THE WHOLE FARM SECTION

 

All participants in the Scheme are required to comply with a series of environmental measures which will apply to the whole farm.  The Whole Farm Section seeks to ensure that the management of land entered into the scheme is compatible with good environmental practices.  In particular it aims to protect landscape, wildlife and historic features and provide new access to the public.

 

The basic components of the Whole Farm Section are detailed below.

 

LANDSCAPE FEATURES.

 

           Field Boundaries.

 

i. Scheme participants must retain all existing traditional boundaries including hedges, dry stone walls, earth banks, slate fences, stone gate posts and stone and ladder stiles.

 

ii. Traditional boundaries which are stock-proof at the time of entering into an agreement must be maintained in a stock-proof condition using locally appropriate traditional materials.

 

iii. At least 25% of the hedges on land under agreement must be left untrimmed in any one year, apart from those alongside roads, which may require annual trimming to comply with legal requirements.  Detailed hedgerow management guidelines are included in this plan on page 31.

            Trees.

i.            Individual trees and small groups of trees must be retained.  Dead trees must be

retained unless they cause a hazard or obstruction.  Where possible the farmer/land manager should encourage natural regeneration to replace lost trees, otherwise replanting should be undertaken with saplings of local provenance. 

 

Damage to trees and associated plants and animals, e.g. by pesticide or herbicide drift, must be avoided.

 

ii.          If felling trees, the necessary licences must be obtained from the Forestry

Authority.  You may fell up to 5 cubic metres of timber every calendar quarter as long as no more than 2 cubic metres are sold, and providing there are no other restrictions in place i.e. Tree Preservation or Conservation Area Planning Orders.

 

       Historic/Traditional Landscape Features.

Please refer to The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, Tir Gofal Historic Environment report – HE-2 which provides a check list and outline management recommendations for the historic features and archaeological sites upon your landholding.  

 

i. Historic sites and features are important components of the landscape.  They must not be damaged or destroyed.  They must be safeguarded from damage by stock, vehicles, cultivation or land reclamation works; trees should not be planted on these sites and no stones should be removed for any purpose including walling or building renovation work.

 

ii. Traditional buildings are important landscape features.  Those which are weatherproof and structurally sound must be maintained in a weatherproof condition.  Traditional buildings or parts thereof which have not been modified must be maintained using traditional materials in keeping with the local character.

 

There are a number of historic and traditional buildings within the ‘farmyard’ area.                       

N.B.  Consult your project officer and/or Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust officer prior to commencing any restoration works on the traditional agricultural building for guidance and a building specification. Bat roosts are protected through out the year even if you think that bats are not present, you should contact CCW before commencing any works, which could harm the roost.

 

iii. Semi - traditional buildings, which have been modified can be maintained using compatible materials to ensure local character is maintained.

 

iv. Other traditional sound and well maintained landscape features, e.g. sheep-folds, sheep pounds and stone slab bridges must be similarly maintained.

 

v. The use of metal detectors on agreement land must be in accordance with the Treasure Act 1996.

 

         Rock Features and Landforms.

 

i. Geological features and landforms must be protected from damage.  There should be no extraction of rock, scree, sand, shingle, gravel, clay or peat other than with the agreement of the project officer.

 

ii. A two metre buffer zone around rock features must be maintained whilst observing the same prescriptions as given for field boundary buffer zones.

 

      Rubbish.

 

The farm should be kept free from rubbish, litter, derelict machinery and equipment.  Whenever possible all bale wrappings and other plastics should be recycled through an approved outlet.

 

     FIELD BOUNDARY BUFFER ZONES.

 

A one metre buffer zone to all field boundaries measured from the base of the hedge, earth-bank, wall or slate fence should be maintained.  There should be no ploughing or cultivating and none of the following must be applied to the field boundary or to the buffer zone:

 

C       Lime or other substance to alter soil acidity;

 

C       Inorganic or organic fertiliser;

 

C       Pesticides;

 

C       Herbicides - except where carrying out selective treatment of nettles, spear thistle, creeping thistle, curled dock, broad-leaved dock, ragwort, Japanese knotweed, rhododendron or Himalayan balsam, using spot treatment or weed wiper.  Other heavy infestations of problem weed species may be controlled where necessary following consultation with the project officer.

