Memorial Playing Fields Copse

January 2011 - Copse Draft Management Plan

 

Supplement to Botanical and Invertebrate Survey  - survey-sup.pdf

Statement on Tree Works  -   statement.html

Draft plan -  plan.doc

 Sub-Committee minutes regarding the plan  -  minutes.pdf

 

LMF - Update to Fen and Wetland Restoration 1st July‏

From: Curt Lamberth  
Sent: 01 July 2010 21:31:43
To: Alan Stone

The stream diversion in the Upper Wetland has gone to plan helped by the presence of greater amounts of clay in the upper 1 m of soil.
 
It was completed on Wednesday. The erosion control is in place with 2.5 tonnes of limestone, eleven 4' wood stakes, brash, logs and a good deal of sticky clay.
 
The water flow from springs either side of the stream are now combined and flowing through a series of shallow pools to the east of the stream. The new stream does not split into two routes as I originally indicated, because I considered that the existing peat spring on the route of one leg of the split would receive groundwater from the stream through the soil instead. This would mimic a fen condition better. The observed water flow from the peaty spring is now greater than before and I deem this a success.
 
The brash littering the cleared peat areas is to discourage grazing and people while the soil surface heals and plants germinate. I have not seeded the peat areas at Judy's request because we think that there should be sufficient natural regeneration. The wetter nature of the whole area will make it less attractive to local children.
 
We have been careful to avoid excessive disturbance to the area. I am happy to say that there have been a good number of interested and concerned locals keeping a close eye on what we were doing. They asked a welcome variety of questions about the ecology, the stream and fen and offered some extra local knowledge for me to fine tune the management plan. We received positive comments about the work, and some useful feedback about public perception of the project.
 
Today, Thursday, we have made progress identifying the route of the Lower Wetland overflow pipe. I am sorry to say that a considerable amount (hundreds of tonnes) of building rubble, some rubbish and soil, have been used to raise the surface level up to 2 to 3 m in the areas around the Lower Wetland.
 
We discovered and excavated the pipe 2m below the surface. It was NOT connected to the wetland as a section of the pipe had be removed or left out and a barrier of concrete waste and clay-soil used to bund the pipe. The 450 mm diameter pipe was found to be almost full with debris. I do not consider this pipe suitable as an overflow for many reasons. Therefore, a new pipe will be installed at the correct level and slope taking the overflow water underneath the concrete path then to flow on the surface and finally back into the existing pipe. This will reduce flow rates even more and allow infiltration of water to continue along the lower route.
 
We expect to install the pipe Friday, ready for the overflow chambers to be built next week.
 
We have been unable to excavate the Lower Wetland extension - at the site of the original dipping platform - because there is insufficient room for the excavator without removing two trees covered in ivy. The likelihood of bird nests in those trees is high. The tree removal/coppice and excavation can be done by OCV at a later date if so desired. However, I am pleased to say that we can concentrate on excavating an area around the new dipping platform to provide open water. This would achieve the same effect. Unfortunately, because of the lack of rainfall and insufficient seal on the outflow, the water level in the Lower Wetland is now well below soil surface so the results of any excavation will, for the moment, appear disappointing.
 
I am recording all essential data and photographing each stage for your archive and records.
 
Kind regards, 
Curt
01/07/2010

UPDATE - Fen and Pond Restoration Works at the Louie Memorial Lower Playing Field - Revised Start Date

  • THE PARISH COUNCIL HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE CONTRACTOR THAT HE IS HOPING TO STARTWORK ON-SITE TOWARDS THE END OF WEEK COMENCING 21st JUNE OR THE START OF THE FOLLOWING WEEK.
  • ALL WORKS WILL BE SUPERVISED.
  • PLEASE NOTE THAT THE OXFORD CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS WILL BE CARRYING OUT SUPERVISED CONSERVATION WORKS IN THE COPSE AND FENLAND ON SUNDAY 20th JUNE 2010. 

