Section 3 Chapter 2 How to Use Information from External Sources Purpose This chapter is aimed at Management Planner and explains how to use information provided by external organisations when preparing Better Woodlands for Wales (BWW) Foundation Plans and Management Plans. Related documents include:     A Guide to Information Sharing and Consultation within Better Woodlands for Wales How to Complete a Foundation Plan How to Complete a Management Plan Approach to Appropriate Assessments and European Protected Species Version 1.0: Feburary 2007, original version Version 1.1: November 2009, Re-formatting Introduction Information from External Sources (IfES) is a process within the new BWW scheme. When a Management Plan application is approved, the IfES process is initiated. Information is requested from various organisations about the land which the application relates to. When returned, this information is available to the Planner and they use it to prepare the Management Plan thus minimising the need for changes to the plan following its submission to FCW. An organisation providing information for use within the BWW scheme is known as an ‘Information Provider’ (IP). The process is shown in Figure 1. 2.1 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 Management Planners Versions How to Use Information from External Sources Figure 1 - IfES Process Initial Application made by Management Planner FCW considers application & decides whether IfES is required Yes Key: FC IP sends data to FCW within agreed timescale & says whether further consultation is required or not All data from IPs placed in BWW case file by FCW Management Planner prepares Foundation Plan No Management Planner FCW sends IP boundary map & basic property information & indicative work Information Provider We will provide a ‘Constraints Report’ which is derived from the FCW Geographic Information System (GIS) (see example in Appendix 1). The report includes all statutory designations both within the site and within 500m of the woodland edge. It will also show which Information Providers we may contact about the site. The report contains information on:         Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM) Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) Ancient and Semi Natural Woodland (ASNW) Woodland Officer areas WIG Haulage Zones previous grant schemes, CCW Regions The Constraints Report can be viewed through the Grants and Licences Online Service (GLOS), via the Foundation Plan ‘External Data’ screen, by clicking the underlined text in the ‘Information Supplied’ column (see Figure 2 below). We will also ask the following Information Providers (IPs) for any information they may hold for the location:      Local Authorities Archaeological Trusts Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) Cadw Local Record Centres 2.2 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 Management Planners What information will be provided? How to Use Information from External Sources The following data will be provided by other organisations i.e. Information Providers (IPs): Information sent to FCW from other organisations i.e. Information Providers (IPs): e.g. Reports will generally be provided in Microsoft Word (.doc) format or as a Portable Document Format (PDF). Maps will be provided as PDF or as an image file such as JPEG. This information can also be viewed in the Foundation plan Screens under the ‘External Data’ tab and then by clicking on the ‘Information Supplied’ column (see Figure 2 below). IPs will also indicate whether they want to be consulted once the Management Plan has been drafted and will provide contact details. If they have asked to be consulted, you must include them as Consultees in the Foundation Plan. If the IP has no statutory involvement, you must mark them as non-compulsory responders. How to use information when writing the Foundation Plan Having read the information provided, Planners need to decide what is relevant to the Management Plan and how it should be treated within the plan. If there is uncertainty about any information, the Planner should initially contact the Woodland Officer for the case. If they are unable to help directly, they will either contact the IP or provide the Planner with an appropriate contact name within the IP organisation. Where the information provided is considered by the Planner to be important it should be listed as an ‘Issue’ on the ‘Issues’ screen in the Foundation Plan. For example, the presence of a major archaeological site would be recorded as an Archaeology Issue with a description and appropriate priority (‘Importance’) rating (see Figure 3). Woodland Officers can also ask Planners to recognise information as an Issue. Figure 3 Foundation Report Issues screen 2.3 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 Management Planners Figure 2 Foundation Plan External Data screen Information provided by IPs is likely to be highly relevant where operations such as clearfelling/restocking, new planting