Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Superintendent introduced a report on the Management Work Plan for the Model Farm Compartment. He noted that the City of London had taken responsibility for this area of land under a s106 agreement concerning Athlone House a number of years ago. He added that it was important to have areas of non-intervention on a site such as the Heath, which saw circa seven million visits per annum. In the case of the Model Farm, this ensured that a large population of grass snakes had the ability to enjoy a natural habitat free from regular human intervention.

He went on to note that the area of land demarcated as ‘Harry’s Land’ on the aerial photograph on page 119 of the agenda pack referred to land, the title deeds of which belonged to an individual who had successfully claimed ownership – with assistance of the local community – of the land through adverse possession from the company that had purchased Athlone House.

He concluded by noting the concerns expressed by the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee that a visit to this area of land, ordinarily closed to the public, had only been offered to members of the Committee at very short notice. An alternative date for a visit to the Compartment would therefore be organised at a future date.

RESOLVED –

·         That Members approve the detailed management plan for the Model Farm Compartment of the Heath.