Agenda item

To receive a presentation from the Superintendent of Epping Forest, Paul Thompson and Judy Adams the Chairman of the Friends of Epping Forest on the present public consultation on the Forest Management Plan.

The Committee received a presentation from Mr P Thomson, Superintendent of Epping Forest and Ms J Adams, Chairman of the Friends of Epping Forest on the Management Plan Consultation for Epping Forest.

 

The consultation Epping Forest – The Next 10 Years ran from June to October 2015 with 1,600 individuals being contacted and responses received from 432.

 

The consultation was broken down into 6 themes:

 

(1)  Public recreation and enjoyment.

 

(2)  Preservation of the natural aspect.

 

(3)  Protection of the unspoilt forest.

 

(4)  Regulation and management.

 

(5)  Heritage.

 

(6)  Deer management.

 

Consultation Responses

 

(a)  Theme 1 – Public Recreation and Enjoyment

 

(i)   Keeping cycling on track

 

Responders felt that this issue was either important or very important. Although there was general support for cycling in the forest, there was concern amongst the Conservators of Epping Forest that forest land should not be relinquished for commuter cycling.

 

A further concern were the high speeds attained by cyclists, sometimes reaching 30 mph and riding at night.

 

(ii)          Keeping Trails in Working Order

 

There were over 60 km of major paths which had cost £420,000 to maintain over the last 5 years. The consultation had revealed concerns on drainage with some people supporting more signage, although others had expressed concern with there being too much.

 

(iii)         An Exciting Natural Playground

 

There had been 165 responses, it was felt that at the southern end of the forest, which was less dense, there could be an open space for a play area. It was acknowledged that there was a lack of play provision in the Woodford Green, Loughton and High Beech areas.

 

(iv)         Access for All

 

Comments were made asking for less signage to minimise its visual impact in the Forest better maintenance of paths and car parks. Those responding wanted to strike a balance between wild forest and established trails.

 

(v)          A Safe Place for Visitors

 

Respondents broadly agreed with all proposals with the exception of the take up membership for safety organisations such as visitor safety in the countryside. Other comments received focussed on provision of CCTV, increased Forest Keeper patrols, anti-social behaviour and drinking. There was also concern about rough sleepers using the forest as a bivouac.

 

(b)  Theme 2 – Preservation of the National Aspect

 

(i)   Grasslands and Heathlands

 

Respondents had broad agreement with all proposals the exception being the increased use of mechanical mowing of sites. Responses preferred grazing to mowing.

 

(ii)          Encouraging Commoner’s Grazing Rights

 

There were 108 responses with 30 comments, some concerned wooden fencing and its effects, a suggestion was to use invisible fencing.

 

(c)  Theme 3 – Protection of the Unspoilt Forest

 

(i)   Managing Cars and Car Parks

 

Respondents broadly disagreed with proposals concerning the introduction of fees and charges for car parking across the forest, reducing the number of car parks in the forest and introducing mobile or contactless payment for any car parking charges. A decision would be made in September 2016 on setting a small charge for car parking.

 

There was concern around the amount of traffic through the forest, it was felt that this should be discouraged.

 

(ii)          Planning and Protection

 

Mr P Thompson said that the forest was facing real challenges in terms of planning development, they had been unhappy about recent decisions made. There was an opportunitiy for the forest to be designated as a World Heritage Site.

 

(d)  Theme 4 – Regulation and Management

 

(i)   Litter

 

Responses agree with improving litter management with a request for provision of more bins and improved education encouraging visitors to take their litter home.

 

(ii)          Fly-Tipping

 

This was an area of big concern, there were 1½ occurrences of fly-tipping per day with a cost of between £6,000 – £7,000 to remove a single fly tip.

 

(iii)         Administering and Managing Licences

 

It was advised that an income could be made from obtaining more permission for filming in the forest and the Corporation could increase the terms of leases for reinvestment.

 

(e)  Theme 5 – Heritage

 

(iv)Preserving Scheduled Ancient Monuments

 

It was said that in some cases trees had damaged ancient monuments and needed cutting back. There were opportunities from land purchased for this to be returned to the Forest.

