Forestry Commission - News - experts unveil the great wall of the south lakes

A team of experts have completed work on restoring one of South Cumbria’s longest limestone drystone walls, as part of the Forestry Commission’s landscape and habitat management plan for the area.

One kilometre of traditional Lake District drystone wall between Heaning Wood and Hampsfell, near Cartmel was facing collapse and wildlife habitat was under threat, so the experts stepped in to safeguard its future and make it livestock proof.

The Forestry Commission, Friends of the Lake District and local contractors teamed up to improve the biodiversity of the site for livestock, wildlife and ramblers for years to come.

Hampsfell’s rich habitat is listed on the European Habitats Directive, the Local Biodiversity Action Plan and supports a wide range of flora and fauna.

Working on behalf of the Forestry Commission, local contractors Chris Killilea and Stewart Reekie have rebuilt 300 metres of wall gaps over the last six months, including the creation of “smoots” or tunnels for badgers and gates for ramblers and cattle.

Access gates have also been installed by the Forestry Commission team to allow public access into Heaning wood. The surrounding farmland remains in private ownership.

Andrew Banks, Works Supervisor for the Forestry Commission, said:

“The project has made good use of available local traditional skills to restore a previously redundant drystone wall. The work will help make grazing this grassland a more practical option, as well as benefiting wildlife and ramblers.”

The long term plan for the Hampsfield Great Wall Project is to allow the use of grazing animals to maintain and improve the condition of the grassland on Hampsfell.

This Hampsfield Great Wall Project was made possible thanks to a Ł10,000 grant from Friends of the Lake District.

Jack Ellerby, Policy Officer for Friends of the Lake District, said:

"Hampsfell is a wonderful place enjoyed by many people. Three years ago we helped with the removal of conifers. Now, repairing this old limestone allotment wall restores a unique local heritage feature.

“This project is a great example of how our grants can benefit the landscape, biodiversity, peoples' enjoyment of the countryside and promote better forestry practices."

This new project follows on from a timber harvesting operation in 2005 where the Forestry Commission removed 3,160 tonnes of Corsican Pine and European Larch from the top of Hampsfell in order to regenerate the land.

Further information about the Forestry Commission in the North West of England is available at www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Andrew Banks (Works Supervisor) for the Forestry Commission on 01200-448256 or 07980 850707. Alternatively, contact Martin Colledge on 07774 293920.

Notes to editors

1. An Image of drystone walling on Hampsfell is attached. A higher resolution version can be obtained by calling 015394-42436.

2. The Forestry Commission is the largest provider of countryside recreation in Britain with responsibility for over one million hectares (2.4 million acres) of forest, woodlands and open countryside. The North West England Forest District covers the Lake District in Cumbria, the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The forests today are managed for conservation, wildlife, landscape and recreation as well as providing a valuable source of timber. www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland