KIER at Lulworth

With the UK being the third largest importer of timber in the world, after China and Japan, and with UK woodland cover at only 12% (against an EU average of around 38%) projects such as the one Kier Living has supported at Lulworth are ever more vital. Planted In January 2017, this new 30 acre woodland, at Lulworth Estate near Wool in Dorset, lays within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. For this conversion of farmland to permanent woodland to be a viable economic proposition additional finance was again supplied through the purchase of carbon credits by Kier Living. The principle aim of the project is the production of quality timber and the largest component is 24,000 Douglas Fir trees. Douglas fir is in high demand for construction timber because it has an excellent strength to weight ratio, and it is also used extensively for fencing, gates and agricultural buildings.

In addition, 2,500 native broadleaved trees, including oak, beech, lime, wild cherry, maples and rowans, were planted in a broad strip along the side adjacent to the public road to enhance the landscape effect and add bio-diversity and conservation value. Around 10% of the area has been left as a network of open grass rides which will be mown to provide habitat for butterflies and other flora and fauna. The site is bounded on three sides by mature woodland and thus provides valuable linkage for wildlife. A public bridleway runs along the west side of the woodland.