Annual Review 2004
2003/04 was another successful year for the Community Forest project as can be seen from the range of projects that are being described in this year's Annual Review. There have been less tree planting opportunities than last year which was buoyed by completion of the Saffron Green project that is now well established and well used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. On the latter point the British Horse Society awarded the project a Riders Charter Award for Route Creation. This year's emphasis has been on projects that deliver hedge planting, numerous access improvements including health walks, tree trails etc., information panels and supporting leaflets and feasibility studies such as the River Ver Park Project. In addition a number of research projects were undertaken as part of the Succession Strategy. A key project has been the Community Greenspace and New Development, which undertook a detailed review of the various examples were new greenspace has been created as a result of development. This work has identified a number of issues that need to be addressed during any negotiations and the level of funding required to create a viable structure to manage future greenspaces. A conference was held during March 2004 with delegates drawn from all over the East of England and included within the programme where presentations on the Greenspaces project and the joint Countryside Agency and Groundwork consultation on the Urban Fringe.
2004/05 will be a period of transition for the Community Forest. At the end of March 2005 the Countryside Agency's funding for the Project will come to an end. From April 2005 funding for the management of the Project will be provided on a reducing scale by the Forestry Commission over a 2 year period ending in March 2007. Work is being undertaken to develop a Succession Strategy based on these new circumstances. Locally, the Local Authority partners will continue to support project funding and the Countryside Management Service who will manage the Project.
For further details on what is available please contact Tony Bradford of the Countryside Management Service on 020 8447 5466 or by email on Tony.Bradford@hertscc.gov.uk.
Peter Davidson
(Chairman of the Project Development Group)
Improvements to Ridge bridleway, Packhorse Lane
Supplementary Planning Guidance - a guide for landowners, developers and users