Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Epping Forest

The Superintendent presented the Swaines Green, Management Plan and informed the Committee that Swaines Green was purchased by the City of London with significant financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2005. The management of the land had largely been carried out by volunteers, particularly those supervised by Epping Forest Countrycare and The Friends of Swaines Green group. The Friends group had also developed various access and habitat management proposals, two of which, a boardwalk and new pond, had been implemented.

Future access and conservation work requires coordination and agreement on

the priorities in order to enhance the value of the site for wildlife and access

and to prevent avoidable habitat losses. The draft management plan had received full support from the key partners at the Friends of Swaines Green and Epping Forest District and Epping Town Councils.

A Member commented that the Plan addressed vegetation management but not visitor access and that the planned work programme needed prioritisation. In response to a query from Members, officers agreed to investigate why the Green was not listed as Epping Forest Land – this point already under active consideration under the Land Registration project. Officers also assured the Committee that an Outreach Worker from the nearby St John’s School had been included in the local consultation.

RESOLVED – That Members approved the draft Management Plan to allow its implementation in partnership with the Friends of Swaines Green, Epping Forest Conservation Volunteers (EFCV), Epping Forest District Council Countrycare service and other stakeholders.