Brookings Down Wood Management Plan
Brookings Down Wood Management Committee
April 2001
Updated June 2005
Brookings Down Wood
· a community wood bought by local people and associations for the
local community and visitors. Managed by a local
committee with expert advice from South Hams
District Council and the Woodland Trust
· a beautiful wood in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a
Coastal Preservation Area
· well-placed adjoining the Green in the village of Noss Mayo, near
the children’s playground and a car park used for the National Trust Coastal Footpath
· rich in wildlife as shown in the Ecological Survey by the Devon
Wildlife Trust, the wood supports a wide range of birds, small mammals, plants, mosses and fungi
· needing sympathetic
management if the habitat for the wildlife is to be preserved,
whilst enhancing access for the local community and visitors, careful and expert management of the wood is needed – dangerous trees removed or made safe, invasive species (such as laurel) controlled and natural growth encouraged
‘Without those wild woods and all the genetic stock they contain and conserve, there is no chance of helping those who are heaven-bent on rehabilitating this our planet, which is in a sorry state of repair.’ David Bellamy Foreword to Silva The Tree in Britain, Ebury Press 1999
Foreword
This Management Plan is designed to help to develop the wood particularly over the next five years in response to the needs and the views of the local community; it aims to provide a framework for future management. This is the first update of the Plan; it will be further reviewed and amended as the need arises. A marked up plan of the wood is available showing the detail of the actions. The Management Committee welcomes constructive comments from locals, local organisations and members of the public, as well as expert help and advice. Contact can be made to any member of the Committee directly or through the Secretary; details are given on page 7.
Contents Page
Introduction 4
Objectives 4
Summary of Plans Completed 2000 to 2005 5
Finances 6
Short Term Plans - 2005 to 2010 6
Longer Term Plans - 2010 onwards 7
Brookings Down Wood Management Committee - List of Members 7
Introduction
When Brookings Down Wood was put up for sale at the end of 1998, a number of people recognised that it was already a valuable local amenity which could easily be lost by the local community, unless urgent action was taken. A survey was commissioned by South Hams District Council. It is worth quoting the overall assessment made in this survey in full:
‘One of the few sizeable woodlands in the area, Brookings Down Wood is clearly of value, both as a wildlife site and as a local recreational amenity. Of particular note are the rich bird community and the large quantity of bluebells (now a species afforded special protection due to the international importance of British populations).
As far as can be ascertained at present, continued public use of the site should have no detrimental effects provided it does not exceed the present level. Maintenance of a well-defined footpath should help encourage controlled use of the site, with other areas being kept less disturbed. Other measures... should help to enhance the wood for wildlife.’
The survey noted no less than 20 species of bird in the wood. The seven recommendations made have been incorporated into this Management Plan.
Alec Longworth, our first Chairman, lead a movement to raise the money needed to buy the wood for the community – a total of nearly £19000 was raised from local residents and organisations. To ensure the long-term future of the wood, whilst involving the local community in its management, the wood was donated to the Woodland Trust, and on 20th January 2000 leased for 99 years to the River Yealm District Association (RYDA). The Brookings Down Wood Management Committee was set up at that time – its present members are listed on page 7. This was an innovation for the Woodland Trust to delegate management to a local committee, while retaining a degree of control, and input to the development of the wood. As a preliminary to preparing the first Management Plan, a questionnaire – “Brookings Down Wood – Future Management” was circulated, and a reasonable consensus obtained. The views expressed were useful in developing this plan.
Over the first four years of the Management Plan, a considerable amount of work has been done both by volunteers and outside contractors, and most of the original Short Term Plans – 0 to 5 Years have been carried out. We have been successful in fund raising.
Objectives
1. To maintain Brookings Down as a mixed broadleaf woodland.
2. To conserve the wood for the benefit of the local community and visitors.
3. To encourage biodiversity and wildlife in the wood.
4. To ensure safe access for a wide cross-section of the community, including the less-abled,
consistent with preserving other aspects and the character of the wood.
