The following important nature conservation features have been identified and shown on map 2 in Appendix 6:
1.    Unimproved Neutral Grassland (G)
2.    Fen (F), Upper Saltmarsh (SM) and Sea Club-rush Swamp (SCR)
3.    Lower reaches of a Chalk River (CR)
4.    Woodland/Scrub: Riverine Woodland (RW); Willow/Alder Scrub (W/AS); Woodland (W).

Objective 1: To improve the diversity of grassland and maintain grassland in favourable condition.
Current condition:
The unimproved grassland is in 4 areas: North and Central Meadow most of which is at the second stage of the restoration process with several populations of coarse grasses such as False Oatgrass, Tall Fescue, Cocksfoot, Yorkshire Fog and Perennial Ryegrass still dominating the sward. Although most of these grasses are good for grazing they also have considerable wildlife value in that they provide a breeding ground for Essex and large Skipper, Ringlet and Speckled Wood butterflies. However, they should not be allowed to dominate quite to the extent that they do at present since they tend to be invasive to the exclusion of other more delicate wildflowers and grasses. Other invasive wildflowers include Creeping Buttercup, White Clover, Hogweed and Hemlock Water Dropwort.
There are several large patches of Bramble and a large Bramble bank on the eastern boundary of the South Meadow (indicated on the map with Br). Although Bramble is very important for wildlife it needs to be controlled.
Plant communities identified by the HWT 1998 survey are:
MG1 Arrhenatherum elatius (False Oat-grass) grassland is described as grasslands of high botanical nature conservation value, neutral grasslands, dry tall-herb grasslands and is characteristic of ungrazed grasslands and neglected meadows and pastures. This plant community occurs generally over the site but especially in the North and Central Meadows.
MG12 Festuca arundinacea (Tall Fescue) grassland described as grass dominated inundation communities occurs on poorly structured and poorly drained soils. This plant community occurs generally in all four grassland areas of the site but especially in the SE corner of the Central Meadow (Lumley wet area) and in the southern part of the South Meadow.
Seven old meadow indicators and various indicators of saline influenced communities including the nationally scarce Divided Sedge have become established in a few small areas.
However, the distribution of several of the old meadow indicators such as Pepper Saxifrage is rather spasmodic and can be difficult to establish. Numbers of Ragged Robin, which likes ground that is moist for at least part of the year, have fluctuated with quite high numbers in 2004 but very much reduced in 2005.
Phased cutting as advocated in the second management plan was started in 2003 with part of the grassland area cut by a contractor in July and the rest in September. However, it was not until 2005 that the phased cutting programme was refined even further with only about half of the North and Central Meadows being cut by a contractor in late July and the rest cut in late September. Other smaller areas such as the Community area in CM1 were cut with the power scythe in May, a small overgrown area of the Central Meadow (within CM2) in September and the SE corner of the South Meadow was cut in October.
Because of problems with the group’s power scythe, the sedgy area north of the Causeway had still not been cut in December 2005. Nor had the Seagull Lane patch which has not been cut since 2003. Future annual cuts need to continue this phased cutting programme but also need to develop a mosaic cutting programme which gives a more varied structure and is better for wildlife.
Prescription list:
1. Annual cutting regime
a)    Continue with an annual cutting regime for North and Central Meadows whereby a maximum of 50% of any one area is cut as early as possible in July with a second cut in September/October. The areas selected for early cutting to be varied each year.
b)    Patches of uncut vegetation to be left to create a mosaic effect to provide a food source for invertebrates.
c)    Arisings to be left to dry out on the ground for a few days before being collected up for removal. This gives vertebrates and invertebrates time to relocate.
d)    A hay mower rather than a flail or rotary blades should be used whenever possible to avoid harming the wildlife.
e)    The arisings when collected should in preference be removed from the site rather than being deposited on predetermined sacrificial sites on the margins.
f)    Areas used for community events to be cut in May and possibly also in July and
September as the occasion arises but these areas to be restricted to the so-called Community area within CM1.
g)     Seagull Lane patch to be cut every other year if possible and no less than every 3 years.
h)    South Meadow to be left uncut apart from annual cutting of certain areas such as SE corner (see Feature 2 below).
2.  Selective removal of invasive plants such as Hemlock Water Dropwort from the north and central meadows.
3.    Control the spread of Bramble which if not controlled would eventually take over the grassland area. This will to some extent be included in the regular mowing regime but will have to be supplemented with additional clearance.
4.    Margins – Plants such as Common Nettle and Great Willowherb to be left on the margins as a valuable nectar source. Native trees and hedges to be planted at suitable locations in the marginal areas.
5.   Occasional paths - to be cut regularly in the summer months. This especially applies to the South Meadow particularly the path along the Bramble hedge. These paths to be cut quite wide at intervals by cutting bays along the path to provide micro-habitats.
6.    Experimental area (1)
Seed a small experimental area of coarse grasses with Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor). This is an attractive, early-flowering plant with pale yellow, cowslip-like flowers which is semi-parasitic on grasses and can be used to suppress the more dominant grasses.

