Whitemill Common & Roughets Wood - Shirenewton, nr Chepstow

Long term intentions

The conversion of the plantation to native broadleaved woodland with a variable age structure and species-composition will continue through a combination of thinning the existing conifer canopy and restocking by both replanting and natural regeneration.

A local reduction in the dominance of bracken (primarily to benefit the remaining bluebells) will be achieved in Roughets Wood (sub-compartment 2a) by encouraging the rapid development of a broadleaved canopy through further planting, and subsequent maintenance, of relatively dense groups of broadleaved trees and shrubs. Bracken will be controlled in some locations where cutting can be integrated into the annual path maintenance regime.

In the long-term, the broadleaved woodland will be managed as high forest with periodic light thinning to increase stand stability and encourage a range of site-native tree and shrub species.

Rhododendron will be eradicated and other non-native invasive species controlled.

Public access to the site will be maintained, with the existing path system kept in good condition. Views from the viewpoint towards the north and north-west will be kept open.