3 Confirmation of features
3.1
The site in wider perspective and implications for management
The Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment SSSI (of which Norbury Park is part) is an important site for its outstanding wildlife value both locally and regionally. The site is also of European importance and is designated as a candidate SAC under the European Habitats Directive.
The natural box scrub occurring on Norbury Park is significant on a local, regional and european context. The box scrub will be monitored and in areas of dense invasion by other species, management will be carried out to ensure the healthy proliferation of the box population.
Green houndstongue, a nationally rare plant, which happens to grow in profusion on Norbury Park will continue to be monitored by being surveyed on a regular basis.
Other criteria, with regard to the SSSI status, have more interest on a local and regional basis. These are monitored by English Nature and a Site Management Statement between Surrey County Council and English Nature has been produced. This identifies features and sets proposals for their management to ensure their survival and monitor any future changes.
3.2
Provisional list of important features (this list is not exhaustive)
·
Landscape and historic park
·
Public access
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Semi-natural woodland communities (197 ha)
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Yew trees
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Box scrub
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Green houndstongue (1997 survey 140,000 plants)
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Fly orchid colony
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Early purple orchid colony
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Chalk grassland communities (30 ha)
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Common spotted orchid colonies
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Pyramidal orchid colonies
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River Mole
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River cliffs
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Swallow holes
3.3
Confirmation of features - previously recognised
Surrey County Council acquired Norbury Park in 1931. The main reason for the acquisition was to protect the estate from development. The need to preserve the woodlands was apparent and felling and replanting schemes were initiated. Car parks and access routes were proposed and implemented to allow public access throughout the estate.
Norbury Park was first scheduled for SSSI status in 1955. The designation was primarily for the presence of yew trees, box scrub and green houndstongue
3.4
Evaluation
3.4.1
Evaluation for nature conservation
3.4.1.1 Size
Norbury Park consists of 526 hectares of typical wildlife habitats representative of the best of those found on the North Downs. Main habitats are mixed woodland (197 ha) and chalk grassland (30ha). The 1997 survey of the green houndstongue population stands at 140,000 plants, an increase from 1987 when 20,624 were recorded.
3.4.1.2 Diversity
Norbury Park has a range of semi-natural woodlands, chalk grassland and areas of scrub. Associated with these is an extremely diverse list of flora and fauna. Because of the extent of the park the number of species of both plant and animals shows a marked tendency to increase with size of area (the species/area effect Ratcliffe 1977). As in the past some areas of the estate have been managed and others have been left for natural succession to become established. The resultant high diversity of species is valued and a comparison between the two types of management can be evaluated. In the case of the green houndstongue the population has increased largely across areas of minimal management. However, species diversity has been increased on the chalk grassland areas by the reintroduction of grazing and the reclamation of previous grassland areas from woodland or scrub.
3.4.1.3 Naturalness
Norbury Park consists of a series of natural sub-climaxes from open chalk grassland through scrub to mature woodland which are all maintained by active management and have evolved through man's activities in the past. Much of the box scrub is natural, however certain elements like the hedge up the front drive have been introduced as a landscape feature.
3.4.1.4 Rarity
Open chalk grassland is a rare and threatened habitat which is nationally declining. The same criteria can be applied to yew woodlands and box scrub. Green houndstongue (Cynoglossum germanica) is a nationally rare plant but is found in good numbers on Norbury Park. It frequents marginal habitats on the edge of the trees canopy but not out in the open. The storm of 1987 has greatly enhanced the spread of this species.
3.4.1.5 Fragility
Chalk grassland is a fragile habitat which in the absence of traditional management is extremely vulnerable to succession. Yew woodland and box scrub will slowly decline if invasive species are allowed to dominate. Green houndstongue (Cynoglossum germanica) is a marginal habitat plant so changes to the grassland or woodland will directly result in its decline.
3.4.1.6 Typicalness
Norbury Park is typical of the habitats connected with chalky soils found along the North Downs of the South East of England. However, the yew trees are sporadic throughout the site from isolated trees to small clumps and are therefore not typical of a uniform yew woodland. The past introduction of alien species and the planting of new plantations has also further complicated the typicalness of some areas of the site.
3.4.1.7 Recorded history
Records for flora and fauna date back to the 1950's (annual walks by London branch of British Naturalists Association). Records and maps of land use date back to the seventeenth century.
3.4.1.8 Position in ecological unit
As part of the North Downs system Norbury Park has links with other neighbouring areas, for example Boxhill and Ranmore which are highly rated as important chalk downland sites. Boxhill also has yew woods and natural box scrub.
3.4.1.9 Potential for improvement/restoration
Active management on Norbury Park has increased the extent and quality of habitats and enhanced their diversity in terms of flora and fauna. However, some areas that have received minimal intervention have become important sites in terms of diversity, for example Chapel Wood and parts of Longbury. Therefore to balance the potential value of the site these areas should be taken into consideration.
3.4.1.10 Intrinsic appeal
Norbury Park possesses many varied habitats and landforms (such as river valley, chalk escarpment, agricultural landscape). Norbury Park is very much a working landscape and this consideration needs to be an integral part of the management, particularly with reference to public access and recreation issues.
