Aberffraw to Abermenai SAC – Newborough Forest - process statement
Involving the public
FCW is responsible for developing a detailed management plan for Newborough
forest and revised Forest Design Plan. They are working with CCW as Statutory
advisors in preparing this plan and would like to involve local interests by
continuing to work closely with the Newborough Forest Liaison Partnership. It is
intended to develop a new plan for the site by holding a number of working group
meetings through to December 2009. The working group are committed to
providing regular communication to the NFLP and to wider stakeholders through
meetings, newsletter and on the existing FCW web-site. The Forest Festival in
September could be used as an opportunity to share information about the plan
and give people an opportunity to ask questions and share their views. A final
plan would be presented to the partnership by December 2009.
Is the Newborough Forest Partnership content to take on the role of
primary contact in the local area?
Reviewing the Science
It has been agreed that the science used to decide the area of felling will be
reviewed. This review will take the form of a meeting between CCW experts and
Newborough Forest Partnership representatives. The Forestry Commission will
attend as observers. A note of the intended process is being prepared by CCW
and will be shared with the Partnership for adaptation and agreement. It has
been suggested that David Parker chairs this meeting, with resort to a jointly
agreed independent scientist if necessary.
The review of the science will deal with the issues raised by Ian Miller about the
Directive and the interpretation of what can or can’t be justified under the
directive.
Who are the 2-4 people that you would like to represent the partnership in
these meetings?
Do you have any suggestions for an independent scientist should we need
one?
Reviewing the Designations at the site
It has been agreed that CCW will review the various notifications that have taken
place at Newborough since part of it was first designated as a SSSI. John
Ratcliffe will carry out this work as soon as possible so that it can feed into the
science review.
Are there any particular issues that you would like to be covered by this
review?
Hydrological issues
It has been agreed that the hydrological issues will need to be covered in the
plan as an area for further investigation. A small working group consisting of
John Ratcliffe and Peter Jones (CCW) and Martin Hollingham and Laurence
Jones, from the Newborough Forest Partnership. This group would meet at the
site during the Autumn/Winter to begin this work but would also be involved in
agreeing proposals for further modelling, if appropriate.
If you would like to join in with this aspect of the work, please can you
confirm the two people whom you would like to include in this working
group?
Protecting Red squirrels
CCW and FCW staff (Jonathan Levell and John Ratcliffe) have agreed to meet
representatives of the Newborough Forest Partnership (Craig Shuttleworth) on
site to agree suitable prescriptions for the forested area to be included in the plan
and to agree a suitable felling coupe boundary for the proposed felling. No felling
will take place until the scientific review is completed.
Please let us know if you are content for Craig Shuttleworth to represent
you in this way and, if necessary suggest another or additional person?
Ways of working
FCW and CCW have agreed that for all the actions above, those involved will
adhere to the guidance set out in the Wales Biodiversity Partnership checklist for
Project Officers, which can be found at:
http://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/legislation__guidance-20.aspx, scroll down to
(Biodiversity Checklists and choose the one for project officers)
Is the Newborough Forest Partnership also prepared to sign up to work in
the way described in this check list?
Jonathan Levell will produce a flow diagram to go with this process so that we
can agree how and when decisions will be made.
Beyond 2009
The long term engagement with stakeholders was discussed at the NFLP and it
was agreed that a new group would be formed from the NFLP and the
established Environment panel to support the ongoing management of NF. FCW
and CCW are still committed to this and seek the group’s views on this approach.
CCW, FCW, WAG
30th July 2009