HARPENDEN TOWN COUNCIL
NON CONFIDENTIAL
COMMITTEE:
ENVIRONMENT
DATE:
21 JANUARY 2015
REPORT BY:
TOWN CLERK
SUBJECT:
BATFORD SPRINGS NATURE RESERVE – GRASSLAND AREA
1.
Summary
1.1
At the meeting on 16 October 2013 the Environment Committee agreed to a trial area of
grass remaining unmown at Batford Springs to allow for a botanical survey (area B).
1.2
The Batford Springs Volunteers Working Party agreed at their meeting on 4 November
2014 that this trial had been a success and are strongly in favour of it continuing and
being extended to the second area to the north of footpath 24 originally proposed to the
Environment Committee (see appendix one).
2.
Recommendation
2.1
It is recommended that;
2.1.1
the trial to the area south of footpath 24 (area B) be continued through 2015
2.1.2
the trial area be extended to incorporate the area to the north of footpath 24 (area A).
2.1.3
local residents be given an update on the trial and asked for their views
2.1.4
Batford Community Action Group (BCAG) is advised that both grassed areas on the
Lower Luton Road will not be available for use for the Larks in the Parks event in June
2015.
2.1.5
both areas undergo another botanical survey in 2015 and the results reported back to this
Committee
2.1.6
both areas are included in the annual hay cut
3.
Background
3.1
The volunteers provided the Environment Committee with a map proposing two areas to
be left to grow for the purpose of carrying out a botanical survey and ascertaining whether
it might have significance for a future change in its management. The Committee agreed
to the area to the south of footpath 24 being left unmown.
3.2
Unfortunately the area was mistakenly mown twice early in the season by the
maintenance contractor. In spite of this, during the botanical survey 18 species of plants
had been recorded. 98% of these were perennial rye grass which was not surprising as
this was resistant to mowing. Once mowing ceases more species could become evident.
3.3
Larks in the Parks, a St Albans District Council promoted event organised by local
residents (BCAG) will be running again on Sunday 28th June 2015. The Town Council
have given permission for Batford Springs and Marquis Lane playing field to be used for
this event. BCAG are aware that it is likely the trial to the south of the footpath will
continue but they are not aware of the proposal to trial an area to the north of the
footpath.
4.
Financial Implications
4.1
There will be an additional cost to cut the new area as part of the annual hay cut but this
is not expected to be a significant amount as it will be off set by the reduction in regular
grass cutting in these areas.
APPENDIX ONE
Lower Luton Road
River Lea →