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Notes from a Site Visit to Wivenhoe Woods on
Tuesday, 21 January 2003 by: CBC - Cllr Ken Jones, Portfolio Holder In response to local concern about management works in Wivenhoe Wood, Cllr Richard Davies sought a meeting with the CBC Portfolio Holder and the Park Ranger Team who offered to meet Cllr Davies and representatives of other organisations to walk around the Woods and Lower Lodge Farm open space in order to explain their management of them as set out in the site management and annual work plans. Paul Vickers confirmed to Cllr Ken Jones that copies of the Management Plan had been sent to Wivenhoe Town Council and Wivenhoe Society as part of the public consultation undergone before the Plan was adopted by CBC in 2001. Julia Cleave was keen to voice the concern of a large number of Wivenhoe residents about the felling of trees and also the creation of a ‘ride’ with the possibility of an extension. The following notes cover these and other concerns raised. 1. The ‘Ride’ (of 350m x 10m). It was noted that a large section of the Ride had already been cleared (from the ‘crossroads’, south to the boundary with Management Unit 2) with three ‘scallop’ clearings already created. Julia said the loss of mature trees along this stretch of the Ride, and particularly at the crossroads, was regretted by people. CBC explained the wildlife benefits and said that the trees would re-grow as coppice. 2. The ‘Ride’ (possible extension to the north). The Wivenhoe representatives present expressed a clear wish to see mature trees retained along the edge of the path, and any coppicing to therefore be in the background, say 10m from the path, thereby maintaining a ‘closed in feeling’ that many local people enjoyed. CBC agreed to consider leaving some single stemmed trees adjacent to the path and agreed to leave any large mature trees. 3. It was acknowledged that in any area to be coppiced there was a mix of trees (chestnut, sycamore, birch, hazel). It was proposed the Management Policy (MP) should be more explicit in terms of the types of trees to be felled or kept. It was noted there were no ‘protected’ trees in the wood. Julia Cleave was concerned that too few single stemmed trees would be left after the coppicing. CBC said that the aim was to develop approximately 5 such trees in a coppice block of 0.5 ha though these may be of different heights and ages. 4. Unit 5 - Heathland Area. There was general agreement in the value of retaining the heath flora in the ‘scrubland area’ but concern about two silver birch trees which had been felled. CBC explained that, in line with the management plan, this area needed to be managed by the cyclical cutting of shrubs and trees. CBC agreed to consider whether necessary to build any more beetle pyramids. 5. Lower Lodge Meadow 5.1 To improve access for pushchairs and wheelchairs to the adventure playground, it was noted that a surfaced path is to be installed from near the end of Spring Lane through a small oak copse along the edge of the scrub area at the top of the meadow. 5.2 The willows in the seepage line were discussed. Julia Cleave said the present form of the willows was well liked. CBC said it was necessary to coppice them rotationally over a 3 year period in order to maintain their current appearance. This would be done selectively and not in blocks. 5.3 CBC explained concerns about the tall willows by the railway line were unfounded. 6. ‘Parkification’ Concern was expressed that too many surfaced paths, seats, signs, etc might detract from the natural qualities of the site. CBC share this concern and said that any proposals to carry out work of this kind would be discussed at annual work plan meetings. 7. Other points. 7.1 Rather than put wood chippings on paths that tend to become a soggy mess, WTC could make use of them on landscape work in Wivenhoe (eg at the top of KGV in the tree / shrub northern border). Cllr Richard Davies to liase with Richard Moulson about using them. 7.2 In return, consider whether WTC might contribute more stones into boggy paths to build up a natural looking path to aid walkers. CBC to consider this offer. 7.3 The menace of sycamore seedlings was noted. Richard Mash said weed-killer might be used in certain areas to help control. There was a danger of a proliferation of silver birch seedlings too. 8. Wivenhoe Town Council. Cllr Peter Hill advised that the Town Council had agreed to establish a Working Party of Cllrs and lay members, reporting direct to the full Town Council, specifically to work in partnership with CBC Park Rangers, to help prepare future Action Plans and provide better liaison and communication with local residents. It was also noted that the Town Council’s Wivenhoe web site could be used as one means to publicise Action Plans, as well the Management Plans which provide an overall policy framework. This web site is available to the PRT to use and any material should be sent to Cllr Peter Hill. 9. Re WTC owned part of the Wood. Cllr Peter Hill requested that any previous suggestions about woodland management in the WTC owned part of the wood be put on hold pending further local discussion. CBC confimed they had no current plans to do any work but offered to trim any branches interfering with paths. This offer was gratefully accepted. 10. Conclusion. Thanks were expressed to Cllr Richard Davies for organising the meeting. The Wivenhoe people expressed their appreciation to Cllr Ken Jones and the Park Ranger team for the (wet) afternoon spent in the Woods and the time taken by them to explain actions as well to listen to concerns. Thanks were also given for improvements like the clearing and surfacing of the car park at the Rosabelle Avenue entrance. Cllr Peter Hill |