and tracking are to be carried out. In some circumstances, for example where a local authority has identified a TPO tree on the edge of the woodland, operations such as tracking may have no impact on the TPO tree. In such circumstances, simply list the TPO tree or trees as a Landscape Issue of Low Importance. Information received should also be used to help determine whether any Specialist Assessments are required. For example, if the Local Record Centre provides information indicating that a peregrine falcon is nesting on cliffs within the woodland, there would be a strong case for an ecological assessment. The Foundation Plan should not be submitted until all information has been received and studied, or the agreed response time (generally 14 days) has elapsed. Table 1 below describes the type of information that will be provided by IPs and gives guidance on how it should be used in the Foundation Plan. Table 1 - Type of Information provided by IPs Information Provider/ document format Type of information Guidance on how to use the information during Foundation Plan preparation. CCW CCW will provide information on a colourcoded pro-forma that will be the same for all BWW applications: Examples: WORD doc & Green = general property information JPEG maps 2.4 | Blue = Designation information: i.e. whether management agreements with the landowner (S15 & S16 agreements) are in place within the scheme boundary or a 500m buffer. Whether the site or buffer contains ASNW/PAWS woodland. S15/16 agreement in place for managing heather moorland – list as an Issue under ‘non woodland habitat’ in the Foundation Plan (FP) and consult with CCW during Management Plan (MP) preparation to ensure forest operations (drainage etc) does not effect the non woodland habitat. Regionally Important Geological and How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 Management Planners How to Use Information from External Sources How to Use Information from External Sources Information Provider/ document format Type of information Guidance on how to use the information during Foundation Plan preparation. Whether the site or buffer contains any sites of Geological Importance (RIGS sites); Phase 1 (non-woodland habitat) survey information. ‘Note-able’ species (e.g. EU protected species and Schedule 1 birds). Geomorphological Sites (RIGS). Ensure forest operations do not affect the site. [Note: FCW & CCW are working to try to provide planners with a link to SSSI information on the CCW website directly from the map browser within GLOS] Yellow = Consultation: Whether the CCW District team require further consultation during BWW Management Plan preparation. Green = Sign Off by the relevant CCW team. Phase 1 habitat information. Any important non-woodland habitat identified by CCW should be listed as a high/medium priority issue under ‘important BAP species and nonwoodland habitat’ in the FP. Consult with CCW during Management Plan (MP) preparation. EU protected species e.g. bluebell/ Schedule 1 birds – list as a species issue under ‘important BAP species and non-woodland habitat’ in the FP & consult with CCW during MP preparation. S15/16 agreements are applicable to SSSIs. S15 of the Countryside Act 1968 and S16 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 is an agreement between the owner/occupier and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) as to the management of the land, including the carrying out of work. Local Authority/ National Park Tree Preservation Order (TPO) information – these may be individual trees, woodland or area TPOs. JPEG map County Wildlife Site information – County Wildlife Sites are unscheduled sites that have been identified by the LA as important for wildlife. They are also referred to as Sites Important for Nature Conservation (SINC) or Local Wildlife Sites. possibly WORD doc Archaeological Trust1 PDF The four Archaeological Trusts in Wales will produce: Woodland Historic Environment 1 (WHE1) report where the site is important in terms of the historic environment. This report will be a desk exercise and will have 2 List as a Landscape Issue in the FP and give an appropriate priority rating depending on the location & extent of the TPO trees. If the Planner lists a County Wildlife Site as an Issue and treats as a Factor or Feature, it may be appropriate for the Planner to contact the local Wildlife Trust, as well as the Council, during the consultation phase. List all identified elements as one Archaeology Issue – usually high or medium priority particularly when operations such as new planting or clearfelling will take place. You should note each element in the details box 1 There are four Archaeological Trusts in Wales: Clwyd-Powys AT; Cambrian AT; Gwynedd AT and GlamorganGwent AT. All the Archaeological Trusts in Wales will be using a similar format for reports. 2.5 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 Management Planners What are S15/S16 Management agreements? Information Provider/ document format & JPEG maps Type of information Guidance on how to use the information during Foundation Plan preparation. sections: for the issue. 