Our sincere thanks to everyone who sent in a representation to the Planning Inspectorate regarding Affinity Water’s proposal for two additional kiosks. 

Over 30 representations were received, this included some from the bodies who Affinity Water had to consult but there were many more from you – the local people who use and love the Heath.  Thank you for taking the time to put your views forward.

The next steps, for all of you who emailed and wrote in, will be as follows:

• Affinity Water have been sent all of your comments and suggestions.
• Affinity Water have been offered the opportunity to reply by 2 November 2021. This reply is sent back to the Planning Inspectorate who will forward it to everyone who made a representation.
• You will then be asked if you wish to comment further. A lot will depend on how Affinity Water reply and if they accommodate your comments and suggestions.

We hope that this is useful information on what happens next, and once more we wish to say thank you for taking the time to tell the Planning Inspectorate how much your Heath means to you.

The Conservators will continue to have an open door to Affinity Water should they want our help, experience and knowledge of the Heath and its management. This will be invaluable to Affinity Water should they now wish to consider in greater detail some of the other options which we think are better for the Heath.

You can find a copy of the letter which we sent to the Planning Inspectorate regarding Affinity Water’s proposal here – (click to open this link).

We are really fortunate that our local Grazier has agreed to bring his sheep to the Heath. Grazing with livestock is the best way to protect the wildflowers and grasses which we have in the special areas on the Heath. For grazing this area will start at Church Hill potentially moving onto Penn Hill

There will be electric fences around small compartments with access through them to the public (using gates) .

We ask that you keep your dog on a lead within the compartments so as not to “worry” the ewes which can lose their unborn lambs if subject to dog scares.

We also kindly ask the users of the Heath to keep an extra special eye out on our behalf ; if you feel something may be wrong, please get in contact right away so we can ensure the safety of humans and sheep alike.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused. We really appreciate your cooperation with such an important habitat management technique.  

If you wish to discuss this further, please email Cheryll – Head of Conservation and Development Conservation@therfieldheath.org.uk or 07435 489088 or in case of an Emergency 07976390706 

Please remember that the advertisement placed in the Royston Crow by Affinity Water Limited on 9^th September 2021 advised the public that the application form and papers can be inspected up to 7 October and that any representations should be sent to commonlandcasework@planninginspectorate.gov.uk on or before that date (7 October).

So if you have a view about the  s38 application – which is seeking permission to install two kiosks –  then you still have time to make your views known.

You can email in your views right up to and including 7 October commonlandcasework@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

You can write to The Planning Inspectorate, Commons Team, 3A Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN making sure you allow time for your letter to arrive by 7 October.

Your views will be shared with Affinity Water Limited and possibly the other interested parties in accordance with the Planning Inspector’s policy.

The advertisement placed in the Royston Crow has been reproduced here in case you need to remind yourself of any of the details.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ADVERTISMENT AND THIS INFORMATION

Thank you for all your support and it is great to hear that people are asking for the papers and getting involved. Remember your individual support is so valuable.

You may be part of an organisation which may comment but we ask and encourage you to send in your views under your own name too.  It really is a case of making sure that the Planning Inspectors hears all your voices and points of view.  So do email in your own comments to

 CommonLandCasework@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Every email is important.

With that in mind we are able to answer some more of your great questions.  Click here to read more.

Kiosks on the Heath

We know many of you will have seen the article in The Royston Crow on Tuesday 21st September 2021 and want some further details. 

  We have a Frequently Asked Questions page (click here). 

We will update this as we go to help reply to questions that are being asked.

If you want to read the press release we gave to highlight our concerns you can find this here .

The report published in The Royston Crow on Tuesday 21st September 2021 gave some really useful information :

• if you want to see the application form for yourself email Kate Howlett  at  Kate.Howlett@Dalcourmaclaren.com

• if you want speak up against this ; suggested a better plan like a s16 land swap ; then you can email your comments into the Commonlandcasework at this email address.  CommonLandCasework@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

• Just make sure that your email to Commonlandcasework team  includes both  your name and address along with your comments.

Your comments may be shared with AWL and others as part of the process (for more information you can read guidance here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-inspectorate-privacy-notices)

The deadline for all comments is 7 October 2021

The Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens intend to recommence the use of rodenticide to control the three rat colonies that live in the New Road Car Park. 

The Conservators have been in communication with our pest control expert. Natural England and the Health and Safety Executive including the Wildlife Incident Investigation officers to agree an appropriate means of removing the rat infestation. 

The human generated food source has been removed and the rat population is now approaching parked cars looking for food. As such the rat extermination is an urgent priority to protect people using the car park. 

We have explored the trapping of rats with devices fitted inside the 4 bins. This has been discounted as published data has indicated that the rat population is breeding faster than we can catch them safely with traps. 

Closing the car park is not a feasible option for two reasons, a) road safety due to the displaced cars parking on the road and b) it doesn’t deal with removing the rats. 

We have considered catching rats with terrier dogs, again we’ve concluded that this is not appropriate due to the amount of people and other dogs walking on the heath. 

We have concluded, after taking advice from the HSE, Natural England and our appointed pest controller that a targeted short period of rodenticide will exterminate the rats quickly.  

The Conservators accept that this approach does present a small risk to other wildlife including birds of prey. However daily inspections of the car park and surrounding area by at least one Conservator to remove any visible dead rats and regular monitoring by our pest controller will reduce this risk to an acceptable level. This approach meets the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive and NHDC. 

If anyone has any question on this approach, please email clerk@therfieldheath.org.uk and we will respond as soon as possible.  We would like to thank the public for their support, especially how good everyone has been about taking litter and waste food home to remove the rat food source. It reminds us how much the public cherish the Heath and are willing to work with us to keep it such a beautiful place.

Thank you

11 June

Early indications have shown that since we sealed up the bins at the end of last week, the litter and discarded food problem has reduced to almost zero. So far, the public are taking their rubbish away with them, which has surprised us and this is the opposite of what we were advised to expect from experts. We thank everyone for taking their litter away with them.

Hopefully, this will continue, and it will protect the Heath from the negative impact of litter being left on the floor or in bins.

What are we aiming to achieve:-

1. Eradication of the rats which are causing a risk to humans

2. Permanently remove the food source to avoid a similar problem in the future.

3. Keep the car park open for visitors and avoid cars parking on the road and the unintended road safety problems that would cause

What have we done previously:-

1. Tried to remove the food source by making amendments to the bins to stop the rats gaining access to the discarded food

2. Place poison bait under the bins

This was not successful. The rats were still gaining access to the bins, which has not removed their ability to access the food source. The result is that the rats were not eating the bait.

What are we doing now:-

1. We have sealed up the bins so waste food and litter cannot be put in the bins and the rats can’t gain access

2. Asked all visitors to take their rubbish away when they leave

3. Removed the poison temporarily whilst we monitor to see if the litter and discarded food is reducing and to avoid exceeding the amount of time poisoning can be carried out by law

4. Asked McDonald to continue with their twice daily litter picks

5. New rodent proof  bins are on order (delivery time 3-4 weeks)

6. Monitoring the situation for the next 3 weeks

What will we do next:-

1. Assess if the litter and discarded food source problem reduces

2. Assess if further baiting with poison is required

3. Monitor the situation and assess if the rat population is reducing

4. Make a decision on whether to install new bins based on how much litter the public leave in the car park or remove the bins entirely.

5. Continually monitor whether we need to temporarily close the car park

LINK TO REDACTED HSE EMAIL

Confirmation from the Health and Safety Executive regarding Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme that consideration was given to the Hierarchy of Control as identified in the CRRU Code of Best Practice prior to application of the rodenticide, and that when the application of the rodenticide was begun it was being applied in a manner intended to minimize the risks to humans, companion animals and wildlife – Use of rodenticide at Therfield Road car park – Reference: 0705BXM21-01 –

Use of Rat Poison in small Therfield Heath Carpark.

The last few months have been incredibly challenging for the Heath and the car parks with increased foot fall and litter.   It is therefore not surprising, yet is most regrettable,  that we have found that we have a growing rat colony in the small and very well used Therfield Road car park.    

Background to why we needed to act

We are required to take action by NHDC under the Pest Act 1949 because of the risk to humans from the infestation.   The Pest Act of 1949 can be seen here

Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 (legislation.gov.uk)

A copy of the letter (with personal information redacted) which we received on 10 March from NHDC can be read here .   The letter asked us to engage a pest controller and we did so.

The need to take action

Given that notice under the 1949 Pest Act has been served we need to take action.  Our Pest Controller estimates that there are well over 100 rats within the car park.  Rats can breed at a prolific rate. An online search will highlight some of dangers that rats pose to humans.    We have not taken the decision to use rat poison  lightly.  We have taken this decision after the receipt of notice from NHDC under the Pest Act 1949 and upon receipt of professional advice from a pest controller.

Action Plan

We have engaged the services of a pest controller.   A site survey was carried out.  A copy can be seen here with more information here. An Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) was carried out.  A copy can be seen here.

The CRRU code (Code of Best Practice for the use of rodenticides) says that there should be a site survey and an  ERA and both have been undertaken.   We do not expect to bait the area in the long term. 

Communication, domestic animals and wildlife

We have communicated widely and successfully with the dog trainer, dog walker and dog owner communities.  For those who were not contacted  in advance, or by  the time that baiting started, then there are many onsite signs to alert dog walker and also any  casual visitors.

We think there will be few pet cats in this area as it is a significant distance from any houses and in any case we would hope cat owners would not allow their pets to hunt or explore in a nature reserve.

We have engaged with local wildlife groups,  and Natural England, and hope they will assist in ensuring our approach minimises any impact on wildlife.  

We will maintain the regular bin emptying and litter patrols and have arrangements in place to remove any rats/rat remains and for those to be disposed of correctly.

