Landscape and Environment Studies
In a survey of residents’ views conducted in 2014, it was clear that the environment in Woodford is very important to the people who live here. The word environment encompasses a wide range of concepts, including natural features, wildlife, ecology, landscape, history, culture and people.
Autumnal Oak Tree in Blossoms Lane – photo courtesy of Evelyn Frearson
An introduction to our studies which includes a detailed history of Woodford can be found here.
On behalf of WNF, the Management Committee have commissioned a Heritage and Character Assessment by AECOM and a Habitat Distinctiveness Study by Cheshire Wildlife Trust (CWT), which will contribute to the evidence being compiled to support the policies currently being drafted for the Neighbourhood Plan. The study by CWT will be posted on this website when completed.
To complement these largely desk-top, professional studies, members of the Management Committee are conducting surveys on the ground, with kind permission of local landowners. These aim to provide greater detail of key local habitats for wildlife in the farmland and open spaces, focussing on trees, woodland, hedgerows, ponds and streams in our Neighbourhood Area, as well as using local knowledge to describe the history and character of built environment.
These volunteer and professional studies will provide a comprehensive and detailed description of the environment in Woodford in its wider sense, helping us all to protect what we love.
Four Spotted Chaser Dragonfly – photo courtesy of Evelyn Frearson,
They are revealing a predominantly rural area with a deep history, beautiful landscapes, and numerous magnificent mature native trees and hedgerows, many of which will be hundreds of years old, together with many ponds and ditches, providing ecological niches for our fellow inhabitants in the complex web of life on earth.
As the Neighbourhood Area is large, comprising approximately 1,100 acres, it has been divided into 10 areas for the purposes of the volunteer surveys. A map showing the subdivision of areas can be found here.
Surveys are almost completed and the data is being entered into a map of Natural Features which can be found here.
Detailed reports of the findings of these surveys are being prepared and will be posted on this website as they are completed.
View of Kinder Scout from Blossoms Lane taken in August – photo courtesy of Evelyn Frearson
Area 1 report can be found here
Area 2 report can be found here
Area 3 report can be found here
Area 4 report can be found here