Government permission is being sought for plans to regenerate two areas of native juniper woodland in the Cumbrian Lake District.
Juniperus Communis
The proposed project aims to fence off nearly 30 acres of Glenridding Common, alongside one of the popular walking routes up to Helvellyn, for up to 15 years.
By keeping grazing animals out of this area, the native juniper woodland will have a chance to re-establish itself, assisted by some new planting.
Details of the proposed fencing near Glenridding Youth Hostel and the old Greenside Mines and information about how to make comments will be on show in Patterdale Village Store and on the national park website; www.lakedistrict.gov.uk until 29 April.
The proposals have been drawn up by the Lake District National Park Authority, the graziers on the common and Natural England. The LDNPA has already consulted with other interested partners including the parish council, the Local Access Forum and Friends of the Lake District.
The decision on whether to approve the proposals will be made by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The Head of Environment and Heritage for the national park, Andrew Herbert, said fencing was needed to promote the regeneration and growth of juniper by the exclusion of grazing animals. He appreciated that people would have a range of views about the project which needed to be considered. He Added;
“Our native juniper is a rare habitat in a European context. As such it represents an important component of the Helvellyn and Fairfield Site of Special Scientific Interest of which Glenridding Common forms part.
“Grazing is preventing the natural regeneration of juniper on the Common and the proper establishment of young plants that are still present. Successful regeneration of the juniper will contribute to meeting national scientific conservation targets and enhance this important part of the national park’s spectacular landscape."
Comments on the scheme should be sent to: the Planning Inspectorate, Room 4/05, Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.
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