Objective 2: To maintain and extend areas of Fen, Upper Saltmarsh and Sea Club-rush Swamp.
Current condition
a)    Fen: Great Pond Sedge is found in the boggy areas along the Lumley Stream. This was identified in the HWT 1998 survey as plant community S6, Carex riperia Fen. S6 is typical of mineral soils alongside sluggish rivers or other open areas.
The area along the banks of the Lumley Stream is frequently inundated with water of varying degrees of salinity since the stream is tidal up to the cottages further north. The area inundated depends on the height of the tide, the wind direction and the amount of rainfall.
This small area of Fen had been left largely unmanaged until late autumn 2004. At this time, a large amount of arisings from the adjacent grassland was dumped onto this area because of the problem of disposing of these arisings. As a result of this, the area of Great Pond Sedge has declined noticeably this year due mainly to the increase in ruderal herbs such as Common Nettle and Michaelmas Daisy which like rich, fertile soil.
b)    Upper Saltmarsh: Also confined to a small area north of the causeway. This area is also regularly inundated by saltwater due to the proximity of the tidal Lumley Stream with a small area of standing water in the SE corner (Lumley puddle).
This area is therefore damper and hence a rich and diverse range of wetland plants remain including Ragged Robin, Water Mint, Distant Sedge (old meadow indicator) and the nationally scarce Divided Sedge and Saltmarsh Rush (indicators of saline influenced communities).
This area also has a large variety of late flowering plants such as Fleabane.
Sea Club-rush swamp: a small area of regularly inundated land near the south entrance with a large area of standing water especially in the winter. Flora found in this area include Tall Fescue, Silverweed, Sea Club-rush, Halberd-leaved Orache, Sea Couch and Divided Sedge (the last 4 plants are indicators of saline influenced communities).
Prescription list:
a) Fen
1.    The area of Carex riperia Fen (area F on map 2 in Appendix 6) to be protected and not used as a sacrificial area for dumping arisings from other parts of the grassland.
2.    Any increase in Common Nettle and Michaelmas Daisy to be controlled by selective cutting/strimming.  
b) Saltmarsh
Annual cut - The main Upper Saltmarsh area (area SM on map) north of the Causeway to be cut at least once a year in October-November and possibly also selectively in March.
Bramble, Nettle and Hemlock Water-dropwort – to be kept under control by selective cutting.
Experimental area (2)
Plugs of wildflowers such as Ragged Robin to be planted in areas where this plant has been recorded in the past to encourage colonisation of this valuable plant.
c) Sea Club-rush Swamp
1.    Annual cut -This area to be cut with a power scythe in the autumn each year. The arisings to be removed and placed on a sacrificial area of Nettles.
2.    Bramble hedge on southern boundary to be kept under control.
3.    Experimental area (3) Bank in SE corner to be scarified and planted/sown with suitable wildflowers.
Individual trees, e.g. Osier and other Willow sp. to be coppiced to rejuvenate them.