1) Historic Environment Features - specific information & management requirements 2) General Management requirements including planning actions and mitigation actions. Archaeology/historic environment will usually be a Factor affecting another Feature, unless the archaeological site is significant enough, e.g. a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM), to be considered as a Feature. The Archaeological Trust may recommend a field survey. You should include this as a Specialist Assessment in the Foundation Plan. The Woodland Officer will make a judgement whether the FC agrees to the survey. Where further work is required, a Woodland Historic Environment 2 (WHE2 field survey) will be carried out. This will follow a similar format to the above but will be more extensive and detailed and be used for the production of the Management Plan. Local Record Centre2 PDF Species report The information will be organised listing the most important species first a) on the site & b) in the 500m buffer zone of the site: Where Local Priority species and Species of Conservation Concern are present on a site, list as a high priority species issue and a Factor. Legally protected species will require the consent of CCW before work can be carried out. Local Priority Species UK & EU legally protected species. Section 74 (CROW Act) species. UKBAP Priority Species. Red List Birds Species of Conservation Concern UK Species of conservation concern. Red Data Book (RDB) & nationally scarce species. Amber List Birds & other locally important species. Records of other species may also be classed as high priority, depending on owner objectives, but are more likely to be medium or low priority issues or not listed at all. If a species is not listed then the Planner needs to be able to justify why not. It is not necessary to create a separate Issue in the Foundation Plan for each species. In most cases it would be sufficient to create a single Issue for Important BAP species, and list the relevant species in the description. Records of other species 2 There are only two LRC’s currently functional in Wales: 1) Brecon Beacons Biodiversity Information Service (BIS) covering the Brecon Beacons NP area and the remainder of Powys; and 2) SE Wales Biodiversity Record Centre (SEWBREC) covering the old counties of Gwent & Glamorgan. A further 2 LRCs are planned for 2007/8, which will cover the rest of Wales. 2.6 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 Management Planners How to Use Information from External Sources How to Use Information from External Sources How to use information when writing the Management Plan IfES will have been used at the Foundation Plan stage to identify the key issues which will go on to be considered within the Management Plan. The Foundation Plan sets out whether issues are to be treated as Features, Factors or Desired Characteristics. Interpreting species information can be difficult, particularly if the species groups are unfamiliar, such as lichen or invertebrates. On designated sites, such as SSSIs, CCW will be available as a consultee to provide guidance to Planners. On non-designated sites, Planners should use other available sources of information to help with their decisions. For some important species, there may be a requirement for a specialist ecological assessment - you should discuss this with your woodland officer. On SSSIs where protected species may be affected by forest operations, the owner may need to apply to the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) for a licence to carry out this work. CCW can advise the Planner further on the need for species licences. 2.7 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 Management Planners Good information on woodland bird and bat species is available in the FC guides ‘Woodland Management for Bats’ (ISBN0855386673) and ‘Woodland Management for Birds’ (ISBN 1901930564). How to Use Information from External Sources Appendixes Appendix 1: Example Constraints Report Note: The blue text is what you will see on your Constraints Report. The black italic text has been added for the purposes of this document to help explain the blue text. Forestry Commission Constraints check, run on 5 November, 2009 @ 15:52 Big Wood Approximate Grid Ref: SJ123456 Check performed on: Selected Feature(s) with a 500m Buffer (Co-ordinates: X Y) Indicates that both the ‘selected feature i.e. the boundary of the scheme, and an area of 500m around the boundary of the scheme have been searched using a GIS and the following information has been found. Search information for the ‘selected feature’ is presented first, followed by information about the buffer area. The selected feature contains the following constraints: New Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites Identifies the site as a Plantation on a Ancient Woodland site – this information should be treated