 

(f)   Theme 6 – Deer Management

 

(v)  Minimising the Incidence of Deer-Vehicle Collisions

 

There had been 162 incidents involving deers hit by vehicles last year. It was suggested that clear, wider verges were required and more signage to prevent this.

 

Golden Threads

 

The Corporation intended to promote equality duties, public involvement and volunteering. The consultation document would be published later in June 2016 and the Public Consultation on 6 themes to the summer of 2017.

 

Next, the Committee received a presentation from Ms J Adams regarding the Friends of Epping Forest.

 

The Friends had been in existence for 45 years and were the only group focused on the Forest as a whole and all its related interests. They were also the largest single voluntary membership organisation in the forest. The Friends participated in planning consultation, undertook guided walks, produced publications, operated a visitor centre and was involved in fundraising.

 

The Forest was open all year round and received 35,000 visitors from this district area alone.

 

The Friends had concerns about the Forest’s future, which were summarised as follows:

 

(1)  Wood pasture restoration.

 

(2)  Cycling.

 

(3)  Litter

 

(4)  Development threatening the Forest.

 

(5)  Risk of the Forest losing its naturalness.

 

(6)  Localism – a potential benefit but posed risks.

 

A particular concern was that the Forest could become a park in the future and lose its status as a natural forest/woodland.

 

The Chairman thanked the two speakers for their presentation and asked the Committee for their questions.

 

(a)  Councillor S Murray extended his thanks to the Friends of Epping Forest for their work, they were completely voluntary with 1,600 members. As a Councillor, he added that the Forest was a gem which was the reason why many people lived in the district. The Councillor then asked Ms J Adams from the Friends of Epping Forest if they were concerned about the commercialisation of the Forest.

 

Ms J Adams replied that this was their biggest concern at the moment, she repeated her earlier concern that the Forest was not a park. Mr P Thomson added that £5 million was spent per annum in managing the Forest, he advised that the Forest had a long history of commercial activity and it should share in the profits from this activity.

 

Ms J Adams acknowledged that commercialism in the Forest had its place, there were 4.4 million visits there and resourcing would be necessary so that it was “fitter” for the next chapter in its progress.

 

(b)  Councillor D Wixley asked about the Epping Forest Forum which he had attended in October/November 2015 could they be used again? In addition he asked about commuter cycling, he advised that it was possible to cycle quite some distance in the Forest, could proper routes be established going right through it?

 

Mr P Thomson said that there were 74 separate groups which had some interest in the Forest. In March 2016 it had been suggested that a consultative committee could be formed, they would be considering this again in July 2016.

 

Mr P Thomson replied to the second question by advising that a large consultation had been undertaken for commuter cycling on Wanstead Flats, however this was rejected. Commuter cycling could change the nature of the Forest, although the Corporation of London had released some land for this activity at Whipps Cross Road. Mr J Adams added that the Friends were interested in dedicated cycling routes and there had been a pubic petition.

 

(c)  Councillor L Girling, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee, asked about the Essex County Council Cycling Strategy. He advised that the Corporation was not mentioned as a consultee in the strategy, therefore what was their relationship with the County Council?

 

Mr P Thomson replied that the Corporation enjoyed a good working relationship with the County Council Highways, although they had a less successful relationship with the London Borough Highways. He confirmed that they had not been consulted on the County Cycling Strategy but added that the County had invested in the Forest.

 

(d)  Councillor G Shiell referred to the online survey carried out by the Corporation on car parks.

 

Mr P Thompson replied that there were 11 responses and 38 comments made.

 

(e)  Councillor R Brookes asked what progress had been made in establishing a Liaison Group of members of Epping Forest Commons Committee and Epping Forest District Council along the lines of those operating very successfully with the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest and Redbridge. It was now seven months since the proposal was put to the District Council.

 

Mr P Thompson replied that they had developed liaison groups with Members at the Commons and they had approached the District Council last year. The Cabinet were discussing a liaison group at the current time. The Chairman added that Cross Border Liaison Groups were a good means of liaison.

 

(f)   Councillor S Neville asked about the Corporation’s communication strategy as he had found it difficult to use their website.

