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Embargo: 00.01hrs, 5 FEBRUARY 2002
registered charity number 294344 registered charity number 1081247
Government's targets set to fail - protective designations ineffective
More than 100 of Great Britain's most important ancient woods are facing degradation and loss, despite planning policies which seek to protect them, warns a report published by The Woodland Trust - the UK's leading woodland conservation charity - and WWF - the global environment network - today.
Development Threats to Ancient Woodlands is the first attempt to get accurate national data on how much ancient woodland is being lost to, or is currently threatened by, development. The report focuses on Kent, Lancashire, south-east Wales and central Scotland to illustrate what is happening around the country.
It reveals that planning decisions are failing ancient woodland because they are being made on the basis of inaccurate, and often inaccessible, records and planning guidance that often fails to provide the clear protection they warrant. Losses are not being monitored even though this is a Government measure of sustainability [1]. One of the 18 planning authorities surveyed in detail did not hold any information on the location of ancient woods in its area.
Ancient woods are most under threat from infrastructure and transport developments such as Manchester airport and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Housing, sport facilities and, to a lesser extent, leisure activities such as paint balling are also of concern.
Ancient woodland is land that has been continuously wooded for at least 400 years. It covers barely two percent of Great Britain. It is irreplaceable and is so rich in flora and fauna, that it is sometimes called "Britain's rainforest".
Hilary Allison of The Woodland Trust said: "Local development plans vary widely in their policies regarding ancient woods, from unequivocal protection at one end of the scale, to no mention at the other. Even where local plans specify ancient woods should be protected, planning permission has sometimes been granted in direct contradiction of the policy. Encouragingly, however, our study did highlight some cases where local authorities are already getting it right - Falkirk, in Scotland, is one [2]. This is heartening and offers a good example for others to follow."
Beatrix Richards, WWF Forests Campaigner said: "Our ancient woodlands face destruction by stealth because of the planning authorities' failure to recognise them as an important resource to be monitored and protected. A proper and easily accessible inventory of these woods must be compiled urgently to prevent this essential part of our natural heritage slipping quietly away under a tide of concrete."
The Woodland Trust and WWF are calling for urgent action. Records of ancient woods must be updated and steps must be taken now to better protect these fragile, scarce remnants of Britain's living heritage. To do this, it is essential to have:
An up-to-date and accurate inventory of ancient woodland, easily accessible to all planning authorities;
A system to monitor ancient woodland loss and continue to update the ancient woodland inventories;
A planning system that takes due account of the environment;
Clear national and regional planning policy guidance to local authorities across Great Britain, including adequate training on ancient woodland;
Better consultation on applications affecting ancient woodland. Wider consultation is needed before planning proposals, which affect ancient woodland, are finalised;
Ancient woods under two hectares to be identified and considered when potentially affected by development;
Special protection for ancient woods.
Even though over the last 15 years there have been significant changes in national policies recognising the importance of protecting ancient woodland, they do not go nearly far enough. Around 30 per cent of respondents to a questionnaire sent out to all local planning authorities and other relevant organisations in England, Scotland and Wales said they had been aware of direct threats to ancient woodland between 1985 and 1995, and a similar number (32 per cent) were aware of cases in the last five years.
(ends)
For media enquiries contact:
The Woodland Trust Press Office on t:01476 581121, e-mail media@woodland-trust.org.uk
Sue Windebank, WWF Press & Campaigns Officer, t: 01483 412388, m: 07771 818709, e-mail: swindebank@wwf.org.uk
For copies of an executive summary "From Wild Wood to Concrete Jungle" and/or the full report [1] "Development Threats to Ancient Woodlands", (prepared for WWF and the Woodland Trust by Land Use Consultants), see:
http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/policy/publicationsmore/wut_summary.pdf
http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/policy/publicationsmore/development_threats_to_aw.pdf
Notes to editors:
[1] UK Sustainable Development Strategy, "A Better Quality of Life", Section 8.50 DETR1999.
[2] Falkirk Council maintains revised and updated Ancient Woodland Inventory information on a Geographical Information System (GIS). This enables officers to cross-reference planning applications with this data.
Examples of threats to ancient woods
Housing pressure in the South East: At Godinton Park, Ashford, Kent, planning permission was granted for housing development which resulted in loss of nine hectares of a 13-hectare ancient wood, even though the wood was covered by a Tree Preservation Order, and the local plan indicates that development in this area should "provide for the protection, enhancement and management of ancient woodland...". In the same borough, a development was permitted which led to the loss of 13 hectares of a 34-hectare ancient wood, also covered by a Tree Preservation Order.