16/06/2010

Fen and Pond Restoration Works at the Louie Memorial Lower Playing Field
Louie Memorial Fields contains a small but very important valley-head fen. Nationally, a great many of our wetlands have been lost or reduced in size or biodiversity as a result of a combination of factors such as drainage, neglect or management changes, urbanisation, water extraction and agricultural pollution.

The Parish Council has secured funding from the Trust for the Oxfordshire Environment to undertake environmental improvements to protect the fenland for future generations to enjoy. Work will take place over the next three weeks starting on the 14th June, and their funding will finance works to:

  • reduce the detrimental effects of the stream and climate change on the existing fen by diverting the stream's path a few meters to the east allowing spring water levels to increase and prevent the fen from drying out. The existing fen will not be touched. 
  • restore a small piece of remnant fen of some 15 x 25 m that has been lost through neglect using natural means to control erosion and with the minimum of disturbance to the existing mature trees. The reduction of existing tree canopy in the vicinity of the fen to pollards and coppice and control of tree encroachment which reduces light to the fen will be continued over the next few years as part of the new management plan. 
  • ensure that the lovely marshy pond lower down in the valley with its rich tufa depositing seeps remains in 'pristine' condition and continues to provide a means to reduce the risk of flooding and as an ecological resource. In order to do this a new low profile outflow structure will be built and a small part of the marsh to the south extended and deepened to allow access at one location for educational and enjoyment purposes.

The Parish Council will fund the following works: 

  • improve the muddy access path going to the lower wetland using limestone and locally sourced aggregates with the minimum of intervention. There will be some tree work near the paths to make safe dead and falling trees. 
  • creation of a dipping platform to allow access for educational and enjoyment purposes.

The work has to be done during the summer when water levels are low to reduce erosion and compaction damage to soils by machinery and to allow plants to re-grow on the bare soil surfaces before the winter rain.

Please be aware that the work will be supervised and that measures will be taken to prevent unnecessary damage to plants, animals and soils. Please respect the barriers and restricted access while the work is underway.

In case of emergency please contact North Hinksey Parish Council on Oxford 861992

A. J. Stone
Parish Clerk

07/06/2010

Public Consultation

Results of the Public Consultation are contained in the newsletter - which has also been circulated to all households in the Parish.

Please click here to see the newsletter

To see some pictures of the Consultation Meeting click here

Now that all the specialist reports, including the structural survey etc. on the damaged skatebowl have been received they can be viewed from the links below. The Safety Inspection of the Skateboard has been scanned in and hence is a very large file and may be slow to open (depending on the sped of your Internet connection). Please note that the Hydrolgy report will be subject to Ordnance Survey copyright restrictions and as such will be available in read only format. You may need to click the BACK button on your browser after viewing the letters.

The following reports will be attached:
1). Botanical and Invertebrate Survey on Louie Memorial Fields (Dr. Judith Webb) click here to view.
2). Investigation of the Fen Hydrology and Surface Water Flows of Louie Memorial Park (Dr. Curt Lamberth) click here to view.
3). Louie Memorial Playing Fields Habitats and Management Supplementary Report - May 2009  (G. Hawker) click here to view.
4). Louie Memorial Playing Fields Habitats and Management Report (G. Hawker) click here to view.
5). Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum – Letter click here to view.
6). Thames Valley Police – Security Proposals doc click here to view
7). Thames Valley Police – Security Proposals.html click here to view
8). Thames Valley Police – Copse Area.jpg click here to view 
9). Thames Valley Police – Copse Area.doc click here to view
10). ROSPA – Safety Inspection Report - Skatebowl (NB this has been scanned-in and hence is a very large download) click here to view
11). Gravity Engineering Report - Skatebowl Click here to view Document.
12). Hydrologists note for Parishioners (Dr Curt Lamberth) click here to view

