Management and Maintenance Strategy

3.4.1 The following section outlines the key features, habitats and species that require management under this LEMP. It highlights existing management considerations and provides management aims and actions in order to realise the 2009-2026 masterplan. Further detailed timings and methods should be developed by the estates management team, providing a wholly live and relevant working document for the university estate and its environs.

3.4.2 A combination of departments are responsible for the management and maintenance of the campus including the Estates Landscape Team who are principally responsible for routine grounds maintenance, mowing, strimming, weed control, litter, pruning and hedge cutting, new planting and minor woodland works excluding arboriculture. The management strategy outlines works that are undertaken as part of the routine maintenance of the site. Newly created habitats will be managed by the university landscape management team who will work alongside the relevant contracts team offering experience of the site and providing early input into the design work for each respective development area.

Landscape and Ecological Management Areas

3.4.3 The site walkovers have identified the key soft and hard landscape components across the campus. The management strategy provides objectives and actions for each of the landscape components followed by a timetable for the carrying out of the various maintenance

prescriptions.

3.4.4 Key soft landscape components of the campus comprise:  Existing woodland and scrub

 Amenity grassland  Sports pitch natural turf

 Meadow grassland and woodland edge  Native hedgerow planting

 Ornamental planting – hedgerows

 Ornamental planting – shrubs and herbaceous  Ornamental tree planting

 Aquatic features including Swales

3.4.5 Key hard landscape components of the campus comprise  Paved surfaces and public realm

 Non-paved footpaths and desire routes to the countryside  Parking areas and bus / coach drop offs

 Waste and recycling – bin storage & littler picking  Fencing & enclosures

 Urban tree furniture including tree grilles  Seating and raised planters

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Woodland and Scrub Areas

Management objectives

 Retain, protect and where possible enhance existing mature trees;

 Build on their ecological value, especially for roosting bats and nesting and foraging birds;  Maintain a long-term woodland edge mosaic of habitats with scrub and open areas;  Encourage a diverse understorey flora;

 Phase management over time to create a varied age structure and open glade areas, and to maintain a continuous tree canopy.

Management actions (see Prescriptions Table)

 Inspect existing trees every 3 years for safety, and trim as required with consideration for bats and birds;

 Where space allows, windrow arisings to habitat piles in appropriate locations;  Periodic tree removal should be undertaken to maintain structural variety and prevent

shading of the scrub edge. Scrub and tree removal should not normally involve the removal of more than 5% of the habitat in any one year. Scrub should not normally cover more than 15% of the site at any one time. Tree removal should ensure that a continuous canopy is maintained for foraging and commuting bats.

 Unless essential to the University’s business, tree removal should be restricted to immature trees to preserve those which may be suitable for roosting bats. Health and safety

considerations will ultimately take precedence when concerning the structural condition of any tree.

 Remove ivy from trees where tree health is impaired. Ivy will otherwise be retained on trees for the benefit of invertebrates, bats and birds.

 Vegetation removal should not normally be below 20cm above ground to reduce the risk to hibernating reptiles, amphibians and small mammals. Unless there is risk of the spread of disease or other key consideration, tree stumps should be left in place to provide valuable refuge and hibernation habitat for reptiles and amphibians.

 Create and maintain scalloped edges to woodland using scrub management.

 Unless there is risk of the spread of disease or other key consideration, deadwood will normally be retained in situ or created into piles using cut material from tree management works.

3.4.6 These points are to be observed when undertaking woodland site works:

 All trees on site are subject to a blanket Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and therefore require a formal application and approval by the local authority. If in doubt, consult the relevant tree officer for support.

 Bird nesting season: no cutting or clearance work is to be carried out if it would impact on neting birds;

 Monitor the condition of bird and bat boxes annually, taking appropriate action to ensure their continued efficacy;

 Create deadwood habitats by retaining standing dead wood as far as safe and possible and using arisings to form windrows. Deadwood is to be retained in undisturbed areas to create hibernacula within the woodland as per the target areas and to enhance refugia for small mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

 Management to be phased over time to maintain/ create a varied age structure

Trees

 The Estates Landscape team will carry out works in accordance with the campus tree strategy, excluding specialist work to be undertaken by an approved tree surgeon

 The Estates Landscape Team will maintain records of Tree Preservation Orders and work on protected trees.

