Old Wood - Sheringham

Long term intentions

Oldwood will become a patchwork of heath land, wooded heath and broadleaf dominated woodland. This mosaic of habitats will complement the surrounding landscape within the north Norfolk AONB and Norfolk BAP habitat plan, whilst improving the biodiversity of the site.

With the site having widely varying habitats the management will need to be looked at separately, although interlinking to form a flowing patchwork of heath, wooded heath and woodland.

Woodland (high forest)

The management of the high forest areas shall be to thin successively to achieve a mixed canopy dominated by natural broadleaf regeneration that will still retain a coniferous element. With the naturally free draining aspect of the site there may be a need to aid the natural regeneration within under planting. This decision will be made in 2010, and if deemed that natural broadleaf regeneration is not regenerating at an acceptable rate then native broadleaf species that are comparable with the NVC woodland classification will be planted.

Open wooded heath

Within 10 years an open woodland heath canopy density will be achieved through successive thinning’s. The canopy density will vary across the selected areas, thinner adjacent to open heath and heavier adjacent to the woodlands. A canopy density within this limit will allow the ground layer will develop to limited heathland communities. Reversion to broadleaves is likely to be achieved by planting at the desired spacing, and direct planting of final crop trees with broadleaved species. The final conifer thinning shall have all brash removed from the wooded heath areas to aid the development of the heathland environment.

Open heath

Through previous surveys it was identified (see SWT report, Feb 1999) that a number of areas would be acceptable for heath land restoration. All viable heath land areas were to be clear felled with extensive ride widening to interlink the restoration areas. to date 50% of the heath land restoration areas have been cleared with the rest being proposed to be cleared in 2005. When this is undertaken it will create a seamless strip of heath land and open ground through Oldwood.

The initial indications have shown with in the current clearfell areas ling heather, gorse and wavey hair grass has regenerated and is beginning to develop into the desired heath land habitat.

.Ling heather will dominate these areas, and from 2020 when established can be managed on a 20 year cutting rotation. Gorse and broom will feature as an important element of the heathland, and a varied age range will be achieved through careful management through cutting

Public Access

As Oldwood develops, public access will improve with the further development of its existing footpath system. To improve public access further view points will be developed for the public to view the stunning vistas of Sherringham and the North Norfolk cost. The existing way-marked walk will be improved and shall be developed to incorporate the neighbouring land owners who also maintain an open access policy.