Woodland plans - your views wanted!

North Norfolk District Council is seeking people's views on its plans for conserving and improving six local woodland areas, with proposals for things like reintroducing native trees to improve wildlife habitats, harvesting trees for timber, and encouraging people to use the woods.

North Norfolk District Council's Countryside and Parks Team is planning its short- and long-term woodland operations to benefit landscape, recreation, conservation, access and, in some cases, small-scale timber production, and to balance the age and types of plant species to make them good havens for wildlife. Its management plans for the following woods are now open to consultation:

• Pretty Corner - Sheringham
• Links Wood - Cromer
• Warren Wood - Cromer
• Burnt Hills Wood - Cromer
• Sadler's Wood - North Walsham
• Spa Common Folly - North Walsham

These woodland management plans are funded by the Forestry Commission under the English Woodland Grants Scheme and are primarily concerned with maintaining and enhancing nature conservation, landscape aesthetics, archaeological interest, cultural interest and tree management. They do not include projects such as better interpretation and signage, path improvements or woodland furniture.

Further projects to enhance that type of infrastructure will follow as funding opportunities allow. By having these plans, the Council will be able to apply for UK Woodland Assurance Scheme certification, which then potentially opens up the possibility of extra Forestry Commission funding for improvements.

The Council will try to manage the woods to Green Flag standards, even where it does not apply for a Green Flag.

Rob Goodliffe, NNDC's Site Management Ranger, said: "Just because some of these woodlands are quite small, it does not mean they are not important. People use them for walking, playing, wildlife watching and birdspotting and for their general wellbeing. So we need to ensure that we take into account these local people's views while devising plans that ensure the woods can be maintained. And people may have ideas for the future of these woodlands that we haven't considered."

The Woodland Plans can be seen at NNDC's head office at Cromer or downloaded from www.northnorfolk.org/tourism/4816.asp. Comments on the plans should be received by 29 February, 2008.

To find out more, please contact Rob Goodliffe on 07881847423 or by email at rob.goodliffe@north-norfolk.gov.uk

ENDS

For more information contact
Nick Manthorpe, Media Officer: 01263 516059
Peter Battrick, Communications Manager: 01263 516344