Monitoring and modifying our approach

Along with our pest controller we will monitor the infestation and we all remain ready to modify our approach.  We will do all we can to minimise adverse consequences but must be responsive to NHDC and comply with the Pest Act 1949.   We are obliged to provide regular updates to NHDC in respect of this matter and to comply with the terms of their letter to us which again can be seen here.

Work with us to reducing food availability

We have a plan to upgrade the bins to versions that stop rats from getting into them. This will (we hope) reduce the availability of food once they have been delivered and installed.

Although we have twice daily bin emptying and litter picking we note some litter / waste and food is still being left on the floor by the public. 

We ask everyone to play their part and to take their litter home with them.

Work with us to make Therfield Road car park rat free. 

The Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens have authorised Pest Control to set up rat poison bait boxes in the small Therfield Road carpark (see map) in order to deal with a disturbingly large – and growing – rat infestation notified to us under the 1949 Pest Act. 

The rat poison being used is Bromadiolone. As the Landowner we are obliged to deal with this matter promptly and in accordance with the Pest Act 1949.

We have authorised the placing of rat poison in secure bait boxes which are themselves then placed within the litter bins bases. This has significantly reduced the risk of any human contact with the bait.  However, we are warning all users – particularly dog walkers to be alert.  Keep young children and dogs close to you and within eye-sight to ensure that  they do not come into contact with rats/rat remains in this area. 

Additionally, we will be removing some bins (which have been damaged by the rats) so as to limit rat access to food waste and to give our pest controller the greatest chance of bringing this problem under control in the coming weeks.  Please play your part and take food waste home with you. 

Finally, a daily site visit has been established to remove visible rat remains and current litter picking activities will continue as normal.

We wish to resolve this problem as soon as possible.  However, this requires everyone to play their part. So please:

• Be alert to the rat problem ;  warning signs are on site and in the wider area
• Leave no food waste

All enquiries or comments can be directed to the clerk at clerk@therfieldheath.org.uk or by phone on 07449 705345.  Thank you for your understanding.

Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens

Date : Friday 16 April 2021

Warning Posters – like this (click here for poster) are on display.

Dear Residents

On Thursday 18 March 2021 at 19:00 the Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens will be hosting a public meeting by Zoom.  If you are interested in attending then please do register for the meeting.  When we receive your registration (see below) we will send you the Zoom meeting login details.

Meeting agenda

Covid-19 has prevented the holding of the February 2021 SDDR election and AGM and so the agenda of the public meeting has been formulated with this in mind and will be as below:-

1.         Welcome

2.         Introductions

3.         Update from the Conservators

• Priorities
• Maintenance Heath and Greens
• Financial situation – 2019 Accounts

4.         Specific points raised for discussion (see below on how to contribute)

5.         Next steps

How to register for this Zoom meeting and contribute a question

Please use this link to register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcuf-GgpzsvG9NnvZMDU1MypKPsbu128Oho

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.   You need only to supply your name and email address to register.  There is also the opportunity to send us a short question.  If you think of a question later then you can email it to the clerk (clerk@therfieldheath.org.uk )  and we will try to include it.  Regrettably, there may not be time to answer all questions during the meeting.  

If you haven’t used Zoom before, you don’t need an account to join this meeting;  you can access Zoom via the link  provided either through your web browser or by downloading the app when prompted. You can do this in advance of the meeting or just before we start at 19.00.

We look forward to engaging with you and to receiving your questions and comments. Conservators will be seeking to arrange a further public meeting in the summer and this will be advertised on Facebook and via our website.

The Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens

Ground Nesting Birds on Therfield Heath

Lots of you will be aware that it is that time of year again….the Skylarks and Meadow Pipits are singing across Therfield Heath and they are now starting to nest. We understand Therfield Heath is a great place to walk and to exercise your dogs, but please please consider the inhabitants of the site. Wherever you are on site, there are likely to be some Skylarks and even rarer Meadow Pipits trying to nest in the longer grass. The easiest way to help these birds succeed is by keeping to the obvious pathways and keeping your dog(s) with you on those tracks. Repeated disturbance by dogs that run through the grass and those that specifically ‘quarter’, such as spaniels, causes the birds to abandon their nests – it may be the eggs or the young that they abandon, but it will lead to breeding failure.

Having conducted a recent survey, we found ground-nesting birds almost everywhere across the site, but that some areas have higher densities than others. So you know where these areas are, we have produced a map. The red areas on the map (mostly downhill of the chalk track) show where the highest density were found, the blue are intermediate and the green area is where the lowest density were found.

These birds are already threatened, so please be mindful of their presence on site, at least until the end of the breeding season at the end of July/beginning of August. We are going to put up a few reminder signs around the two larger ‘red zone’ areas, but not in other bird populated areas but hope people will still think about the birds and keep to the paths with their dogs.

Thank you so much for your consideration

The Conservators of Therfield Heath & Greens