Decision

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, 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 scrub removal obligations under both its’ Countryside Stewardship agreement and capital grant programme.

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 status 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.