Objectives for feature 3:
a)    To maintain river courses in favourable condition and to create new water bodies where appropriate.
Current condition:
The River Ems is a reasonably clean chalk river according to a survey carried out by Portsmouth University in 2005. Most of the flora and fauna of the river and riverbanks are typical of a chalk river, including a healthy population of Water Voles. Japanese Knotweed, an invasive alien species, is increasing on the western riverbank near the gasholder. Litter and other obstacles are regularly removed from the river by volunteers.
The riverbanks are vulnerable to erosion by people and dogs. A fence has been put up to restrict access to the western riverbank and a dead hedge has been created at the back of the industrial estate to restrict access onto the western riverbank further north.
The Lumley Stream is also thought to be reasonably clean although no official surveys have been carried out. This watercourse is susceptible to residential pollution since it runs along the western side of Lumley Road through the front gardens of numerous residential properties. Litter and other objects are regularly removed by volunteers. Volunteers monitor fishing which is not permitted here. Kingfishers are regular visitors to this area. Fish reported in the Lumley Stream are: Brown Trout, Eels, Sea Trout, Flounder and Grey Mullet.
Prescription list:
1.    Litter and other obstacles to be removed regularly by volunteers.
2.    Invasive plants such as Japanese Knotweed to be eradicated by the Environment Agency.
3.    Branches which fall across the river to be removed by the Environment Agency.
4.    In-stream vegetation (approx. 60%) to be removed from the River Ems by the Environment Agency as part of their annual river clearance and flood prevention programme. This is to be carried out in August-September each year.
5.    Felling of any dead Elms to be done according to a tree management programme agreed with the arborist at HBC.
6.    Suitable fencing and/or hedges to be erected to protect vulnerable riverbank areas.
7.    Unauthorised tree felling on the banks of the Lumley Stream to be prevented by putting up notices and suitable fencing.
b)    To protect habitats of endangered mammals
Current condition:
Both banks of the lower sections of the River Ems is home to a healthy population of Water Vole (UK and Hampshire BAP species). The Mature Crack Willows and other trees along both banks of the River Ems and in Palmers Road copse provide a feeding and possibly a roosting habitat for the Pipistrelle Bat and Serotine Bat (UK and Hampshire BAP species).
The ideal riverbank cutting programme, as advised by Debbie Miller and Clare Bishop in their management plans is to cut short sections (30-50 metres) of riverbank on alternate sides on a rotational basis. The Environment Agency carries out a green cut of the riverbanks each year as part of their flood prevention programme with the aim of protecting the Water Vole habitat.
This cut has been carried out in consultation with BMCG between 2000 and 2005 and as yet we have not succeeded in getting the optimum green cut as outlined above.
A dedicated Water Vole signcase on the western riverbank in Palmers Road copse informs dog owners that it is an offence under the CROW Act to destroy the habitat of protected species such as the Water Vole. Dog owners are also asked not to let their dogs go in the river during the Water Vole breeding season.
Prescription list:
1.    Only one of the riverbanks to be cut each year by the Environment Agency according to a green cut programme agreed beforehand between the EA and BMCG.
2.    A metre of vegetation to be left along the water’s edge of the riverbank to provide protection to Water Voles.
Access to the riverbank to be restricted by building dead hedges using fallen and coppiced branches from other areas of the site.
Any trees in Palmers Road copse which have to be felled or pollarded because they are a hazard to be kept to a minimum to protect the bats that might be roosting there.

