More than 1,000 ancient woodlands in the UK are at risk of being WIPED OUT by housing projects and new infrastructure development, charity warns
- This the highest number of woodlands threatened since 1999, the trust said
- Of the woods 801 are being actively threatened by live planning applications
- Ancient woodlands are also at risk from tree diseases and nitrogen pollution
- However, the trust reported that 1,101 woods have been saved since 1999 as well
More than 1,000 ancient woodlands in the UK are at risk being wiped out by housing projects and new infrastructure developments, the Woodland Trust has warned.
This is the highest number of woods recorded as being at risk since the charity started compiling data in 1999 — and the first time it has topped the thousand mark.
Of the cases the Trust has identified, 801 are being actively threatened by live planning applications.
The remaining 263 are included in council site allocation plans as areas for future development such as for housing or business use.
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More than 1,000 ancient woodlands in the UK are at risk being wiped out by housing projects and new infrastructure developments, the Woodland Trust has warned. Pictured, the Glyn Davis Wood in Warwickshire, which is under threat from the HS2 railway development
According to the Woodland Trust, the rise in threatened woods is partly down to a growing number of road and rail infrastructure developments, like the HS2 project.
They argued that there is also a lack of awareness over changes to planning rules that strengthen protection for woodlands against inappropriate development.
Ancient woods — those where woodland has been in existence since at least 1600 in England and Wales or 1750 in Scotland — also face other threats, the Trust warned.
These include a growth in outbreaks of tree diseases from imported plants and wood, along with nitrogen pollution from poultry farms adjacent to woodlands.
‘We are in the grip of both a nature and a climate emergency,’ said Woodland Trust director of conservation and external affairs Abi Bunker.
Recently political parties have made bold promises about tree planting. This is welcome, but the first step in helping trees to combat climate change and helping our threatened nature is to protect the valuable trees and woods we already have.’
‘These new figures make for depressing reading,’ she added.
‘What’s even more depressing is these are only the cases we know about. There could be many more woods under threat.’
According to the Woodland Trust, the rise in threatened woods is partly down to a growing number of road and rail infrastructure developments, like the HS2 project, pictured
Ancient woods — those where woodland has been in existence since at least 1600 in England and Wales or 1750 in Scotland — also face other threats, the Trust warned. These include a growth in outbreaks of tree diseases along with nitrogen pollution from poultry farms
The trust said that they are aware of 800 woods have suffered loss or damage from development since 1999.
Such has come from either the felling of parts of the individual woodlands or the close encroachment of developments — which put the woods at at risk of pollution, disturbance and invasive species.
However, trust officials also noted that 1,101 ancient woodlands have instead been being in the same period of time.
Ms Bunker has called for ‘real protection’ to cover irreplaceable ancient wooded habitats and trees, alongside legislation, policies and resources to address the growing challenges presented by tree diseases.
‘Ancient woodland is one of our most precious natural habitats,’ she added.
‘These complex ecosystems have evolved over centuries and are home to thousands of species, many of which rely on it for their survival.’
‘Losing ancient woodlands is a travesty, especially to inappropriate developments that could go elsewhere.’
WHICH ANCIENT UK WOODLANDS ARE CURRENTLY AT RISK?
The Woodland Trust said that current ancient woods at risk in the UK include:
- Nun Bank Wood, West Yorkshire — the supposed resting place of Robin Hood, which will be affected if a relief road around Kirklees goes ahead.
- Smithy Wood, next to the M1 at junction 35 near Sheffield — could be lost to new motorway services.
- Mileplain Plantation, Attlebridge, Norfolk — will suffer direct loss if the county council approves plans for a sand and gravel quarry.
- Coed Wern in Glasinfryn, Bangor — will suffer direct losses if plans for 39 holiday lodges are approved.
The Woodland Trust said that current ancient woods at risk in the UK include Coed Wern, Mileplain Plantation, Smithy Wood and Nun Bank Wood (pictured)
Source: The Woodland Trust
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