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Mare Hill Common supports a number of rare and
protected wildlife habitats and species, and is designated as a
National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest, a
Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area.
The Council is mid-way through a 10-year Countryside Stewardship
grant agreement for Mare Hill overseen by Natural England. To meet
the objectives of this agreement, the Council have entered the site
into a supplementary 3-year capital grant programme
mandating the removal of specified areas of scrub to benefit the
rare heathland habitat and its associated wildlife.
This contract will enable the Council to meet this year’s
agreed scrub removal obligations under this capital grant
programme. The value of the contract will be fixed at
£9292.50, and it will be valid between the months of November
and February inclusive to allow for the work to be undertaken
outside of the bird nesting season.

Reasons for the decision

To enable the Council to fulfil its’
obligations under our 10-year Countryside Stewardship agreement for
Mare Hill Common, and a supplementary 3-year capital grant
programme. These works will greatly improve the condition of the
rare heathland habitat on Mare Hill, and will further the
Council’s aim of Mare Hill achieving favourable habitat
condition for the rare wildlife it supports.

Alternative options considered

To not carry out the scrub clearance. The
Council would be in breach of both its’ 3-year capital
agreement and the primary 10-year Countryside
Stewardship agreement for Mare Hill, and would lose the associated
grant income. The Council would also be at risk of being served
notice by Natural England for neglect of a SSSI, which would
obligate the Council to carry out the required work within 2
months.