JLR Rural -What We Do
Our approach and goals are to farm sustainably and produce food to be sold within the surrounding area - with low to positive impact on the landscape and environment. The woodland goals were set out in The Forestry Commissions Woodland Management Plan 2022-soon due for scheduled review. This plan states the intention to manage the woodland in a way that supports the:
‘governmental resolution to: Steward and use forest lands in such a way and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and potential to fulfil, now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic, and social functions’.
The plan also notes that by 2032:
‘Successive management plans will have had a positive effect in terms of biodiversity, stand stability, as well as improving the woodland’s natural resilience to climate change, pests and disease’
The current forestry crop shows a fine stand of Sitka, which became overgrown and unkept during the Covd-19 pandemic and with the prior owners changing focus.
Clearing sections of the Spruce by coppicing and appropriate replanting is underway. Some densely overgrown sections may benefit from conservation clearing schemes aligned with agroforestry, such as the use of goats or pigs.
Regeneration will be monitored to build resilience, with livestock rotated , resulting better access to the existing timber crop and improved conditions for the new and existing plantings to grow in.
Significant ground management issues, and impenetrable overgrowth, water logged ground and rides unable to support vehicles, required time and investment. We cleared rides and put down clean stone.. in 2024 we introduced a sustainably sourced, hand crafted log static caravan from North Devon above the southern section clearing, to support the management of the woods and provide a space for suitable rest and breaks for workers and or volunteers, as well as safe storage.
Through the centre of our plantation are areas of younger mixed broadleaves, with small streams which support an abundance of wildlife. In time these diverse , mixed sections will be encouraged and expanded..
We are building up wildlife corridors using the natural boundaries of the land parcel by planting up the existing Devon Banks with native hedging plants to create wildlife havens, help stop wind and soil erosion and with a view to laying the more mature hedge sections. We will also introduce solitary (and Devon honey) bee homes and their favourite wildflower food sources in these areas.
We are on a flight path for Greater Horseshoe Bats and so need to be mindful of where they fly and whether they should ever start to roost. Higher Marks Barn, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), lies to the North West. This is an extremely important site for the species, being the second largest maternal roost in Europe.
Please feel free to get in touch using the the ‘contact us page’ with suggestions, interest, objections and comments.
JLR Rural is an agroforestry venture near Woodleigh in the South Hams area of Devon. This Sitku Spruce plantation was last restocked around 2018 but was then left alone. Historically the plantation was a combination of pasture and wet moorland and sits within a Natural Landscape Area (formerly known as an AONB), and so we have committed to a small, non-impactful agricultural and forestry operation.
With agreement from all stakeholders, including The Forestry Commission UK, some smaller relevant sections of the land may see a return to wet moorland, leaky dams, streams and ecological restoration work.