North Norfolk Forest Plan 2018-2028

Closed 14 Jul 2018

Opened 15 Jun 2018

Contact

Emma Rawlinson

(Forest Planner)

Planning Team

0300 067 4403

emma.rawlinson@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Feedback updated 30 Jul 2018

We asked

Members of the public and stakeholders were invited to the consultation of the draft proposals for the North Norfolk Forest Plan 2018-2028, to leave feedback to ensure that the plans objectives and proposals were considered and balanced. This was carried out via letters, emails and notices displayed in freehold woodlands across the plan area.

You said

Primarily there was good support for the proposals with the majority of you agreeing that the plan achieves an appropriate balance of social, economic and environmental objectives for the woodland. Common features raised included requests to increase open space, more detailed information on specific management of conservation plans and concerns over the minerals plan for Bintree forest.

We did

Comments and feedback were incorporated into the forest plan where necessary. Suggestions made to increase open space in Marsham, Horsford and Edgefield could not be implemented as permanent open space identified across the plan area is currently in poor condition. This will be addressed within a conservation plan to follow but at this stage it would be impractical to commit to increasing open space until what we have is managed appropriately. The conservation plan will contain more detailed information about specific management of conservation areas for use at the operational level. The plan shows Bintree forest will used for forestry purposes in the immediate future. However, concerns raised regarding the minerals plan for Bintree have been passed to the estates department to retain on file. The plan will now be submitted to Forest Services (FS) for approval. It is hoped this process will be completed by September 2018 and that the approved plan will be displayed on the East England Forest plans pages by October 2018.

Results updated 30 Jul 2018

Overview

Forest Plans define the long term vision for a woodland or a collection of woodlands and set out how management will move towards achieving this vision over the next ten years.

We would like to invite feedback on the proposed forest plan covering Forestry Commission managed woodlands across North Norfok located between Norwich, Fakenham, Holt and North Walsham. This includes Weybourne, Hempstead, Edgefield, Snoring, Wade's beck, Bintree, Bylaugh, Haveringland, Marsham, Hevingham, Horsford, The Wilderness and Bacton.

This online questionnaire forms part of a consultation with stakeholders that helps to ensure that we achieve an appropriate balance of objectives.

 

Why your views matter

It is a requirement that all Forestry Commission woodlands are managed to the high standards needed to meet the UK Woodland Assurance Standard that in turn ensures sustainable forest management certification of the Public Forest Estate is maintained.

The forest plan is available to download as a PDF below or alternatively viewable online within the Survey. There are also hard copies available to view at Sheringham Park National Trust visitor centre and North Walsham & Costessey libraries.

The online consultation will run until the 14th July 2018.

Any comments should be submitted through the online survey form before the closing date. Feedback received after the closing date may not be able to be considered.

 

What happens next

This online Stakeholder Consultation closes on the 14th July 2018. We will then examine the feedback and where possible, incorporate suggestions into the Forest Plan.

The forest plan will be submitted to Forest Services, the regulatory arm of the Forestry Commission, and placed on the public register to run concurrently with the public consultation. Subject to feedback approval will be obtained from Forest Services.

The approved plan will be made available on the Forest Plans East England web page in October.

 

Audiences

  • Landowner / manager
  • Local community member
  • Forestry Commission staff
  • Forest visitor
  • Forestry Commission agent / contractor / partner
  • Government department / agency or unitary authority
  • Non-Governmental Organisation / charity
  • Sports group
  • Commercial business
  • Wildlife management
  • Travel and tourism
  • Wood processor - including timber and woodfuel production
  • Media
  • Woodland group
  • Education and academia
  • East England

Interests

  • Woodland management
  • Forest design plans