the area. New boundary
signs should also be considered beside rail routes and canals entering the Forest; and
at boundary points along main roads it would help to install ‘Thank you for
visiting’ signs, to inform travellers that they have left the Forest area.
Christopher Beech
Action TR7: The NFC will promote the completion of a Forest-wide
programme of National Forest boundary and settlement signs.
National Forest boundary road sign
the strategy
The Forest also benefits greatly from brown and white signs to highlight visitor
attractions. However, a more comprehensive approach is warranted that promotes
groups of attractions in particular parts of the Forest. This would help to rationalise
the number of brown and white signs; update information on them; help to
manage traffic f lows to attractions; and benefit visitors by having more
comprehensive tourism signage. Points where new signs may be needed need to
be identified.
Action TR8:The NFC will encourage audits of brown and white signs and
a comprehensive approach to signing groups of attractions.
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13.12 Information and Marketing
Transport facilities can play a part in helping to market the Forest through
promotions and information. This would help to increase public transport
patronage by encouraging more visits to the area and increase awareness of the
Forest and its attractions. Opportunities include:
■
■
■
■
■
Forest promotions on buses and trains and at bus and railway stations;
joint transport and visitor attraction ticketing or discounts;
promotion of visitor attractions within bus timetables;
Forest branding of bus stops in the Forest area and
promoting public transport to visitor attractions and Forest sites on the NFC
website and in tourism promotions.
Action TR9: The National Forest Tourism Working Group will explore
the potential for joint marketing initiatives with tourism and
public transport providers.
13.13 Major infrastructure projects
Christopher Beech
The proposed widening of the M1, and possible improvements to the A38 and
east-west links between Burton upon Trent and Ashby de la Zouch could have
significant impacts on the Forest. The NFC will seek replacement tree planting and
habitats to any areas that may be lost and will encourage local authorities to
negotiate additional planting to ensure that new road schemes fit within the Forest
environment. Opportunities should also be seized to integrate new cycle-ways
within new road improvements, in appropriate locations.
A42 Roadside planting
Action TR10:
T H E
NFC will seek to comment on major transport
infrastructure projects that affect the Forest and promote
new planting and other environmental improvements to
offset any impacts.
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Major planned developments at Birmingham and East Midlands airports are
also likely to affect the Forest through aircraft noise, increased traffic and
effects upon air quality, resulting from increased carbon dioxide emissions. It
would be reasonable for new woodlands to be created in the Forest to help offset
these impacts.
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Research and
monitoring
14.1 Introduction
The NFC places a high priority on ensuring that the Forest’s creation is well
researched and monitored and this will continue to be the case.
Research and monitoring is important for a number of reasons:
■ to demonstrate the environmental, economic and social effects of the Forest’s
creation and to record the scale and effects of landscape change that is
underway.
■ to monitor the sustainable development of the Forest’s creation in relation to
meeting the Strategy’s objectives.
■ to record the important historical significance of the Forest’s creation. The
Forest project is unique and is creating a whole new layer of landscape history.
■ to support the practical implementation of the Forest, by researching and
documenting new techniques and best practice, and disseminating this to
Forest creation partners and other projects nationwide.
■ to contribute the Forest’s experience to nationally relevant research and
monitoring programmes.
■ to enable the NFC to monitor the Forest’s progress annually for Defra, through
its Corporate Plan process.
14.2 Research and Monitoring Action Plan
The NFC has produced a Research and Monitoring Action Plan (34). This
identifies annual priorities; issues that need to be reviewed every few years; and
strategic, long-term programmes. Actions from the Plan are incorporated
throughout the Strategy as Action points within relevant chapters.
14.3 Partnership working
Many research and monitoring actions are likely to require the NFC to take a lead
or instigating role. However, partnership working is crucial to achieving an
effective programme of activity and there is wide scope for collaborative working
with other bodies. In particular the NFC would like to see the Forest area used
more extensively by outside bodies, as a focus and pilot area for specialist research
related to the Forest’s creation.
the strategy
The NFC will encourage partnership working in a number of ways:
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■ by involving national research councils, such as the Natural Environment,
Biological Sciences and Economic and Social Research Councils.
■ university involvement - good working links have been established with several
Universities and there is scope to expand this involvement.
■ maintaining and developing strong links with Government bodies and research
agencies (eg. the Forestry Commission and Forest Research).
■ working with local authorities - including links with Biological Records
Centres and Sites and Monuments Records.
■ involving specialist consultants to undertake bespoke research and monitoring
related to the Forest’s creation.
■ student involvement - at all levels, but particularly encouraging undergraduate
and post-graduate thesis and project work, that is directly relevant to the
Forest’s creation.
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14.4 Geographic Information System (GIS)
An essential facet to aid the NFC’s monitoring is its GIS. There is a need for the
NFC to expand the capabilities of its GIS to meet longer-term research and
monitoring needs as the Forest develops. Spatial monitoring and visualising of the
scale and effects of landscape change will be especially important, to create a ‘total
picture’ of the Forest’s development across the area.
research and
monitoring
Developing the Forest’s GIS presents a challenge that the NFC cannot undertake
alone. Collaborative working with other Forest creation initiatives, specialist
partners and learning from best practice developed by others, will be essential.
14.5 Monitoring the Strategy
Progress towards implementing the Forest Strategy will be monitored annually by
the NFC through its Corporate Plan process. A formal, fixed, review of the
Strategy will take place in 2014.
the strategy
Periodically it will be necessary to review changing circumstances that may affect
implementation of the Strategy. For example, changes in Government or European
policy (such as Common Agricultural Policy reform) or external factors (such as
climate change). The NFC will respond to such issues as and when it is necessary.
The NFC will also review the implementation of the Strategy as a whole in 2009,
when the accompanying Strategy implementation document will be updated.
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References
1
Forestry in the Countryside, Countryside Commission, 1987
2
Rural White Paper, Defra, November 2000
3
England Forestry Strategy, Forestry Commission, 1998
4
The National Forest Strategy Audit 1994-2002, National Forest Company, 2003
5
Climate Change: Impact on UK Forests, Forestry Commission, 2002
6
National Forest Visitor Survey 2001, Heart of England Tourist Board, 2002
7
National Forest Biodiversity Action Plan Audit, National Forest Company, May 1997
8
English Nature Natural Areas Framework, English Nature & Countryside
Commission, 1997.
9
National Forest Biodiversity Action Plan Review, National Forest Company,
November 2002
10 Urban White Paper, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, November 2000
11 Defra Sustainability Objectives, website www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/aims/aim.htm 2003
12 A Countryside for Sport - A policy for sport and recreation, Sports Council, 1992
13 Great Britain Day Visits Survey, English Tourism Council, 2002
14 The National Forest Archaeological and Historical Study, Land Use Consultants and
Dr Della Hooke, 1992
15 Planning Policy Guidance Note 16, Archaeology and Planning, Office of the Deputy
Prime Minister, November 2000
16 Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation, Department of Health, July 1999
17 Education Group Visits Guide, The National Forest Company, 2002
18 Report and Action Plan for a new Forest-based sustainable economy, The National
Forest Company, February 2003
19 Much More Than Trees (2), The National Forest Company, January 2004
20 The Strategy for Sustainable Farming & Food, Defra, December 2002
21 Much More Than Trees, Flying Giraffe Ltd, April 2002
22 National Forest Tourism Economic Impact Assessment, Visit Heart of England, 2003
23 The National Forest Strategy - The Forest Vision, Countryside Commission, 1994
24 The National Forest Visitor Strategy, National Forest Company, 2001
25 The National Forest Marketing and Communications Strategy, National Forest
Company, 2003
26 Minerals Planning Guidance Note 1 - General Considerations and the Development
Plan system, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 1996
27 Minerals Planning Guidance Note 7 - The Reclamation of Mineral Workings,
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 1996
28 Revised Regional Planning Guidance for the East Midlands to 2021, Public
Consultation Draft, East Midlands Local Government Association, 2003
29 Draft Regional Planning Guidance for the West Midlands, West Midlands Local
Government Association, January 2002
30 A Guide for Planners and Developers, The National Forest Company, 2002
the strategy
31 Planning Policy Guidance Note 7, The Countryside - Environmental Quality and
Economic and Social Development, Office of the Deputy Prime Minster, 1997
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32 Circular 1/97: Planning Obligations, Department of the Environment, Transport and the
Regions, January 1997
33 Transport 2010 - The 10 Year Plan, Department for Transport, 2002
34 National Forest Research and Monitoring Action Plan 2003-5, National Forest
Company, 2002.
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Appendix 1
UK SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS AND
DEFRA’S AIM AND OBJECTIVES.
