MEMBERS of the public are invited to have their say on plans for Delamere Forest for the next decade.

The Forestry Commission plans detail management operations from 2015 to 2025, including felling and restocking, with outline proposals for the next 50 years.

The commission is inviting the public to comment on the plans, with the consultation period running until July 10, after which the plan will be finalised and placed on the public register for approval.

A public drop-in meeting is being held next Tuesday, June 30, at the Forestry Commission office at Delamere, CW8 2JD, between 3.30pm and 7.30pm, where staff will be available to discuss the plan.

Delamere Forest attracts more than 700,000 visits a year to the visitor centre, cafe, bike hire/shop, Go Ape, Delamere Outdoor Fitness and Forest Explorers.

The commission has been reviewing its current forest plan for the forest and outlying woodlands – Primrose Wood, Abbey Wood, Thieves Moss, Hornbys Rough, Petty Pool, Abbots Moss, Lobslack, Hopyards and Uplands.

It said the current threat to the main conifer species in the forest plan area from pests and diseases would lead to a diversification in the species which are currently grown.

“To achieve this some of the larch and Corsican pine stands will be removed early before they reach the end of their rotation, and healthy stands will be retained beyond their economic rotation to ensure the retention of the high forest,” said the commission.

“Management will have to become more reactive in the face of current and future pests, disease and climate change to ensure it can grow the economic, social and environmental value of the forest into the future.

“A combination of clearfell and low impact felling systems will be used to maintain the varied forest structure the public enjoys, open up landscape views in each of the woodlands and create a pattern of transitional open space which is so important to many of the flora and fauna.

“The size, shape and timing of felling operations are designed to enhance the aesthetic value along the main recreation routes, creating a more diverse woodland edge habitat and interlocking stand structure.”

Trees of special interest and deadwood habitats will be retained wherever possible, and woodlands edge habitats will be improved.

“We are contacting stakeholders and members of the public to give them the opportunity to look at our management objectives and to make us aware of any relevant information they may have we may need to take into consideration before finalising the forest plan,” said the commission.

You can comment on the plan via the web link - englandconsult.forestry.gov.uk/forest-districts/delamere-forest-plan-2015/consult_view