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Bale Surveyor's Allotment

Bale Surveyor's Allotment

The site is owned by North Norfolk District Council and, since autumn 2022, is now managed under a 99-year lease by Felbeck Trust.

Access

Post-code: NR21 0QG


What3Words: knees.slope.offer


OS Map Reference: TG 005 367


Directions: The site is on the North side of Lower Common Road leading west from crossroads by Bale Church.


Parking: There is no parking by the surveyor’s allotment. We recommend parking by the church. The site is approximately a quarter of a mile from the church.


There is no public access at this site while habitat restoration work is underway


Habitat

The site comprises two acres of mixed woodland and scrub, with Field Maple, Alder, Small Leaved Lime, ancient Hawthorn, Elder and ferns. The deep steep-sided pit contains a small patch of water in the deepest corner. No management has been carried out within the surveyor’s allotment for many years and as a result the area is very overgrown. Although it already represents a haven for wildlife within North Norfolk’s intensively farmed landscape, with sympathetic management, the area has the potential to support a wider range of species.


Habitat Management

Habitat management work will begin in the autumn of 2023.


As a starting point for our habitat management plans, we have begun a programme of species monitoring 


What are our future plans?

  • Create safe access into the site to allow habitat management work to be carried out

  • Create and maintain a network of paths which provide access for conservation and monitoring work 

  • Install pedestrian gate 

  • Secure boundary with post & wire fencing as necessary

  • Gap up hedge around perimeter where necessary, using appropriate local native species, to create dense hedge from the base, providing suitable nesting and sheltering sites for birds, and a wildlife corridor for mammals

  • Appropriate management of existing hedgerow 

  • Dispose of any historical fly-tipping waste

  • Selective thinning or coppicing to let in light and produce a progressive age range in species, resulting in a mosaic of maturity to benefit wildlife 

  • Selective clearance to create grassland/wildflower area and habitat for butterflies

  • Removal of garden escapes 

  • Remove debris and overgrown vegetation from pond

  • Selective felling/pruning of trees over pond to allow light to penetrate

  • Create log piles from felling/coppicing to provide habitat for invertebrates

  • Other felled or sawn branches to be left in situ to encourage fungi and invertebrates

  • Selective ivy control/removal 

  • Erect bird and bat boxes as appropriate

  • Erect relevant interpretive signage, subject to funding and any approvals 

  • Continue species monitoring 

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