A restoration management plan for Hatchet Pond in the New Forest (NECR328)

Hatchet Pond is one of over one thousand ponds in the New Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a qualifying
habitat of the New Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It is a popular site for visitors as well as being a coarse fishing
location.
Despite being artificial in origin it is one of the highest quality standing water habitats in the country supporting an outstanding assemblage
of freshwater plants and animals including a suite of endangered and protected species. Common Standards Monitoring Assessments
have identified a decline in condition of the lakeand classified the habitat as being inunfavourable condition on account of poor water
quality, presence of the invasive non-native species and failure of wetland plants to meet all compositional targets.
This contract undertook stakeholder and public engagement and produced a final management plan for the lake based on the recommendations
from An outline management plan for Hatchet Pond, New Forest SSSI. The plan is designed to maintain and enhance the lakes wildlife value
whilst retaining it as a place the public can continue to enjoy.