1) UK Sustainable Development Indicators –
key indicators that The National Forest is
contributing towards.
Note: H = Headline Indicator. D = Indicator being developed.
Objective
Ref. No.
Indicator
Economic stability and competitiveness
H1
Total output of the economy (GDP and GDP per head).
Developing skills and rewarding work
C3
Learning participation.
Sustainable production and consumption
D13
Area under agreement under the Environmentally Sensitive Area and
Countryside Stewardship agri-environment schemes.
D16
Sustainable Tourism D.
D17
Leisure trips by mode of transport.
H4
Indicators of success in tackling poverty and social exclusion.
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
Promoting economic vitality and employment.
E4
New business start-ups net of closures.
Better health for all.
H6
Expected years of healthy life.
Access
J2
Access to services in rural areas.
J3
Access for disabled people.
Shaping our surroundings.
Involvement and stronger institutions
J4
Participation in sport and culture activities.
K3
Population growth.
K4
Household growth.
K5
Buildings of Grade I and II* at risk of decay.
K6
Quality of surroundings.
K7
Access to local green space D.
L2
Voluntary activity.
MANAGING THE ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES
Landscape and wildlife
L3
Community spirit.
H13
Populations of wild birds.
S3
Trends in plant diversity.
S4
Biodiversity action plans.
S5
Landscape features – hedges, stone walls and ponds.
S6
Extent and management of SSSIs.
S7
Countryside quality D.
S8
Access to the countryside D.
S9
Native species at risk.
S10
Area of woodland in the UK.
S11
Area of ancient semi-natural woodland in GB.
S12
Sustainable management of woodland D.
S15
Land covered by restoration and aftercare conditions.
T7
Public understanding and awareness of sustainable development.
T8
Awareness in schools of sustainable development.
T9
Individual action for sustainable development.
SENDING THE RIGHT SIGNALS
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Sending the right signals.
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2) Defra’s aim and objectives
Aim
Sustainable development, which means a better quality of life for everyone, now
and for generations to come, including:
■ a better environment at home and internationally, and sustainable use of natural
resources;
■ economic prosperity through sustainable farming, fishing, food, water and
other industries that meet consumers’ requirements;
■ thriving economies and communities in rural areas and a countryside for all
to enjoy.
Objective 1 - To protect and improve the rural, urban, marine and global
environment and to lead integration of these with other policies across
Government and internationally.
Objective 2 - To enhance opportunity and tackle social exclusion in rural areas.
Objective 3 - To promote a sustainable, competitive and safe food supply chain
which meets consumers’ requirements.
Objective 4 - To promote sustainable, diverse, modern and adaptable farming
through domestic and international actions.
Objective 5 - To promote sustainable management and prudent use of natural
resources domestically and internationally.
Objective 6 - To protect the public’s interest in relation to environmental impacts
and health, and ensure high standards of animal health and welfare.
Appendix 2
THE NATIONAL FOREST VISION
(Reproduced from the National Forest Strategy, 1994)
The Overall Vision
The National Forest will transform the physical character of the area and the way it
is perceived. It will bring radical landscape change, land use conversion and the
realisation of the area’s recreation potential. The National Forest will become a vital
and attractive place where people will want to live, work and spend their leisure
time. The area, although ideally located has suffered from a poor environmental
image. The Forest will provide a positive force for regeneration, bringing new
forms of economic activity, jobs and wealth.
the strategy
The Forest Strategy recognises the economic inter-dependence between forestry,
leisure and tourism, farming and agricultural diversification, and rural business
development. Together these can provide the means for future sustainability of
the Forest.
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The idea is not to mask the area in trees, but to weave forestry into the physical and
economic fabric of the area and to integrate it within its ecological and cultural
character. Around a third of the area will eventually be wooded, as against the 6%
starting point, with some areas suited to more extensive planting than others. The
types of woodland creation will vary widely according to the planters and their
motives. The Strategy guides the nature and location of planting, to ref lect the scale
and character of the existing landscapes.
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Extensive planting will be targeted on areas of derelict land and former mineral
workings, to provide wooded settings for recreation. Areas of open farmland will
provide opportunities for commercial plantations and farm woodlands, with short
rotation coppice also a feature. In urban fringes amenity planting and development
landscaping have a natural focus, and urban forestry will be a theme in built-up
areas. In historic landscapes small woodland planting and replanting parkland and
hedgerow trees will subtly enhance existing character. Planting will also mark the
main transport corridors that form gateways into and through the Forest.
appendices
Substantial conversion of farmland to forestry will be a pre-requisite, but retaining
a healthy, viable agriculture is equally important to achieving the vision, as more
than a third of the land will remain in farming. The Forest must be beneficial to
farming and help it adjust to the new agricultural climate. It offers unique
opportunities to diversify agricultural businesses. Growing high-quality timber will
be fundamental, which in turn will provide the setting for diversification into
leisure, tourism and conservation activities.
Farmland will also provide an important open land element in the Forest,
complementing new planting and providing new access in many areas. From a farm
business viewpoint and a forest landscape perspective it will be important that
farmland remains well managed. Economically and socially the retention of a
farming community is crucial, as the management of the Forest will in many cases
be in farmers’ hands.
An accessible forest will also be a key theme, with a network of trails running
throughout the area. These will link sport, recreation and tourism attractions and
radiate from main car park and public transport points. Trails along derelict railway
lines could provide special links between urban areas and the Forest. The trails
network will also be the main means for visitors to discover and explore quieter
areas of the Forest.
The Forest is intended to be a major local and national resource for leisure and
recreation. New sites will be located principally on areas of derelict land and former
mineral workings. A wide variety of formal, site-specific activities could be
accommodated that might attract large numbers of people. Substantial areas will
also be set aside in more rural countryside for informal pursuits and quiet
enjoyment. Leisure and recreation sites are likely to cover around 5 per cent of the
Forest area.
Wildlife interest will be greatly enhanced by woodland planting and the
management of ancient woodlands and other habitats. Ecological character will be
enriched by the creation of new areas of heathland and acid grassland, wetland
habitats associated with open water, and new meadows. These habitats will provide
an important visual contrast, complementing new planting and providing an
element of naturalness alongside well-managed farmland.
Interwoven within this forested landscape will be towns and villages, historic and
archaeological sites, and new forest-related enterprises. Built development will be
tied strongly to the Forest, with trees and woodland planting framing new
developments and running into urban areas.
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Existing open land is, however, minimal in extent and new areas will need to be
created. Restoration of mineral workings and derelict land offer particular
opportunities and some areas of farmland may also be appropriate. It is expected
that natural open land would cover at least 5 per cent of the Forest area.
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Local enthusiasm among resident communities and their political representatives is
high. The Forest is arousing local environmental awareness and pride. It is raising
expectations for a better economic future in vastly enhanced surroundings. The
strategy envisages the harnessing of this enthusiasm into practical involvement and
participation in the Forest’s creation.
Landscape Zones
The original Forest Strategy also tailored this vision to the Forest’s six landscape
character areas - Needwood, the Trent Valley Washlands, the Mease and Sence
Lowlands, Melbourne Parklands, the Leicestershire and South Derbyshire
Coalfield and Charnwood. As an historical reference point the vision for these six
areas is also available on the National Forest website (www.nationalforest.org).
Appendix 3
LANDSCAPE CHARACTER, INDICATIVE PLANTING AREAS
AND PLANTING DESIGN GUIDELINES
1) Landscape Character descriptions
i) National Countryside Character Areas - Key characteristics
Needwood & South Derbyshire Claylands
■ An historic, well wooded landscape covering part of the Ancient Needwood
Forest.
■ Many ancient woodlands, parklands and hedgerow trees.
■ Mixed farmland with strong pastoral character and a pattern of hedged fields.
■ Vernacular timber-framed houses and red brick farmsteads.
■ Wide, straight roads and narrow, twisting lanes link a scattered settlement
pattern of villages and hamlets.
Trent Valley Washlands
■ Marked by an extensive f lat f loodplain, with slow meandering rivers.
■ Strong industrial and urban inf luences with sand and gravel workings,
Drakelow power station, built development and major road and rail routes.
■ Predominantly large, open-cropped fields, with some remnant pastures and wet
meadows.
■ Diverse mosaic of grassland, wetland, areas of wet and scrub woodland and
gappy, overgrown hedges forms a natural, soft-edged landscape pattern.
Mease and Sence Lowlands
the strategy
■ A rolling, well-managed agricultural landscape, characterised by large cropped
fields and intact hedgerow patterns.
■ Scattered hedgerow trees, woodlands and feature trees linked to country estates.
