BIG changes planned in thousands of acres of North Yorkshire forests will see planting of native woodlands and the building of wildlife habitat networks.

Brian Walker, senior officer with the Forestry Commission, said some planting has already started.

The commission is the largest landowner in the North York Moors National Park and improvement of existing and creation of new wildlife habtitat networks will have a major impact on the landscape.

Conifers are being cleared from parts of the 48,150 acres of forest the commission manages in the park.

Its forestry estate has 20 per cent of the scheduled ancient monuments in the Yorkshire and Humber.

Mr Walker said: "Many are small features, but some are highly significant, needing careful management."

He cited the example of Three Howes, a group of three burial mounds on Hallow Rigg, at Harwood Dale, where a wealth of flora and fauna is to be found.

And he pointed to the restoration of a water vole habitat at Langdale Forest, a project done in partnership with the National Park Authority and the Environment Agency.

He added: "The next 30 years will see major changes in forests on the moors.

"Ancient trees are being given special care in the Helmsley area and, with partners, plans are well developed for the protection of heathland and the creation of wooded heath in forests along the A170 corridor between Helmsley and Sutton Bank."

The work can only go ahead with extensive consultation with local authorities, English Nature, English Heritage, parish councils, local history and natural history groups and wildlife specialists.