Two Mile Coppice - Broadwey, Weymouth

Long term intentions

Continued woodland cover of a structure most appropriate to maintain and enhance the current biodiversity value of the site. Current status of the wood to be established by means of an ecological survey during 2001. Existing species lists suggest a range of ground flora and fauna that would benefit from re-coppicing & some of a specialised wet nature which might benefit from removal/reduction of the canopy. The survey will be used to target the areas where species type and density suggest a positive response to canopy changes is most likely. Trial coppicing/felling in these areas during this plan period, will be followed by monitoring and assessment of the response of the ground flora, and the coppiced trees, by fixed point photography, and possible volunteer recording, so that a decision can be made in future plans whether to continue to modify the canopy in further areas, or allow the wood to fully revert to a high forest structure. (Corporate objective: improving woodland biodiversity)

To maintain and enhance public access to the site, by the provision and maintenance of suitable facilities - steps, culverts, stiles, gates etc. To promote community use of and involvement in the site and surrounding linked land in co-operation with other like minded bodies. Current use is mainly by the local surrounding population, however, if the Wildlife Trust are successful in establishing a Visitor Centre at Lorton Meadows, it is expected that use will increase, and be drawn from further afield. Corporate objective: Increasing enjoyment of woodland

NB Coppicing of trial areas on hold pending decision on Weymouth Relief Road, as main areas to be coppiced are on the line of the proposed road.