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Woodland
Regeneration
Project

Background

At the beginning of a rewilding journey, land needs both time and a range of interventions to kickstart natural recovery. Over decades of intensive land use and in the absence of natural predators, deer have thrived, sometimes to the detriment of young plants and trees. Without action, this imbalance can prevent the regeneration of key habitats and disrupt the delicate natural processes that support a healthy landscape.

The Heal Somerset woodland regeneration project is our way of addressing this challenge, protecting vulnerable areas so that nature can recover and flourish. This is a temporary intervention to allow the natural regeneration of scrub plants like hazel, hawthorn, bramble and dog rose, and tree species including young oaks, aspen and willow. It will also provide long-term benefits by enhancing biodiversity.

A survey of Heal Somerset by the British Deer Society at the end of 2024 found a high deer population. If we want our regenerating trees and scrub to flourish, we need to establish a reliable means of controlling deer numbers.

Our goal is to significantly reduce the deer browsing pressure on new vegetation growth and to achieve this, we will be enclosing a 71ha section of the Heal Somerset site - the Southern Fields - with long-term, but not permanent, perimeter fencing. In the future, the deer fence could be removed once young plants and trees have become sufficiently well established. Deer can still access the remainder of our site.

What will happen

In spring/summer 2025, we will replace the existing stock fencing in the Southern Fields with new, taller fencing to deter deer from entering the area. There will be new pedestrian gates at either end of the public footpath that crosses through the Heal site, and there will be new gates as you enter the site. From a distance, the tall hedges should help to camouflage the new fence line in the environment.

We are grateful to have secured funding to deliver this project from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks as part of the Projects For Nature programme.

Considerations

When considering how to best manage this project, we focused on a solution that would help the land to regenerate whilst reducing the impact on other species on site. We have consulted with our Land Management Advisory Group, as well as specialists and ecologists, on how best to design the perimeter fencing. This wide range of input has helped us to design, specify and deliver the project to the highest standards. Our contractor is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in working on nature-friendly sites, which is why we felt confident in selecting the company.

The fence will be 1.8m tall, made from 15cm x 15cm galvanised steel mesh and supported by mixed FSC-certified untreated wooden posts, so there is no danger of chemicals leaching into the site. The chosen posts will have a long lifespan, which means reduced maintenance and disturbance to the hedges in future years.

Our main concern is to ensure that other species can continue to cross the fenceline and that their habitat is not damaged by it. The size of the mesh is small enough to exclude deer but big enough to allow safe passage for smaller mammals. To ensure that badgers can continue to move into and out of the site, we are installing specially designed badger tunnels where animal paths cross the fenceline, with the help of the Somerset Badger Group. Other species are also expected to use these tunnels. For beavers and otters, appropriate specialist gates will be designed and installed on river access routes.

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Benefits

There are many benefits to reducing deer numbers in our Southern Fields including:

Allowing natural woodland to regenerate

Bolstering the chance of trees survival, due to the long-term nature of the project, which will enable trees to grow beyond the damage-vulnerable stage (usually 5 – 15 years but up to 30 years)

Protecting our baby oaks, over five hundred of which are on the site. A single oak tree can live up to 1,000 years and support more biodiversity than any other British plant

Promoting growth of shrubs and undergrowth which will protect saplings

Creating habitat for wildlife as native plants have a chance to establish themselves

Preventing of soil degradation and increased water filtration

Eventually sequestering carbon from the development of woodland

Find out more about the Woodland Regeneration Project via the Q&A below.

What do we need to know about the area before travelling to the site?

Heal Somerset is just outside the small, peaceful, rural village of Witham Friary. We ask all of our visitors to be considerate of the local community when visiting the site. If possible, please pick a route that avoids travelling through Witham Friary village (travel info here). Please drive slowly as the local lanes are narrow and are used by pedestrians, cyclists, dog walkers, horse riders and farm vehicles. Please only use our designated car park on site.
Can I bring my dog to Heal Somerset?

To benefit and protect wildlife, our site is dog-free. If you have an assistance dog, your dog will be welcome. Walkers can take dogs along the stretch of public footpath which runs across the Southern Fields and Eastern Fields but we ask that you keep dogs on leads to protect wildlife.
Where can I park?

If you visit by car, you must pre-book your parking. Everything you need to know about parking can be found here.
Are you open to visitors all year round?

The Southern and Eastern fields will be open to visitors between 1 March and 30 September. To allow the land to rest, the site will be closed to visitors between October and February, with the exception of the public footpath which will remain open and be maintained all year round.
What are your opening times?

You can come to the site to walk in our Southern and Eastern fields at any time. If you visit in the week, our team is on site between 9am and 5pm. You're welcome to visit earlier or later than this, and also at the weekend, but there won't be staff on site to provide help or assistance if you need it.
Are there toilets on site?

Yes, there is a portable toilet in the car park and a compost toilet in the Southern Fields. Unfortunately, we do not yet have accessible toilets (we are working on it!).
Are your paths wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately, the site is not yet wheelchair-friendly. We have mown paths in the grass, but they are bumpy and uneven, and would likely be a challenge to people with mobility issues. We plan to improve this in time, but we may not be able to meet your needs if you are a wheelchair user or find walking difficult.
How old do I have to be to come to Heal Somerset?

The Southern Fields are open to visitors aged 14 and over, and 14-17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult. The Eastern Fields are open to visitors of all ages. We have this age restriction in place in the Southern Fields because this area will be grazed with large, free-roaming animals (exact timings TBC) and we want to ensure small children are safe
Where do I put my rubbish?

We have very limited facilities for dealing with waste and recycling so like many places, we ask you to take your rubbish and recycling home with you.
Can I smoke at Heal Somerset?

No, the site operates a strict no smoking policy.
Can I bring a picnic with me?

Yes, absolutely, but please make sure you take your rubbish and recycling home with you. Please do not leave any food waste on site.
What should I wear to visit the site?

For walking around the site, we recommend that you bring sturdy shoes or walking boots suitable for rough, uneven ground. To reduce the chance of ticks finding their way inside clothing, we recommend long trousers tucked into socks. If the forecast looks like it could be warm, it's best to wear layers including a light cotton shirt or t-shirt and please bring sun cream and potentially a hat. We also recommend bringing a water bottle, preferably a reusable one. You will be able to top it up at the site. If you have hay fever, we recommend you bring antihistamines.
Can I access the site via public transport?

Everything you need to know about travel is here.
I have a further query, how do I get in contact?

For any other questions, please email somerset@healrewilding.org.uk