| Parkland & wood-pasture - North Devon |
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| 'Nature's Space' - N Devon LBAP |
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| Extent/Distribution There are many fine examples of parkland & wood-pasture in North Devon. These range from major sites such as Arlington Court, which is owned by the National Trust, to smaller private sites such as Buzzacot Manor in Combe Martin. It is estimated that Devon holds 1765 ha of this habitat, approximately 10% of the national resource. However, the habitat is poorly quantified due to the variety of sources and definitions. Locations: Arlington Court near Barnstaple Castle Hill Estate at Filleigh Tapeley Park at Instow Tawstock Park near Barnstaple There are many threats to this existing habitat. The wood-pasture concept of raising a timber crop on land retained in livestock production is no longer popular and many previously managed sites are threatened by neglect. Changes in agricultural practices have led to a cessation of traditional grazing practices and an intensification of management, including high fertiliser use, ploughing and reseeding and in some cases a conservation to arable land. OBJECTIVE 1: Maintain the current extent, distribution and quality of parkland
and wood-pasture in N. Devon. OBJECTIVE 2: OBJECTIVE 3: Ensure that the management of surviving sites acknowledged and incorporates the Biological value of parkland and wood-pasture as well as historical, cultural and agricultural aspects. TARGET: All sites by 2011 OBJECTIVE 4: Restore, where appropriate, the quality of
parkland and wood-pasture by ensuring long term recruitment and by linking
of existing areas of quality habitat to restored areas within a particular
site, to allow for re-colonisation of species. OBJECTIVE 5: Foster improved public understanding and awareness of the value
of dead wood as wildlife habitat and the conservation importance of
parklands wood-pastures in general. [see above] Many of the historic parklands are under active management for the
benefit of landscape and the visiting public. Countryside Stewardship
Agreements have been established at several sites including Arlington
Court and Castle Hill near Filleigh. In addition, the Forestry Commission
provides forestry practice advice to owners of woodlands and wood-pastures. Policy and legislation Continue to fund, via the Countryside Stewardship scheme, the sympathetic
management of major parkland and wood-pasture sites in Devon. Ensure due consideration is given to parkland and wood-pasture in all relevant policies in County Structure Plan and Local Plans at their next reviews LEAD: NDDC Planning Authority
Management
Ensure that Local Planning Authorities make due consideration
to PPG9 in their planning role, particularly in relation to parklands
and wood-pasture
Restore degraded areas of parkland and wood-pasture on land currently under conservation management LEAD: Site Owners Research and monitoring
Identify priority sites for management and restoration via the
compilation of an inventory of sites which includes biological assessment
and management prescription of each site Education and awareness raising
Produce a directory of local contractors and rural skills, in
order to maintain rural skills and employment Promote the incorporation of traditional land management skills into taught courses on agriculture and land management. LEAD: ALL Communicate biodiversity objectives and initiatives to landowners/farmers through newsletters of NFU, CLA, FWAG and others as appropriate. LEAD: NDDC Liaise with local retailers in order to promote markets for 'biodiversity-friendly' farm products LEAD: NFU, FWAG, Market Operators, NDAF, NDEA Examine additional ways of linking economic benefits to good environmental practice LEAD: ALL no information currently available |
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