 

   WATER FEATURES.

 

i.       All water features such as ponds, lakes, streams and ditches must be maintained and should be protected from damage.  Poaching and stock damage to banks, except watering places agreed beforehand with the project officer, must be avoided.

 

ii.        Participants in the Scheme must not apply any fertilisers, off farm wastes, lime, pesticides or any other chemicals within 1 metre of water features.  Neither can farm yard manure or slurry be applied within 10 metres of water features.  Avoid poaching by stock or stock feeding in locations where this will cause pollution of water features.

 

iii.      Non-native plants, fish or other species of birds and animals must not be introduced.

 

iv.        Pollution of waters (surface water, underground aquifers and cave systems) should be avoided.  The control of pollution as required by the Water Resources Act and the Land Drainage Act 1991 must be adhered to.

 

             STOCKING RATE.

                                      

i.               Overall stocking levels on land subject to agreement should not be increased above

the levels carried in 1998 unless it is necessary to achieve agri-environmental objectives of the scheme.

   ii.             The Tir Gofal guidelines may require stock reduction on, or exclusion of animals from, some habitats and features on the farm.  Any surplus stock should normally be removed from the land under agreement within six months, but exceptionally it may be possible to accommodate some of the surplus stock on improved grassland.  In such cases this must not result in environmental damage from overstocking.

   

 NON-NATIVE SPECIES.

 

Scheme participants must not introduce any non-native animal or plant species to land subject to agreement, other than by agreement with the project officer.

 

  ANIMAL WELFARE.

 

The guidelines and regulations in relation to animal welfare and the protection of wild birds, animals and plants must be followed.

 

  CODES OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE.

 

Scheme participants are expected to operate their business in accordance with the advisory elements of the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice and must comply with the Codes of Good Farming Practice as issued by the National Assembly for Wales. 

 

        ACCESS.

 

i.        Scheme participants must agree to allow public access on foot to unenclosed moorland, heathland and grassland.

 

ii.        Access to reach these areas may be by means of Public Rights of Way where they exist, or by the creation of new permissive footpaths volunteered by Scheme participants.  Any overriding agricultural, safety or environmental considerations which necessitate the temporary closure of a permissive footpath or access area will need to be agreed with the project officer.

 

iii.      The agreement holder’s legal responsibilities relating to existing Public Rights of Way which cross the land must be complied with.  This includes keeping them free from obstruction and re-instating them after ploughing.

 

    LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.

 

Scheme participants must comply with all relevant legal requirements, both in force when entering an agreement and which may come into force during the period of the agreement and will be responsible for obtaining any necessary consents, e.g. planning permission.

Any land within the Gregynog Great Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is still protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as substituted by Schedule 9 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Any operations likely to damage the special interests of the SSSI that are not covered by this Tir Gofal agreement will need to be referred to the local Countryside Council for Wales office for consent.

   CONSULTATION

 

Agreement must be obtained from the project officer in respect of proposals to undertake any of the following:

 

C       Erecting new buildings or significantly altering existing buildings, or modifying traditional buildings, other than the farmhouse;

 

C       Constructing tracks, roads, yards or hard-standings;

 

C       Constructing new hedges, walls, fences or banks

 

C       Realigning, dredging or damming watercourses; creating new, or increasing the level of, existing water abstraction or altering the level of a water feature;

 

C       Moving or quarrying stone (including isolated boulders), scree, sand, shingle, gravel, clay or peat;

 

C       Using the land, or open water within the agreement holder’s control, for organised and/or commercial sporting or recreational activities which may be in conflict with the Scheme;

 

C       Clearing any areas of scrub, tree felling, or planting of trees and any work in woodland not included within the Woodland Grant Scheme agreement;

 

C       The control of bracken;

 

C       Excavating or depositing spoil on land or disposing of any off farm wastes;

 

C       Location of new hay or silage feeding sites.

 

MANDATORY CATEGORIES

 

 SEMI-NATURAL BROADLEAVED WOODLAND

 

Location and Description

 

Gregynog Land

The area identified on map 2 G9 is a narrow strip of mixed broadleaved woodland being situated along a stream-bank adjoining semi-improved neutral grassland.  The woodland species comprise predominately ash with some rowan, oak and willow. 