Illegal felling:
In central Scotland, 50 hectares of ancient semi-natural Atlantic oakwood was illegally felled after it was proposed to designate the site as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), following the granting of outline permission for building leisure chalets in the wood. The owner was prosecuted and fined £5,000 and ordered to restock the wood but has since applied to build four houses on part of the site, listing it as "vacant land". The application was withdrawn after objections from the Forestry Commission.
3. Indirect damage: At Rawton Clough, the only ancient wood in Oldham, Lancashire, and a grade B Biological Heritage Site, road-widening work adjacent led to waste and soil slipping into the wood.
4. Leisure development: At Carleon, near Newport, permission was given some years ago for a golf course which required felling of an ancient wood. A further golf course was later constructed at the same site which affected an area of replanted ancient woodland. Further applications have been submitted more recently, but will not affect ancient woodland.
The Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity. It has 250,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: a) No further loss of ancient woodland; b) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; c) Increasing new native woodland; d) Increasing people's awareness and enjoyment of woodland. Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,100 sites in its care covering approximately 18,000 hectares (43,700 acres). It offers free public access to nearly all of its sites. Further news can be accessed via www.woodland-trust.org.uk.
WWF
WWF is now known simply by its initials and the panda logo, in line with the whole international network. WWF, the global environment network, takes action to conserve endangered species, protect endangered spaces and address global environmental threats, by seeking long-term solutions. For more information see www.wwf.org.uk
CASE STUDIES
Roads:
SUSSEX - Hastings Bypass Provisional details were released in the late 1990s of the route of an entirely new trunk road around the northern perimeter of Hastings & Bexhill. This would have run through very attractive undulating open countryside and would involve loss of parts of seven separate ancient woods. Other important habitats would also be affected - two Sites of Special Scientific Interest and a Ramsar Site (Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 1971) - and the proposals fell within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The principal justification for this new road was the need to enhance the economy of the town of Hastings but the hidden agenda may be that it was also to be part of a future "south coast superhighway" connecting the Dover area with Southampton.
The proposal generated a huge outcry from national conservation organisations and others. The road would have caused environmental damage on a par with that resulting from construction of the Newbury bypass.
The scheme was rejected by the Secretary of State. However, the South Coast Multi Modal Study, which is currently looking into the options for transport improvements, may yet result in the emergence of a proposal for a major new road in this same area
NORTH WALES, nr Dolgellau
Last year, proposals for a replacement road for the A470 east of Dolgellau were published by the Transport Directorate of the National Assembly of Wales.
This 2.3km length of new road follows the same valley route as the current road but there would be re-alignment involving the loss of 0.36 hectares (0.9 acres) of ancient woodland and 0.4 hectares (1 acre) of a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Woodland Trust and Snowdonia National Park Authority, objected that the road could be redesigned for lower vehicle speeds than currently proposed, resulting in tighter bends and no loss of important habitats.
The Transportation Directorate has recently delayed the Public Inquiry in order to reconsider some of the suggestions put forward.
SUSSEX, West Durrington, near Worthing - Goring Wood
This ancient semi-natural wood will be affected by the widening and realignment of a road known as Titnore Lane. The scheme is proposed as part of a planning application for new housing and industry on a 45.3 hectares (112 acres) site on the fringe of the town.
The road, at the western edge of the proposed development, runs through the wood, which is designated a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. The proposed work would result in loss of long strips of woodland on either side.
The local planning authority has conceded that Titnore Lane can be widened to a lower standard than usual, in order to minimise the amount of ancient woodland lost. However, there is still a great deal of both local and national opposition to the scheme.
SOUTH WALES, Caerphilly - St David's Wood
Nearly 2 hectares (5 acres) of ancient semi-natural woodland just outside Blackwood in Gwent will be destroyed if the Sirhowy Enterprise Way is built to provide a new access road to industrial development.
Caerphilly County Borough Council granted permission in late 2000 for this road bypass despite receiving some 4500 written objections. Compulsory Purchase Orders to acquire the land have now been served.
