Tregoss Moor: Sensitive Fenceline Clearance on a Protected Site

Detailed Planning Before Work Started

As part of the tender process, we had to provide detailed information on how the work would be carried out.

This included our method statement, risk assessments, ecological constraints, protected species measures, machinery use, pesticide controls, arisings management and programme. The site had too many sensitivities for a vague approach.

Goss Moor is not an ordinary scrub clearance site. It has a mix of open moorland, wet ground, woodland edge and valuable habitat. It also supports protected species, including dormice.

Before work began, the team was briefed by a Natural England ecologist, who remained involved through the ecological watching brief.

Although no dormice were found during the works, the area was treated as active dormouse habitat. That meant everyone on site had to work carefully, keep to the agreed method, and stay alert throughout.

Working Around Dormouse Habitat

The clearance was carried out in an east-to-west direction.

That was deliberate. If any dormice were present and disturbed by the works, the direction of travel would gently move them towards similar adjoining habitat, rather than pushing them into unsuitable ground.

It is a small detail, but an important one. On sensitive habitat work, the direction, pace and sequencing of clearance can make a real difference.

Stems were cut to ground level where required, with care taken around the base of vegetation and woody material. The team worked steadily rather than rushing through the strip, maintaining communication with the Natural England ecologist and each other as the works moved along the line.

Chainsaw, Chipper and Roadside Working

The site sat directly beside a road, so roadside working had to be managed carefully.

Formal traffic management was not required, but we used basic traffic control measures, banksmen and site operatives to keep the working area safe while chainsaws, brushcutters, winching and chipping were taking place.

We hired in a specialist 10-inch tracked woodchipper for the job. That was the right machine for the size of material being cut and the conditions on site. It allowed us to process the arisings efficiently without dragging large volumes of brash around the moor.

The team used chainsaws, brushcutters, winch equipment, the tracked chipper, knapsack sprayer and hand tools to clear the fenceline properly.

All material was chipped and removed from site. The woodchip was not wasted — it was composted down and later repurposed as mulch for tree planting projects.

Stump Treatment and Pesticide Controls

Stump treatment was required to prevent vigorous regrowth along the new fenceline.

Because of the sensitivity of the site, pesticide use had to be tightly controlled. We used aquatic-compliant glyphosate, applied by qualified operatives using a knapsack sprayer. Treatment was targeted to cut stems over 2 inches, rather than broad spraying across the site.

This kind of work needs discipline. On a protected site, pesticide handling cannot be casual. The product, method, weather, application area and operator competence all matter.

The aim was to treat the stumps effectively while keeping the impact on the surrounding habitat as low as possible.