Native forest to be reborn

The project will remove conifer plantations

A 40-year project to return a valley in the Peak District to its original state is being launched.

Conservationists will be planting hundreds of acres of new woodland in Alport Valley, near Ladybower reservoir.

The plan calls for 500,000 conifers to be chopped down to make way for native trees such as oak, holly and elder on a 940-acre spread of land.

The Forestry Commission and the National Trust will also create other habitats such as ponds, grassland and heath.

Diverse habitat

It is hoped the new environment will attract a variety of bird life including the redstart and wood warbler.

Rod Newborough, Forestry Commission operations manager for the East Midlands, said: "These conifer forests were planted to provide the country with a strategic timber reserve.

"Now that is no longer needed the thinking concerning forests is changing.

"Now they are looked at in a much wider context, taking into consideration the social and landscape benefits as well as the benefits to wildlife."

The Alport Valley has been chosen as its location within the national park will maximise the benefits from restoring a more native and diverse habitat.

The first tree will be felled on Monday with planting expected to start soon after.