Risk Management

 The Estates Landscape team will carry out a rolling programme of tree inspections as part of ongoing woodland and tree maintenance.

 Veteran trees will be re-inspected on a biennial cycle, or a shorter period if appropriate.  The Estates Landscape team will ensure that all in-house and contract staff working on

major trees are appropriately trained and hold the relative certificates of competence for the operations they carry out. Risk assessments and certificates of competence are maintained in the Arboricultural Safety log.

Remedial works

 The Estates Landscape team will prioritise works arising from the tree inspection and recommendations of the strategic tree survey. Specialist tree work will be carried out by an approved tree surgeon.

Tree Felling

 An approved tree surgeon will be appointed to fell trees identified for removal in the most suitable manner for the tree and the site and in accordance with the tree strategy. The Estates Landscape team will coordinate the works and ensure any tree works are carried out in accordance with the site tree strategy.

 The Estates Landscape team will refer to the strategic tree strategy for information on tree replacements and to maintain tree coverage quotas.

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Amenity Grassland

Management objectives

 Provide a clean environment for features and seating areas;

 Complement amenity landscapes in scale and maintenance standards;  Sward appropriate for recreational access;

 Hard wearing, tidy grass surfaces cut to an appropriate regime;  Tidy and litter-free appearance.

Management actions (see Prescriptions Table)

 Amenity grassland will be managed in recreational areas, and will be managed to maintain a short sward

 Longer grassland edges will be left where possible, including adjacent to hedgerow, woodland and scrub habitats for the benefit of wildlife.

 Irrigate and litter pick as required to realise design intents;  Spot treat broadleaved weeds twice each summer;

 Mulch cut to 100mm height 6 times each summer or as required

Tree Planting

Management objectives

 Existing tree planting will be managed and maintained as part of the site wide tree survey and strategy recommendations.

 Proposed tree planting will be carried out:

o as per each detailed development planning application,

o as part of the recommendation set out within the tree strategy or o to replace dead/dying trees with an appropriate replacement.

 Enhance opportunities for wildlife on site through appropriate native tree planting where appropriate;

 Promote healthy, well-balanced growth of trees as individual features. Management actions (see Prescriptions Table 1)

 Maintain adjustment of tree stakes, ties and shelters while needed, replacing missing or broken furniture as required and removing once anchorage has been established;  Remove dead or diseased wood as required and trim to achieve a natural habit;  Ensure inspection by a suitably qualified arborist once annually to advise on defects;  Replace dead, dying or damaged trees as agreed with the site supervisor for the first 5

years. Replacement plants will normally be of the same species and specification as the failed specimens, exceptions may include instances where native species may take precedence over ornamental species.

Ornamental Shrub Planting

Management objectives

 Provide enclosure for urban features and areas;

 Complement amenity landscapes in scale and maintenance standards;  Healthy growth leading to rapid canopy closure at the appropriate level. Management actions (see Prescriptions Table)

 Prune, weed, irrigate and litter pick to realise design intents;  Replace failed plants as required in Years 1-5;

 Winter management operations are not normally to be below 20cm to minimise the risk to hibernating reptiles, amphibians and small mammals.

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Habitat Pond Management and Maintenance

Management objectives

 Manage wetland planting to provide variety and transitions between deep aquatics and marginals within the first 5 years.

 Monitor and carry out remedial actions to reduce invasive weeds and promote oxygenating species.

 Maintain planting diversity to limit invasive planting taking over

 Encourage student groups and volunteers to take part in monitoring as part of personal development opportunities offered on campus.

Management actions (see Prescriptions Table)

 Annual monitoring of pond life quality and water regimes would be during the first five years then allowed to develop as a self sustained habitat. Student involvement could be

encouraged to review and monitor habitat, scientific data and other related fields.  Vegetation would be left to naturalise subject to maintaining suitable access requirements

and sport facilities.

 Timing may also depend on any invasive plant species that need controlling and whether this may be in conflict with wildlife interest on the site.

