7 April 2008

ISSUED BY SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ON BEHALF OF FORESTRY COMMISSION, RSPB & SUFFOLK COAST AND HEATHS UNIT

Drop in sessions around Dunwich to inform of new project

Plans to transform a conifer plantation into a natural wildlife-rich landscape, grazed by ponies and freely accessible to the public are to be outlined at afternoon public drop in sessions in Dunwich and Westleton.

In a new partnership involving Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the Forestry Commission, the RSPB and Suffolk Coast & Heaths Unit, the existing conifer plantation in Dunwich Forest will be transformed into a range of more diverse habitats.  Wood pasture will predominate in the northern part of the forest and lowland heath will be allowed to develop on suitable soils to the south.  Both habitats are amongst the rarest in the UK.

The purpose of the project is to create a network of habitats that will provide a vital link between adjoining reedbeds and heathland, increasing the connectivity of wildlife habitat in a part of Suffolk identified for its rich natural variety. Species to benefit include woodlark, nightjar, green tiger beetle, silver studded blue butterfly and barbastelle bat.

The new project will also benefit people by improving access and creating more diversity within the natural landscape thus enhancing the visitor’s experience of this part of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. The venture is being supported by SITA Trust which provides funding through the Landfill Communities Fund.  Funding is available for community and environmental groups to carry out a range of improvement projects.

Grazing ponies in the northern section of Dunwich Forest will be managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust while the Forestry Commission will manage the transition from conifer plantation to broadleaved woodland. The initial stage will involve replacing fencing around the perimeter of the area to secure stock. However the area will remain freely accessible to the public and horse riders via kissing gates and bridle gates.  The southern area will be taken on by the RSPB with the aim of reinstating natural heathland on several conifer plots as trees are felled.

Dunwich Forest is designated a County Wildlife Site and sits within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. Adjoining land includes Walberswick Reedbeds which are part of Suffolk Coast National Nature Reserve to the north and Westleton Heath which is a Special Protection Area of European importance, to the south.

Drop In sessions will be held on 15 April, 2-8pm at Westleton Village Hall and 17 April, 2-8pm at Dunwich Reading Rooms. All residents from both villages and the surrounding area are warmly invited to attend.

Representatives of the partners involved in the project – Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Forestry Commission, RSPB, Natural England and Suffolk Coast & Heaths – will be at the sessions to answer questions, hear local views and explain how the project will progress.

ENDS

For more information please contact the Forestry Commission’s Giles Brockman on 01842 816009

Notes to editors:

SITA Trust

SITA Trust was set up in 1997 and runs three funding programmes:
Enhancing Communities – for community improvement projects around landfill sites owned by SITA UK
Enriching Nature – for biodiversity projects within the vicinity of landfill sites in England
GreenPrints – launched in June 2007 to encourage 16-25 year olds to volunteer their time and energy to improving green spaces in their local communities
Each year, SITA Trust commits over £7 million nationwide through the Landfill Communities Fund
www.sitatrust.org.uk

The Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme)

Landfill tax was introduced in 1996 to encourage more sustainable ways of managing waste

The landfill tax legislation also brought about the Landfill Communities Fund. This scheme allows landfill operators to voluntarily donate 6.6% of their landfill tax liability to environmental improvement projects

The Landfill Communities Fund is independently regulated on behalf of HM Government’s Revenue & Customs by ENTRUST