Updated: January 2010

See below for a history of information provided to Parishioners and updates  

Louie Memeorial Copse - May 2009
TOE (Trust for the Environment) offer to Grant Aid specified Improvements Works in the copse to £25,000
Following advice from ecological experts and some complaints from users of the copse about the condition of the main walkway, the Parish Council sought funding for a series of recommended improvements.  A potential grant of £25k has been offered by TOE for minimal environmental improvements to the copse, including making the main walkway safer. Botley and New Hinksey Primary schools and Matthew Arnold Secondary school are very supportive of the improvements and once completed would like to use the copse area for educational field study courses. At present they will not consider using it.
The Parish Council has taken advice from seven different bodies, including environmental experts were pleased to see the potential of the area and have identified and supported improvements.  
The Parish Council has received support from the following bodies for proposed works in the copse covering a range of Health and Safety and Environmental Improvements.

  1. Trust for the Oxfordshire Environment – Have offered up to a maximum grant of £25,000 to undertake a series of specified works.
  2. Oxford Conservation Volunteers – The local environmental group that has undertaken and will continue to periodically undertake essential maintenance work in the copse.
  3. Matthew Arnold School.
  4. Botley Primary School.
  5. North Hinksey Primary School.
  6. Vale White Horse District Council – Parks Division.
  7. Parishioners who have attended the various consultation meetings held over the last 2/3 years.

Habit and Management Report
Graham Hawker – specialist Ecological Consultant has undertaken a report on the Louie Memorial Playing Fields which makes recommendations for the management of the site.

What can the TOE Grant be Spend On?
The Parish Council has been informed that it has been suggested that the TOE grant money should be spent on play equipment and not on the copse. Who ever has made this proposal does not understand the conditions of the TOE’s environmental grant. The money is for specified environmental or environmental related works. The Parish Council had included in their application a bid for a fitness trail in the upper playing field, but it would appear that the reduced grant offer excludes this. TOE has specified the environmental works and associated conditions that must be met to receive a grant.

TOE Support
TOE are very supportive of our sound environmental plans and they have attached the following conditions for grant aid: -:

a). The one main path to have an environmentally safe surface, to allow people to use it without fear of falling in both wet and dry conditions. It will not be a concrete path. This will allow more people to see
the beauty of the copse and give the community a sense of ownership. (The initial work by the Oxfordshire Conservation Volunteers has certainly helped with this.)
b). Recreation of a small pond area past the fen area. The wetland area may have county BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) species so we will obtain further surveys for another pond and new hydrology report from the relevant experts regarding viability and BAP status.
c). Bird boxes are placed in the copse area after the nesting season.
d). Improvements are made to the concrete pathway between Hurst Rise and Hutchcomb Roads.
e). The Parish Council enters into further discussions with the Police and Community Safety Officer about anti-social behaviour. This is in hand.
f). Limited bench seating to enjoy the area – numbers and position not determined yet and will depend on specialist advice.
g). Environmental boards explaining flora and wildlife in the area, encouraging field study trips by school children so they will appreciate what a special area it is.

May 2009 Update

Louie Memorial Copse - March 2009

A Brief Summary of the Proposals and Aims
The following summary gives an indication of the type of work that is proposed. It does not profess to cover every aspect of the work, but does identify the major items.

Background
Within the lower playing field is a copse area of approximately 2.5 hectares, which various conservation groups and specialists have recommended is environmentally improved to create an open area that could be visited and enjoyed by all aged groups. The existing copse area has had little or no maintenance for a considerable number of years and its two ponds have becoming overgrown, boggy and no longer provide a water source for wildlife. The state of the copse discourages people from entering or walking through it and the lack of an apparent water source also prevents some wildlife from using the land.

Support
Local schools have also expressed strong support for the project and have indicated that they would use the improved copse environment for field study courses and exercises. The Parish Council undertook local consultation exercises on the re-development of the playing fields and copse areas. 