■ Spire churches are prominent in the landscape, pinpointing several small
villages.
■ Settlements are linked by rural lanes, often with wide grass verges.
■ An area with strong rural character.
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Leicestershire and South Derbyshire Coalfield
■ Urban inf luences are strongly evident. Settlement is typified by straggling
towns and villages, with rows of traditional brick-built miners' cottages and new
housing estates.
■ Mining activity is a feature, with pockets of derelict land as well as areas of
opencast coal and clay workings.
■ The agricultural landscape is open and rolling with small woodlands and many
gappy hedged fields.
■ New woodlands are increasingly visible, particularly on former derelict spoil
heaps.
■ Much of this landscape has a distinctive but rather disorientating character as
new housing and woodland planting gives the impression of a landscape in
transition.
Melbourne Parklands
■ Strong rural character with an undulating, upland feel offering plateau-top
views across the Trent Valley.
■ Parklands, wooded estates and two large reservoirs are a feature of the valleys.
■ Mixed farmland surrounds the parks with a pattern of hedged fields and
scattered hedgerow trees.
■ The plateau-top has large arable fields, a fragmented field pattern and is sparsely
wooded.
■ Brick and sandstone vernacular buildings are a feature of the villages.
Charnwood
■ Rugged, upland character with many exposed crags and rocky knolls.
■ Heathland is a feature of the open summits.
■ Former Ancient Forest with many ancient woodlands, parklands and scattered
hedgerow trees.
■ Stone field walls are distinctive in the upland landscape, with hedged fields a
feature of the lower slopes.
■ Vernacular stone buildings give the area a unified building style.
■ Stone quarries occur in the area but are generally well-screened by trees.
ii) Landscape Types - Key characteristics
■ Predominantly open, sparsely wooded mixed farmland.
■ Strong rural character with few urban intrusions.
■ Field pattern is generally defined by hedgerows or stone field walls (in
Charnwood).
■ In areas of intensive cropping fields are large in scale with an 'open' pattern and
occasional, poorly defined hedges.
■ Most widespread are areas of mixed farming, with medium to large fields, low
cut gappy hedgerows, scattered hedgerow trees and some woodlands.
■ Pockets of permanent pasture remain along watercourses and around villages,
with a traditional character of small fields with thick hedges and many
hedgerow trees.
■ Watercourse trees and clusters of small estate woodlands give a quite well
wooded feel in places.
■ Settlement is characterised by scattered farmsteads and villages.
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Enclosed farmlands
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Historic settlement and enclosures
■ Relatively unspoilt landscapes, with an ancient, enclosed character and a
dispersed settlement pattern.
■ Characterised by many small, irregularly shaped pastoral fields bounded by
thick hedgerows; roadside hedgebanks are a feature in Yoxall.
■ Well-wooded, with numerous hedgerow trees, small woods and tree-lined
watercourses.
■ Dispersed settlement pattern, typified by cottages that have encroached on
former common land.
■ Significant heritage features, including medieval mining bell pits and
Swannington tramway (Coleorton) and parkland (Yoxall).
Urban / Urban fringe landscapes
■ Large, often sprawling settlements, new built development and occasional
mineral workings are dominant.
■ Major roads and railways are also prominent making areas busy with the noise
and movement of traffic.
■ Cropped farmland with gappy, poorly managed hedgerows and hedgerow trees
often appears sandwiched between urban and industrial uses.
■ Remnant pastures sometimes occur around settlements. These often have a
strong hedgerow pattern, though hedges can appear overgrown and
unmanaged.
■ Urban trees, open spaces and new woodland planting contribute to the
landscape setting of urban areas.
■ Horse grazing, allotments and other non-agricultural activities add to the
fragmented appearance.
Coalfield village farmlands
■ The landscape has a rather fragmented character marked by red brick mining
villages, isolated terraces of miners' cottages, opencast mineral workings (plus
granite quarries in the Charnwood area), new built development and extensive
areas of reclaimed land.
■ Interpersed are tracts of open, gently rolling farmland, intensively cropped,
with medium to large fields.
■ New woodland planting is becoming increasingly prominent and helps to
integrate new built development and mineral workings.
■ Mature hedgerow trees are the main wooded features, but these are sparse and
many show signs of dieback.
■ The hedgerow pattern is in decline with many hedges defunct or low cut and
gappy.
■ Views are long with industrial uses and edges of settlements visible from some
distance.
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Floodplain farmland
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■ Characterised by the broad, f lat f loodplain of the River Trent.
■ The f loodplain has a diverse, soft-edged mosaic of mature woodlands, new
woodland planting, wetlands and open grassland.
■ Small riverine woods are a feature in places, plus scrub fringed pools reclaimed
from mineral working.
■ There is an in-tact pattern of medium sized pastures with some arable fields.
■ Hedgelines are strong, though sometimes gappy and overgrown.
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■ The valley is quite well wooded with many small woods and scattered hedgerow
trees. Wooded bluffs and terraces alongside the f loodplain create a strong sense
of enclosure in some parts of the valley.
■ Overall there is a rural character, although road and rail routes, urban
development and sand and gravel extraction are intrusive in some parts of the
wide f loodplain between Burton and Alrewas.
■ In contrast the narrower f loodplain west of Alrewas is relatively unspoilt.
appendices
Wooded parklands
■ Distinctive, ancient landscapes of considerable interest and diversity.
■ A varied hilly topography, with steeply sloping stream valleys and, in
Charnwood, distinctive craggy granite rock outcrops.
■ An enclosed, strongly wooded character with many ancient woodlands, large
wooded estates, parklands with matures trees and numerous hedgerow trees.
■ Woodlands are a characteristic feature on hilltops, steep valley slopes and along
stream corridors.
■ Farmland is a mixture of arable and pasture with medium sized fields.
■ Hedgerows and stone field walls (in Charnwood) mark a strong in-tact field
pattern.
■ Remnant semi-natural vegetation is a distinctive feature with areas of
heathland, acid grassland, bracken and gorse.
■ Settlement is marked by scattered farmsteads, country houses, hamlets and
small villages, with many vernacular buildings.
2) Landscape Character and Indicative planting areas
Landscape Type
Woodland creation themes
(section 2.5, Forestry chapter)
Wooded parklands
Mainly well wooded landscapes; Ancient Woodland priority areas; some woodland
linkage areas.
Enclosed farmlands
Mainly woodland expansion areas; some well wooded landscapes and woodland
linkage areas; Ancient woodland priority areas (in part); floodplain landscapes (in part).
Coalfield village farmlands
Mainly woodland expansion areas; some woodland linkage areas and urban/urban
fringe areas.
Urban/urban fringe
Urban/urban fringe areas.
Historic settlement and enclosures
Historic enclosures.
Floodplain landscapes; some woodland expansion areas.
Planting themes that cross-cut Landscape Types
Transport corridors and gateways; parklands; hedgerow trees; symbolic trees;
development-related planting.
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Floodplain farmlands
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Landscape Types: Forestry Design Guidance
The landscape types highlighted below relate to Map 5 (Landscape Chapter).
Design of planting schemes should take account of local landscape character to
ensure that they are appropriately integrated within their landscape setting.
Urban fringe
Landscape type
Planting scale
Planting type
Planting design
Trent Valley Washlands
- Burton West
Small scale urban forestry
schemes in towns
Leicestershire & South
Derbyshire Coalfield
- Burton East,
Swadlincote,
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Ibstock
Coalville
Medium-scale planting on
'left-over' urban fringe sites
Community woods adjacent
to urban areas. Target open
reclaimed mining sites and
areas of derelict land.
Recreation, landscape and
conservation are the main
planting aims.
Maintain a balance between woodland and
'open' land uses - conservation, recreation,
sport, as appropriate to the site.
Use of quick-growing species on derelict
land and mineral sites to create quick
impact. Robust shrubby planting is suitable
for recreation sites.
Country Park, Forest Park,
semi-ornamental parkland
planting, within the urban
fringe.
Encourage natural regeneration on derelict
sites and along mineral railway lines.
Some opportunities for largescale planting on reclaimed
former mineral workings.
Charnwood
- Shepshed,
Thringstone, Groby,
Markfield
Landscaping of urban and
industrial development.
Large-scale structure
planting with wide belts and
woodland blocks.
Gapping and reinstating
hedgerows. Hedgerow tree
planting/regeneration in
small-scale pastoral/mixed
farmland areas on the urban
fringe.
Natural regeneration of linear
watercourse trees and wet
woodlands.
Amenity tree planting in and
around village centres.
Urban forestry - street trees
and pocket parks
Urban fringes - grading of formal areas into
more natural areas. Urban park-country
park-open forest. Create an open tree
canopy effect with trees in grassland
settings merging into forest. Important to
interlock urban fringe planting with the
rural forest.
Scope for varied species mixes grading
from more ornamental in urban areas to
broadleaves/mixtures in open farmland.
Develop green fingers of woodland to run
into urban areas - planting along roadsides,
railway lines, stream valleys
(discontinuously).
Derelict sites - contouring of spoil heaps to
reflect local landform if possible, where not
possible use planting to accentuate the
artificial landform. Avoid planting on
regenerating conservation habitats.
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Could take new golf courses
with blocks of
woodland/belts of trees.
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Wooded parkland
Landscape type
Needwood & South
Derbyshire Claylands
- Hoar Cross,
Byrkley, Dunstall, Hanbury,
Greaves
Melbourne Parklands
- Calke, Bretby
Charnwood
- Blackbrook,
Newtown Linford
Planting scale
Planting type
Planting design
Essential to maintain a
balance between open space
and woodland to retain the
many features that give the
area its historic character
(parks, hedges, hedgerow
trees, etc).
Mixed planting appropriate
but important to maintain
historic broadleaved 'feel'.
Maintain a balance between woodland and
open ground to avoid coalescence of sites
in extensively planted areas.
Farm woods and estate
forestry, with commercial
plantations away from
parkland settings.
Landform dominant but hedgerow pattern
significant when viewed from steep slopes.
Plant to accentuate the appearance of
valley-side and hilltop woods, but avoid
continuous valley cover. Avoid planting
open summits in Charnwood.
Increasingly these
landscapes will only have
capacity for strategic
planting linking existing
woodland areas.
Limited scope for large-scale
planting. Small to medium
sized woods reflect existing
landscape character.
Small-scale planting in
parkland settings.
Small-scale
planting/regeneration of
hedgerow trees and
streamside trees - both
numerous at present.
Parkland planting/
management - belts of trees
to create enclosure, tree
clumps and feature trees.
Plant to landform overriding geometric
hedgerow pattern where landform is
dominant. Shapes should rise uphill in
hollows, fall on convex ground. Irregular
shaped planting to create the impression of
larger scale.
Hedgerow tree
planting/regeneration
especially along roadsides.
Regeneration of streamside
trees.
Avoid geometric shapes on skylines.
Maintain strong hedgerow
pattern by gapping and
replanting - important linking
features in pattern of
woodland/open space.
Avoid continuous roadside planting to
retain some open views.
Design of margins very important to create
flowing edges that override geometric field
pattern. Avoid straight lines cutting
across/down contoured slopes. High quality
design needed - long views, mistakes not
easily hidden.
Woodlands to be edged with
hedgerows/shrubs to link with the strong
hedgerow pattern. Avoid continuous lines of
similar species. Overlap planting in
different layers or groups to look
more unified.
Parklands - replant to integrity of original
design. Planting of belts and groups of
trees very characteristic. Reinstate areas of
former park.
Hedgerow trees - regeneration of oak
wherever possible. Replanting only when
seed source has gone. Retain characteristic
'scattered' pattern. Roadside trees
a priority.
Integrate hedgerow trees within the edges
of new planting. Mature trees provide
coarser texture and rounded crowns
provide sense of continuity.
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Streamsides - keep one bankside clear,
retain dappled shade, avoid areas of nature
conservation interest.
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Landscape Types: Forestry Design Guidance
continued
Coalfield village farmlands
Landscape type
Planting scale
Planting type
Planting design
Leicestershire & South
Derbyshire Coalfield
- Overseal, Ellistown
Very complex landscape with
varying degrees of scale
throughout:
Farm woodlands in open
farmland areas.
Charnwood
- Stanton under Bardon
■ large-scale cropped, rural
landscapes;
Agricultural landscapes - plant to landform,
following hedgerow pattern only where this
is dominant. When planting several fields,
override hedgerow pattern.
■ large scale grassland
fields, reclaimed from
mining;
■ small-scale pastoral
landscapes around the
urban fringe and along
stream courses.
■ urban and industrial
activity and derelict sites
fragment the rural
landscape into 'pockets'
of farmland.
Scale of planting should
reflect landscape scale.
Generally smaller scale in
small-scale intact
landscapes; larger scale in
open agricultural areas.
Large-scale planting
associated with derelict land
and former mineral
workings.
Smaller-scale planting
around villages and
associated with
watercourses.
Large plantations on open
field grassland sites
reclaimed from mining and
in larger-scale arable
landscapes.
Large-scale community
woods on derelict land and
mineral workings.
Short rotation coppice,
especially on land with
future mineral development
potential, as a short-term
use.
Hedgerow trees where they
remain in pastoral
landscapes, around villages
and along roadsides.
Linear tree planting and/or
natural regeneration along
derelict railway lines.
Regeneration of trees along
watercourses.
Amenity tree planting in
villages, pocket parks.
Reinstate gappy hedgerows,
especially where they link
new woodland planting.
Design new woods with an irregular shape
to reflect landform. Avoid geometric shapes
that follow geometric field enclosures.
In flatter, larger landscapes woodland
margin design is important. Create irregular
shaped woodland edges. Create interest
and diversity by indenting edges and
overlapping different layers/groups of
species; incorporate field hedgerows where
appropriate. Use blocks of trees to enclose
space for other activities, eg. recreation.
Positioning of woods in relation to one
another is important in flat landscapes.
Create diversity with different sized woods.
Avoid an even scatter of small woods,
which may appear too small in scale.
Also avoid creating solid wooded skylines.
Hedgerow pattern is poor and absent in
places. Plan to override pattern,
incorporating hedgerows as shrubby edges
to rides. Where pattern is strong use
hedgerows to create strong linking features
between woodlands.
Retain small-scale pastoral character
along watercourses - avoid continuous
planting, keep one bankside clear, create
dappled shade.
Encourage phased restoration of mineral
workings - contour spoil heaps to reflect
local landform if possible. Where not
possible use planting to accentuate the
artificial landform.
Maintain a balance between woodland and
open land uses (conservation, recreation,
sport, as appropriate to the site), on derelict
land and former mineral workings. Avoid
planting on regenerating habitats such as
grasslands, heathlands and wetlands.
Encourage natural regeneration of trees on
derelict land.
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New mineral workings should plan
woodland design in advance to create the
desired landform through mineral
operations.
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Enclosed farmlands
Landscape type
Needwood & South
Derbyshire Claylands
- Needwood
Trent Valley Washlands
- Barton under Needwood
Mease & Sence Lowlands
- Coton in the Elms
Melbourne Parklands
- Smisby
Leicestershire & South
Derbyshire Coalfield
- Packington,
Thornton
Charnwood
- Charley
Planting scale
Planting type
Planting design
Varied opportunities but
generally large scale to
reflect medium to largescale, open landscape
character.
Large commercial
plantations, estate forestry
and farm woodlands.
Plant to subtle landform. Only follow
hedgerow pattern where this is visibly
dominant in flat landscapes, where woods
could fit as discrete blocks within the field
pattern.
Influence of country estates
with game coverts evident.
Smaller-scale planting
appropriate, linked to
estates.
Small-scale planting in
remnant pastoral landscapes
around villages.
Small areas of parkland
associated with country
houses. Single trees and
parkland clumps appropriate.
Short rotation coppice could suit extensively
cropped landscape character.
Hedgerow trees - in pastoral
landscapes, around villages,
along roadsides.
Replanting parkland trees.
Reinstating areas of former
parkland or new parkland
planting associated with
country estates.
Linear waterside trees/carr
copses.
Replanting/gapping
hedgerows where pattern
remains strong.
Design woodlands with an irregular shape
to reflect subtle landforms. When planting
over several fields, override geometric
hedgerow pattern.
Use hedgerows to create interlock between
woodlands.
Avoid continuous roadside planting to
retain a balance of short and long views.
Woodland margins very important in open,
flat to gently rolling landscape. Shape to
reflect subtle landform.
Create irregular shaped woodland edges.
Avoid uniform regularity by continuous
lines/layers of shrubs, broadleaves or
conifers. Create interest and diversity by
indenting edges and overlapping different
layers/groups of species; incorporate field
hedgerows where appropriate; integrate
hedgerow trees - mature trees provide
coarser texture and rounded crowns
provide a sense of continuity
Positioning of woods in relation to one
another important in flat landscape. Avoid
an even scatter of small woods, which may
appear too small in scale. Also avoid
creating solid wooded skylines.
Plant to accentuate strong landscape
features, eg. scarp slope overlooking the
Trent Valley.
Identify and avoid masking views of
prominent landscape features. Reveal and
draw attention to them (eg church spires in
Mease and Sence Lowlands).