as a issue in the foundation plan and will to lead to a PAWS assessment if the site is over 3ha. WGS MkIII Scheme Shows which current WGS schemes exist on the property. Management Planners should take previous management history and any remaining WGS funded work into account when writing Foundation and Management Plans. • • • • 050001097/001 - Baron Hill - Cefn Covert & Hafod ty Covert 050001123/001 - Bodynfoel Wood 050001613/001 - Penllys Rough And Llys Coppice 050001613/001 - Penllys Rough And Llys Coppice (completely within) Ancient Woodland Inventory 2004 Shows that the site has been identified as ASNW & PAWS on the Ancient Woodland Inventory. • Ancient and Semi Natural Woodland • Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site Woodland Officer Areas Shows contact details for relevant Woodland Officer. • BRIAN BARKER - 07717 301773 - 01938 557415 Technical Services Officer Areas Shows contact details for relevant Technical Services Officer. The Technical Services Officers are based in the FCW office in Ruthin, North Wales and deal with the administration and mapping issues for BWW. • Rhian Corlett- Rhian.Corlett @forestry.gsi.gov.uk WIG Haulage Zones Shows which zones the site falls into for the purposes of calculating Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) using the ‘WIG Calculator’. • ZONE 1 2.8 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 Management Planners • 50900285 - Llys Wood How to Use Information from External Sources Native woodland plans.shp Shows if any Native Woodland Plans have been carried out on the woods within the BWW plan boundary. • Bodynfoel • Llys Coppice and Penllys Rough Prow.shp Shows whether Public rights of way exist within the plan boundary – information only. • Unidentified Feature • Unidentified Feature (completely within) Local Record Centres Shows which Local Record Centre (LRC) operates within the area covered by the plan. Where a LRC operates in the area, FCW will request species information and upload this information so it can be viewed on the ‘External Data’ screen (see Figure 2 above). • Biodiversity Information Service for Powys and Brecon Beacons National Park - Janet Imlach (Manager) fcw@b-i-s.org Archaeological Trusts Shows which Archaeological Trust operates within the area covered by the plan. Where an Archaeological Trust operates in the area, FCW will request archaeological information and upload this information so it can be viewed on the ‘External Data’ screen (see Figure 2 above). LBAP Areas Shows whether a Local Biodiversity Action plan is in place for the area covered by the scheme. Planners should refer to the LBAP when producing the Foundation Plan. • POWYS - POWYS CCW Regions Shows which CCW region operates in the area covered by the application. • South East - cardiffreception@ccw.gov.uk - UNIT 7 CASTLETON COURT FORTRAN ROAD ST MELLONS CARDIFF Cadw Management Areas Shows that Cadw operates in the area covered by the application. • Cadw SAM Inspector Areas Shows which Cadw inspector monitors Scheduled Ancient Monument sites in the area. • Sian Rees - 029 2082 6164 SAM Warden Areas Shows which Cadw warden monitors Scheduled Ancient Monument sites in the area. • Ian Halfpenney - 07968 609837 Deer Initiative Address Shows contact details for the Wales Deer Initiative. • Wales Deer Initiative - Jackie Brinton - admin@thedeerinitiative.co.uk Unitary Authority Boundary 2.9 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 Management Planners • Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust - trust@cpat.org.uk How to Use Information from External Sources • Powys - Andy Dodgson - andyd@powys.gov.uk Less Favoured Area Shows Agricultural Land category. • Severely Disadvantaged Welsh Community Boundary • LLANFECHAIN COMMUNITY Electoral Division • LLANSANTFFRAID ED Parliamentary Constituency Boundary • MONTGOMERYSHIRE CO CONST & ACONST The buffer zone (500m) contains the following constraints: New Felling Licence Application Indicates that there is a new felling licence application within the buffer zone of the site. Management Planners • 050/9/02-03- New Native Woodland Plan Indicates that there is a Native Woodland Plan within the buffer zone of the site. • 5000163 - LLANDEGWYN HOME FAR New Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (as above) • 50900285 - Llys Wood WGS MkIII Scheme (as above) • • • • 050001097/001 - Baron Hill - Cefn Covert & Hafod ty Covert 050001123/001 - Bodynfoel Wood 050001197/001 - Llangedwyn Estate 050001613/001 - Penllys Rough And Llys Coppice WGS MkI Scheme (as above) • 421000005/001 (completely within) Felling Licence Applications (as above) • 050/09/02-03 • 050/71/00-01 • 050/80/99-00 Felling Licence Applications (Pre Apr 98) 2.10 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 How to Use Information from External Sources (as above) • 95/4/84 Ancient Woodland Inventory 2004 (as above) • Ancient and Semi Natural Woodland • Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site Woodland Officer Areas (as