3.4.2
Evaluation for Landscape
The site is a large component of the extensive area of woodland and chalk grassland which occupies the Mole valley area. The area lies within the Surrey Hills, designated because of its outstanding natural beauty. The wooded escarpment dominates the western fringe of the Mole Valley and is clearly visible from the surrounding high ground and any loss or damage to the canopy would seriously impair the quality of landscape. The views locally are also dominated by the facade of Norbury Park House, a constant reminder of past historical influences. A public road the A24 runs along the eastern boundary and affords the drivers of vehicles with an impressive backdrop.
The natural value of the woodland is somewhat diminished in certain areas as a result of invasive species. However, the makeup of the woodland does not effect the quality of the landscape. The mixture of different woodland types including some areas of coniferous plantations adds to the intrinsic appeal of the park. Allied to this woodland diversity are the open areas of grassland which afford a sense of safety and allow views to be appreciated. Viewpoints within the site and out from it should be maintained and as part of ongoing management new views where possible should be created.
The farmland areas are also important features of the landscape and the current network of copses and hedgerows should be maintained and where appropriate enhanced. Careful consideration should be given to ensure fencing does not become an intrusion into the landscape, but blends into the landscape as much as is physically possible. The farm fields some of which are cultivated and others left to permanent pasture provide a patchwork within the parks landscape. This is everchanging and again adds an extra element to the intrinsic appeal of the park.
The presence of the River Mole further enhances the landscape quality of the park.
It is essential that the very high landscape and intrinsic value of this site is maintained.
3.4.3
Evaluation for Historic Park
Norbury Park is one of the finest historic parks in the county, one of only 30 included in the Surrey volume of the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. William Lock who owned Norbury Park between 1774 and 1810 moved his residence from the flood-plain of the Mole and had a replacement house built on the hilltop. This gave unparalleld views of the surrounding countryside, the topography of which was then considered 'picturesque' rivalling that of the Lake District. Walks were created along the steep hillside south of the house, with viewpoints to enjoy the vistas of Box Hill and Dorking.
3.4.4
Evaluation for Public use/access, education and interpretation
The site is extensively used by the general public and the provision of access routes and car parks is an important consideration.
The varied habitats and landscape features within the park provides a good opportunity to interpret and educate the public on a broad range of environmental issues. However the public use must be sustainable and appropriate and that the actual fabric of the site or any of the prime features of interest are not jeopardised or threatened. Careful management of public access related issues must be taken to ensure nature conservation and landscape elements are not effected.
Norbury Park has certain unique features ie a sawmill and workshop, 3 working farms which should be incorporated into an overall policy for the site when dealing with education and interpretation.
3.4.5
Evaluation for research/study
To further safeguard the future of the site and its important species and features, appropriate management decisions must be made. These will be formulated and substantiated by sound scientific research and study projects. In the past Norbury Park has not received appropriate research and study with particular regard to the sites important features and this needs to be addressed in the future. Scope for more detailed survey work like that of the green houndstongue needs to be done with regard to other individual species like the orchid populations.
3.5
Confirmed list of important features
Feature 1 Norbury Park: landscape and historic park
Status: AONB SSSI, cSAC AHLV, registered historic park
Description: Farmland, woodland, chalk grassland, scrub, River Mole
Features of the historic park
Policy: To integrate the management of all elements of the site to maintain and enhance those landscape and historic park features
Feature 2 Norbury Park: access
Description: 1 Public Byway; 12 Public Footpaths; 8 Public Bridleways; 24 permissive footpaths; 12 permissive bridleways, car parks, picnic areas
Policy: To allow informal public access and recreation within the constraints of proper conservation management
Feature 3 Woodland
Status: SSSI, cSAC
Description: Mixed woodland ranging from veteran trees to young plantations of various species
Policy: To maintain and manage the woodland areas
Feature 4: Yew trees
Status: SSSI, cSAC
Description: Isolated and groups of yews occur all over the site
Policy: To maintain present levels of yew trees
Feature 5: Box scrub
Status: SSSI, cSAC
Description: Scattered natural box scrub throughout site
Policy: Maintain present levels of box
Feature 6: Green houndstongue
Status: SSSI, cSAC, nationally rare
Description: Large medium size colonies occur mostly on the chalk escarpment
Policy: To maintain the population in a favourable condition
Feature 7: Fly orchid
Status: declining in Surrey
Description: One large population within the Hazel's woodland, best site in Surrey
Policy: To maintain the habitat in a favourable condition
Feataure 8: Early purple orchid
Status: declining in Surrey
Description: One population within Blackberry Wood
Policy: To maintain the habitat in a favourable condition
Feature 9: Chalk grassland
Status: SSSI, cSAC
Description: Open calcareous grassland with good species diversity
Policy: To maintain and enhance existing areas of chalk grassland and where appropriate to extend these areas
Feature 10: Common spotted orchid
Status: SSSI, cSAC
Description: Scattered colonies on most of the chalk grassland areas
Policy:To maintain the population in a favourable condition
Feature 11: Pyramidal orchid
Status: SSSI, cSAC
Desctription: Scattered colonies on most of the chalk grassland areas
Policy: To maintain the population in a favourable condition
Feature 12: River Mole: river cliffs
Status: SSSI
Description: Tall exposure of chalk strata due to action of the River Mole
Policy: To monitor the condition
Feature 13: River Mole: swallow holes
Status: SSSI
Description: Apertures occurring within the river system where the water has found weaknesses or fractures in the underlying chalk
Policy: To monitor the condition