The woodland has been closed because Ash dieback has been identified on site. This disease can weaken Ash trees and cause branches and trees to fail, so access has been restricted while the area is assessed and any necessary safety work is carried out.

Ash dieback, caused by the non-native fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (formerly known as Chalara fraxinea), presents a significant threat to the UK's treescape on a scale not seen since Dutch Elm disease in the 1970s.

Ash is the third most common native tree in the UK, occurring in woodlands and other landscape settings, it has a high ecological value, cultural and historical significance within the county. Ash dieback is now found throughout the UK, eradication of the disease is not possible as this pathogen is an airborne fungus and is now considered endemic within the UK.

The council will be clear in its communications to members of the public, elected councillors and partnership organisations as to why it's carrying out Ash dieback related work on its managed land. We will constantly review the guidance around this disease to ensure work is in accordance with best practice guidance and up to date, based on information from a variety of sources.

Work has started on site at Hurstwood, including the installation of fencing and ongoing communication with site stakeholders. There are a number of legal and regulatory requirements that must be followed as part of this process, including the completion of several ecology surveys. We have begun the process of appointing a contractor to carry out the required tree survey, and we expect this work to start within the next few weeks.

Because of the diversity of the site, full ecological surveys will also be required once the tree survey has been completed. These will need to consider protected species and habitats, including bats, badgers, slow worms, dormice and other species that may be present. The timing of this work will need to take account of relevant survey windows, bird nesting seasons and breeding seasons.

At this stage, it is difficult to provide a firm timescale until the necessary surveys have been completed and the required working windows are confirmed.

At present this is being assessed and is dependent on what the surveys identify.

Unfortunately, due to the extent of ash dieback at Hurstwood, the whole site must remain closed at this time for public safety reasons. We have prepared a plan to divide the site into separate areas, and once tree works begin, we hope to reopen areas in phases as soon as it is safe to do so. At present, we are unable to provide an opening date, but the site will be reopened as soon as possible, subject to the necessary surveys, permissions and legal requirements.

The woodland at Hurstwood supports various protected and notable species and is also a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Before carrying out any safety-related tree works we will need to assess the presence of legally protected species including bats and Hazel Dormice. Surveys for these species take time, and if they are present, works will require a licence from Natural England, the national body for nature conservation. Impacts to these species and their habitat will need to be mitigated and will require careful timing of works. The future management of the woodland will need to ensure that habitat is suitable for these and other species.

Havant Borough Council will be replacing the HERAS fencing at the entrances to Hurstwood, Waterlooville, with a stronger and more secure structure. This follows incidents where the existing fencing has been moved or damaged. 

The fencing is needed to keep the public safe and protect the site while the tree survey and any required tree works are completed. Thank you for your patience while these works take place.