Consultation
The Parish Council is keen to make a start on this new project to bring the copse area and a smaller pond back into use and has taken guidance from the Oxford Conservation Volunteers, their pond specialist and officers from the Vale of the White Horse District Council.  In additional the Parish Council commissioned Graham Hawker, Ecological Consultant, to prepare a Habitats and Management Report in autumn 2008.  His report and guidance received from the Oxford Conservation Volunteers and officers from the Vale of the White Horse District Councils forms the vast majority of the proposed work within the copse.
Correspondence has also been received from the Chair of the Oxford Badger Group.

Future Maintenance
The Parish Council is in the process of setting up a local volunteers group to help maintain the copse area and will provide limited financing to the group.  It is hoped that this group will be operational before the full improvement work within the copse is completed to consider future tree and pond maintenance programmes.

Public and Conservation Benefits Accruing from the Project
i). The creation of a revitalised area of land that can be enjoyed both by the wildlife, flora and people of all ages. (A limited number of strategically placed benches will also allow members of the local community to sit/rest to appreciate the landscape and wildlife). Land bordering the copse has supported a number of rare orchids and badger sets. The recreation of the lower smaller pond will encourage further species of wildlife and flora in additional to those already in the copse.
ii). Safe walkways within the copse to allow people to the many different aspects and habitats therein.
iii). The re-establishment of further favourable conditions for wildlife and flora in the vicinity of a predominantly urban area.
v). Once the copse area with its enhanced habitat and the smaller pond is complete, local schools will be able to use the area for various field study exercises, which will encourage children to value and appreciate the wildlife in its various forms.
vi). The creation of an ongoing pond and tree maintenance programme.
vii).The introduction of strategically placed nesting boxes to encourage a greater variety of birds.

Conservation Priorities
i). The recreation of the smaller pond area by specialists.
ii). Creation of a better environment for wildlife, new and existing flora.
iii). Undertaking a pro-active tree management programme to allow the proper development of the copse.

Funding
The Parish Council is in the process of making a grant application to TOE towards the cost of the improvement works in the copse area, (estimated to be in the region of £40,000). The Vale of the White Horse District Council has agreed to provide a grant of £4,400 and the Parish Council will contribute funds to cover 11% of the expected cost.

26/03/2009

What Have We Achieved to Date?

What Improvement Works have been Delivered?

  1. August 2008 – New children's play equipment. Cost £63,500
  2. September/October 2008 - Disabled Path to allow access to the new children’s play equipment.  Cost £2,400  
  3. November/December 2008 - Bollards around the lower car park area to stop vehicles driving on the playing field grassed areas at a cost of £3,716.
  4. March 2009 - Specialist tree works in the copse area undertaken by the Oxford Conservation Volunteers and local residents.

May 2009 Update

History of the Consultation Process

The Consultation Process
The Parish Council understands that that it has been accused of not consulting with local residents who live near the playing fields and copse areas or keeping them informed of what is happening. The Parish Council believes it is unjustified to make such a charge. There has been a considerable number of consultations, meetings, presentations and discussions. Please see the following list: -

Advertised Consultation Meetings, Presentations or Web Information for Parishioners

