Decision details

The Cotswold Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (SAC) straddles the boundaries of Cotswold, Stroud and Tewksbury Districts and totals some 590 hectares. Based upon a study undertaken in 2019 a zone of influence of 15.4km from the SAC was defined - covering Tewkesbury Borough, Cotswold District, Stroud District, Cheltenham Borough and Gloucester City Councils. To support the management of the SAC and help meet the relevant councils obligations as ‘competent authorities’, under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended), the Cotswold Beechwood Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Recreation Mitigation Strategy was prepared. This was adopted by the Cabinet on 2nd April 2024.

Stroud District Council have engaged with the National Trust to enter into a contract for 2 years for the appointment of a ranger for the Cotswold Beechwoods and Rodborough Common. Both locations have similar issues and species comprising limestone grassland and woodland habitats and can be viewed as complimentary. The element relevant to Cheltenham is the Cotswolds Beechwoods.

The annual cost of the ranger role for the Cotswolds Beechwoods per annum is £19,125 with costs shared between the five district councils falling within the SAC zone of influence. The annual payment for Cheltenham would be £3,825 per annum for 2 years. This will be fully funded from payments Cheltenham Borough Council receive for SAMM (Strategic Access Management and Monitoring). These payments are made to provide management of visitors across the SAC and to undertake necessary monitoring.

Facilitating this ranger role on a fixed term basis will enable this activity to be tested in the context of the mitigation strategy and inform longer term options for management and future investment of SAMM payments received across the relevant councils. Given we are currently in a process of local government reorganisation, a fixed term basis will enable the relevant councils to better understand this context and feed into any longer-term options.

Stroud District Council will be the contract authority.

There are currently no alternative options presented. However, on-site ranger activity appropriately fits within the scope of the mitigation strategy, SAMM measures are required to address recreation impacts and make the SAC more resilient to any increased recreation. SAMM measures generally comprise:

• dedicated staff;
• signs and interpretation;
• education & awareness raising;
• parking and travel related measures and;
• monitoring.

Engagement with Tewkesbury Borough, Cotswold District, Stroud District, and Gloucester City Councils. All councils have agreed to fund the 2-year ranger post.