above) • BRIAN BARKER - 07717 301773 - 01938 557415 Technical Services Officer Areas (as above) • Sarah Brown - Sarah.Brown@forestry.gsi.gov.uk WIG Haulage Zones (as above) • ZONE 1 Management Planners Native woodland plans.shp (as above) • Bodynfoel • Llangedwyn Home Farm • Llys Coppice and Penllys Rough Prow.shp (as above) • Unidentified Feature • Unidentified Feature (completely within) Local Record Centres (as above) • Biodiversity Information Service for Powys and Brecon Beacons National Park - Janet Imlach (Manager) fcw@b-i-s.org Archaeological Trusts (as above) • Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust - trust@cpat.org.uk Tir Gofal Farm Boundary Indicates there is a farm in the Tir Gofal scheme within the buffer zone. • 1 HILL COTTAGE - SE_09_004925 • LLANGEDWYN HOME FARM - SE_08_003290 LBAP Areas 2.11 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 How to Use Information from External Sources (as above) • POWYS - POWYS CCW Regions (as above) • South East - cardiffreception@ccw.gov.uk - UNIT 7 CASTLETON COURT FORTRAN ROAD ST MELLONS CARDIFF Cadw Management Areas (as above) • Cadw SAM Inspector Areas (as above) • Sian Rees - 029 2082 6164 SAM Warden Areas (as above) • Ian Halfpenney - 07968 609837 Management Planners Deer Initiative Address (as above) • Wales Deer Initiative - Jackie Brinton - admin@thedeerinitiative.co.uk Unitary Authority Boundary • Powys - Andy Dodgson - andyd@powys.gov.uk Less Favoured Area • Less Favoured • Severely Disadvantaged Welsh Community Boundary • LLANFECHAIN COMMUNITY • LLANGEDWYN COMMUNITY Electoral Division • LLANRHAEADR-YM-MOCHNANT/LLANSILIN ED • LLANSANTFFRAID ED Parliamentary Constituency Boundary • CLWYD SOUTH CO CONST & ACONST • MONTGOMERYSHIRE CO CONST & ACONST This check was performed against the following constraints: New WGS Scheme; New Felling Licence Application; New Forest Plan; New Native Woodland Plan; New Pre Approved Schemes; New Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites; New Continuous Cover Forestry; WGS MkIII Scheme; WGS MkII Scheme; WGS MkI Scheme; Walkers Welcome Woodland; Felling Licence Applications; Felling Licence Applications(Pre Apr 98); FC Private Dedications; Approved Long Term Forest Plans; Forest Plan Claims; Forestry Commission Land; Felling Design Plan Blocks; Ancient Woodland Inventory 2004; Woodland Officer Areas; Technical Services Officer Areas; WIG Haulage Zones; Claimswales.shp; Native woodland plans.shp; Biogenetic.shp; Prow.shp; Local Record Centres; Archaeological Trusts; 2.12 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 How to Use Information from External Sources Management Planners Woodland Trust Land; Tir Gofal Farm Boundary; Organic Farm Scheme Boundary; CCW Open Country Boundary; CCW Common Land Boundary; LBAP Areas; Sites of Special Scientific Interest; National Nature Reserve; Local Nature Reserve; Special Areas of Conservation; Special Protection Area; Biosphere area; RAMSAR; CCW Regions; Marine Nature Reserve; Scheduled Ancient Monuments (CADW); Historic Park/Garden Boundaries (CADW); Historic Park/Garden sub sites(CADW); Historic Park/Garden Essential Settings(CADW); Historic Park/Garden Significant View (CADW); Historic Park/Garden walks & seats(CADW); Cadw Management Areas; SAM Inspector Areas; SAM Warden Areas; Environmentally Sensitive Area; ESA Farm Boundaries; Environment Agency Team Boundaries; Deer Initiative Address; RSPB Reserves; RSPB Important Bird Areas; Unitary Authority Boundary; National Park; Heritage Coast; Less Favoured Area; Nitrate Sensitive Area; Landscapes of Historic Interest; Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; Critical Load; Welsh Community Boundary; Electoral Division; Parliamentary Constituency Boundary; Objective 1 Boundary; 2.13 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 How to Use Information from External Sources Appendix 2: List of Statutory Consultees Relevant statutory body Countryside Council for Wales Type of case All proposals that are on or within 500 m of:  National Nature Reserves  Sites of Special Scientific Interest  Special Protection Areas  Special Areas of Conservation CADW National Park Authorities   Planting proposals of 5 hectares of more within a National Park boundary Felling proposals that affect trees subject to a Tree Preservation Order or that are in a Conservation Area within a National Park boundary Planting and felling proposals of 10 hectares or more Environment Agency  Local Authorities   Planting proposals of 10 hectares or more Felling proposals that affect trees subject to a Tree Preservation Order or that are in a Conservation Area WAG   Applications within Environmentally Sensitive Areas All new planting of 20 hectares or more 2.14 | How to Use Information from External Sources (v1.1)| G&R | 05/11/2009 Management Planners New planting proposals of 5 hectares or more that affect:  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty  Heritage Coasts  Applications on or adjacent (within 500 m) to Scheduled Ancient Monuments