NORTH AGNEW PLANTATION

AGENDA ITEM No. 10 MEETING: ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE DATE: 29th JUNE 2016 REPORT BY: TOWN CLERK & WORKS AND ENVIRONMENT MANAGER 1.0 Purpose of the Report 1.1 The purpose of the report is to advise Members of the opportunity to have

the North Agnew Plantation transferred to the Town Council, as part of a Section 106 Agreement, associated with the housing development on Woodham Golf Course. In addition, to receive an update on the possibility of providing a circular walking route along the east and north of the golf course.

2.0 Background 2.1 As part of the planning application process, limited discussion has taken

place in regard to the use of the North Agnew Plantation woodland and the associated walk that crossed the woodland, until semi-curtailed by the previous owners.

In addition, enquiries were made regarding the reinstatement of the public

walkway route around the golf course and adjacent property. 2.2 Some members will be aware that it has been the objectives of the Town

Council to seek to purchase North Agnew Plantation for a number of years in order bring the woodland into public ownership, as is the Council’s South Agnew Plantation.

3.0 Current Situation 3.1 A further meeting has taken place with the course owners and planners

from Nathaniel Litchfield and Partners to discuss the transfer of North Agnew Plantation and further pieces of land. One piece (Area 2 on plan) is at the north west of the plantation where the path exits and runs along the rear of Ryder Court, up to the area of the road traffic roundabout.

The second piece (Area 3 on plan) consists of a strip along the western

side of the golf course adjacent to the C35, in effect between the proposed houses and the boundary fence to the highway.

4.0 Matters for Consideration

4.1 There are a number of issues that require consideration and these are associated with the three areas of land that are available to transfer via the Section 106 legal agreement associated with the planning permission for the development.

Each area of land brings with it maintenance and liability issues and also a

consideration of longer term aims.

4.2 The North Agnew Woodland has been neglected for a number of years and

has a block Woodland Tree Preservation Order (TPO) attached to it. The woodland has been fenced with barbed wire and mesh in places, this will require removal. Paths are evident with the main path entering opposite the exit from South Agnew Plantation, meandering through the woodland and exiting in the north-west corner of the woodland onto a grassed area. A second route is also evident and should exit on Woodham Way, however, this is currently blocked. Other desire lines appear to be used to enter the rear of The Grange properties.

In places, the paths are in a poor condition and will require some scrub

clearance, reinstatement of drainage crossings and removal of a number of fallen trees. The second footpath referred to is non-existent in places and will require a proper entrance via a basic wood pedestrian bridge.

Additionally, the woodland will need surveying to produce a management

plan, both to work towards improving the woodland and to provide evidence to submit to have the block TPO lifted by Durham County Council. Mature trees to the rear of The Grange will need formal inspection due to their height and proximity to the houses.

4.3 The second area, the area that forms the exit is to the north of the

woodland and is mainly mown grass and amenity trees. This area is located between Ryder Court and the Burnhill Way Road. Upon investigation, it appears that the informal ash/chipping path that runs along this area may be adopted by DCC. Investigations are underway to confirm this. If it is adopted there seems little point in pursuing land transfer of the surrounding grassland to the Town Council which then means the path is DCC’s but the grassland to either side is Town Council owned. It would be logical to transfer the grassland to DCC.

4.4 The third area runs along the internal edge of the golf course and is

currently used as a path. This would require cutting if continued to be used as a path. However, members should be aware that this is the extent of the owner’s land. There will be no access in order to complete a circular walk, linking up with DCC land. This is beyond the ‘gift’ of the golf course owners as the adjacent land is not under their ownership, nor is there any right of access up the land as was hoped.

4.5 This means that, for now, the path would revert out onto the C35 at the

entrance to the lane. Members may feel that it would be beneficial to have this path (land) in public ownership, which would bring a circular walk one step nearer. Whether this should be owned by GATC or DCC is in question. DCC currently owns a path to the north of the golf course and may have adopted the path leaving the woodland to the side of Ryder Court. It would be logical that the additional path to the side of the C35 be also transferred to them, rather than the Town Council (subject to their agreement with the golf course owners).

5.0 Impact on Great Aycliffe Town Council 5.1 Depending on the preferred option, each area has differing work

requirements both in terms of initial setup works and ongoing commitments. See map of areas (Appendix 1) and photographs (Appendix 2).

