Welcome to Park Wood information page.
We have created this page to provide easy access to information on the project. We will be updating this site as the project progresses, so please keep checking for what's new.
Latest Update - March 2023
We carry out a Public Safety Risk Assessment on all our signposted footpaths in Park Wood.
We will be closing a section of the footpath at the location shown below (in red) because we need to remove the board walk here. The National Grid Reference is TQ59902 12518. This work is to help us make sure that everyone who uses Park Wood can enjoy it safely.
The work will take place during the week beginning Monday 20 March 2023. We hope to complete the work by Friday 25 March 2023.
After the board walk is removed, and due to the time of year, the ground conditions under foot will be wetter than usual. We recommend appropriate footwear.
We will display notices in the car park. The notices will advise footpath users that the board walk will be removed and show the section of footpath that will be temporarily closed.
Introduction
The Environment Agency has an ambition to be a leader in our response to the climate emergency. We want to remain resilient, whilst optimising our use of resources, benefiting people and communities and delivering environmental net gain. Park Wood provides an opportunity for us to create a better place.
Park Wood is one of the largest areas of unfragmented woodland in the Hailsham area.
The entire woodland is designated ancient, semi-natural woodland and it has a long history of coppice management back to mediaeval times when iron smelting was an important local industry. It is designated as a Local Wildlife Site, important for its species richness including a number of bat species, hazel dormouse, amphibians, reptiles, birds and bryophytes (plants). The woodland is highly valued by the local community both as wildlife habitat and as a place for a wide range of quiet informal recreation activities. Park Wood is designated as an Asset of Community Value and is designated as open-access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.
(Image above) Park Wood location map
We have recently commissioned a new management plan for Park Wood, which has been approved by the Forestry Commission. The management plan encompasses our aspirations for the woodland, you can read a copy here [PDF 3MB]..
The Environment Agency’s vision is to restore the woodland and to conserve and enhance its biodiversity through a sustainable woodland management approach that works with natural processes. We will be guided by the Government’s 25 year environment plan; this is driven by the need to leave the natural environment in a better state than we inherited it.
At the same time, community access will be improved and maintained with the aim of enhancing recreational opportunities for local people and providing training and educational opportunities both for the local community and Environment Agency staff. Some areas will be left undisturbed with minimal intervention in order to benefit those species that depend on old growth woodland.
Some more detailed elements of our plans for financial year 2021/22 include:
Where to find out more information
Please check this page for project updates. You can also email us.
We are exploring opportunities for volunteers to get involved with ecological surveys heritage and archaeology work.
Thank you for visiting our information page.
Please contact:
park.wood@environment-agency.gov.uk
if:
For more information on how we will use and share your data, please see our Privacy Notice below and our Personal Information Charter
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