Enhancing our natural capital
Land Management Plans
West Oxfordshire District Council owns and is responsible for the management of a wide range of public open green spaces across the district, with larger recreation sites including Langel Common, Kilkenny Country Park, Deer Park Wood, and North Leigh Common.
We have recently reviewed the management of the different habitat and natural features across the sites, to identify opportunities where improvements could be made through changing the way things are maintained by our grounds maintenance team Ubico. Many of these areas have the potential to be enhanced for both wildlife and people, and new landscape management plans have been created to maximise that wide range of natural benefits these sites bring.
We have worked with our grounds maintenance team and habitat specialists to define these changes, from road verges to larger parks and commons. We also hope to build on the day-to-day management with new habitat creation projects, and will continue to support our local volunteer groups, the Witney Woodland Volunteers and the Friends of North Leigh Common in the valuable nature conservation work they do.
Land Management Plans have been developed for:
- Deer Park Wood, Witney
- Deer Park South, Witney
- Deer Park estate, Witney
- Bathing Place estate, Witney
- Millers Mews, Witney
- Langel Common, Witney
- Bishops Farm Mill, Witney
- Madley Park estate, Witney
- Shilton Park estate, Carterton
- Kilkenny Lane Country Park, Brize Norton
- North Leigh Common
- Rowell Way estate, Chipping Norton
View the full set of Land Management Plans:
Land Management Plans - pdf - 8.46 Mb
Kilkenny Lane Country Park Conservation Group
We are looking for volunteers of all ages and abilities to join the site’s habitat management volunteer group - the group aims to enhance the site for both people and wildlife. The sessions take place on the last Wednesday of every month from 10am to 1pm, and are led by the Council’s Biodiversity and Countryside Land Management Officer. As a volunteer, you will be undertaking tasks such as coppicing, litter picking, tree guard removal and surveying flora and fauna.
The group meets promptly at the country park’s car park on Elmhurst Way, Shilton Park, Carterton, OX18 1EY. Equipment and training on the task to be completed will be provided at the start of each session – just bring suitable outdoor clothing and some water or a flask of tea and coffee and we’ll provide the rest!
If you would like to join the group, or have any questions about what it involves, please email Climate.Action@westoxon.gov.uk
A poster giving information about the group can be found here:
Links to climate change
Improving the management of the habitats at the sites can also help to manage the effects of climate change. For example, the planting of more trees and the restoration of grassland areas can not only lead to the sequestration of more carbon, but can also mitigate against flooding events and improve habitat connectivity for species that are most affected by climate change such as birds and bees. We are reviewing our sites to identify opportunities for nature-based solutions, allowing us to mitigate against and adapt to our changing climate, as well as make improvements for both wildlife and people.
What can you do?
Wildlife needs protecting and habitats need managing all across the district. Communities can provide vital help by promoting, protecting and enhancing biodiversity in their local area.
If you are a town or parish council, guidance on the protection and creation of habitats can be found in the Oxfordshire Community and Parish Guide to Biodiversity
Wild Oxfordshire also has information on existing local wildlife groups, best practice projects and how to set up your own community environment group.
If you are a resident of West Oxfordshire, you too can play a part in nature’s recovery, with guidance from the links below;