  1. September 2004 – An initial questionnaire to all households in the parish seeking ideas and expectations for improvements to parish life, services, sports and leisure and other topics. Initial ideas for improvements came from the replies.
  2. Saturday 9th December 2006 - Public consultation ‘drop in’ held at the Seacourt between 9.30am –12.30pm. Plans on display, parishioners encouraged to comment on plans and express support or otherwise. Unfortunately, not the ideal weather but 89 people of all ages attended, with 32 completing the further survey questionnaires, resulting in:
    i). Those people that did attend were enthusiastic about the need to improve play and recreational facilities.  No parishioners were against the proposals to improve the play and recreational facilities, although a small number of residents (4) living in Cedar Road with properties bordering the playing fields, were opposed to major changes in the ’Lower’ playing field, including the proposed opening of the copse area as they believed it would attract more people to the area, which might result in anti-social behaviour. Two of these residents subsequently wrote to the Parish Council with a series of their own proposals, which were considered by the Playing Fields Sub-Committee and acted upon, where deemed practical.
    ii). 95.5% of people attending either fully supported the proposals or supported them with minor individual changes, which the Parish Council took on board where it was practical to do so, or for future revisions of the draft development plan.
    The Parish Council was complimented on the proposals to make the copse safer and more accessible to a wider range of parishioners. A prefect representative from Matthew Arnold School attended and expressed the school children's support for the proposals.
  3. September 2007 – Public Notices displayed to invite the parishioners to view and comments on updated drafts plans for the playing field and copse areas at the NH Horticultural Societies Fete in Hinksey Village.  Local people express interest in future volunteer work in the copse and further comments received. 900 people at the fete.
  4. September 2007 – Progress report put on web-site concerning the re-development of the Louie Memorial Playing Fields site.
  5. March 2008 - Annual Parish Meeting - Brief verbal update on proposals, progress and funding.
  6. May 2008 – Progress report on new play equipment/photo’s put on the Parish Council’s web-site.
  7. December 2008 - Advertised public consultation exercise at the Seacourt Hall Advice Open Meeting with the TV Police and other agencies. Plans of the proposals for the playing fields and copse on display and councillors answeres questions from those attending. Again from those people who came to view the plans, only positive comments. TV Police representatives supportive of the proposals in the copse and the new play equipment proposals.
  8. January 2009 – Julia Hammett (Oxford Badger Group) addressed the Playing Fields Sub-Committee about proposed works in the copse. Shown plans and has proposed works explained to her. Incorrect assumptions are corrected and she is told of the proposed works and involvement of environmental experts etc.
  9. March 2009 - Annual Parish Meeting - Brief verbal update on proposals, progress and funding.
  10.  March 2009 – Details of proposed copse works driven by expert environmental advice (from the Oxford Conservation Volunteers on tree work including advice from Rod d,Ayala on pond work, and advice from Graham Hawker (Ecological Consultant) in his Habitat and Management Report) in the copse put on the Parish Council web-site.

    Meetings and Information from Local Schools
  11. April/May/June 2007 - All 3 local schools were consulted on the need for new play equipment, preferred options, unsafe areas within the playing fields, use of the copse area. Schools identified play and recreation equipment requirements and a major concern was unsafe areas within the copse.
  12. December 2008/January 2009 – Matthew Arnold School pupils completed further questionnaires seeking views on new play equipment requirements for older children. The copse is still deemed to be the most recognised unsafe area. Views on vandalism and possible solutions debated.