5. To retain sufficient funds to allow for the successful maintenance and development of
the wood.
Summary of Plans Completed 2000 to 2005
1. To encourage visitors to walk around the Wood, welcoming signs have been put up at the Hannaford Road and Middlecombe Lane entrances, and double gates, allowing pedestrians easy access, have been installed. A new entrance with an information board has been constructed near the car park, and this will attract more visitors to the Wood. Waymark posts have also been made for us and put in suitable positions.
2. We have cleared over 1 hectare (2.5 acres) of dense laurel that over the last 20 or more years has
suppressed and killed the ancient woodland ground flora, and smothered, and even killed, many
of the mature trees it enveloped. As well as cutting back the laurel, we have treated the stumps
and sprayed any re-growth with a systemic herbicide We have temporarily left a small area
near the top of the Wood to provide a wind break for young trees in the cleared areas. The
areas cleared have steadily been re-colonised by numerous ground flora and tree species.
3. As well as clearing the laurel as above, we have encouraged natural regeneration by opening the
canopy to provide attractive glades and by managing bramble.
4. Regular annual inspections have been made with an arboriculturist to check on dangerous trees
in the Wood, and any dangerous trees or branches dealt with as soon as practicable. Frequent
visits are made to the Wood by Committee members and any dangers are reported in the
Accident & Incident Book and dealt with promptly.
5. Where it has been safe to do so, deadwood has been retained as a wildlife habitat.
6. We have removed a considerable amount of wire fencing, builders rubbish, corrugated iron etc.
7. An area of nearly an acre near the top of the wood has been classified as ‘wild’, and visitors
discouraged from walking in this area; we are managing it with minimum intervention, with the
aim of preserving ‘natural’ native woodland habitat for small ground-nesting birds.
8. In addition to the new entrance (see 1. above), we have made two zigzag paths (replacing
existing paths) and made steps where they were too steep to be easily walked in wet weather.
We have re-surfaced the track from the Hannaford Road entrance and upgraded the track from
the Middlecombe Lane entrance so that it can be used by suitable wheel chairs.
9. We have installed 23 bird boxes including 2 owl boxes and 1 woodpecker box. In 2004, we had
11 tit boxes and all had been used. We also have put up 2 bat boxes, but we are uncertain
whether these have been used yet.
10. We have planted about 1000 trees and bushes including oak, ash, hawthorn, hazel, rowan, birch,
holly, Monterey pine, spindle, field maple, sweet chestnut and viburnam opulus. We involved
a number of children with our planting and used protective tubes. Nearly all of the young trees
and bushes appear to be thriving.
11. Approximately 60 working party days have been organised and a total of 2 500 volunteer hours
have been logged by local community workers (including members of the Committee).
Finances
As explained in the Introduction, we have been successful in raising finance. Nearly all the £19000 raised initially was used in the purchase of the wood. A number of further applications were made, but in 2001/2002, only just over £1000 was raised. Thus there was little money available for employing outside services such as tree surgery. Local volunteers, using their own equipment did most of the work, and they continue to make a valuable contribution, at minimal cost. However in 2003, we raised over £9000 in grants, awards and in kind including nearly £3500 from the Forestry Commission, over £2000 from Peoples’ Places and £500 each from The Tree Council and Taylor’s Teas; we also took part in a Community Woodland Network Pilot Scheme, which was worth £2000. Our Friends of Brookings Down Wood started in 2002 and has raised over £1000 to date.
2004 was also a good year for fund raising with another £4000 from Peoples’ Places and £80 for sponsoring bird boxes. As we scale down our activity in the Wood, we do not have the major projects requiring large funds and so will not be applying for them, but maintenance costs and some tree felling will continue.
Short Term Plans - 2005 to 2010
1. Finish the work in progress on the path from the new entrance and put in extra steps where
needed.
