What next for Kennall Vale? Survey asks how woodland should be run

For more than 40 years, Kennall Vale has been in the care of Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Now the Trust wants to hear from the people who walk its paths, live beside it, or have never quite made it through the gate.

A woodland with a lot to balance

The Trust has looked after the nature reserve since 1985. It’s an important haven for wildlife and a much-loved place for local people to enjoy and explore. It also holds the remains of a historic gunpowder works, which is a Scheduled Monument and part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.

Keeping all of that in step isn’t simple. Background notes with the survey say high visitor numbers are putting pressure on wildlife, access routes and parking. Antisocial behaviour and interference with the historic leat system (the man-made channels that run through the site) remain ongoing concerns.

Many of the historic features are in poor and deteriorating condition. The leats, footpaths and bridges also need significant investment and maintenance.

So Cornwall Wildlife Trust is asking local residents, visitors, community groups and partner organisations for their views. The feedback will help shape the future management of Kennall Vale and inform decisions about how it is cared for in the years ahead.

What the survey asks

There are 22 questions, and every one of them is optional.

It starts with how often you visit and why, from walking, dog walking and running to simply spending time in nature. Horse riding and off-road cycling are listed as not permitted on the reserve.

Then it asks what you value most. Peace, nature, the gunpowder works remains, the leats, the streams and the woodland are all on the list. You can also rate how important the site is to you.

Next come the problems. People can flag issues they have noticed on the reserve, such as parking, path condition, fallen trees, flooding, vandalism, erosion, invasive species and antisocial behaviour. A separate question looks beyond the boundary at things like street parking, emergency access, trespassing and blocked driveways.

And if you don’t visit, the survey wants to know why. Distance, safety, accessibility, terrain, unstable buildings and steep drops are among the reasons listed.

Options for the future

The future management section sets out a range of possibilities. They run from continued management by the Trust to community-led management, partnerships, temporary or seasonal closures, and permanent closure. Respondents are also asked whether they would be interested in getting involved, and what they would like to see change over the next five to ten years.

📷Credit: Cornwall Wildlife Trust

How to take part online

The Kennall Vale visitor and management survey is open now and closes on Monday 21 December.

Contact details at the end are optional. The Trust says responses are confidential, will only be used for this project and its reporting, and any published findings will normally be summarised without identifying individuals. Questions about how the data is handled can go to [email protected] or 01872 273939 (ask for the Privacy Officer).

📷Credit: Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Prefer to talk it through?

Two drop-in events give people the chance to share their views in person. There’s no need to book, just turn up any time during the evening.

• Stithians Centre: Wednesday 9 December, 6pm to 9pm
• Ponsanooth Village Hall: Thursday 10 December, 6pm to 9pm

Tea and mince pies will be available at both.

📷Credit: Cornwall Wildlife Trust