5.2 Option Area 1 - is North Agnew Planation only. The priority will be to

produce a Woodland Management Plan, detailing what works are required to bring the woodland up to standard in terms of tree and access management and ongoing maintenance. This evidence would be required to lift the current block Woodland Tree Preservation Order. Tree safety inspections would be completed in close proximity to the footpath and neighbouring residential properties and resulting works carried out as per the surveys’ recommendations. Access would be achieved by upgrading the current informal paths. The main route beginning opposite to the exit of South Agnew Plantation and exiting onto the close mown grass south of Ryder Court will be the main route. An additional alternative route, exiting along Woodham Way, will be completed in due course. Works would include drainage and surface improvements in muddy areas. Barb wire fencing and litter would be removed from the site. Works would be achieved by encouraging work with volunteers, Probation Service and other training providers alongside Great Aycliffe Town Council Works section.

5.3 Option Area 2 - the close mown amenity grassland bordering Burnhill

Way and Ryder Court. This area would need cutting in line with Great Aycliffe Town Council’s cutting cycle approximately once a week. To achieve this, a mower would need to be deployed to the area as currently no Great Aycliffe Town Council mowers operate on a weekly basis in the immediate area. Durham County Council currently maintains the immediate area with mowers and also has an adopted footpath in this area leading from near the exit of North Agnew Planation along the amenity grassland up to the entrance road into Ryder Court. The area has several ornamental trees, which are of limited concern but would require future consideration if Great Aycliffe Town Council took on this area.

5.4 Option Area 3 - proposed footpath link north along the boundary of the

golf course and C35. It is clear that this option may prove key to a future link to provide a circular walk joining paths from the A167 and potentially a safe sustainable link to Rushyford, both of which will be managed by Durham County Council. It is also worth considering that this area has several mature Ash trees along the roadside within the boundary fence line. As this section stands, if it was used as a footpath the route would abruptly end at the northern limit of the path - at this point users would need to either turn back, use the lane onto the golf course where there is a risk of contact with stray golf balls, or continue to walk up the C35, both the latter options have severe health and safety implications. Due to the number of potentially serious health and safety implications for a footpath through this area, officers would recommend that the Town Council does not accept this section of land.

5.5 Linkages - Area 1 offers an alternative diversion from the Great Aycliffe Way route entering the woodland off Woodham Way. To the north of the woodland an additional spur would link onto the Aycliffe Way, south of Acle Burn, alternatively users may walk north to Ryder Court, cross the road and re-enter the woodland heading south to join again with the Aycliffe Way. From the roundabout users can also cross Greenfield Way and join the Bridleway to Windlestone.

6.0 Policy Implications

6.1 Conforms to Council Aim Nos. 2, 3 and 5 of the Council’s Aims and

Targets:-

2. To Manage the Council’s Finances and Assets in a Responsible Manner.

3. To Provide Accessible, Affordable Leisure Facilities and Opportunities. 5. To contribute to the environmental improvement of Aycliffe by

managing and developing parks, play areas and green areas. 7.0 Staffing Implications 7.1 Staff time will initially be taken up developing and implementing the

Management Plan and the legal aspects of transfer of land and removal of the Tree Preservation orders.

7.2 As only parts of the path in North Anew will need surfacing and drainage

works will be minimal, any works required could be completed by various Community groups facilitated by Great Aycliffe Town Council.

7.3 It would be anticipated there would be significant tree works required to

make the area safe, this could be achieved by using Works Operatives and potentially other community groups.

7.4 If area two is adopted, provision will be required to cut the grassland in line

with current cutting regime. This is possible within budget. 8.0 Financial Implications 8.1 At the moment it is not possible to quantify financial cost. Much will

depend on which option is preferred by Members and findings from tree safety reports.

9.0 Crime and Disorder Implications 9.1 It is not thought that this proposal will have any significant implications for

Crime and Disorder. 10.0 Equal Opportunities Implications 10.1 It is not thought this proposal will have any significant implications for Equal

Opportunities. 11.0 Environmental Implications 11.1 The Woodland Management Plan would aim to highlight opportunities

where there may be scope to improve the diversity of this habitat.

12.0 Risk Assessment 12.1 It is not considered that the matters contained in this report pose a risk to

health and safety of staff or to the financial or public standing of the Council to a degree that a risk assessment should be appended to this report.

13.0 Recommendations 13.1 It is recommended that Members: i) Receive the report. ii) Consider the three options for transfer of land, as detailed above, and instruct officers accordingly.

Town Clerk and Works and Environment Officer