Objectives feature 4:
To maintain the diversity of native woodland and scrub habitats and retain landscape and boundary diversity.
a)  Riverine woodland
Current condition:
The line of mature Crack Willows, along both banks of the River Ems, form part of the industrial heritage of the site. The management of these trees has been neglected for many years. A number of these trees are along the main path through the site and so constitute a safety hazard. In addition to the Crack Willows along the riverbanks, there are also several mature Ash, Alder, Sycamore and Hawthorn.
Prescription list:
1.    An annual programme of pollarding to be agreed between HBC’s arborist and BMCG with the aim of rejuvenating the trees, removing the hazard of trees falling over the footpath and allowing light to reach the woodland floor, thus enabling woodland flora to flourish.
b)  Scrub
Current condition:
There is a dense area of Willow scrub on northeastern boundary (Lumley copse) which has never been managed and which provides the only really wild area on the site. Roe Deer are known to go into this area and a rare moss has been identified. This area is in West Sussex and for this reason has not been included in the site’s SINC status.
Other areas of willow regeneration are found on the eastern banks of the Lumley Stream and on the western boundary of the South Meadow along the River Ems. In addition, occasional Willows have regenerated in the North and South Meadow. Several of these trees are affected by bacterial canker and the affected branches tend to break off during stormy weather.
Prescription list:
1.    Lumley copse to be left largely unmanaged apart from some small-scale coppicing on the margins with the open grassland area.
2.    Other areas of Willow scrub to be controlled by either coppicing or thinning. And by removing diseased branches when they break off.
3.    New areas of Willow regeneration within the open grassland area to be controlled by removing the saplings.
4.    Ash saplings, which grow within the open grassland area to be removed.
5.    Existing Ash saplings on the edges of the meadow area to be pruned formatively and selectively.
c)  Woodland
Current condition:
The main areas of woodland are in Palmers Road copse, in various plantations (approx. 10-15 years old), newly planted areas and individual tress (existing and new plantings) and are marked on the map accordingly. A system of rotational coppicing is suggested for woodland management to create a diversity of height structure within the canopy, allowing light to penetrate the woodland floor. This would enable woodland flora to develop and create a diverse habitat for many birds, small mammals and invertebrates.
A smaller wooded area of mainly Elms on the banks of Lumley Stream is infected with Dutch Elm disease.  

Prescription list:
1.    The large trees in Palmers Road copse to be managed by HBC.
2.    BMCG to advise HBC of any known trees or fallen branches that may contribute to a hazard.
3.    Large individual trees such as Silver Birch and Oak to be pruned where necessary, if  possible by BMCG. Any other tree management work to be carried out by HBC.
4.    Groups of Willows to be coppiced or thinned on a rotational basis in the autumn/winter by both HBC and BMCG.  
5.    Newly planted trees to be mulched in winter and excess vegetation removed in the summer.
6.    Any new plantings to be native trees of local provenance.
7.    Restrict any future tree plantings to edges of meadow or marginal areas such as Seagull Lane patch.
Consider the possibility of planting, for example a Hawthorn hedge, and/or specimen tree to improve the attractiveness of this entrance.
Discuss the management of the dead Elm trees with HBC and devise a plan to protect this wildlife area and improve its appearance.

Objective 5: To maintain and develop the attractiveness of the site for visitors insofar as this is compatible with the other site objectives, the requirements of the law and other constraints.
Current condition:
After a period of intensive management and interpretation by BMCG with support from HBC, the site is now very attractive to visitors.
·    Interpretation boards with a pictorial map painted by a local wildlife artist at two entrances and signcases at three entrances with up-to-date information and photos about the wildlife and conservation work carried out on the site. Leaflet boxes have been fitted to these signcases containing free Visitors Guide leaflets and leaflets about the group including a membership application form. There is an additional signcase on the banks of the River Ems near the new fence with information dedicated to the Water Vole.
·    Three sets of steps and a ramp have been built to improve access onto the grassland area. All the main paths have been laid with path gravel which has greatly improved access especially for children and the elderly. The occasional paths are always kept open during the summer and overhanging branches removed.
·    Litterbins and doggy bins at the main entrances and a seat on the causeway path in the centre of the meadow. Volunteers and local residents regularly pick up litter and the river is also regularly cleared of any litter or obstacles.
·    Public events take place in the meadow including a Wildlife Funday in May.
·    Local and not so local schools make regular visits to the site as part of their curriculum studies.
·    Local natural history groups are also regular visitors to the meadow.
·    A kissing gate has been erected (December 2005) at the Seagull Lane entrance to improve access and the attractiveness of the site.