University Park Lake - Management and Maintenance

Management objectives

 Maintain a safe and attractive feature for enjoyment by all users of the park;

 Manage wetland planting to provide variety and transitions between deep aquatics and marginals.

 Ensure lake edge gradients are maintained to ensure safe slopes that do not exceed 1:2  Monitor and carry our remedial actions to reduce invasive weeds and promote oxygenating

species.

 Carry out routine litter collection including leave litter during Autumn  De-silt the lake every two years to maintain water levels and water quality Management actions (see Prescriptions Table)

 Annual monitoring of pond life quality and water regimes will be encouraged as part of a student/volunteering group involvement programme. Monitoring could be carried out to review and monitor habitat, scientific data and other related fields.

 Timing may also depend on any invasive plant species that need controlling and whether this may be in conflict with wildlife interest on the site.

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Meadow grassland and wildflower areas

Management objectives

 Create managed, native species grassland adjacent to woodland to enhance structural diversity and as a companion habitat for insects and birds;

 Provide opportunities for foraging wildlife including bats, birds and invertebrates;  Colour and seasonal variety for recreational users;

 Keep invasive plant levels under control through monitoring and management;

 Designated long grassland areas should be developed to meet at least two of the following conditions:

1) Cover of rye-grasses and white clover is less than 30%.

2) Sward is moderately species-rich (12 species/m2_{, including grasses).}

3) Cover of wildflowers and sedges, excluding white clover, creeping buttercup and injurious weeds, is 10% or more.

 Maintenance of open grassland habitats Management actions (see Prescriptions Table 1)

 Long grassland swards to be established through cutting once annually, alternately in August and September to allow differential wildflower seeding, collecting and removing all arisings;

 Allow for a second cut as agreed with the landscape manager if required;

 Control invasive weed and woody seedling encroachment by hand pulling and/or topping.  Scrub control works to ensure that grassland is not encroached. These control works should

be undertaken outside of nesting bird season, particularly within areas of dense scrub. Timing must also consider protection of hibernating species

 Arisings will be removed from the grassland and placed in designated compost heaps or removed from the site

 Management of grassland to increase structural diversity. Longer edge grassland swards will be allowed to establish along hedgerows.

 Cover of rye-grasses and clover of greater than 30% in wildflower areas will normally trigger a reassessment and consideration to altered management and/or additional sowing/plug planting.

Special Features

Management objectives

 Signing, interpretation, fencing and gates checked and maintained as required;  Introduction of further natural habitat features to enhance opportunities for wildlife;  Lighting, litter bins, picnic seating and other furniture should be functional and clean.  Commissioning of further artwork, display boards and wayfinding subject to funding and

grants

Management actions (see Prescriptions Table)

 Empty bins and litter pick weekly or as agreed with landscape manager for special occasions;

 Check security effectiveness and the public safety of fencing and gates twice annually;  Annual monitoring of habitat and hibernacula features with preference to be given to

students as an educational tool

 Drainage clearance and gully emptying as to be agreed with landscape manager;  Review replacement strategy in the long-term to reflect experience made. The following points apply to all site maintenance works:

 Compliance with all relevant legislation, notably the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974;

 Compliance with the relevant British Standards, guidelines and best practice for herbicide use, plant handling, pruning etc;

 An organic management approach will be used, such that weed killer and other chemicals should not be used on site as far as possible;

 Replace worn, broken or damaged items as required;

 Report site issues arising to the appropriate University department;  Ensure the necessary access to infrastructure elements.

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Miscellaneous Works

Green Waste Disposal

 The Estates Landscape team aims to recycle as much green waste as is possible within available budgets. All green waste will be removed or processed on site.

Peat use

 Peat use is kept to a minimum with the aim of eventually eliminating its use. Snow Clearing and Gritting

 During freezing weather the University will make reasonable allowance to grit roads and footpaths

 The Estates Landscape team aims to comply fully with all University policy which reflects legislative obligations. The Landscape Manager will maintain appropriate H&S Management Systems in accordance with University Policy.

In document Strategic Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) (Page 35-45)