How the Council is responding to community feedback on Shotwick Park

Key messages

Our proposed actions and future considerations

The majority of respondents (90%) supported the vision for Shotwick Park.

Reasons included support for the creation of woodland and maintenance of current features, benefits to biodiversity and climate change, protecting the land from development, using the land for leisure purposes, community involvement in management of the site and the mental and physical benefits of getting out in nature.

A small number of comments related to retaining farmland, were not in favour of woodland creation or included concerns about woodland density.

• Trees would be planted to create natural broadleaved woodland to mimic the historic woodland already on site. No dense conifer plantations are planned.
• Historic features would be protected, all rights of way would be retained, and access would be improved in some areas.
• All habitats proposed would support and encourage more wildlife. Developing species rich grasslands would help support pollinators and trees would capture more carbon and protect local soils.
• New species rich meadows, wood-pasture and wet meadows, proposed to the west of the site, could be grazed by cattle and sheep and could attract rare ground nesting birds. This may mean that we ask people keep to paths and dogs close at certain times of the year.
• Plans would protect Shotwick Park from development, as permanent woodland and other highly prized habitats will be created and improved.
• Local people would have better access to a greater number of habitats and areas to enjoy on the site, bringing both mental and physical health benefits.
• A Friends Group could be established to help people get involved to help manage the site as volunteers. For example, this could include planting trees, recording wildlife, helping maintain paths and sowing wildflowers.
• We would work with the current tenants to explore ways they can still graze and cut areas of the land for fodder to continue to support their businesses going forward.

Most respondents answered that current features of Shotwick Park were important to them to keep in future plans. This included existing woodlands (95%), public rights of way (94%), historic structures (83%) and open fields (71%).

• In response to feedback, we would develop habitat management plans to bring existing woodlands back into good condition over a number of years.
• All rights of way would be retained.
• Historic structures would be protected.
• Views across open fields to the Dee Valley and Welsh hills would be retained.

Most respondents answered that ‘Enhancement and improvement of historic parkland, replacing and adding to prominent trees, encouraging more wildflowers and grasses’ (84%) and ‘Manage and restore existing woodland for wildlife and disease resilience’ (67%) were important to include in future plans for Shotwick Park.

• Suitable trees would be replaced and added to preserve and enhance the character of the historic parkland, with new areas of wood-pasture proposed on the northwest corner of the site.
• Wild grasses and flowers would be sowed across the open parkland, ridge and furrow fields and woodland rides.
• Over time, diseased trees would be removed from existing woodland and hedgerows and replaced with species in keeping with the historic parkland setting and soils. Native and non-native species would be considered for their climate and disease resilience.

Respondents were asked if they had any further comments about plans for Shotwick Park.

Comments covered the preservation and encouragement of habitats, woodland and native species, site accessibility, path maintenance, seating, suggestions for other facilities and flood management.

Concerns were also shared around increased visitor numbes, parking, traffic, dog control and dog litter.

• Plans would preserve and enhance existing woodlands and other habitats and allow continued access to them.
• Only native wildflowers from other wildlife sites in England would be introduced. However, native and non-native trees in keeping with historic parkland would be considered to ensure disease and climate resilience.
• In response to feedback, we would work with the Parish Council and a potential Friends Group to identify and attract funding for suitable short routes and a small number of seats, to encourage everyone to access the site. This would be carefully considered so that historic and natural features are not impacted.
• Funding would not be available to include play areas or larger buildings like a café. We would work with local businesses to promote places to find refreshments and access other facilities, whilst encouraging picnicking on the site. A community arboretum, including memorial trees, could also be considered.
• The establishment of more permanent species rich grassland and more woodland would help rain penetrate the ground more easily and reduce the amount of surface water. Plans for wetland meadows to the south of the site would also help capture and release rainfall more slowly, which may help with some local flooding issues.
• There would be no plans to include parking facilities or to encourage visitors from further afield that may increase parking and traffic issues in the village. We aim for the site to remain an asset for the village for local people to continue to enjoy and benefit from.
• We would work with the Parish Council and a potential Friends Group to consider the need for additional dog litter bins and ways to encourage responsible dog walking.