Brook Wood, Runcorn

Brook Wood is small secondary mixed broadleaved woodland lying within the Sandymoor Valley. It was formerly part of the Brooke Family estate (centred on Norton Priory). The woodland was purchased by the Runcorn Development Corporation (now English Partnerships) in the mid 1970's. The site was under planted with mixed broadleaves including hazel, hawthorn, rowan, and cherry. In addition a surfaced footpath (with two wooden footbridges) was constructed within the wood to link the site to the Keckwick Brook linear park. The land surrounding the woodland is designated for housing development. The woodland itself consists of mature and over mature lime, sycamore, oak, alder, birch with occasional horse chestnut Scots pine and hornbeam. The under storey contains hawthorn, hazel, elder, willow and pockets of rhododendron ponticum. The woodland ground flora is sparse and a largely dominated by bramble. There is a large pond and associated outfall ditch than runs west to east (into Keckwick Brook). Management access is currently across proposed development land. It is vital that this is retained in future years. Local involvement is limited to occasional dog walkers however as the area is developed there will inevitably be increased pressure on the site.