Little Doward Woods - Wyastone Leys, nr Whitchurch

Long term intentions

Little Doward is a complex site supporting a number of key features of ecological, historical, aesthetic and geological interest. The overall long-term intention will be to manage the site to maintain and enhance this significant interest.

On the southern slopes, within the former deer park, the main priorities will be:

1. To maintain and enhance the exceptional biodiversity interest of this area, particularly associated with the old growth stands;

2. To remove the intrusive and damaging features of modern plantation forestry;

3. To establish a low input management regime that will maintain/restore the essential features of pasture woodland habitat whilst allowing the landscape to evolve (rather than simply turning back the clock).

Fulfilling these objectives would be a major contribution to the Lowland Wood Pasture and Parkland UK HAP and also the Lowland Beech and Yew Woodland UK HAP and Upland Mixed Ashwoods UK HAP. Such management will also benefit the notable vascular plant, bryophyte, lichen, fungi and bird species and the many veteran trees present.

Initial management will involve gradual removal of conifers through successive thinning and selective felling. Within the 'limestone rock woodland', conifers will be felled in a single operation with timber and brash completely removed to minimise disturbance and avoid further damage which might be caused by leaving timber/brash to smother the ground flora. Other small areas of conifer could be selectively felled in one operation. However, within the larger, dense coniferous stands on the south-western slopes, removal of conifers will be a long-term process achieved through successive thinning favouring existing broadleaved trees and opening up the sandstone conglomerate outcrops and boulders (removing sweet chestnut along with conifers). An open canopy high forest comprising predominantly native species will be the aim in these areas therefore some temporary protection from deer may be required to allow some regeneration of native broadleaved species.

In areas where recent regeneration/young woodland has developed within the pasture woodland (recent infilling), a one off heavy thin (favouring native and rare species) is proposed to create a more open structure and allow the future development of wide crowns and irregular glades. Some clearance of areas of dense scrub are also proposed. Within the limestone rock woodland on the rocky outcrops there are some areas of dense regeneration which could be lightly thinned but great care will be required to ensure the numerous rare species are retained and favoured in these areas.

Throughout the pasture woodland, halo thinning will be undertaken around the existing veteran trees, and around a number of selected future veterans, to allow a large number of mature open grown trees to survive in the long-term. Standing and fallen deadwood will be left wherever safe.

Options for re-instatement of grazing at appropriate levels within the former deerpark has been the subject of a full assessment. Initially grazing will be re-established using deer alone, though introduction of other stock (particularly cattle) would be ideal in the future, especially to the west where bracken is likely to develop into dense stands as the level of light increases. The deer park boundary will require restoration including significant lengths of fencing. Water provision is likely to be required (using bowsers) as the fencing will exclude access by deer/stock to the river.

In the long-term it is anticipated that the re-instated deer park will be subject to a low intervention regime coupled with grazing at appropriate levels to maintain a mosaic of open woodland and grassland habitats assuring sufficient natural regeneration (or supplementary planting of stock derived from site) to provide future generations of trees.

The hill top will also be enclosed within the re-instated deer park. Here, management will aim to reinstate open habitat which will benefit both the archaeological, ecological and geological value of the Scheduled Ancient Monument and the hill top area. Additionally, views of and from the hill fort will be enhanced.

Conifers and some scrub will be removed, retaining stable mature broadleaved trees and a number of younger trees to develop into future open grown veterans. In addition to grazing by deer, domestic stock will be re-introduced (initially likely to be sheep). Additional fencing will be required along with water provision and enhanced management access to allow vehicular access to the stock. Other management may also be required prior to introduction of stock, particularly bramble control on the ramparts.

Grazing will benefit the archaeological and geological interest of the area and enhance existing areas of calcareous grassland. It is anticipated that further areas of calcareous grassland will develop within a mosaic of open habitats with scattered mature trees (retained) and patchy scrub/young woodland which will contribute towards the lowland calcareous grassland UKHAP. Bracken is likely to be vigorous and will be controlled where it impinges on other habitats of value or becomes too dense to be of value to pearl bordered fritillary (which will benefit from the opening up of the habitat and favours herb rich open bracken stands with violets). Care will be required to ensure that use of herbicides avoids potential detrimental effects to other species including lower plants, for example by avoiding the use of wetting agents. Alternative methods including rolling and mowing could be used. Control of invasive scrub/bramble/nettle may also be required, particularly on the ramparts.

Within other areas of woodland at the site (outside the former deer park) the priority will be to maintain and restore areas of ancient woodland, gradually removing conifers and reducing the cover of non-native broadleaves such as sweet chestnut to favour existing, and encourage natural regeneration of, site-native trees. This will contribute to several native woodland UK HAPs and SAPs.

Selected areas within Dennis Grove will ideally be managed as coppice with standards if resources allow. Such management may be of special benefit to pearl bordered fritillary.

Other areas of woodland will be managed as high forest with selected areas set aside as minimum intervention (for example the south-eastern slope).

A specific aim of management throughout the site will be to retain existing mature and veteran trees and to ensure future generations of large wide-crowned veteran trees. Standing and fallen deadwood (where considered safe) and some felled broadleaved timber will be retained.

Throughout the site, care will be taken to avoid disturbance/damage to other features of interest including:

· the cave and mine systems which are of particularly archaeological value and known to support roosting lesser and greater horseshoe bats;

· the many features of archaeological and geological interest.

The overall landscape value of the site will be retained and enhanced, though gradual conversion to primarily broadleaved native cover, opening up of the Hill Fort and retention of the Coronation Grove feature for as long as practicable.

Facilities/information will be provided to facilitate enjoyment of the site whilst retaining the tranquillity for which the site is valued.

In order to achieve the desirable woodland management and re-establishment of grazing at the site, enhanced management access will be required, possibly extending a stoned track from the public road to the west to the upper parts of the site. Improved access across the south-western slopes and to Dennis Grove will also be required if timber is to be extracted.

Implementation and control of grazing by deer and stock will also require significant fencing and provision of water.