Retain vistas from prominent hilltops.
Identify best examples.
Retain open, rugged character of rocky
knolls and open summits in Charnwood.
The amount of space will depend upon the
importance of the feature in the landscape
and the steepness of slopes below.
Retain small-scale pastoral character
along watercourses - avoid continuous
planting, keep one bankside clear, create
dappled shade.
Maintain a balance of open space to
woodland around villages.
the strategy
Reinstate historic parklands where
appropriate by returning arable land to
pasture and replanting to the original
design intentions.
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115
appendices
Floodplain farmlands
Landscape type
Trent Valley Washlands
- Trent
Landscape Types: Forestry Design Guidance
continued
Planting scale
Planting type
Planting design
Small-scale planting in areas
of small-scale pastoral
floodplain.
Floodplain woodlands and
belts of planting associated
with lakes and pools.
Large-scale planting only in
open agricultural landscapes.
Farm woods in open
farmland landscapes.
Woodland planting on open farmland to be
of field size and shape. Avoid coalescence
which could create solid woodland screens
across the landscape. Retain views by
avoiding continuous roadside planting.
Scale of individual floodplain
planting schemes needs to
be agreed with the
Environment Agency.
Short rotation coppice and
poplar suited to moist soils.
Archaeological sensitivities
will restrict the amount of
planting in certain areas.
Development landscaping to
be commensurate with the
scale of the development.
Reinforce and extend linear
riverine woodland, carr
copses, waterside pollards.
Enhance pastoral hedged
character, with groups of
riverside and hedgerow
trees where the character
remains strong.
Landscaping associated with
built development and A38
road corridor.
Attention to woodland margins, with
irregular flowing shapes - use of shrubs,
small groups of trees and single trees to
avoid continuous straight lines and create
visual diversity.
Use woodland planting to accentuate rising
ground off the river floodplain.
Plant woodland blocks and wide,
discontinuous belts of trees associated with
open water recreation areas to create
enclosure and to screen urban/industrial
influences.
Retain diversity adjacent to open water.
In places bring groups of trees to the
water's edge; elsewhere retain open
ground with graduation of trees, scrub and
grassland to open water.
Linear riverine planting of copses and
groups of trees. Irregularly spaced. Avoid
creating continuous wooded cover.
Maintain riverside wetland habitats.
Planting should not impede flood flows,
raise flood levels or hinder access for river
maintenance purposes.
Environment Agency require floodplain
planting to be elliptical in shape, smallscale and not to be within 10 metres of the
river's edge, for flood protection purposes.
Incorporate planting within and around
development sites to create a strong
wooded setting and links with the rural
landscape.
Planting along the A38 corridor to create a
wooded gateway into the Forest.
Historic settlements
and enclosures
Landscape type
Planting scale
Planting type
Planting design
Needwood & South
Derbyshire Claylands
- Yoxall
Small-scale planting to
reflect small-scale landscape
of ancient hedged fields.
Farm woodlands, copses and
spinneys.
Incorporate small-scale field-sized woods
within the hedgerow pattern or plant to
landform where this is dominant.
Leicestershire & South
Derbyshire Coalfield
- Coleorton
Many hedgerow trees
contribute to enclosed small
scale.
Hedgerow tree
planting/regeneration.
Reinstatement of remnant
parklands.
Replant gappy hedgerows.
the strategy
Extensive large-scale
planting generally
inappropriate as this would
mask landscape detail and
lose many qualities that form
its ancient character.
Riverine copses - a feature
of the River Swarburn and its
tributaries. Extend wooded
valley character.
116
Design with irregular shapes and margins
to reflect irregular shape of field pattern.
Avoid straight edges and geometric shapes.
Maintain strong interlock with
hedgerow pattern to maximise impact of
new woodlands while maintaining
landscape detail.
Encourage regeneration and new planting
of hedgerow trees.
Retain strong pattern of small-scale
hedged fields to complement new planting.
Watercourses -avoid continuous planting.
Retain unimproved grassland and wetland
habitats. Keep one bankside clear and
retain dappled shade.
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Appendix 4
NATIONAL FOREST TREES AND SHRUBS
BROADLEAVED TREE SPECIES
Wet sites Light,
dry soils
Alder, black Alnus glutinosa
Ash Fraxinus excelsior
Aspen Populus tremula
Birch, downy Betula pubescens
Birch, silver Betula pendula
Cherry, bird Prunus padus
Cherry, gean Prunus avium
Elm, wych Ulmus glabra
Lime, small-leaved Tilia cordata
■
■
■
T H E
F O R E S T
Conservation/
Amenity
Timber
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Consider approved varieties, ie Wildstar
■
Excellent avenue tree and prized for
wood turning
■
■
■
■
Widely planted in the Forest
Common to the Charnwood area
Use UK native stock var betulifolia
■
Seek special advice on choices
■
Can be planted for coppice
■
■
Notes
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Specialist tree for archery material
Best suited to The National Forest
Best suited to The National Forest
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Can be used for Christmas trees
■
Coppice species, combines conservation
and timber
■
Specialist timber
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Seek special advice on choices
■
■
■
■
■
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Lime, large-leaved Tilia platyphyllos
Maple, field Acer campestre
Oak, common Quercus robur
Oak, sessile Quercus petraea
Poplar, black Populus nigra
Poplar, grey Populus canescens
Poplar (clonal varieties) Populus Sp
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia
Service tree Sorbus torminalis
Sweet chestnut Castanea Sativa
Sycamore Acer Pseudoplatanus
Walnut (varieties) Juglans
Whitebeam Sorbus aria
Willow, almond Salix triandra
Willow, crack Salix fragilis
Willow, grey Salix cinerea
Willow, white Salix alba
CONIFER TREE SPECIES
Yew Taxus baccata
Scots Pine Pinus sylvetris
Corsican Pine pinus nigra (var maritima)
European Larch Larix decidua
Hybrid Larch Larix x eurolepsis
Western Red Cedar Thuja plicata
Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii
Norway Spruce Picea abies
Wellingtonia Sequioa dendron giganteum
SHRUB SPECIES
Apple, crab Malus sylvestris
Blackthorn Prunus spinosa
Blackthorn, alder Frangula alnus
Buckthorn, purging Rhamnus catharticus
Dogwood Cornus sanguinea
Elder Sambucus nigra
Gorse Ulex europaeus
Hawthorn, common Crataegus monogyna
Hawthorn, Midland Crataegus laevigata
Hazel Corylus avellana
Heather, Calluna vulgaris
Holly Ilex aquifolium
Privet Ligustrum vulgare
Rose, dog Rosa canina
Spindle Euonymus europaeus
Willow, cricket bat Salix Caerulea
Willow, goat Salix caprea
Willow, osier Salix viminalis
Heavy
soils
■
■
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appendices
Appendix 5
NATIONAL FOREST BIODIVERSITY ACTION
PLAN TARGETS
BAP Habitat/Species
Targets - all to 2010
unless otherwise stated
Nationally important habitats
Wet woodland
Create 50 ha.
Wood pasture and parkland
Restore 100 ha.
Hay meadows
Create 50 ha.
Calcareous grassland
Create 10 ha by 2005.
Acid grassland
Create 50 ha.
Heathland
Restore/create 100 ha.
Floodplain grazing marsh
Recreate 50 ha.
Reed beds
Create 50 ha.
Mesotrophic lakes
Maintain rare plant / animal communities.
Eutrophic open waters
Restore 2 water bodies a year.
Create a 1 ha water body each year.
Create 5 field ponds a year.
Hedgerows
Restore 50 km a year.
Field margins
Establish 2-6 m margins on 10% of farms.
Plant 3 km a year.
Encourage 6 m margins beside watercourses.
Locally important habitats
Ancient semi-natural woodland
Extend 5 sites.
Plantation woodland
Plant 400 ha of trees per year.
Roadside verges
Designate 5 roadside nature reserves a year.
Post industrial sites, parks, gardens, buildings
Initiate 2 urban wildlife projects a year.
Key Species
Redstart
Increase the population to 30 breeding pairs.
Otter
Maintain and expand the population; improve river water quality; and provide suitable
habitat along 80 % of watercourses.
Ruddy Darter Dragonfly
Double the number and range of the species.
Noctule Bat
Maintain and increase populations; develop a Forest bat box campaign.
Adder
Determine the range and centres of population; and increase the number of Adder sites.
Maintain and extend distribution of the species.
Black Poplar
Halt the loss of trees; increase the population; and source local provenance stock.
