Tyning Management Resources:
Natural England Guidance on Grassland Management
Many of the homes around Freshford and Limpley Stoke were build from locally-mined limestone, so it should come as no surprise to find that the Tyning is classed as a chalk and limestone grassland. According to Natural England this type of grassland comprises some of the most species-rich habitat in lowland England and if managed carefully can support a huge number of plants and animals. They have issued a guide to illustrate what lowland chalk and limestone grassland should and shouldn’t look like at different times of the year:
Natural England Technical Note TIN082 - Illustrated guide to lowland chalk and limestone grassland
Unless an area is being managed for a particular species with different requirements, these guidelines should be applied. One of the guidelines is that where possible, livestock should be used to manage sward heights in preference to cutting and that correct management will allow and encourage more plants to flower over the summer months.
Many of the homes around Freshford and Limpley Stoke were build from locally-mined limestone, so it should come as no surprise to find that the Tyning is classed as a chalk and limestone grassland. According to Natural England this type of grassland comprises some of the most species-rich habitat in lowland England and if managed carefully can support a huge number of plants and animals. They have issued a guide to illustrate what lowland chalk and limestone grassland should and shouldn’t look like at different times of the year:
Natural England Technical Note TIN082 - Illustrated guide to lowland chalk and limestone grassland
Unless an area is being managed for a particular species with different requirements, these guidelines should be applied. One of the guidelines is that where possible, livestock should be used to manage sward heights in preference to cutting and that correct management will allow and encourage more plants to flower over the summer months.
Planning for a healthy environment –good practice
guidance for green infrastructure and biodiversity
Town & Country Planning Association The Wildlife Trusts
Principle 6 of this guidance notes that Green infrastructure needs to be central to the development’s design and must reflect and enhance the area’s locally distinctive character. This local character is described in the Conservation Appraisal for the area which is linked sumarised and linked below.
B&NES Freshford and Sharpstone Conservation Appraisal : summary of special interest notes the Tyning directly and indirectly as follows
- The secluded location in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- The landscape setting within a valley, framed by hills and woodland
- The proximity of the River Frome as a landscape feature and formerly the power source for the wool mills
- The physical separation of Freshford and Sharpstone by the Tyning
- The close grain of the buildings, often hard on to the road
- Remnants of the industrial past, in particular Dunkirk Mill, Freshford Mill, and former weavers’ cottages
- The familiar landmark of the brewery chimney
- The variety of traditional building materials
- High rubble stone boundary walls
- The wide range of buildings of varying status within a small area
- Narrow, unmarked roads and rural verges
- The particular contribution of the natural landscape, trees and vegetation to the character of the area
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) South West
The South West branch of a national charity which provides impartial professional advice and could be consulted about Grazing and land mangement regimes
FLEWG's original statement: A biodiversity-centred Tyning for the future?
This is the statement of the Environment Group issued on 12th February 2013 for the public meeting on Friday 15th February 2013:
- Quote from National Planning Policy Framework published March 2012.
"...biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people.”
- Quote from global Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity represents 192 states who have committed to take action to halt the alarming global decline of biodiversity. http://www.cbd.int/convention/
“Desired Outcome The objective is to create substantial areas of species-rich grassland, throughout the Olympic Park.”
- Quote from the Olympic Park Biodiversity Action Plan
Economic and social needs are already served - Local economic opportunities are achieved by protecting our environment and encouraging visitors who value the tranquility and rural landscape and villages thus supporting local hotels and pubs. Loss of species like bees is set to lose the national economy running into hundreds of millions of pounds. Social needs are being focused around the village hall and galleries centre.
Maintaining grazing - This is both an economic solution to maintenance and it also serves a vital function of biodiversity protection. Some careful thought can also achieve improved access.
NEXT STEPS
1. Protection of unique tranquil centre to village and protection of biodiversity and existing shape of the landscape to be enshrined in legal measures to protect the Tyning for the community for all future generations
2. A more detailed biodiversity appraisal to establish status of grassland and other habitats.
3. A biodiversity driven land management plan which also facilitates an educational resource.
By such measures we maintain the rural feel of the Tyning and the quiet calm tranquillity space in the heart of the village and yet we also use it to educate the children, community and visitors about the important habitats and species that surround us. We view this as a creative solution that will make a significant contribution to the quality of village life and it demonstrates that we fully understand the responsibilities that go hand in hand with the priviledge of living here.
This vision for the future of the Tyning has been prepared by the Freshford and Limpley Stoke Environment Group.
- For our children - There is a recognised concern of children's growing disconnect from nature Termed 'nature deficit disorder' which has been linked to obesity, depression, vitamin d deficiency and a lack of knowledge relating to our dependency on the natural world.
- In line with national and global government that:
- Quote from National Planning Policy Framework published March 2012.
"...biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people.”
- Quote from global Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity represents 192 states who have committed to take action to halt the alarming global decline of biodiversity. http://www.cbd.int/convention/
“Desired Outcome The objective is to create substantial areas of species-rich grassland, throughout the Olympic Park.”
- Quote from the Olympic Park Biodiversity Action Plan
- The Tyning as a gateway to our understanding of habitat and species, and their interdependency, within our parishes
- Maintaining the unique and tranquil heart of our village.
Economic and social needs are already served - Local economic opportunities are achieved by protecting our environment and encouraging visitors who value the tranquility and rural landscape and villages thus supporting local hotels and pubs. Loss of species like bees is set to lose the national economy running into hundreds of millions of pounds. Social needs are being focused around the village hall and galleries centre.
Maintaining grazing - This is both an economic solution to maintenance and it also serves a vital function of biodiversity protection. Some careful thought can also achieve improved access.
NEXT STEPS
1. Protection of unique tranquil centre to village and protection of biodiversity and existing shape of the landscape to be enshrined in legal measures to protect the Tyning for the community for all future generations
2. A more detailed biodiversity appraisal to establish status of grassland and other habitats.
3. A biodiversity driven land management plan which also facilitates an educational resource.
By such measures we maintain the rural feel of the Tyning and the quiet calm tranquillity space in the heart of the village and yet we also use it to educate the children, community and visitors about the important habitats and species that surround us. We view this as a creative solution that will make a significant contribution to the quality of village life and it demonstrates that we fully understand the responsibilities that go hand in hand with the priviledge of living here.
This vision for the future of the Tyning has been prepared by the Freshford and Limpley Stoke Environment Group.