At present, ancient woods are afforded fairly strong protection against damaging development. Among numerous government guidelines that must be followed by local authorities when considering planning applications and producing development policies, Planning Policy Statement 9 requires ancient woods to be given special consideration.
However, the government is in the process of changing its planning guidelines by amalgamating them all into one all-encompassing framework. Conservation organisations are worried that this will result in the existing protection for ancient woods being severely diluted.
The government is running a public consultation on this, and it is important that as many people as possible make their views known. The consultation ends on 28th February - it is therefore important that all who care respond immediately!
Fortunately, the Woodland Trust has made responding easy. Go to the Woodland Trust's website at
http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/campaigning/planning-changes/Pages/default.aspx
then click on 'What is the problem?' for more information, then click on 'Take action' to go to a very user-friendly online response form.
Photographs of Thorpe woodlands, their varied habitats, plantlife and wildlife all taken by friends and supporters. most taken between 2010 and 2013
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