Local residents have opposed the scheme since it was first proposed in 1991 - supporters include Welsh rock band the Manic Street Preachers, who all grew up in Blackwood. A rearguard action to minimise the loss of ancient woodland has been continued by making submissions to the Inspector at the Public Enquiry dealing with the emerging Unitary Development Plan for the area.
SUFFOLK, Ipswich - Braziers Wood
Part of this ancient woodland will be lost to a proposed major new link road providing a new access from the A14 towards the town centre. The East Bank Link Road is also being promoted by Ipswich Borough Council on the basis that it will be developer-funded, and will open up derelict riverside land for development.
The proposed route, passing through a green wedge of countryside reaching towards the town centre, and, in part alongside the River Orwell, would significantly affect a well-used country park forming part of a County Wildlife Site, and a Local Nature Reserve first declared in 1996. There would be a loss of about 0.4 hectares (1 acre) of valuable trees and grassland within Braziers Wood, and fragmentation of other valuable habitats.
Planning Applications for the road and development were submitted to the council in mid-2000, in advance of the publication in December 2001 of the First Draft Ipswich Local Plan. The Plan includes a Policy statement in support of the new development.
The road scheme will be opposed by a number of conservation organisations both through the Planning Application process and the longer Local Plan consultation process.
LANCASHIRE, Chorley - Duxbury Wood
Over the past 20 years there has been extensive house building in Chorley and provision was made in successive Local Plans for a southern link road to serve development on the southern side of the town. This road was put on hold until 2000 when Chorley Borough Council published draft details of the proposed 1.35 km route of the Eaves Green Link road.
Duxbury Wood, an ancient semi-natural wood designated as a Biological Heritage Site, fringes the south-eastern edge of the town around the River Yarrow valley and provides a natural barrier to further expansion. The proposed road would cut into the edge of the wood at various points. This draft scheme would result in the loss of about 0.4 hectares (1 acre) of the wood.
DORSET, Weymouth - Two Mile Coppice
Dorset County Council is proposing a major relief road to the north of Weymouth. A number of options have been put forward for the route, all severely affecting a Site of Special Scientific Interest which includes the largest block of woodland in the area.
One option would take the road directly across this 5.7 hectares (14 acres) part ancient semi-natural wood, causing loss or damage to one-third of the woodland area. Whichever option is chosen, there will be significant damage or destruction of the SSSI in contravention of Government guidelines.
KENT, Frith Wood
In March 2000 work started on a £124m project to widen the M2 motorway in Kent between the A2 at Cobham and Junction 4 at Gillingham, to improve links between London and the South East with the Channel ports and Channel Tunnel.
The work involved destroying patches of ancient woodland along the route, but the Highways Agency called in environmental consultants to "translocate" 10,000 tonnes of ancient woodland soil, and 100 coppiced hazel trees from Frith Wood to a nearby site at Cressington Fields, adjacent to an existing ancient wood.
The £1.5m translocation scheme, was described by the Government as a pioneering project which showed that transport solutions could be delivered in a sustainable way. They focused on the fact that work had been carried out to allow for the breeding cycle of the dormouse, one of the rare species found at Frith Wood.
However, the Woodland Trust and other environmental organisations were deeply concerned that the project was unlikely to succeed, and that it would set a dangerous precedent. They argued that a delicate and complex ecosystem like that of an ancient wood cannot be moved lock, stock and barrel, and focusing on the dormouse could do nothing for the hundreds or thousands of species that once lived in the wood. Moving soils could at best give the new wood a head start but could never replace an ancient wood, which has evolved over hundreds or thousands of years.
Railways:
KENT, Channel Tunnel Rail Link
Ashenbank Wood in Kent, a 31-hectare (76-acre) ancient semi-natural wood, owned by the Woodland Trust, was cut in two and about 20 percent of its area lost, to make way for the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Thirty five hectares of ancient woodland has been destroyed during the construction of the line.
Housing:
SUSSEX, Hastings - Hoads Wood
Consent was granted in 1994 for a new greenfield housing estate in Hastings. Part of the site included some ancient woodland and it was proposed this would be removed.
The developers failed to keep part of the housing consent "live" and as a result had to re-apply in 2000 for the part that included the ancient woodland area. The local planning authority did not come to a decision on this re-application but it was called in by the Secretary of State for hearing by a Planning Inspector.
A detailed ecological survey was carried out and the application to be debated at the hearing was amended to exclude the main areas of ancient woodland from the development area. The Inspector has now issued a 'minded to grant' decision but the Regional Government Office is continuing to debate some elements of the recommendations.