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Bluebell
118
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Appendix 6
MINERAL, LANDFILL AND DERELICT SITES FOREST RELATED AFTERUSES
Site name
County
Area to be
restored
(ha)
Likely restoration
(ha) to forestrelated uses
by 2014
Restoration
uses post
2014 (ha)
Restoration Proposals
MINERAL SITES
Longcliffe Quarry
Desford Brickworks
Ibstock Quarry*
Heather Brickworks
Ellistown Brickworks
Duckery Quarry
Donington Island*
Albion Opencast
Hicks Lodge*
Leics
Leics
Leics
Leics
Leics
Leics
Leics
Leics
Leics
62
57
90
81
38
60
31
85
68
62
10
1
5
6
31
85
37
47
70 est
80
33
54
31
Newbold Quarry
Tucklesholme Quarry
Barton Quarry*
Staffs
Staffs
Staffs
150
41
235
41
155
150
80
Alrewas South (land in Forest area) Staffs
20
-
20
Nadins*
Derbys
45
45
-
Bardon Quarry
Cliffe Hill Quarry*
Groby/Bradgate Quarries
TOTAL
Leics
Leics
Leics
261
250
213
1,787 ha
478 ha
261
250
213
1,289 ha
Water, rough grassland, landscaping
Woodland, water, agriculture
Agriculture, woodland, wetlands
Water, agriculture, landscaping
Woodland, agriculture, wetlands
Woodland, grassland wetlands
Woodland, wildlife habitats
Woodland, wildlife habitats
31 ha agriculture; 37 woodland,
wildlife habitats
Agriculture, woodland, wetlands
Reedbeds, wetlands, landscaping
Water sports, wetlands, wet woodland
(55 ha restored already)
Agriculture; extension to National
Memorial Arboretum?
Golf course, woodland (part of site
already included in NFC records)
Unspecified
Water uses, woodland
Water uses, landscaping
Derbys
15
1 ha est
14 ha
Leics
13.5
28.5 ha
1 ha
2 ha
12.5 ha
26.5 ha
DERELICT LAND
Nailstone Colliery Tip
Leics
55
55
-
Newfield Colliery*
Battram Recreation Ground
Leics
Leics
15
2.15
15
2.15
-
South Leicester Colliery Tip
Acresford Quarry
Alder Spinney, Markfield
Leics
Leics
Leics
17.4
30
1
17.4
30
1
-
Littleworth Mine, Ashby Woulds
Former Coalville-Hugglescote
railway
Former Whitwick railway
Land north of Breach Leys Farm,
Newhall
Dismantled railway, Woodville
Quarry, Ticknall Road, Calke
Land at Drakelow Power station
Land north of Darklands Lane,
Swadlincote
Land east of Albion Street,
Woodville
Dismantled railway, Sunnyside,
Newhall
Other Sites1
Leics
Leics
1.2
1.88
1.2
1.88
-
Leics
Derbys
1.14
3.73
1.14
3.73
-
Derbys
Derbys
Derbys
Derbys
0.35
0.31
33.31
1.97
0.35
0.31
5 est
1.4 est
-
Derbys
0.46
0.46
-
Recreational trail and wildlife habitats
No proposed use, but most suitable use
open space.
Possible open space uses
No specified use. Open space use likely
Possible housing site, with landscaping
0.57 proposed for housing, remainder
most suited to open space
Proposed open space
Derbys
6.27
6.27
-
Possible use as a recreational route
17.89 est
-
153.91
1.0
Charnwood Quarry
TOTAL
TOTAL2
All
83.12
Counties
248.02
Agriculture, woodland, conservation
habitats
Woodland, wildlife habitats
Woodland, recreation, conservation uses.
(Consent to tip waste being sought may put back restoration timing)
Heathland, woodland
Small-scale planting, orchard, informal
recreation
Nature conservation, recreation uses
Woodland, wildlife habitats
Site naturally regenerating. No proposed
end use.
Woodland, grassland uses
Recreational trail and wildlife habitats
* Balance of site area not already counted as restored by NFC. 1 Sites with no current proposed use or sites allocated for housing/employment uses. Development
landscaping has been estimated for these sites in line with the National Forest development planting guidelines (see Planning chapter). 2 The National Forest also
includes around 50 ha of other derelict sites which include sites underway for development, sites already allocated for development and vacant building sites all of which are already committed for built development uses.
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LANDFILL SITES
Bretby landfill
119
appendices
Appendix 7
Manufacturing
Construction
Distribution, hotels
and restaurants
Transport and
communications
Banking, finance and
insurance
Public administration,
education and health
Other services
National
Forest
wards
Year
Energy and water
Area
Agriculture and fishing
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF THE FOREST AREA
1. Local jobs by sector (1991-2001)
1991
250
696
28962
5797
23627
6405
13120
19946
3838
2001
100%
303
0.3%
707
0.7%
26182
24.3%
7576
7.0%
25735
23.9%
6087
5.7%
15107
14.0%
21163
19.7%
4753
4.4%
Change
+21.2
+1.6
-9.6
+30.7
+8.9
-5.0
+15.1
+6.1
+23.8
NB. The National Forest wards figure is an average of all of the wards that are either partly or wholly within the Forest area. It is not possible to proportion the
data to a lower level.
the strategy
2. Socio-economic characteristics in 2004
120
■ a population of 200,047 people, roughly equally split between males and females;
■ age structure similar to England and Wales, with a slightly smaller 25-44 age
group;
■ a very small population from black and minority ethnic groups but with some
significant concentrations such as in Burton upon Trent;
■ an expanding population, increasing marginally more quickly than the national
average;
■ growing employment rates, above regional and national averages;
■ changing employment structure, with growing numbers of jobs in forestry,
construction, tourism, finance and services - and declining employment in
manufacturing, transport and communications;
■ an increasing number of jobs, well above regional averages;
■ levels of self-employment in line with regional and national averages;
■ an occupational profile oriented towards manual trades, a reflection of the still
significant manufacturing and construction sectors;
■ falling unemployment, particularly amongst males, to below regional and
national averages;
■ a significant fall in long term unemployment, further below regional and
national averages;
■ average earnings below regional averages, with male earnings in particular failing
to keep pace with earnings growth in recent years;
■ pockets of deprivation, particularly in the inner areas of Burton upon Trent and
the coalfield communities of North West Leicestershire and South Derbyshire;
■ overall levels of benefit dependence below regional averages and declining more
quickly than regional averages;
■ health levels similar to regional and national averages, though slightly poorer for
males;
■ real (hidden) unemployment substantially above official figures, but showing
evidence of improvement;
■ car ownership and multiple car ownership above regional and national averages;
■ growing numbers of businesses with rates per 10,000 population above regional
and national averages; and,
■ evidence of high levels of public and private investment through regeneration
projects and programmes.
Source: Much More Than Trees (2), National Forest Company, 2004 (21).
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Appendix 8
TIMING AND PRIORITISATION OF STRATEGY ACTIONS
KEY:
S = Short term - 1-3 years M = Medium term - 4-6 years
L = Long term - 7-10 years O = Ongoing through the 10 years
FORESTRY
T H E
Action
Timescale Essential Desirable
(S,M,L,O)
Action F1:
The target to achieve around a third woodland cover will be retained and
reviewed by the NFC towards the end of the 10 year period.
L
✓
Action F2:
An aspirational target of 4-5,000 ha of new woodland creation is
proposed for the period 2004-14.
O
✓
Action F3:
The NFC will test views on the long-term balance of broadleaf to conifer
planting in the medium term (2007-9).
M
Action F4:
A GIS constraints mapping system will be developed to supercede the
original Indicative Forestry Strategy.
O
✓
Action F5:
Woodland creation will be encouraged with regard to the planting areas
on Map 4. The Indicative Planting Areas will be reviewed at regular
intervals, dependent upon the take up of new schemes.
O
✓
Action F6:
The NFC local provenance policy will be reinforced and further promoted
to stimulate supply and demand of local provenance trees.
O
✓
Action F7:
The NFC will initiate research to identify unmanaged woodlands and
assess their management options and timber potential.
S
✓
Action F8:
The NFC will work with the Forestry Commission to advise on and
promote management plans for newly planted woods.
O
✓
Action F9:
The NFC will encourage the development of a forestry and rural skills
base for the Forest area.
O
✓
Action F10:
Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands should be managed to enhance their
biodiversity value. Natural regeneration will be the preferred method
for re-stocking and extending sites.
O
✓
Action F11:
Plantations on Ancient Woodland sites, will be targeted to return sites to
native broadleaf stands, using natural regeneration, direct seeding or
tree planting of local provenance stock.
O
✓
Action F12:
Woodlands will be identified that demonstrate best management
practices for woodland owners.
