PLANS have been unveiled to regenerate two areas of rare natural Lake District juniper woodland in one of the most popular walking areas of the national park.

Provided government permission is granted, nearly 30 acres of Glenridding Common will be fenced off for up to 15 years. The aim is to keep animals away from juniper woodland to give it a chance to re-establish itself. Some new planting will also take place.

Details of the proposed fencing – near Glenridding Youth Hostel and the old Greenside Mines - and information about how to make comments will be on show in Patterdale Village Store and on the national park website – www.lakedistrict.gov.uk - until April 29.

The proposals have been drawn up by the Lake District National Park Authority, graziers on the common and Natural England. The LDNPA has already consulted with other interested partners including the parish council, the Local Access Forum and Friends of the Lake District.

“Our native juniper is a rare habitat in a European context,” said Andrew Herbert, head of environment and heritage for the LDNPA.

“As such it represents an important component of the Helvellyn and Fairfield Site of Special Scientific Interest of which Glenridding Common forms a part.

“Grazing is preventing the natural regeneration of juniper on the common and the proper establishment of young plants that are still present. Successful regeneration of the juniper will contribute to meeting national scientific conservation targets and enhance this important part of the national park’s spectacular landscape.”

Malcolm Petyt, the Ramblers Association’s access officer for Cumbria, said he welcomed the opportunity for native woodland to be restored as long as fencing was properly removed at the end of the 15-year period proposed.

“We welcome more native woodland so I don’t think there’s likely to be any objection from most ramblers.

“So long as there are clear arrangements of the responsibility for fencing and an assurance that it will be cleared up at the end of this period, I think most walkers would be happy to see more native woodland return.”

A planning inspector will approve or decline the scheme on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Anybody with comments for the inspector should send a letter to: The Planning Inspectorate, Room 4/05, Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.