Brackenhill Park
Park Woodland
Management Plan
Date (dd/mm/yyyy) / 7. 6. 2011 / To / 2031Date of last review [1](2.1.3) / N/A
Owner / tenant / Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Agent / contact / Bob Thorp
Signed declaration of tenure rights and agreement to public availability of the plan[2]
(UKWAS 1.1.3/1.1.5/2.1.2)
1. Background information
1.1 Location
Nearest town, village or feature / BradfordGrid reference / SE141318
Total area (ha) / 2.67
1.2 Description of the woodland(s) in the landscape
Brackenhill Park’s woodland is set within a formal Victorian park . It joins with other urban woodland to the east and has a now heavily wooded former railway line along the northern boundary. The parks’ stock of large mature broadleaves contributes to breaking up the landscape of housing and industrial buildings.1.3 History of management
There is no record of tree management2. Woodland information
2.1 Areas and features
2.1.1 Designated areas / In woodland / Adjacent to woodland / MapSpecial Areas for Conservation (SACs)
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
Ramsar Sites (see note on Guidance)
National Nature Reserves (NNRs)
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
Other designations e.g.: National Parks (NPs), Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)
Details
N/A
2.1.2 Rare and important species / In woodland / Adjacent to woodland / Map
Red Data Book or BAP species / Yes
Rare, threatened, EPS or SAP species
Details
Vesper bat and house martin have been recorded in the park (West Yorkshire Ecology Records)
2.1.3 Habitats / In woodland / Adjacent to woodland / Map
Ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW)
Other semi-natural woodland
Plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS)
Semi-natural features in PAWS
Woodland margins and hedges
Veteran and other notable trees
Breeding sites
Habitats of notable species or subject to HAPs
Unimproved grassland
Rides and open ground / Yes / Yes / Woodland
Valuable wildlife communities
Feeding areas
Lowland heath
Peatlands
Others
Details
There are areas of open ground within the park and in the adjoining Urban Landscaped Area
2.1.4 Water / In woodland / Adjacent to woodland / Map
Watercourses / Yes / Watercourses
Lakes
Ponds
Wetland habitats
Details
A small stream and pond are located in the adjoining Urban Landscaped Area
2.1.5 Landscape / In woodland / Adjacent to woodland / Map
Landscape designated areas
Landscape features
Rock exposures
Historic landscapes
Areas of the woodland prominent from roads / Yes
Areas of the woodland prominent from settlements / Yes
Details
The trees of this park are a notable feature of the area and contribute to its visual character
2.1.6 Cultural features / In woodland / Adjacent to woodland / Map
Public rights of way
Prominent viewing points
Permissive footpaths
Areas managed with traditional management systems
Details
All woodland in the park and adjoining area is entirely open to the public
2.1.7 Archaeological features / In woodland / Adjacent to woodland / Map
Scheduled monument
Historical features
Details
N/A
2.2 Woodland resource characteristics
Alder, beech, birch, cherry, horse chestnut, norway maple, norway spruce, plane, swedish whitebeam and thorn occur in the designated woodland area of the park. There is little ground cover, there are areas which if managed sympathetically would possibly allow regeneration to begin.2.3 Site description
A Victorian park on the outskirts of Bradford with an area of mature trees as well as individual mature trees in the park itself. Althought the park is largely surrounded by housing, the area of trees connects with other woodland, and an abandoned railway cutting which has become a naturally generated linear wood. Vehicle access is possible to all parts of the site.2.4 Significant hazards, constraints and threats
There are no notable hazards or constraints in the park, and the there does not appear to be problems from vandalism or other threats associated with urban environments3. Long term vision, management objectives and strategy
3.1 Long term vision
The long term vision is to maintain the parks’ stock of trees as a visual and environmental benefit, and to create, together with other adjoining woods an area of high biodiversity within an urban environment which will deliver educational and recreational benefits to the local communities.3.2 Management objectives
No. / Objective1 / Maintain the trees in a safe condition for park users
2 / Manage the trees to develop the biodiversity potential of the park and surrounding area
3.3 Strategy
The long term strategy is to maintain the mature trees in good condition, if opportunity arises any planting will be with native broadleaf species. Where possible deadwood and any arboricultural arisings will be left to increase the habitat value of the site.3.4 Woodfuel initiative
Would you be interested in receiving information on funding opportunities for the purchase of harvesting machinery or wood fuel boilers?No (delete as appropriate)
