For Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

From ‘Unfavourable’ to ‘Favourable’ – A transformation in woodland health

Northaw Great Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Hertfordshire, is a flagship woodland nature reserve under the care of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. Maydencroft has been delivering forestry consultancy and contracting services at the site for several years, helping the Council secure and deliver Countryside Stewardship grants, create detailed management plans, and achieve significant ecological gains.

Project scope
Maydencroft was commissioned to bring Unit 2 of the SSSI into favourable condition, reversing ecological decline and restoring woodland habitats for wildlife. The scope of works included:

• Managing invasive species such as rhododendron and holly
• Restoring neglected hornbeam coppice to enhance woodland structure
• Improving woodland rides for biodiversity and visitor experience
• Installing deer fencing to protect regenerating areas
• Delivering annual management reports and grant-compliant budgets

Challenges
The project required careful coordination of ecological sensitivity, public access, and funding deadlines. Decades of lapsed woodland management had allowed invasive species to spread, while high deer browsing pressure added complexity to restoration efforts.

Solutions and Expertise
Drawing on a multidisciplinary forestry team, Maydencroft implemented a phased programme of habitat restoration. This approach:

• Reduced invasive cover, creating space for native ground flora
• Enhanced canopy diversity through traditional coppicing
• Improved site resilience through targeted fencing and access planning
• Ensured all works met SSSI and Countryside Stewardship requirements

Outcomes
Following these works, Natural England has reclassified Unit 2 of Northaw Great Wood as being in “Favourable” condition—a significant milestone for the Council’s conservation ambitions. The site is now on a sustainable management trajectory, with robust long-term plans in place.

Client testimonial
“Maydencroft Ltd have been our forestry contractors since at least 2017 and are an incredible company to work with. Their attention to detail is second to none and they always provide us with an exemplary service.

In recent years we have been one of their ‘managed clients’ where we receive further support for the purpose of our Countryside Stewardship Woodland grants. With this added benefit they provide us with detailed annual management reports and budgets to ensure we are working within our limits.

Maydencroft’s forestry team have also recently commissioned for us a number of detailed management plans for our flagship sites which feed directly into our Countryside Stewardship scheme. Maydencroft are invaluable in helping us manage our woodland and nature reserve sites. I would highly recommend them to anyone else looking for support in environmental management.”
— Joseph Wilson Charry, Landscape Conservation Officer, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

---