 

Environmental Objectives

 

Encourage growth of the native trees, shrubs and ground living plants typical of lowland mixed broadleaved woods.

 

Manage for sustainable timber production where appropriate.

 

Retain a short sward and closed woodland structure of benefit to mosses and other lower plants as well as birds such as pied flycatcher and redstart.

 

Allow for the development of a plentiful supply of dead standing timber.  This will benefit hole nesting birds, lichens and fungi as well as insects and other invertebrates.

 

Management Prescriptions

 

C       Within 12 months of entering the Scheme, agree with the Project Officer a programme of management work designed to enhance the environmental, economic and, where appropriate, the recreational value of the woodland.  A suitable programme may be put forward for funding under the Woodland Grant Scheme and is likely to include some of the following:

 

-     Singling of multi-stemmed coppice regrowth

-     Small scale group felling of canopy trees

-            Coppicing of hazel and other shrubs such as willow, birch and alder

-            Prolonging the life of old pollard trees by tree surgery (for which Tir Gofal Capital Works payments are available)

-     Details of any extraction routes and methods of brash disposal

-            Removal of invasive species such as rhododendron (for which Tir Gofal Capital Works payments are available)

-     Any control of deer, grey squirrels, rabbits and/or feral goats (for which Tir Gofal Capital Works payments are available as a Special Project)

-            Management of any woodland glades or rides

-     Timing of all management works

-            Provision of any recreational access facilities

-            Location of any fencing or walls necessary to control livestock or deer

 

C       All livestock must be excluded for the duration of the agreement.

 

However, the Project Officer may issue written approval for the use of stock at a rate not exceeding 0.4 LSU/ha/yr in order to control bramble and enhance seedling establishment.  Any approvals will be time limited.

     C       Retain all ancient trees and allow for the development of a plentiful supply of dead standing timber.  Fallen dead timber should be left on the ground.

 

C       Retain all trees known to support bat roosts or nesting sites for birds of prey.  Seek further advice from the Project Officer before starting work in woodlands with other protected species such as red squirrel, dormouse and badger.

 

C       Do not install any new drains or open out any existing drains without prior approval from the Project Officer.

 

C       Do not install any new tracks without prior approval.

 

C       Do not apply any inorganic or organic fertilisers such as farmyard manure, slurry, sewage sludge or chicken manure.

 

C       Do not apply any basic slag, lime, calcified seaweed, waste paper sludge or other off farm wastes.

 

C       Do not supplementary feed any livestock.

 

C       Do not use any herbicides or pesticides without prior approval.

 

C       Do not burn any vegetation without prior approval.

 

C       Do not introduce any non-native plants or animals.

 

C       Do not use any machinery without prior approval from the Project Officer.

 

  SEMI-NATURAL BROADLEAVED WOODLAND

Lightly Grazed

 

Location and Description

 

Gregynog Land

The area identified on map 2 as F4 is a mixed broadleaved woodland comprising predominantly of oak and ash with some beech.

The areas identified on map 2 as N8 and N9 upon The Warren are planted parkland oak woodlands with sycamore and ash present and an understorey comprising of dog violet, dogs mercury and wood sorrel.

 

Church House Land

 

 Environmental Objectives

 

Encourage growth of the native trees, shrubs and ground living plants typical of mixed broadleaved woodlands.

 

Manage for sustainable timber production where appropriate.

 

Encourage a varied age structure comprising open glades and areas of naturally regenerating woody species as well as mature woodland and individual ancient trees.

 

Retain a short sward and closed woodland structure of benefit to mosses and other lower plants as well as birds such as pied flycatcher and redstart.

 

Allow for the development of a plentiful supply of dead standing timber.  This will benefit hole nesting birds, lichens and fungi as well as insects and other invertebrates.