Action F13:
Area-based strategies will be considered for:
■ Urban/urban fringe forestry - targeting the main Forest towns in a
central belt across the Forest.
■ The proposed Forest Park around Conkers Visitor Centre.
■ Ancient Woodlands - to identify the best potential sites for extending
Ancient Semi-Natural Woods and restoring Plantations on Ancient
Woodland sites.
Action F14:
The NFC will raise the profile of the Forest's ancient trees by
commissioning survey work to identify their location and condition;
and will promote best practice management to landowners.
Action F15:
The NFC will prime the establishment of a National Forest focused Wood
Marketing Association to promote and coordinate market development.
Action F16:
✓
S,M,L
✓
S
✓
S
M
✓
✓
✓
L
S-M
✓
The NFC will commission research to assess the current and planned
timber resource and establish systems to monitor timber potential.
S
✓
Action F17:
The NFC will work with partners to produce best practice advice for
woodland owners on managing the possible effects of climate change
on trees and woodlands.
M
Action F18:
The NFC will contribute to national research by encouraging monitoring
of tree growth, health and condition in a sample of mature and newly
planted woodlands across the Forest.
O
Action F19:
The NFC will commission research to assess the carbon sequestration
progress and future potential of the Forest and to develop a framework
for long term monitoring.
S
Action F20:
The NFC will work with relevant partner organisations to promote
best practice management of wildlife pests and noxious weeds in
Forest schemes.
O
✓
Action F21:
The NFC will promote National Forest fire guidance to woodland owners.
O
✓
Action F22:
The NFC will work with relevant partner organisations to disseminate
best practice and research arising from forestry initiatives developed
in The National Forest.
O
✓
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✓
✓
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Chapter
121
appendices
Chapter
LANDSCAPE
BIODIVERSITY
the strategy
ACCESS,
RECREATION AND
SPORT
122
Appendix 8
TIMING AND PRIORITISATION OF STRATEGY ACTIONS
continued
Action
Timescale Essential Desirable
(S,M,L,O)
Action L1:
The National Forest landscape character framework will continue to
guide the Forest's creation.
O
✓
Action L2:
The NFC will use its grant mechanisms to develop Forest-related
schemes which add to the character and quality of the Forest's
landscapes.
O
✓
Action L3:
Residents and the visiting public will be consulted on optimum levels of
tree planting.
L
✓
Action L4:
GIS systems will be developed to assess, monitor and demonstrate the
landscape effects of the Forest's creation.
S-M
✓
Action L5:
The NFC will commission research to assess the landscape effects of
new planting and habitat creation across the Forest's landscapes.
M-L
✓
Action B1:
The National Forest area BAP will continue to provide the focus for
habitat and species conservation action.
O
✓
Action B2:
The NFC will promote and encourage habitat management through its
grant schemes and by targeting financial mechanisms operated by
other organisations.
O
✓
Action B3:
The NFC will encourage woodland flora habitat creation projects to
demonstrate and promote best practice techniques.
O
Action B4:
NFC will encourage the creation of new habitats through its grant
schemes, agri-environment schemes, restoration of mineral, landfill and
derelict land sites, development landscaping and riverside improvements.
O
Action B5:
The NFC, with conservation partners, will develop and promote best
practice in habitat creation through demonstration projects.
O
Action B6:
The NFC and conservation partners will periodically review the BAP
species to target for conservation action.
S and L
Action B7:
The NFC will encourage the production of a Geodiversity Action Plan for
the Forest area.
M
✓
Action B8:
The NFC will encourage and support the development of urban
wildlife projects.
O
✓
Action B9:
The NFC will encourage and support the promotion of greater
public awareness of biodiversity and involvement in nature
conservation projects.
O
✓
Action B10:
The NFC will develop with conservation partners a local provenance
flora policy and promote its use in biodiversity schemes.
M
✓
Action B11:
The NFC will encourage appropriate sites to be put forward as Local
Nature Reserves.
O
✓
Action B12:
The NFC will work with partners to help improve the condition of
designated wildlife sites.
O
✓
Action B13:
The NFC will encourage and support ecological monitoring work.
O
✓
Action SR1:
The NFC will promote land acquisition to develop Forest sites that
provide access in perpetuity.
O
✓
Action SR2:
The NFC will encourage permanent access to Forest schemes developed
on mineral and derelict land and linked with built developments.
O
✓
Action SR3:
The NFC will encourage the dedication of land for access through the
CRoW Act, 2000.
O
✓
Action SR4:
The NFC will explore options for retaining access on Tender Scheme
sites when their contract periods expire.
S
✓
Action SR5:
The NFC will encourage the continued development of a systematic
programme to improve, maintain, waymark and promote RoW; and will
encourage the dedication of new RoW.
O
✓
Action SR6:
The NFC will continue to work with partners to develop a Forest-wide
network of short walks.
O
✓
Action SR7:
The NFC will work with partners to complete and promote the medium
distance trails network.
S-M
✓
Action SR8:
The NFC will facilitate the development and promotion of a National
Forest long distance path.
T H E
F O R E S T
S T R A T E G Y
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
M
2 0 0 4
>
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appendices
KEY:
S = Short term - 1-3 years M = Medium term - 4-6 years
L = Long term - 7-10 years O = Ongoing through the 10 years
Action
ACCESS,
RECREATION AND
SPORT
continued
HISTORIC
ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITY
PARTICIPATION
T H E
Action SR9:
Timescale Essential Desirable
(S,M,L,O)
The NFC will work to coordinate implementation of the Cycling Strategy.
Action SR10: The NFC will coordinate the development and implementation of a
National Forest horseriding strategy.
O
✓
O
✓
✓
Action SR11: The NFC will encourage the development of multi-use trails.
O
Action SR12: The NFC will encourage site owners to provide all-abilities access and
will promote the opportunities available.
O
✓
Action SR13: The NFC will discuss with key partners the potential for Forest-branded
way marking of RoW and trails.
S
✓
Action SR14: The NFC will encourage the development of sites for a range of
water sports.
O
✓
Action SR15: The NFC will help to develop new land and air-based sport and
recreation activities.
O
✓
Action SR16: The NFC will support the identification and development of suitable
new venues for motor sports.
O
✓
Action SR17: The NFC will promote and raise awareness of the sport and recreation
opportunities in the Forest.
O
✓
Action H1:
The NFC will use its grant schemes to encourage the inclusion of
heritage features in Forest projects.
O
✓
Action H2:
The NFC will encourage the siting, design and management of new
woodlands to respect the setting of historic sites.
O
✓
Action H3:
The NFC will encourage the restoration and management of
historic parklands.
O
✓
Action H4:
The NFC will encourage local authorities to bid for funding to renovate
public parks.
O
Action H5:
Local planning policies should encourage the restoration of built heritage
features and the re-use of historic buildings for Forest-related uses.
O
✓
Action H6:
The NFC will encourage interpretation and public access to heritage sites
through its grant schemes and through the work of other organisations.
O
✓
Action H7:
The NFC will work with partners to develop GIS-based
archaeological records.
O
✓
Action H8:
The NFC will encourage and support historic landscape character
assessment work.
S-M
✓
Action H9:
The NFC will work with partners to implement the National Forest
LANDshapes project.
S
✓
Action C1:
The NFC will encourage and support Forest-related community projects,
activities and events.
O
✓
Action C2:
The NFC will encourage participation in the Forest's creation by local
communities, visitors and public supporters from around the country.
O
✓
Action C3:
The NFC will encourage and support volunteer involvement in woodland
schemes and other Forest-related projects.
O
✓
Action C4:
The NFC will work with BTCV to expand conservation volunteering in
the Forest.
O
Action C5:
The NFC will encourage and support the expansion of the Walking the
Way to Health Scheme.
S-M
Action C6:
The NFC will encourage, support and seek outside funding for Forestrelated initiatives that contribute towards health promotion and
healthy living.
O
Action C7:
The NFC will use its grant schemes to support the involvement of young
people in the creation and educational use of the Forest.
O
✓
Action C8:
The NFC will encourage sustainable growth in educational visits to
Forest education centres and woodlands offering educational access.
O
✓
Action C9:
The NFC will support the work of the Education Cluster Group and
promote environmental education facilities through the Group Visits Guide.
O
✓
Action C10:
The NFC will encourage joint working with Universities and colleges on
collaborative projects.
O
✓
F O R E S T
S T R A T E G Y
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✓
✓
✓
✓
the strategy
Chapter
123
appendices
Chapter
Timescale Essential Desirable
(S,M,L,O)
✓
Action C11:
The NFC will use its grant schemes to encourage and support Forestrelated arts initiatives.
