Whittle Dene - Ovingham

Long term intentions

The long term vision for Whittle Dene is in line with the outcomes in the Trust's Action Plan 'Keeping Woodlands Alive'. This is to maintain, improve and restore the biodiversity of this rich ancient semi natural woodland and increase people’s awareness and enjoyment of woodland. Specifically through the management of 4 key features this will involve:

Key Feature 1: Building of Interest

Conserve and maintenance of the unique Mill buildings and associated features to ensure they remain undisturbed and are accurately mapped, for management and reference.

Key Feature 2: Informal Public Access

Key to the Woodland Trust objectives is the provision of informal public access commensurate with the level of use the woodland receives. Access Whittle Dene will be maintained (category A) and improved where necessary so that local users and visitors to the area can continue to share in its beauty, gain an understanding of the woodlands importance in the landscape and its rich wildlife habitat, which is irreplaceable.

Key Feature 3: Ancient Semi Natural Woodland

Perpetuate the predominantly broadleaf high forest continuous cover woodland within the landscape. Improving stand conditions by reducing the impact of the non native coniferous species; reverting the woodland slowly back to predominantly broadleaves anticipating no more than 20% scattered non native conifer in the canopy overall. Although it is expected that some control on non-native spruce seedlings will always be required. To enhance biodiversity maturity and uneven aged structure within the woodland working practices that do not impact adversely on the integral environment will be adopted using minimum intervention where possible. If feasible it is desirable to continue the reinstatement and maintain the traditional coppice regime in compartment 1b. To maintain and improve the rich wildlife sustained by the long term continuity of the traditional practice of coppice. Maintaining small-scale structural diversity to the woodland with trees at different points of establishment and growth, with cycles going no longer than 30 years and ideally at approximately 15 years. The key to the success of this vision will be successful regeneration of the coppice coupes. Retention of decaying and dead fallen and standing timber to provide a habitat for many fungi and wood boring beetles which help the wood to decay and form an essential part of the woodland ecosystem.

Key Feature 4: River

The aim in management will be to conserve the presence and diversity of the riparian zone of the Whittle Burn allowing natural processes to occur and promoting mature trees along the banks. Improving the riparian zone through the reduction of the threats from non native conifers but controlling coppicing along the river bank so that the continuity of the riparian zone is retained.

It is anticipated that these works will safeguard and enhance the existing environmental and historical value of the wood and maintain and enhance the level of public access in the woodland.