Bid to protect county's ancient trees
The Woodland Trust is calling on people in Shropshire to support its campaign to protect ancient and veteran trees and save threatened ancient woods in the region following the launch of a new Government consultation.
The charity’s ‘save our ancients’ campaign follows Government proposals in the recent housing white paper to add ancient woodland and aged and veteran trees to the current list of policies that restrict development in England. But unless amends are also made to national planning policy this will not lead to an increase in protection for our ancients, which are irreplaceable.
The Trust has recorded over 2,000 ancient or veteran trees on its Ancient Tree Inventory across Shropshire alone and is also aware of one threatened ancient wood.
The white paper is open for public consultation and the Trust is urging people to speak up for Shropshire’s ‘ancients’. Current policy states that developments that impact on ancient woodland should be refused permission ‘unless the benefits outweigh the loss’.
This loophole has led to more than 700 ancient woods currently being at risk from development across the UK. In comparison, any loss of our built heritage is deemed to be ‘wholly exceptional’. The Trust wants ancient woodland and trees to be protected along the same lines.
Kaye Brennan, Woodland Trust campaign lead said: “Our ancient woods and trees are increasingly recognised as ‘natural heritage’ and they should enjoy at least the same level of protection as built heritage. They are an intrinsic part of Shropshire’s fabric but they are being failed by current planning policy.
“While this loophole exists they are so vulnerable, but we have an excellent opportunity to change their fate - we need the public to help us make this happen.”
To support the charity’s call to ensure planning policy is amended to ensure any loss to our ancients from development is ‘wholly exceptional’ go to woodlandtrust.org.uk/actnow before May 2.
