Car park to shut for woodland restoration project

A nature reserve's car park will be closed from Monday as the final phase of a restoration project gets underway.

Work has been taking place at the Outwoods in Loughborough since 2019 to remove non-native conifers planted in the 1940s, which would allow native trees to return.

As well as encouraging species such as birch and rowan, about 2,000 oaks will be planted as part of the project which is nearing completion.

From Monday, the Outwoods car park and Olivia's Cafe will be shut for about a week as trees in the vicinity are felled.

Charnwood's open spaces lead Anne Gray said: "We are incredibly lucky to have an ancient woodland on our doorstep, but it requires careful management to ensure it continues to flourish over time and for future generations.

"This final phase of the restoration project is part of a careful management plan for the woodland, where we are making sure there are glades with wildflowers to help butterflies, many of which are endangered.

"It does mean there will be some disruption while non-native trees are removed, but it will be worth it. It will bring many long-term benefits to the Outwoods and to local wildlife."

Charnwood Borough Council, which maintains the ancient acid oak woodland alongside a management committee, said visitors could park at Nanpantan Sports Ground and Moat Road and follow the footpath diversions to reach the Outwoods.

The authority said parts of the woodland would also be closed while work was carried out with footpath diversions in place.

Trees removed will be harvested for timber, with the money going towards purchasing native trees.

Chairwoman of the Outwoods Management Committee, Hilary Fryer, said the 100-acre site was "a really special part of the borough" and returning it to an acid oak woodland would benefit future generations.

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