O
Action C12:
The NFC will continue to promote the Forest to a wide range of
communities of interest using a variety of techniques.
O
✓
REGENERATION
AND THE
ECONOMY
Action RE1:
The NFC will seek to maximise the economic development potential of
the Forest through joint working, especially at regional, sub-regional .
and county levels
O
✓
Action RE2:
The NFC will work to maximise the economic benefits of Forest creation.
A Strategy and action plan to develop the Forest-related economy will
be kept under regular review.
O
✓
Action RE3:
The NFC will continue to support targeted regeneration programmes
aimed at addressing pockets of economic and social deprivation in the
Forest area.
O
✓
Action RE4:
The NFC will encourage town centre improvement and management
programmes which support tourism development and offer opportunities
to promote and market the Forest.
O
✓
Action RE5:
The NFC will encourage the provision of training and business
development programmes to address the needs and opportunities
arising from the Forest's development.
O
✓
Action RE6:
The NFC will undertake regular monitoring of the economic and social
impact of The National Forest.
S,M,L
✓
Action A1:
The NFC will use its grants and promote other appropriate mechanisms
to encourage farm diversification to Forest-related uses.
O
✓
Action A2:
The NFC will encourage farm diversification to woodland, sport,
recreation, farm tourism, Forest-related business and biodiversity uses.
O
✓
Action A3
The NFC will promote The National Forest as a venue for trialing and
developing farm diversification best practice.
O
Action A4:
The NFC will work with partners to develop business advice and support
networks to assist Forest-related farm diversification.
O
✓
Action A5:
The NFC will encourage the development of training for landowners to
support the diversification of farm businesses.
O
✓
Action A6:
The NFC will encourage the involvement of tenant farmers in the
Forest's creation.
O
✓
Action T1:
The Forest's tourism product will be developed around the themes in
Table 12.
O
✓
Action T2:
The NFC will encourage regular site maintenance audits for woodlands
with public access to maintain high standards of visitor welcome.
O
✓
Action T3:
Sustained growth and development of visitor attractions will be a high
priority. The suitability of certain attractions to be developed as Forest
'gateway' sites should be considered with site owners.
O
✓
Action T4:
The NFC will encourage appropriate expansion of a wide range of high
quality, inspected accommodation.
O
✓
Action T5:
Private landowners will be encouraged to create new visitor access to
historic places of interest.
O
✓
Action T6:
Identify with conservation partners, appropriate locations for showing
the Forest's wildlife to visitors and encourage provision of high quality
visitor facilities.
M-L
✓
Action T7:
Local planning policies should encourage small-scale tourism
developments in villages and rural areas.
O
✓
Action T8:
The NFC will encourage greater promotion of the Forest as a venue for
year round events and festivals.
O
Action T9:
The NFC, with tourism partners, will identify and promote local
speciality food and drinks.
O
Action T10:
The NFC will work with partners to promote the tourism clusters on
Map 8 as priority areas for tourism development.
O
Action T11:
Aim to achieve 5.8m visitors to the Forest by 2014 and increase
overnight stays to 10%.
L
TOURISM
the strategy
Action
COMMUNITY
PARTICIPATION
continued
AGRICULTURE
124
Appendix 8
TIMING AND PRIORITISATION OF STRATEGY ACTIONS
continued
T H E
F O R E S T
S T R A T E G Y
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✓
✓
✓
>
2 0 1 4
appendices
KEY:
S = Short term - 1-3 years M = Medium term - 4-6 years
L = Long term - 7-10 years O = Ongoing through the 10 years
Chapter
Action
TOURISM
continued
MINERAL
WORKINGS,
LANDFILL SITES
AND DERELICT
LAND
Action T12:
The National Forest TWG will review visitor market segments every
3-5 years.
M-L
✓
Action T13
The NFC will promote uptake of the National Forest logo licencing
agreement.
O
✓
Action T14:
The National Forest TWG will coordinate visitor marketing of the Forest
and its surrounding area and attractions.
O
✓
Action T15:
The National Forest TWG will identify locations for new Tourist
Information Points (TIPs) and a programme will be developed to
standardise TIPs within a Forest themed design.
Action T16:
The NFC will undertake Economic Impact Assessments of tourism
every 2-3 years.
Action T17:
✓
M-L
S,M,L
✓
The NFC will undertake periodic awareness surveys of The National
Forest.
S,L
✓
Action T18:
Periodic visitor surveys will be undertaken at selected Forest sites; and
similar surveys will be encouraged at visitor attractions.
S,L
✓
Action T19:
The NFC will develop a visitor management strategy and assess the
feasibility of developing a National Forest ranger service.
L
Action M1:
The NFC should continue to be a non-statutory consultee on minerals,
waste disposal and derelict land policy documents.
O
✓
Action M2:
The NFC should continue to be a non-statutory consultee on minerals,
landfill and derelict land planning applications and site restoration plans.
O
✓
Action M3:
The NFC will encourage the restoration of 480 ha of mineral and landfill
sites to Forest uses by 2014.
O
✓
Action M4:
The NFC will encourage Government to consider amending national
Minerals Planning Guidance to favour restoration to Forest-related
uses in the Forest area.
S
✓
Action M5:
The NFC will encourage the restoration of 150 ha of derelict land to
Forest-related uses by 2014.
O
✓
Action M6:
Integrated Restoration Strategies should be considered for parts of the
Forest, including granite quarries and landfill sites in Charnwood and
clay workings in the Coalfield.
Action M7:
The NFC will encourage site owners to develop long-term site
management plans for restored sites.
Action M8:
The NFC will establish a mineral landowner liaison group to discuss
options for Forest projects on mineral company landholdings.
Action P1:
The NFC will promote the inclusion of The National Forest Strategy as a
policy consideration in National Planning Guidance/Statements and in
Regional Planning Guidance/Spatial Strategies.
O
✓
Action P2:
The NFC will promote the inclusion of consistent National Forest policies
within Local Development Plans/Frameworks.
O
✓
Action P3:
The NFC will encourage the early revision of Circular 36/78, Trees
and Forestry.
S
✓
Action P4:
The NFC will promote the inclusion of the National Forest development
planting guidelines within Local Development Plans/Frameworks and
development landscaping schemes.
O
✓
Action P5:
The NFC will encourage the inclusion of a model development planting
policy in Local Development Plans/Frameworks.
S-M
✓
Action P6:
The NFC will encourage Forest-related development and rural
diversification; and will promote the inclusion of appropriate policies in
Local Development Plans/Frameworks.
S-M
✓
Action P7:
The NFC will encourage the protection of important woodland and
ecological resources from development proposals.
O
✓
✓
✓
M-L
O
✓
✓
S-M
the strategy
PLANNING
Timescale Essential Desirable
(S,M,L,O)
T H E
F O R E S T
S T R A T E G Y
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125
appendices
Chapter
TRANSPORT AND
TRAFFIC
Appendix 8
TIMING AND PRIORITISATION OF STRATEGY ACTIONS
continued
Action
Timescale Essential Desirable
(S,M,L,O)
Action TR1:
The NFC will promote National Forest transport issues in relevant
transport policy documents.
O
✓
Action TR2:
The NFC will work with transport and other partners to produce a
Forest-wide Transport Strategy.
S and L
✓
Action TR3:
The NFC will work with transport partners to agree a framework for
rural transport initiatives in and around the Forest area.
S-M
✓
Action TR4:
The NFC will continue to encourage rail authorities, rail companies,
regional agencies and local authorities to pursue implementation of the
National Forest Line.
S-M
✓
Action TR5
The NFC will encourage provision of bus services to recreation and
tourism attractions, from local towns and adjoining urban areas.
O
✓
Action TR6:
The NFC will encourage transport partners to support the development
of recreational routes, linked to public transport and car parks.
O
✓
Action TR7:
The NFC will promote the completion of a Forest-wide programme of
National Forest boundary and settlement signs.
S-M
✓
Action TR8:
The NFC will encourage audits of brown and white signs and a
comprehensive approach to signing groups of attractions.
Action TR9:
The National Forest Tourism Working Group will explore the potential for
joint marketing initiatives with tourism and public transport providers.
Action TR10: The NFC will seek to comment on major transport infrastructure projects
that affect the Forest and promote new planting and environmental
improvements to offset any impacts.
M
✓
S,M,L
✓
O
✓
the strategy
KEY:
S = Short term - 1-3 years M = Medium term - 4-6 years
L = Long term - 7-10 years O = Ongoing through the 10 years
126
T H E
F O R E S T
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The National Forest Company
Enterprise Glade
Moira
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE12 6BD
Tel: 01283 551211
Fax: 01283 552844
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.nationalforest.org
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