 

Management Prescriptions

 

C       Within 12 months of entering the Scheme, agree with the Project Officer a programme of management work designed to enhance the environmental, economic and, where appropriate, the recreational value of the woodland.  A suitable programme may be put forward for funding under the Woodland Grant Scheme and is likely to include some of the following:

 

-     Singling of multi-stemmed coppice re-growth

-     Small-scale group felling of canopy trees

-            Coppicing of hazel and other shrubs such as willow, birch and alder

-            Prolonging the life of old pollard trees by tree surgery (for which Tir Gofal Capital Works payments are available)

-     Details of any extraction routes and methods of brash disposal

-            Removal of invasive species such as rhododendron (for which Tir Gofal Capital Works payments are available)

-     Any control of deer, grey squirrels, rabbits and/or feral goats (for which Tir Gofal Capital Works payments are available as a Special Project)

  -    Management of any woodland glades or rides

-     Timing of all management works

-            Provision of any recreational access facilities

-            Location of any fencing or walls necessary to control livestock or deer

 

C       Stock at a rate not exceeding 0.05 LSU/ha/yr (dry woods)

C       In line with SSSI management of Gregynog Great Wood, stock at a rate not exceeding 0.40 LSU/ha/yr

 

However, the Project Officer may issue written approval for the use of stock at a rate not exceeding 0.4 LSU/ha/yr in order to control bramble and enhance seedling establishment.  Any approvals will be time limited.

 

C       Retain all ancient trees and allow for the development of a plentiful supply of dead standing timber.  Fallen dead timber should be left on the ground.

 

C       Retain all trees known to support bat roosts or nesting sites for birds of prey.  Seek further advice from the Project Officer before starting work in woodlands with other protected species such as red squirrel, dormouse and badger.

 

C       Do not install any new drains or open out any existing drains without prior approval from the Project Officer.

 

C       Do not install any new tracks without prior approval.

 

C       Do not apply any inorganic or organic fertilisers such as farmyard manure, slurry, sewage sludge or chicken manure.

 

C       Do not apply any basic slag, lime, calcified seaweed, waste paper sludge or other off farm wastes.

 

C       Do not supplementary feed any livestock.

 

C       Do not use any herbicides or pesticides without prior approval.

 

C       Do not burn any vegetation without prior approval.

 

C       Do not introduce any non-native plants or animals.

 

C       Do not use any machinery without prior approval from the Project Officer.

 

 SEMI-NATURAL BROADLEAVED WOODLAND

Grazed

 Location and Description

Gregynog land

Environmental Objectives:

 

Encourage growth of the native trees, shrubs and ground living plants typical of upland oak wood.

 

Manage for sustainable timber production where appropriate.

 

Retain a short sward and closed woodland structure of benefit to mosses and other lower plants as well as birds such as pied flycatcher and redstart.

 

Allow for the development of a plentiful supply of dead standing timber.  This will benefit hole nesting birds, lichens and fungi as well as insects and other invertebrates.

 

Management Prescriptions

 

C       Within 12 months of entering the Scheme, agree with the Project Officer a programme of management work designed to enhance the environmental, economic and, where appropriate, the recreational value of the woodland.  A suitable programme may be put forward for funding under the Woodland Grant Scheme and is likely to include some of the following:

 

-     Singling of multi-stemmed coppice regrowth

-     Small scale group felling of canopy trees

-            Coppicing of hazel and other shrubs such as willow, birch and alder

-            Prolonging the life of old pollard trees by tree surgery (for which Tir Gofal Capital Works payments are available)

-     Details of any extraction routes and methods of brash disposal

-            Removal of invasive species such as rhododendron (for which Tir Gofal Capital Works payments are available)

-     Any control of deer, grey squirrels, rabbits and/or feral goats (for which Tir Gofal Capital Works payments are available as a Special Project)

-            Management of any woodland glades or rides

-     Timing of all management works

-            Provision of any recreational access facilities

-            Location of any fencing or walls necessary to control livestock or deer

 

C       Stock at a rate not exceeding that used on entry to the Scheme.

 

However, the Project Officer may issue written approval for the use of stock at a rate not exceeding 0.4 LSU/ha/yr in order to control bramble and enhance seedling establishment.  Any approvals will be time limited.

 

C       Retain all ancient trees and allow for the development of a plentiful supply of dead standing timber.  Fallen dead timber should be left on the ground.

 

C       Retain all trees known to support bat roosts or nesting sites for birds of prey.  Seek further advice from the Project Officer before starting work in woodlands with other protected species such as red squirrel, dormouse and badger.