 

Mr P Thomson replied that they get many hits on their website, particularly downloads of their forest map. The Corporation used Tweeter often, although there needed better signposting on their website to find the Forest section. He suggested as well, that better liaison was needed with parish councils.

 

(g)  Councillor D Stallan asked about separating hospital visitors from Forest visitors in regard to car park usage. His second question concerned the deer issue and its impact on speed limits in the Forest.

 

Mr P Thomson replied that they had introduced a pilot scheme in regard to car parking, an hour and a half stay, on average, for forest users would favour them. It had been used successfully elsewhere. He acknowledged that there were a disproportionate number of deer incidents at the present time.

 

(h)  Councillor D Stallan asked if the pilot scheme for parking was cheaper.

 

Mr P Thomson said the first two hours would be free and they would be issuing a season ticket. There would be a committee decision in September 2016.

 

(i)    Councillor A Patel asked what support had the Corporation received from local authorities in talking crime and anti-social behaviour issues in the Forest? A second question he asked concerned what locations had the Corporation in mind for creating play areas.

 

Mr P Thomson replied that they had received support from the Metropolitan Police in regard to knife related crime and a dispersal zone had been established for 6 months. Essex Police had stopped a large party from starting in the forest, a Gypsy and traveller encampment had been moved from the Honey Lane area. The Corporation shared intelligence with police service all the time, which was improving over time.

 

In regard to sourcing play areas in the forest Waltham Forest Council had invested £30,000 into a play area. The Corporation had been asked to host an area in Wanstead as there was a play area deficit. However, he advised that this was a local authority responsibility. He added that it was good for children to play in a natural area and the corporation would try and find a way for the forest to do this.

 

(j)    Councillor L Girling asked about the impact of cuts on the police, how did this impact the Corporation? He suggested as well that the forest car park needed gates at entry points.

 

Mr P Thompson said that they were undertaking day to day intelligence sharing, however police resources were often centred on towns particularly in the evenings, budget cuts were also a problem.

 

In response to the second question, less than a quarter of car parks in the forest had gated entrances. Not all users welcomed them although they helped in cutting down anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping.

 

(k)  Councillor L Girling asked if the Corporation was liaising with the District Council on fly-tipping, was there a pattern in the dumping of rubbish?

 

Mr P Thomson replied that they were trying to allocate reference numbers to each fly-tip incident.

 

(l)    Councillor A Mitchell expressed concern at the speed of cyclists going through the forest, sometimes attaining speeds of 30mph.

 

Mr P Thomson said that they had 1 or 2 senior keepers and 10 forest keepers, they had staff on call for problems. The Corporation tried to build a Code of Conduct and were developing communication with user groups. Improvement on sight lines in the forest may help.

 

(m)Councillor B Surtees asked Ms J Adams from the Friends of Epping Forest what she thought the forest would look like in 30 years.

 

Ms J Adams relied that the future really depended on the next 5 years, she did have concerns about the forest’s future.

 

The Chairman asked non-committee members for their questions.

 

(n)  Councillor S Stavrou asked about the charging scheme for horse riders in the forest. Users paid for the individual rider and their horse through a licence. She thought the process convoluted.

 

She made a second point concerning a recent experience she had when she discovered an injured Muntjac which had a broken hind leg. She reported the matter to the forest authorities only to be given conflicting information, there needed to be a more direct reporting route for these incidents.

 

Mr P Thomson advised that the animal concerned had been dispatched by the authorities. He commented on the horse licences saying that it took a decade to negotiate and install the current charging regime. It would need altering bye-laws and a lot of administration to change this.

 

(o)  Councillor J M Whitehouse asked about the future of the deer sanctuary.

 

Mr P Thomson advised that the sanctuary was owned by the Corporation and there could be more opportunities to see the deer and generate interaction.

 

Mr P Thomson answered a final question regarding the concentration of services in the forest near car parks. He said that it was in these areas that visitors gathered. There needed to be a mix of quiet forest areas and busier areas where services could be located.

 

The Chairman thanked Mr P Thomson and Ms J Adams for their presentations and providing answers to Member’s questions.