Herns Wood improvements

Affinity Sutton making imporvements at Herns Wood, Welwyn Garden City

As part of the bid to develop homes at Pollards Close, Affinity Sutton agreed to fund improvements to neighbouring site, Herns Wood. Together with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, who own and manage the site, consultation was carried out with the local community. Environmental surveys were also taken revealing that Herns Wood is very important for urban wildlife including in the three species of bats, lichens and mosses, and even reptiles.

The improvements will now begin in March 2012, beginning with essential tree work to help them grow for many more generations. We are also creating a wildflower meadow to replace the area of rank vegetation in the centre of wood. Some bramble will be retained as this is good for basking and foraging reptiles, whilst additional pollen and nectar will encourage more insects and butterflies.

Improvement to play was a popular response in the survey to give children more opportunities to enjoy the area. However a number of residents also expressed a concern that formal play apparatus would detract from this being a natural park, and could attract anti-social behaviour or increase noise. With this in ‘natural play’ aids will be incorporated to the design such as using felled trees to create climbing frames or cut logs to create stepping stones or trails.

Increased litter picking and street warden visits have been arranged and a new dog bin will be put in place.

The work is scheduled to begin in Spring 2012 with the play and flower meadow being installed in Autumn 2012.

If you have any enquiries contact Angela Buckler at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Tel. 01707 357787, Email. a.buckler@welhat.gov.uk