 

C       Do not install any new drains or open out any existing drains without prior approval from the Project Officer.

 

C       Do not install any new tracks without prior approval.

 

C       Do not apply any inorganic or organic fertilisers such as farmyard manure, slurry, sewage sludge or chicken manure.

 

C       Do not apply any basic slag, lime, calcified seaweed, waste paper sludge or other off farm wastes.

 

C       Do not supplementary feed any livestock.

 

C       Do not use any herbicides or pesticides without prior approval.

 

C       Do not burn any vegetation without prior approval.

 

C       Do not introduce any non-native plants or animals.

 

C       Do not use any machinery without prior approval from the Project Officer.

   SCRUB

 Location and Description

 Gregynog Land

The scrub area is identified on map 2 as N7.  It is situated on south facing slope upon The Warren.  The scrub species comprises predominantly of mature gorse.  The underlying grassland is that of unimproved grassland with foxgloves and native grasses. 

 

Environmental Objectives

 

Retain and enhance existing areas of native scrub in the uplands.  Encourage the spread of such scrub where there is no net loss of more valuable habitats of features.

 

Manage existing areas of lowland bramble, thorn, gorse and willow to ensure that there is no net loss of more valuable habitats or historic features.  Large stands of scrub should be treated to provide a range of age classes interspersed with small areas of open grassland.

 

Management Prescriptions

 

Note that prescriptions for other areas may also refer to scrub management where it is a component part of that habitat.

 

·        Agree with the project officer a simple management plan covering some or all of the following: 

-            Identification of mature stands for long-term retention.

-     Any coppicing or thinning.  Small irregular treatments are desirable for both landscape and wildlife reasons.

-         Any use of stock.  Graze at a rate not exceeding that set for the underlying grassland.

 

·        Do not extract any cut stumps or use any methods other than hand cutting without prior approval from the project officer.

 

·        Do not install any new tracks without prior approval.

 

·        Do not supplementary feed any livestock without prior approval.

 

·        Do not install any new drains or open out any existing ditches without prior approval from the project officer.

 

·        Do not apply any inorganic or organic fertilisers such as farmyard manure, slurry, sewage sludge or chicken manure.

 

·        Do not apply any basic slag, lime, calcified seaweed, waste paper sludge or other off farm wastes.

 

·        Seek further advice from the project officer before starting work in scrub known to support  protected species such as dormouse or badger.

 

PARKLAND

Semi-improved

Location and Description

Gregynog Land

These fields have been identified as parkland in the CADW/ICOMOS UK advisory publication for Powys entitled Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.

 

The species content varied from field to field.  There was less species diversity within field A1 with tufted hair-grass, rush and sedge species; within fields E2 and F1 sweet vernal, birdsfoot trefoil, crested dogstail, marsh bedstraw, Yorkshire fog, creeping bent and soft rush were present and within fields N1, N5, N6 and N11 as well as those species mentioned above were eyebright, cats-ear and autumn hawkbit.

 

Agricultural modification had been undertaken in the past, shown by the presence of species indicative of nutrient-enrichment and partially drained situations such as common mouse-ear chickweed, white clover, yorkshire fog and soft rush. 

 

Environmental Objectives

 

Encourage the development of a diverse habitat and landscape feature comprising specimen broadleaved and exotic trees, together with replacement saplings and lightly grazed pasture.

 

Retain the characteristic features of less intensively managed parkland such as ancient trees and dead wood.  This will benefit hole nesting birds as well as lichens, fungi, insects and other invertebrates.

 

Ensure that any replacement planting is in keeping with existing landscape character and the historic value of the site.

 

Management Prescriptions

 

·        Maintain of patches of brambles.

 

C       Manage individual clumps of trees.  See Forest Authority Woodland Grant Scheme

 

C       Retain all ancient trees and allow for the development of a plentiful supply of dead standing timber.  Fallen dead timber and any cut material should be retained in-situ or moved to a semi-shaded area nearby.  Where cut timber has to be removed off site, this should take place immediately after felling to avoid colonisation by insects or other invertebrates.

 

C       Do not plough, cultivate or re-seed unless the land is already managed as part of an arable rotation.

 

C       Do not install any new drainage.  Obtain prior approval from the Project Officer before clearing out existing drains.