1.5
Conservation of semi-natural habitats, landscape and historic park
1.5.1
The existing diversity of habitats of chalk grassland, woodlands and scrub will be maintained and enhanced. Some initial work in the form of a complete National Vegetation Classification survey will be carried out.
1.5.2
The woodlands will be managed not only in order to achieve the stated conservation objectives but also to generate income from woodland products. If left unmanaged the present structure will result in an overlarge proportion of even age over mature trees and consequently the canopy may become too open. Therefore silvicultural management of the woodlands will be beneficial in achieving a more diverse structure and age range as well as maintaining a continuous tree cover. A variety of techniques will be employed including thinning, felling, planting, retaining dead wood and coppicing. In addition there will be some areas of minimal intervention.
1.5.3
The woodland edge will be maintained by thinning in order to provide a suitable habitat for green houndstongue.
1.5.4
Appropriate measures will be used to control squirrels, rabbits and deer to balance
their interaction with the diverse habitats on Norbury Park.
1.5.5
The natural regeneration of yew will be encouraged and where necessary planting will occur using locally native seed source.
1.5.6
There will be specific projects carried out to manage the areas of natural box scrub.
1.5.7
Chalk grassland areas will be maintained and enhanced and where appropriate they will be extended (compartments 15 and 19). These areas will be managed by sheep grazing and the extent monitored by using mapping techniques.
1.5.8
The River Mole, with particular regard for the river cliffs and swallow holes, will be managed through liaison with appropriate specialist organisations in order to maintain the current diversity of habitats.
1.5.9
The agricultural land will be managed to maintain the copses, shaws and hedgerows, and restore the latter as appropriate by thinning and planting as required, and by laying over-mature hedgerows. The boundary fences of the farms will be maintained in liaison with the tenant farmers.
1.5.10 Carry out research and monitoring projects as appropriate to review the effects of management including bird survey and butterfly transect, and compile a research register to identify future projects.
1.5.11 Utilise existing Woodland Grant Scheme and Countryside Stewardship and explore the possibility of using other grant schemes, as well as developing projects which might be suitable to attract sponsorship.
1.5.12 The high landscape value of Norbury Park will be maintained and enhanced and the visual impact of management will be taken into account in scrub and woodland management. Viewpoints will be maintained and created as appropriate and as part of the work included in the Historic Park Restoration Plan. The box hedges will be managed by planting up gaps and trimming as necessary. Feature trees in the landscape will be retained and replaced as appropriate.