2. Continue with annual inspections with an arboriculturist and the reporting of dangerous trees,
and carrying out any remedial work required.
3. Standing deadwood is a particularly valuable habitat for insects, invertebrates and fungi. We
will continue to retain it, where the danger is minimal. Some sycamore trees will be killed by
ring barking and left standing to provide this habitat and to create more glades by opening up the
canopy.
4. We will continue to check the Wood for unwanted material such as builders, household and
garden rubbish, and to remove it as soon as we can.
5. To keep the ‘wild area’ under review and to continue to discourage visitors to this area
6. We will continue to encourage natural regeneration by:
managing the laurel by selectively cutting it back to maintain its shelter benefits to the re-
stocked trees but to reduce the production of flowers & seeds.
allowing more light into some areas of the Wood by killing sycamore as outlined in
3. above.
managing the bramble - in some areas by regular strimming once or twice per year, and in
some areas only once every 3 years (on a rotation basis); we will also leave some bramble
uncut, in the wild area for instance.
7. The steps, gates and paths will be maintained and the paths strimmed as necessary to provide safe and attractive access according to the level of demand.
8. The bird and bat boxes will be maintained and monitored annually and records of use kept.
9. All the young trees planted to re-stock the woodland will be maintained annually to ensure that they establish fully and managed to create a new under-storey layer in the Wood.
Longer Term Plans - 2010 and onwards
1. Review the progress made on the above short term plans, modify or continue as necessary eg
further managing of laurel, felling and carrying out remedial action on dangerous trees,
removing unwanted rubbish, etc. In particular to review the ‘wild area’, and decide whether to
make any changes.
2. To continue to control invasive species in favour of native species.
3. As noted above, we have carried out a considerable amount of work on the Wood in the last
four years. To allow the Wood to consolidate and develop naturally, following high levels of
work in the 2001 to 2005 period, we now need to do much less: complete the present projects,
improve some paths and steps and maintain the Wood, but not try to turn it into a park.
Malcolm Allen on behalf of the Woodland Trust, and a member of our Committee, has commented as follows: ‘Running in parallel to the successful acquisition of Brookings Down Wood, the Woodland Trust were looking at the potential for extending their woodland management objectives out to privately owned and managed woodlands. The wood was leased back to the RYDA (who formed the Brookings Down Wood Management Committee) and this gave the Trust the ideal opportunity to try these ideas out. Partly as a result of the success of this venture the Trust’s Community Woodland Network was set up to assist other such groups in acquiring and managing woodlands themselves.
‘Since 2000 the Management Committee have achieved an amazing amount. They have removed 2.5 acres of dense laurel, planted 1000+ young trees, removed rubbish, erected bird and bat boxes and laid hedges to enhance biodiversity, and created new entrances and paths, installed steps, way-marked trails and information boards, as well as holding open days, guided walks and to enhance public access. Much of this has been achieved by the 7- strong local committee members and a great deal of local resident support through regular volunteer working parties. The major works now almost complete the committee and supporters should now enjoy the fruits of their labours, with just the barest of annual maintenance for access and safety to undertake.’
Our cause is worthwhile, and our needs modest in comparison with the reward – a seedling tree costs little, but given time and good management it can grow to a mighty oak, supporting a host of wildlife – lichens, invertebrates, birds and small mammals; it can be a real benefit to the community.
Brookings Down Wood Management Committee (as on 26th February 2007)
Malcolm Allen Woodland Trust
Nicholas Bull
Robin Geldard
Mrs Sheila Hicks
Alec Longworth
Tim Pollard South Hams District Council, Countryside Ranger
Jeremy Spooner (Chairman) RYDA
Bob Styring
John Wilson
Chris Woodd-Walker (Secretary/Treasurer) NNPC,
Lyndayne, Stoke Road Noss Mayo Plymouth PL8 1DY
Tel: 01752 873020. Email: wooddwalker@waitrose.com