Agenda item

Members noted the draft Woodland Management Plan 2018-2028 and the following points were made:

·         Members were advised that this was a ten-year plan providing site-specific detail. It was noted that the formatting of the plan was based on the Forestry Commission’s format for grants.

·         A Member noted that it would be useful to provide an online archive of background documents, earlier versions of plans, references, guides, etc, on the City of London Corporation website. 

·         A Member stated that a for reference/further reading item could be added to the document.

·         Members discussed the overlap between the Woodland Plan and the Conservation Management Plan. The Highgate Wood, Conservation, Trees & Sustainability Manager noted that there were overriding links between the two plans which they had tried to link but they also have different elements, e.g. the Woodland Plan was limited to just woodland. It was agreed an explanation of the different plans should be provided including how they support each other.

·         A Member felt that habitat should be a separate item.

·         In response to a query regarding a potential market for commercial outlets for dead trees, etc, Members were advised that deadwood was normally retained in-situ to provide important deadwood habitat. However, there was no objection for providing smaller quantities of wood to local wood turners.

·         A Member highlighted the importance of research and the value data collected at Highgate Wood and felt that this should be highlighted in the plan. It was agreed that data/research should be mentioned under item 6 Management Strategy and include work with other science organisations.

·         It was noted that the report was very tree orientated with minimal reference to soil, which was regarded as very important as soils determine the habitat. 

·         Members supported the vision of the Management Plan but noted some changes:

o   Objective 5 to be changed to the following: Mitigate and minimise damage from compaction and erosion whilst not restricting public access and enjoyment.

o   Objective 6 to be changed to the following: Continue to survey and support research on birds, bats, fungi and moths; monitor the population of oak standards and saplings; and records wildlife sightings.

·         A Member noted a point under 4.2 that Highgate Wood was designated as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and requested that this be confirmed.

·         A Member suggested adding “collateral monitoring of spray” to the response against Oak Processionary Moth in the table under 5.2 Plant Health.

·         It was suggested that “erosion to earthworks” be added to the response against people and dogs in the table under 5.8 Other Risks.

·         A Member recommended using a spray with natural synthesised fungiside for oak saplings and along with randomised testing by a volunteer to measure the collateral impact.

·         The Chairman felt that item 7 Stakeholder Engagement required expanding. It was noted that this was covered heavily in the policy section. After discussion, it was agreed that the plan should state exactly where this is covered in the Conservation Management Plan to avoid duplication.

·         Members agreed that the introduction should explain the hierarchy between the Woodland Plan and the Conservation Management Plan.

·         It was noted that the Appendix 1, Figure 1 did not reflect all of the archaeological features within Highgate Wood. It was agreed that this figure would be replaced with a more detailed map from the Conservation Management Plan and would be checked by the Member for Highgate Society for accuracy.

·         The Highgate Wood, Conservation & Tree Manager advised Members that the deadline to provide any additional written comments was the end of April.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.