These improvements encourage more people to visit the site as witnessed by the visitor surveys the group has carried out.
The main problems now are dog fouling and occasional vandalism to the signcases and doggy bins. The first is a source of conflict between the various users. Not all dog owners clean up after their dogs and are perhaps not aware that children use the site regularly and consider the meadow part of their classroom.
This needs to be tackled creatively to avoid conflicts in the future. The group plans to organise a competition for the local schools to design a suitable notice to encourage dog owners to “Skoop their dog’s Poop”. The winning notices will be put up at the main entrances to the site.
Prescription list:

1. Organise a competition for local schools to design a ‘doggy notice’ to avoid conflicts between users.
2. Extend the group’s policy of ‘zero tolerance to litter and vandalism’ by finding a creative solution to the problem.
3. Continue to monitor visitors to the site by organising Visitor Surveys each year.
4. Continue the programme of path and step maintenance.
5. Continue to strim the edges of the main paths (by HBC) but only at certain times of year after consultation with BMCG to limit damage to wildlife.  
6. Continue to provide up-to-date information and photos of wildlife and conservation work in the four signcases, annual report, bi-monthly newsletters, fortnightly email notes and website.
7. Continue to provide support for schools to make educational visits to the meadow.

Long-term objectives

1. Disabled access
   There is no proper disabled access onto the site. The possibility of creating disabled access from the south entrance is under consideration by HBC. A key requirement here is that such an access must be in keeping with the rural nature of the site.
2. Wetland habitat
   Enhance the variety of habitats and biodiversity of the site by creating a wetland area in the South Meadow with a boardwalk to allow wildlife observation.
3. Valued landholding
   Continue to improve the site as a valued part of the Borough’s landholding with general appeal to visitors and widely recognised value to the community.

The site is designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation making the future of this valuable wildlife habitat reasonably secure but success on the ground depends upon the support of local people. The potential of the wildlife resource to generate real added value to the life of the local community and of the Borough as a whole needs to gain general acceptance if it is to be truly secured. To help achieve this, the very successful programme of activities such as walks, talks, exhibitions, displays and workshops already initiated and organised by the Brook Meadow Conservation Group forms an integral part of this management plan.

5.2    Work schedules

5.2.1    Annual work plan with details of work to be done at different times of the year


5.2.2    Work programme over a 6-year period 

5.3 Monitoring

5.3.1 Project recording system
Systematic wildlife surveys carried out regularly each year are necessary to provide a record of the wildlife in Brook Meadow. To assess the effectiveness of management, e.g. grassland cutting regime, changes in plant populations need to be recorded according to area. To assess the effects of external factors, such as population cycles and climate change, the data needs to be passed on to national and/or local wildlife agencies such as Hbic, HWT, etc. Wildlife agencies require records in a specific format, i.e. name of recorder, date, place and details of what is recorded, to enable comparisons to be made. Details

5.3.2    Progress reports
Reports to be made of all work sessions. Tasks to be carried out on future work sessions, based on the Annual Work Schedule (Table Ia 2005 and Ib 2006), to be agreed at the committee meeting preceding these work sessions. The tasks actually carried out to be recorded on the Annual Work Schedule. A draft Work Schedule for the following year to be drawn up and agreed each December. In addition, the work programme over a 6-year period (Table II) to be adjusted and modified each December.
A Tree Management report to be drawn up each year in December/January after a site visit with the arborist at HBC and the work schedules adjusted accordingly. The tree management report for 2005 is included as Table III below.
5.3.3    Management Plan review
The current Management Plan to be updated annually and reviewed after 5 years, therefore in 2010.