FUTURE PROMISE FOR HISTORIC WOODS

Forest design plans for Lincolnshire and Rutland promise woodlands for tomorrow with true ‘local character’.

The documents, published today, mark the start of the second phase of the biggest environmental restoration scheme the East of England has ever seen.

They come six years after the Forestry Commission launched its regional ‘Ancient Woodland Project’ (AWP) and will guide its development until 2116.

The project is aimed at restoring 77 woodlands covering a total of 7,000 hectares, across seven counties, to the way they would have been in medieval times.

Planning forester Paul Malcolm, said: “The semi-natural ancient woodlands that once grew on these sites fell into different groups, each with its own very distinct character.

“That was why our restoration project began six years ago with the most exhaustive surveys ever of the target area’s plants, wildlife, archaeology and geology.

“It was essential that we understood completely the natural and human history of these ancient woodland sites so that what we were trying to re-create would fit perfectly into the landscape.

“We also carried out the biggest public consultations into woodland development the region had ever seen.

“It was vital that we provided people with the woodlands and facilities they could most enjoy and benefit from.”
Mr. Malcolm said that sets of new design plans were being drawn up in turn for the woodland ‘character zones’ across the seven-county project area.

He said that the first plans to be published covered twenty seven woods in South Kesteven and Rutland, including Bourne Woods, Temple Wood, Morkery Wood, and Ropsley Rise, near Grantham.

He added that the designs had been drawn up following consultations with the public. Now they were complete people could see for themselves how things had turned out. All comments would be welcome.

People can view the plans at the Forestry Commission offices, at Fineshade, near Corby, or at the Lincolnshire County Council offices, in Lincoln.

A set can also be seen, by prior arrangement, at the forestry office in Bourne Woods.

Anyone wanting further information should ring 01780 444920.

NOTE TO EDITORS

For further information please ring Miss Cheryl Joyce, Community and Education Ranger, at the Forestry Commission’s Northants Forest District office, on 01780 444920.

This consultation forms part of the regional delivery of the national framework set out in the Ancient and Native Woodland Policy – “Keepers of Time”. Further details about Keepers of Time can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/keepersoftime.

e-mail: cheryl.joyce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk