Hazeley Heath - Long Term

A long-term vision

Hazeley Heath's wildness, solitude and beauty have never failed to impress the many people that visit the site for a variety of recreational purposes. But what is it that really makes this a special area and why do we need a "long-term vision".

Hazeley Heath is special, not only to local people as a place of quiet enjoyment but also it is important internationally for it's diverse wild features. By producing a Management Plan we hope we can preserve and improve this disappearing environment for future generations to enjoy.

What is a Management Plan?

A Management Plan is an agreed document to setting out the long-term objectives or management options for a site, how we are going to achieve them and in what timescale. This document will also compare the merits of these available management techniques and how they will be able to meet the conservation objectives of the site and it's long-term needs

Why is this important?

Hazeley Heath is an area of lowland heathland, it is registered common land, designated a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' (SSSI) and is part of the proposed Thames Basin Heaths 'Special Protection Area' (pSPA) a European designation under the Birds Directive for the presence of Annex 1 bird populations, including Dartford warblers and woodlark.

Historically the site has been managed by grazing with a variety of stock, burning of vegetation and cutting of wood, gorse and heather for fuel. The area was also subject to gravel extraction and large-scale erosion from military movement. These activities have maintained the site's 'openness' by preventing tree encroachment and made the area suitable for a wide range of, now rare, heathland fauna and flora

In recent years traditional management has ceased and the level of management undertaken has been insufficient to maintain the heathland. As a result, the heathland no longer attains favourable status as defined by English Nature and the features of interest for which the site is designated as an SSSI are in decline. The dramatic loss of lowland heathland has led it to be recognised as a priority habitat in the UK Biodiversity Programme and a national habitat action plan has been produced. Most areas have been designated as SSSIs by English Nature who are committed to delivering the Public Service Agreement (PSA) target of 95% by area of SSSIs into 'favourable condition' by 2010.

Notes on Heathland loss

Hampshire now supports the most lowland heathland of any county in the UK - approximately 17000 ha, mostly in the New Forest (Tubbs, 1986; Westerhoff, 1992). This represents some 30% of the UK total and 13% of all the lowland heathland in Europe. Outside the New Forest over 90% of the former heathland has been lost since 1790. Only 2350ha survive scattered across six of the Natural Areas of Hampshire. Significant numbers of rare heathland species occur on these sites, with many nationally important populations present, and these heaths represent a significant environmental, historical and recreational heritage asset.