    Publicised Details of Proposed Works in the Playing Fields and Copse Areas
    (‘The Sprout’ magazine is delivered to all households within North Hinksey Parish)  
  13. October 2006 – Article in local ‘The Sprout’ magazine inviting all households (parishioners) to come and listen to draft proposals which take into account views previously expressed by parishioners to the council.  Draft plans on display and additional views sought/questions answered.
  14. December 2006 – Article in the local ‘The Sprout’ magazine informing all households of the outcome of the October public consultation meeting. Also advises of further public consultation meeting at Seacourt Hall.
  15. September 2007 – Progress report put on web-site concerning the re-development of the Louie Memorial Playing Fields site.
  16. October 2007 – Article in ‘The Sprout’ magazine re: an update on play equipment and brief comment about the Parish Council was again pleased by the favourable comments made at the NH fete on the development plans for both fields.
  17. March 2008 and April 2008 – Articles in ‘The Sprout’ magazine covering details in the annual newsletter, reference to overgrown ponds, brief statement that NHPC has met with the Oxford Conservation Volunteers and that they propose to undertaken some specialist improvement works in the copse.
  18. May 2008 – Progress report on new play equipment/photo’s put on the Parish Council’s web-site.
  19. August 2008 (22nd) - 2/3rds page article in Oxford Mail headed Action Plan to Defeat Vandals, covering the ambitious plans that have been unveiled to improve the playing fields in Botley in an effort to stop vandalism and graffiti in the area by increasing use of the facilities.
  20. September 2008 – Article in ‘The Sprout’ magazine about the new children's play equipment and the 5 planned stages for redeveloping the playing fields/copse. 
  21. October 2008 – Article in ‘The Sprout’ magazine to inform parishioners of the work the Parish Council intend to undertake following residents complaints about the vehicle racing on the lower playing field grassed areas. Bollards were installed at a cost of £3,716.00
  22. February 2009 – Annual Newsletter refers to the ongoing supervised work in the copse and invites local volunteers to help. 
  23. March 2009 – Details of proposed copse works driven by expert environmental advice (from the Oxford Conservation Volunteers on tree work including advice from Rod d,Ayala on pond work, and advice from Graham Hawker (Ecological Consultant) in his Habitat and Management Report) in the copse put on the Parish Council web-site.
  24. April 2009 – Article in ‘The Sprout’ magazine giving information of Oxford Conservation Volunteers (OCV) work in the copse (middle March 2009) and informing people that the latest planned specialist work could be found on the Parish Council’s web-site.
  25. May 2009 – Article in ‘The Sprout’ magazine informing parishioners of the TOE application and the element of the previously reported specialist works the grant would hopefully cover. 
  26.  May/June 2009 - Two page insert in 'The Sprout' magazine to all households in the parish following complaints from residents that the petition being raised regarding the copse is based on some inaccurate information. Insert re-iterates the actual proposals, TOE's requirements for grant aid, the need to do improvements works for potential health and safety issues and on environmental specialists advice etc.  Open invitation for residents to contact the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council and Chairman of the Playing Fields Sub-Committee (telephone numbers and e-mail addresses supplied) to discuss any concerns or for clarification of issues/facts.
  27. September 2009 - Full page article in 'The Sprout' magazine discussing details and outcomes of the meeting (facilitated by the Parish Council), for residents to discuss their concerns regarding anti-social behaviour in the Louie Memorial playing fields with Thames Valley Police. All eligible residents (133) who had signed a petition regarding such behaviour were invited, along with households bordering/close to the playing fields were invited to the meeting (over 400 letters were hand delivered). A total of 33 residents turned up to discuss different issues, including some which related to anti-social behaviour in other parts of the parish.
  28.  October 2009 - Full page article in 'The Sprout' magazine headed Improvements to the Louie Memorial Playing Fields and Copse. It contained articles on progress on the 'Multi-Games Area' (MUGA), reference to the 'Fitness Trail, and an article/update on 'Improvements to the 'Copse'. 
  29. November 2009 - An update article in 'The Sprout' magazine on progress regarding the vandalised Skatebowl. 
  30. December 2009 - Notices put up on all Parish Council noticeboards, details deposited in Botley Library and on the Parish Council web-site informing residents that the specialist reports (apart from Gravity Engineering report as it had not been received) were available for public inspection.
  31. January 2010 - Gravity Engineering report received and a copy put in the Botley Public Library and on the Parish Council web-site.
  32. February 2010 - Notices reminding people of the public consultation meeting date, time, venue, who will be present etc. put up on all Parish Council noticeboards, placed in Botley Public Library and in windows of Seacourt (venue). Details also put on Parish Council web-site. 
  33.  February 2010 - Details of public consultation meeting and articles included in Parish Council annual newletter, delivered to every household in the parish early February 2010.

February 2010 Ongoing Update

'Save our Copse Petition' - June 2009
On Thursday 25th June 2009, the Parish Council received the following petition from 130+ parishioners who live largely from the area around the copse.
'We the undersigned, would like to registe our opposition to the proposed work in the Louie Memeorial Copse. The copse is unique because it has been left undisturbed and we feel that the changes beinbg considered will damage the wildlife and flora and fauna. We urge the Parish Council to listen to the views of those who use the copse and withdrawal their proposals. We also urge the Parish Council to deal more effectively with anti-social behaviour on the Louie Memeorial Fields.

The Parish Council see the petition as being about two separate concerns and as such will respond to them separately i.e.a). Proposed works in the copse and b). Anti-social behaviour in the playing fields.

June 2009 Update