'Sandscapes' Heathland restoration in the Midlands

Frequently asked questions about Blakeshall Common

• How many trees are you felling?

  Our proposal at Kinver is to remove approximately 19 hectares of conifer plantation in over 10 years. The area at Blakeshall Common was previously lowland heath before post war planting. Broadleaf trees such as oak, birch and rowan that are also present with in the plantation will be retained for habitat and landscape value as in previous restoration work that took place in 2014. We will also keep some of the conifers, such as the scots pines, for aesthetic reasons and for diversity of habitat, for example to provide corridors for bats. 

• The National Trust is planting more trees to help combat climate change. Why are you cutting them down at Kinver Edge?

  The National Trust is committed to increasing tree and woodland cover across the nation, with our goal of planting 20 million new trees by 2030. What is most important is having the right tree in the right place, and for the right reasons. Only by doing this can we address both the biodiversity as well as climate crises.

  At Kinver Edge, the priority habitat is heathland and wood pasture, rather than maintaining an ecologically poor conifer plantation. Only by restoring the historically and ecologically appropriate environment can we fulfil our obligations as a conservation organisation.

  The National Trust is planning to plant trees across the region that would offset the amount of carbon released by the proposed felling and heathland restoration by more than three times.

  Trees, although important for offsetting carbon, are not a panacea and many other natural processes including open heathland, mud flats, peat bogs, algae and seaweeds sequester carbon far more effectively. Large areas of the Edge will remain as woodland to provide important habitats in their own right.

• What is a plantation woodland?

  A plantation woodland refers to an area where trees are planted, intentionally, to produce a commercial crop. The trees are then routinely felled and replanted to provide a source of timber.

• What do you mean by 'priority habitat'?

  Priority Habitat refers to a list developed by the UK Government of 50 threatened habitats in particular need of support. They include coastal sand dunes, traditional orchards, arable field margins and heathland.

• Why is it necessary to graze cattle?

  Native cattle breeds, such a Longhorns, are traditionally used to graze heathland and wood pasture because they create a dynamic, mosaic habitat with differing layers of fauna as well as removing scrub and enhancing the heathland habitat. They also reduce the need for mechanical intervention in the landscape and help to control invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam.

• Why are the cows wearing collars?

  GPS collars are fitted to the cattle to enable farmers to draw virtual field boundaries using an app on their smartphone. The 'No Fencing' system allows the farmer to control and restrict the cows' access to areas of sensitive habitat. The collars detect and respond to the boundaries and alert the cows with a series of musical tones as they graze close to a virtual fence. If they persist, as a last resort, a small electric pulse dissuades them from leaving the grazing zone. Farmers can track each animal and always know where they are.

• Will the work affect the bridleway/horse access?

  There are 7km of permissive horse riding routes across Kinver Edge. Less than 10% of these (600m) pass through the heathland restoration area. There will be a gate at each end for riders to use.

  Following feedback from local horse riders, the legal bridleway that crosses the land will not enter the heathland area and there will be a full off-road circuit that riders can do without passing through any gates or grazing. New permissive horse routes, which don't pass through the restoration area, were introduced at Kinver after the consultation with riders in 2019.

• Will this affect the bike track/freeride park?

  No. We will retain the trees in the freeride park; the heathland restoration area does not include the park.

• I walk my dog/ride my horse here regularly and I'm concerned about the cattle being present?

  The longhorn cattle are owned by the same grazier who already grazes a large area of the land we look after on Kinver Edge. There will be a low stocking density and no calves or breeding males, and whilst we'd always advise people to be vigilant around any livestock, this breed of cattle is usually docile. This herd spend their lives around the public and are very used to being with people, dogs and horses.

  
  There are also plenty of woodland trails that don't enter the grazed area at all - some that are permissive horse tracks and others that are just for walkers.

• Will I be able to let my dog off the lead?

  There are times of the year and certain areas of sensitive habitat, including the heathland, where dogs need to be kept on a lead.

  Every year, from March to July, the amazing wildlife that call Kinver Edge home begin to breed. It’s vitally important that you keep your dog on a lead during this period. You'll come across signs that tell you where you need to take the lead when you're out walking.

  Longhorn cattle graze the heathland from May to September. They are generally docile animals but please keep on a lead if you come across the cows on your walk.

  There are miles of footpaths across Kinver Edge where dogs are welcome to explore off lead, all year round.

  Take a look at this map to discover on and off lead zones at Kinver Edge.

• What about the current wildlife that lives in the conifers?

  The majority of species that live in the conifer plantation will thrive in the heathland, and many will benefit from the creation of several kilometres of 'woodland edge' habitat. We are however leaving in over half of the conifers to provide corridors for bats. Overall, we will see an increase in biodiversity and the number of species that live here, and conservation organisations such as RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, and Butterfly Conservation support these plans.

• How are you funding this? Are you doing it to make money?

  We have secured a conservation grant from Natural England to carry out the felling and will also sell the wood we fell. As a conservation charity the profits made from the sale of timber will go directly back into caring for Kinver Edge. In effect, the National Trust is ending the ‘commercial operation’ by restoring the heathland, rather than replanting quick-growing, tightly spaced trees to provide an on-going source of timber for sale.