Hordle Parish Council has been advised by Hampshire County Council that Golden Hill has been designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). This decision has been approved by the Hampshire SINCs panel which comprises Natural England, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Hampshire County Council.
HCC describes SINCs as follows:
"SINCs are a UK-wide non-statutory designation intended to identify sites of high nature conservation value. They are also known as Local Sites or Local Wildlife Sites. Together with the statutorily designated sites such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), SINCs form a vital component of the biodiversity of Hampshire. There are over 3,800 SINCs , many of which contain habitats or features that cannot be easily recreated. Maintenance of their wildlife interest relies upon continued good stewardship by landowners and managers. The SINC designation does not impose any land management restrictions or alllow public access beyond what already exists."
Furthemore, HCC advise that "owners of SINCs are eligible for free advice on habitat management and grant aid from a variety of sources."
HCC state that "the rationale for the selection of the new SINC is as folows:
Golden Hill comprises a small block of recent semi-natural woodland, situated in and around an old gravel or clay pit, on the eastern side of the Danes Steam, between Ashley and Hordle, New Forest. 17 ancient woodland indicator species were recorded and the site is actively managed for wildlife by the local people."
Golden Hill meets two of the criteria for designation as a SINC:
"1B-Other woodland where there is a significant element of ancient semi-natural woodland surviving."
"7A-Sites of nature conservation interest which occur in areas otherwise deficient in such interest, and/or are known to be of particularly high value to local communities e.g community wildlife sites."
This is very good news for Golden Hill, especially as SINCs are taken into account within Local Development Framework(LDF) documents and development decisions.
Finally, the first Golden Hill working day for the new season is planned for Saturday 11th September, starting at 10:00. All enquiries to myself on 0798-919-6881 or the Clerk at Hordle Parish Council.
Alan Bollom-Parish Councillor and Project Manager
Golden Hill Woodland – Management Plan
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General Description: The land was conveyed to Hordle Parish Council together with another nearby piece of land in 1920. This land was to be held “as a village recreation ground or open space or public park.”
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Location: The Parish of Hordle, between Hare Lane and Ashley Lane, at western entrance to village. Grid reference: SZ 263 955. Approximately 100 ft. above sea level (ordnance datum) on a steeply sloping piece of ground with a busy road to the north, an increasingly busy country lane on two sides and a track to the west.
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Area: Approximately 3 acres.
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Tenure: Freehold - Hordle Parish Council.
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Access: There are no public rights of way, but two main paths traverse the site, linked by a small path in the middle. There are four main footpath entrances. The paths are narrow and overgrown in parts but still traversable. The paths are surfaced in the main with hard-core, gravel stone, pebble and/or gravel.
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Status: Secondary woodland.
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Geology and soils: Much of the surrounding are is marine and river terrace gravel with river terrace drift of waterlogged fine loam over clayey soil. The site was dug for marl in the middle of the nineteenth century. Marl was spread on farmland to ”sweeten” the land. The site is a mixture of free-draining soils and more marshy areas with ponds.
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History: The six inch Ordnance Survey map of 1870 shows the area as a pit with no indication of the tree cover. The land was conveyed to the parish council in 1920 as mentioned above.
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Flora and Fauna: A Flora Survey was carried out in 2006 and identified trees, shrubs and ground flora present. A detailed survey of the fauna is required in order to protect and enhance the various habitats found throughout the woodland.
The site consists of secondary woodland supporting a wide variety of tree and shrub species with a developing ground cover. Extensive areas of great horsetail are scrubbed over, predominantly by mature sallows. These support large growths of lichen. In the more freely draining areas there is relatively dense tree cover of mature oak and ash over holly, birch, crab apple, rhododendron, sycamore, etc. Ground cover is spreading with dense bramble in some areas. An important feature of the site is the series of ponds and boggy sections formed by marl extraction referred to earlier. These are fed by drainage and surface water.
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Evaluation: Golden Hill is one of the last areas of the village over which residents have free access to enjoy a largely unspoilt woodland setting. The denseness of growth round the access points has certainly discouraged people from entering. Whilst this lack of disturbance has encouraged growth of certain species, these have not been entirely welcome in such proliferation, such as brambles. Lack of regular use by the public has also encouraged the proliferation of litter and dog fouling. This could possibly be halted by improving access and general visibility within the site from the perimeter.
The site is of prime importance as a wildlife haven and an area for amenity use. It’s value as an educational resource could be increased.
The woodland lies at one of the main entrances to the village and effective visible management of the site would certainly improve first impressions of the parish.
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Position to Summer 2009
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The concrete dam built in the main pond has bee repaired but the smaller dam, built when the larger dam was repaired, has failed. Repair/replacement of this dam should be completed in August 2009. |
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Overhanging trees have been cleared from areas bordering the main pond. Further remedial work required. |
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The paths have become overgrown in part by trees and vegetation. Further clearance required. |
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The surface of the footpaths has deteriorated in places. Consideration required for resurfacing. |
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Boardwalk repaired. Further boardwalks required for damp/muddy paths. |
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Clearance of scrub has continued to provide glades. Some regeneration of ground flora has commenced. |
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Site interpretation board now installed at site entrance off Ashley Lane. |
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Management objectives:
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To increase the public’s use of this valuable facility whilst still preserving and retaining the essential character of the woodland. |
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To improve and maintain access. |
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To promote use as an educational resource. |
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To conserve and enhance the variety of habitats throughout the site. |
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Implementation of objectives:
Wildlife:
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Main Pond - Repair/replace small dam |
Continue to clear overhanging trees/shrubs.
Identify and clear uninvited plants from pond.
Coppice willow.
Monitor water level.
Monitor water quality.
Undertake a survey of the fauna and habitats found throughout the site.
Marsh Areas:
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Create glades alongside paths to encourage variety of growth. |
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Try to maintain water supply to these areas. |
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Control scrub. |
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Retain some specified areas of sallow. |
Woodland:
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Create selected glades. |
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Coppice hazel. |
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Plant more broadleaves. |
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Clear surplus rhododendron |
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Clear or reduce in height trees surrounding main pond to increase amount of light. |
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Regular clearance of specified areas of brambles. Consider planting of more appropriate plants. |
Access:
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Site interpretation board installed April 2009 |
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Consider improved access from Hare Lane. |
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Consider utilising triangle of parish council owned land, bordering Lavender Road and Hare Lane, as amenity car parking. |
Public Awareness:
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Provide regular articles in local newsletters of progress on project. |
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Possibly invite visitors from local community and schools for tours of site. |
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Ensure that project receives coverage in local Press. |
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Encourage volunteers from local community to assist in conservation work. |
14. Finance: The Parish Council’s finances are very limited and efforts must be made to secure grants and other sources of financial assistance. Continued conservation and enhancement of the site will require constant funding if the project is to be sustained indefinitely.
For more information
contact : Alan Bollom (Project Manager)
Tel.01590-641769. Mobile 0798-919-6881.
E-mail:- aab.ab1@btinternet.com