Gorse Covert

This Local Nature Reserve is surrounded by housing on the north and south sides, but no houses actually back onto the woodland. A public path enters the woodland from Coniston Road and this and many other informal paths within the wood are well used by local people. There is some accumulation of rubbish, particularly around the edges of the woodland, but the wood does not suffer significantly from vandalism.

Management objectives

  1. To maintain and enhance the wildlife value of the woodland
  2. To maintain and enhance the value of the pond
  3. To enhance the bird population
  4. To enhance the woodland edges and the surrounding grassland
  5. To enhance populations of broadleaved spurge
  6. To improve the main paths and limit the creation of new paths, thus enhancing the ground flora of the woodland
  7. To reduce vandalism including dumping
  8. To encourage educational use of the site
  9. To monitor the value of key biodiversity indicators and to increase biological knowledge of the site 
  10. To declare the site a Local Nature Reserve

Cultural information

Patchway is made up of densely populated housing estates and is classed as one of the most deprived areas in South Gloucestershire. The site is heavily used by local people for leisure activities.

The open space to the south of the woodland has play structures that are underused and have been prone to vandalism. Children also play in the wood and build dens, particularly on the edges.

Other informal activities such as walking, exercising dogs and pond-dipping occur. Both adults and children enjoy the site. An infant and junior school border the site, offering great potential for educational links.

Partnership working

A strong partnership has been formed following a public consultation exercise that attracted 170 local residents. It is made up of:

  • Patchway Town Council
  • Patchway Conservation Group
  • South Gloucestershire Council
  • Patchway Youth Club
  • Avon and Somerset Police
  • BTCV
  • The Prudential
  • Local residents

Additional information

Site status: Local nature reserve, designated community nature area
Site owner: South Gloucestershire Council
Local planning authority: South Gloucestershire Council
Area: 4.3 hectares
Grid reference: ST 594 817