Dark Peak Forest Plan

The Dark Peak Forest Plan (opens new window) is a 10 year initiative by the Forestry Commission to revitalise woodland habitats across 3 forests: Snake, Lockerbrook and Westend forests (all situated within the Northern Peak District).

The Forestry Commission manages these 585 hectares of productive conifer forest in the Derwent Valley. The Dark Peak Forest Plan 2017-2027 (opens new window) sets out the aim to continue to grow a sustainable commercial crop, whilst diversifying the structure through harvesting operations and expanding the boundaries to create more open, mixed stands that blend better with the surrounding moorland.

The woodlands in question are currently dominated by productive mature conifer forest (opens new window) (much of which is 70-90 years old and ready to be harvested). Over half (53%) of the woodlands are high forest, with the remaining space mostly open space, largely moorland and rough grazing. The project hopes to both increase the area of woodland and improve the quality of existing habitats, integrating native broadleaf trees into the mostly conifer plantations.

The native woodland will be actively managed to retain stands of trees in perpetuity, develop mixed open stands along watercourses and at the moorland edge, and increase the length of woodland edge. Clough woodlands will also be restored.