4. Management prescriptions/operations
4.1 Silvicultural systems
4.1.1 HarvestingN/A
4.1.2 Phased felling and restructuring of plantations
N/A
4.1.3 Establishment, restocking and regeneration
If space becomes available individuals of native species will be used for restocking, and regeneration will be encouraged to develop
4.2 New planting
N/A4.3 Other operations
N/A4.4 Protection and maintenance
4.4.1 Pest and disease management
There are no known pests on this site4.4.2 Fire plan
In the event of a fire,actions for B.M.D.C. staff are;
1 Contact the Fire and Rescue Service
2 Attend with beaters if possible
3 Close the wood to the public
Fire and Rescue will normally attend with one pump and call upon further resources as necessary
4.4.3 Waste disposal and pollution
If any pollutants are carried into the wood during arboricultural work they will have been identified in the operational risk assesment and an appropriate spill kit will be carried
4.4.5 Protection of other services and values
N/A
4.4.5 Protection of other identified services and values (4.1.1)
N/A
4.5 Game management
N/A4.6 Protecting and enhancing landscape, biodiversity and special features
4.6.1 Management of designated areasN/A
4.6.2 Measures to enhance biodiversity and other special features (2.1.1k and 6.1.1)
Where public safety considerations allow, deadwood and arboricultural arisings will be left on site. Regeneration and the formation of an understorey will be encouraged
4.6.3 Special measures for ASNW and SNW
N/A
4.6.4 Special measures for PAWS
N/A
4.6.5 Measures to mitigate impacts on landscape and neighbouring land (3.1.2)
N/A
4.7 Management of social and cultural values
4.7.1 Archaeology and sites of cultural interestN/A
4.7.2 Public access and impacts on local people
The wooded area is open to public access
5. Consultation
Organisation/individual / Date received / Comment / Response/actionPublic / Notification of any necessary work through signage
6. Monitoring plan summary
Objective number, issue or UKWAS Requirement / Indicator / Method of assessment / Monitoring period / Responsibility / How will information be used?Maintain the trees in a safe condition / Visual / Q.T.R.A. assesment / Annually / B. M. D .C. / To task work teams
Increase biodiversity / Species presence / Visual / Annually / B. M..D .C / To monitor effectiveness of plan
(Amendments to guidance – replicable to allow comparison over time 2.3.2b and required scope of monitoring activities 2.3.2c plus annual monitoring related to effectiveness of measures for special areas 2.3.5)
7. Work programmes
7.1 Outline long-term work programme (2011 to 2031)
Compartment or area / Activity / Year6-10 / 11-15 / 16-20
All park / Arboricultural work as necessary / / / / / /
All park / Restock with native species if opportunity occurs / / / / / /
7.2 Short-term work programme (2011 to 2016)
Compartment or area / Activity / Year1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
All park / Arboricultural work as generated by inspections / / / / / / / / / /
8. Costings (2.2.1)
Currently all costings will be met by B.M.D.C
9. Maps
List all maps here and append to plan.
Map No./Title / DescriptionWoodlands / Identifies woodland
Watercourses / Identifies watercourses
10. Thinning, felling and restocking proposals
Applicants seeking funding through the wood fuel initiative for harvesting machinery or wood fuel boilers must indicate the total volume that is to be thinned and felled during the period of this plan, by completing Table A.
This section should not be completed for any other applications.
All applicants must complete Table B. where harvesting work is to be undertaken.
Table A.
Species / Total estimated volume to be harvested during plan period (m3)Broadleaves
Conifers
Management Plan Framework Release Version 2.1 (18 August 2009)
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Table B.
This section must be completed if you wish to gain felling licence approval from the Forestry Commission. The work detailed below should match the proposals set out in the plan.
For details on how to complete the table, please refer to EWGS 4 Woodland Regeneration Grant Guide (PDF 84kb).
Cpt/sub cpt / Area / Area to be worked / Type of felling / % of felled area comprising / Type of licence / Change in woodland type / Preferred claim year / Restock species % / Establishment by natural regeneration% / Standard proposals / Notes
BL / CON
Management Plan Framework Release Version 2.1 (18 August 2009)
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Addition information if required
Management Plan Framework Release Version 2.1 (18 August 2009)
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[1] The plan must be reviewed every five years.
[2] As owner, tenant or manager, you have the right to manage the wood in accordance with this plan. At least a summary of the management plan must be made publicly available on request.