It is envisaged that the Inspector's recommendations are likely to be approved shortly resulting in the direct loss of 0.17 hectares (0.4 acres) of ancient woodland. Equally worrying will be the loss of a much larger area of attractive secondary woodland that importantly protects and buffers the remaining ancient woodland and Sites of Special Scientific Interest which lie right next to the development.
KENT, Ashford - Lodge Wood
This wood originally formed part a larger 49-hectare (121-acre) complex of mainly replanted ancient woodland. Part of the western fringe of this woodland has been lost to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. In the early 1990s, 13 hectares (32 acres) of the remaining 34 hectares (84 acres), were allocated within the Local Plan for housing development. Planning consent was granted in 1996.
An ecological survey was carried out in late 1991. It was concluded that the benefits of the development outweighed the loss of valuable habitat, since it would include restructuring and long term management of the remainder of the site.
DERBYSHIRE, Glapwell - Car Wood
Part of this ancient wood was threatened when a local developer applied to build a house within it - the area fell within the village development boundary. The application was subsequently amended to fit the house in amongst the trees, but this would still have caused the loss of ground flora and potential root damage detrimental to the ancient woodland. Bolsover District Council refused consent, and as a direct result of this case it is understood the council intends to exclude the area of woodland from the village development boundary.
HAMPSHIRE, Botley near Southampton - Gould Copse
Approval was granted in 1996 for a house in an area of ancient semi natural woodland, which was covered by a Tree Preservation Order and located in an area identified in the Local Plan as a "strategic gap in the countryside".
There were special circumstances, since the house was for a disabled child and family. English Nature objected to the proposals on the grounds that the 1.5-hectare (3.7-acre) wood was a remnant of ancient woodland, of which 0.2 hectares (0.6 acres) would be lost. Since classification as ancient woodland offered no statutory protection, the planning authority granted permission on the basis that the special circumstances should prevail.
It was a condition of the consent that the remaining woodland wood should be managed under a Forestry Commission Woodland grant scheme.
Retail development:
CAMBRIDGESHIRE, Peterborough- Spencer's Hurn
Peterborough City Council has approved the re-development of a Sainsbury supermarket, including a new access route through a strip of woodland owned by the council. The wood is thought to be a remnant of ancient woodland originally linked to the nearby designated County Wildlife Site, Grimshaw Wood. The planning application was determined in the knowledge that a small part of historic woodland would be lost to the road - subsequently it became apparent that more of the wood would be damaged by extension of car parking spaces.
Industrial development
CENTRAL SCOTLAND, Hamilton - Backmuir Plantation This ancient wood lies next to an industrial estate was threatened by plans to extend a large, successful factory into it.
The factory is owned by an expanding bakery company supplying supermarket chains, and the expansion, proposed in 2000, would allow it to double production. This would result in the loss of 0.4 hectares (1 acre) of the council-owned ancient wood. The wood was identified in the emerging Local Plan as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, and as being within an Important Wildlife Corridor, there being a presumption against development within such areas.
Scottish Natural Heritage objected to the plans, but the local planning authority approved the application on the basis that it would provide a major expansion of an established business and the creation of jobs.
Leisure development
KENT, Brands Hatch - Grove Wood The Woodland Trust and local people campaigned to prevent 15 hectares (37 acres) of ancient woodland being destroyed for a £20m upgrade to bring the Brands Hatch Motor Racing Circuit up to the standard required to host the British Grand Prix in 2002.
Despite objections by the Trust and others, the planning application by the owners of Brands Hatch was approved by Sevenoaks District Council in June 2000, though it was contrary to the council's own local plan.
The Trust and local people pushed for the plans to be called in by the Secretary of State. A public inquiry was planned in January 2001, but the application was then withdrawn. Octagon Leisure, who owned Brands Hatch and the fights to Formula 1 racing in Britain, came to an agreement with the British Racing Drivers Club, who own Silverstone. They agreed to host the Grand Prix at Silverstone for the foreseeable future.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, the Chilterns - Penn Wood
Penn Wood is one of Britain's last remaining large areas of ancient woodland - covering 175 hectares (432 acres) and set in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and containing rare habitats and a host of threatened and uncommon species.
