WWNP Wider Catchment Woodland Potential

WWNP Wider Catchment Woodland Potential is our best estimate of locations where there are slowly permeable soils, where scrub and tree planting may be most effective to increase infiltration and hydrological losses. The dataset is designed to support signposting of areas not already wooded. The dataset is based upon the 1:50k BGS geology survey, and relies upon identifying drift and bedrock geologies that are characteristic of slowly permeable soils. A set of open access constraints data was used to erase areas which contained existing woodland, watercourses, peat, roads, rail and urban locations. The information provided is largely based on a 100m gridded version of the BGS 1:50k superficial and bedrock data, along with open constraints data, and is indicative rather than specific. Locations identified may have more recent building or land use than available data indicates. It is important to note that land ownership and change to flood risk have not been considered, and it may be necessary to model the impacts of significant planting. The ‘Superficial Deposits’ and ‘Bedrock Geology’ themes from the BGS Geology 50k map data were used to identify areas of slowly permeable soils where tree planting may increase infiltration and hydrological losses. The ‘Woodland Constraints’ data was then applied, masking existing woodland, watercourses, peat, roads, rail and urban areas.