Corporate Responsibility Report 2009

Langden Head in Bowland used to be covered by deep peat. However rapid erosion has occurred in some areas (right down to the mineral soil across several areas of the site) and meant that the area had been identified by the Bowland Estate team as having potential for restoration. The idea gained the support of Natural England, and when an opportunity arose to secure funding in addition to an existing Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement, our Bowland catchment team was able to quickly draw up a proposal with Natural England and our contractor, Dinsdale Moorland Services.

The total area being addressed and fenced off from livestock is 41.21 hectares, of which approximately nine hectares is bare peat. Essentially, the work involves stabilising and revegetating the areas of bare and eroding peat. Jute matting has been pegged out on the steeper areas of bare peat, and heather brash applied on the flatter areas. Lime, fertiliser and grass seed will soon be applied, which will quickly cover the area in a lush growth of vegetation. This first crop of grass will act as a nurse crop, stabilizing the ground while providing the essential micro climate for the heather and other moorland plants to establish.

The work is largely funded by Natural England but has also benefited from a £33,000 grant from Lancashire County Council’s ‘Our Moors Our Planet' fund which will be used to restore some of the large gulley drip edges on the site.

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