In 1993 the owner applied for planning permission to convert the wood into a golf course, with a 79-space car park. The plans were opposed by local people, who formed the Friends of Penn Wood, and by the Chiltern Society, in a campaign which lasted several years. Eventually the application went to public inquiry, and meantime the Woodland Trust launched its biggest ever appeal to find the £1.2 million to save the wood.
In the last days of 1998, the wood's fate was decided when Secretary of State John Prescott refused planning permission citing the "paramount importance" of conserving ancient woodland. Soon after, the owner accepted the Woodland Trust's offer to buy the wood, and today the wood is undergoing careful restoration work.
KENT, West Wood, Lyminge Forest (between Ashford and Folkstone)
This 180 hectare (450 acre) ancient wood was saved when the planning permission granted for a huge holiday complex expired before any work was begun.
The Rank Organisation was granted an option to build an Oasis Holiday Village, with 750 holiday homes in West Wood, Lyminge Forest, Kent, a replanted ancient woodland site within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Forest Enterprise had sold Rank an option on the wood at a time when the Forestry Commission was under Government pressure to dispose of land.
Protesters set up camp in the wood, building over 25 tree houses and 15 tunnels, and stayed there for five years, until the planning permission expired. Forest Enterprise is now resuming management, and is working on plans to restore planted ancient woodland sites like West Wood to native species.
LANCASHIRE, Over Kellet, near Carnforth - Kellet Park Wood
In 2001 planning consent was given for extension of a caravan park, to accommodate 54 additional caravans in an area of replanted ancient woodland.
The wood has been managed for many years under a Forestry Commission Woodland Grant Scheme, with a felling licence recently granted on the basis that the wood would be restocked with new trees.
The construction of caravan hard standings and roads will cause irreversible damage to about 2 hectares (5 acres) of the wood.
DEVON, Blackawton, near Dartmouth - Quarryhead Wood
In 1999 a company operating a tourist leisure park constructed an alpine slide in the private park without first obtaining planning consent, resulting in the loss of 0.25 hectares (0.6 acres) of ancient woodland.
A retrospective planning application, submitted in July 2000, was approved in 2001.
Quarrying BERKSHIRE, Knowl Hill, near Wokingham - Lindenhill Wood
This case relates to a planning consent granted just after the Second World War for mineral extraction. Though the original consent did not affect ancient woodland, it allowed for the opening up of a further area of land for excavation after 60 years (2007).
The operating company have now applied for this to be brought forward since the existing area is close to being worked out, and this would involve destruction of about 8 hectares (20 acres) of ancient woodland.
Because of the historic nature of the planning consent and the significant environmental consequences, the application was called by the Regional Government Office for determination by the Secretary of State. A decision is still awaited.
SURREY, Wrecclesham, near Farnham - Wrecclesham Coppice
This proposed development involves quarrying for sand and clay in an area of woodland that has been identified as ancient.
Sand and clay extraction has previously been carried out on the lower hillside, that site now being closed. A planning application was submitted in 1999 for further extraction on the upper hillside, which would affect 6.4 hectares (15.8 acres) of existing woodland. Since the application was submitted, English Nature has identified part of the woodland as ancient and semi-natural and has included it on the national Ancient Woodland Inventory.
The application for sand and clay extraction was subsequently revised to exclude part of the woodland area, but 3.3 hectares (8.2 acres) will still be lost. Some of the woodland has been degraded by agricultural use and other activities which are development-related but do not require a planning application to be submitted, since they fall under the General Permitted Development Order. However, it was considered the areas that are to be lost would have been capable of recovery.
Despite continuing objections to the revised application area, the planning committee of Surrey County Council decided to grant consent. They considered that ongoing management of the remaining woods, and new planting following quarrying, landfill and restoration, would make up for the loss of ancient woodland.
The Regional Government Office then called in the application for examination but decided not to intervene. It is understood that Surrey County Council are now in discussion with the applicants about the planning conditions to be attached to the consent.
Gaseous discharges:
LINCOLNSHIRE, Blankney, nr Lincoln - Blankney Wood One of the largest UK producers of battery reared chickens has applied for consent to erect a further 16 poultry units on a new isolated site next to an ancient woodland in central Lincolnshire.
This type of unit, despite including sophisticated ventilation systems, still omits potentially high levels of ammonia that is known to have an adverse effect on tree health, the prevailing wind in this location being likely for much of the year to blow any emissions directly towards the wood. The local planning authority has yet to reach a decision on this application that was submitted in early 2000
