Vital conservation work will start at Stoke Park this year. The estate has received around £500,000 of Countryside Stewardship funding from Natural England to carry out significant work over the next two years.  This money has been matched funded using some of the Stoke Park dowry money which can only be used for work on the estate.

The planned work follows consultation in early 2016 based on the draft Conservation Management Plan which received over 700 responses.

Significant investment is needed to restore and improve the estate, support a wider diversity of wildlife and protect the listed monuments, which include the World War Two anti-aircraft defence battery.

Improvements due to take place include clearing scrub and young woodland, introducing grazing, the restoration of a heritage wall, planting of 70 new parkland trees to replace those that have been lost, hedge laying, planting an orchard and establishment of species rich grassland.

Deputy Mayor Asher Craig, Cabinet Member with responsibility for parks, said: “We are delighted to have received this funding to help protect and enhance the fantastic Stoke Park Estate.

“The estate is a Grade II registered historic park which has many important historical features, including the World War II anti-aircraft gun battery. It is also a diverse and interesting landscape enjoyed by local people for a range of leisure activities.

“The estate is a hugely popular green space within the city, and we want to carry out these improvements to make sure that people can continue to enjoy it for generations to come.”

Scrub and young woodland will be cleared from the site to protect areas of grassland that are currently being lost. This grassland is important and contributes to Stoke Park being designated a Site of Nature Conservation Importance – scrub needs to be removed to allow this to flourish again.

Historically cattle were grazed at Stoke Park to help manage the land, and some parts of the estate are already grazed. However it is now planned to extend the amount of parkland that will be grazed in the future.  Grazing helps stop the spread of scrub and invasive fast growing trees, allowing a greater variety of grassland plants and wildlife to flourish.  It also provides a more sustainable and natural way to manage the land and restore the historic landscape.

Grazing will take place from April to November in different parts of the estate with the cattle moved between fields.

Work to protect the popular anti-aircraft battery known as Purdown Percy will help safeguard it from further vandalism and disrepair. The plan is to clear the area of trees and scrub, protect the battery from damage with security fencing and graze the area with sheep or goats. Further funding is also being sought to turn the site into a key educational resource.

There will be some disruption to some normal walking routes whilst scrub and young woodland removal takes place.  This work will start in January and February 2018 around the WWII battery and the surrounding areas.  The council will be finding new places for woodland to ensure no overall loss of woodland takes place.

Once grazing is established people will still be able to walk through grazed areas (apart from the area around Purdown Percy) but some rules will apply, and in areas that are grazed, dogs will need to be kept on leads and away from cattle.

The council’s parks team will be holding a walk and talk on Thursday 11 January and  Friday 12 January  2018 at 1.30pm to explain the restoration work taking place. They will meet at The Vench, Romney Avenue, BS7 9TB.

For up-to-date information about the location of work and proposed grazed areas go to  www.bristol.gov.uk/stokeparkimprovements