The Planning Minister Greg Clark has announced a review of planning policy in England.
This includes is the only explicit protection in the planning system that exists to keep ancient woods and trees from being degraded and destroyed through development.
Last year we called on you to help ensure that protection for ancient woods and trees was carried forward in the planning reforms. We specifically asked the Government to carry forward and strengthen the existing protection for ancient woods and trees in the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Over 11,000 people contacted the government to highlight concerns for ancient woodland protection - thank you for taking part.
The draft NPPF was published on 26th July. Watch this space for further information.
Will the protection be weakend?
The outcome of this review is crucial. An alarming 85% of ancient woodland has no protective legal designation, for example being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The only specific top-level planning policy which protects vulnerable ancient woods and trees, Planning policy statement 9 (PPS 9), has been reviewed and amalgamated into one document covering all aspects of planning. We rely on PPS 9 to fight development threats to ancient woodland so it is vital that this protection is maintained.
Ancient woodland is defined as land that has been continually wooded since at least 1600AD. They are the jewel in our woodland crown, often being our richest sites for wildlife and are full of cultural heritage.
With any relaxation in policy protection the quintissentially English view could change forever. Wildlife that depends on tranquil ancient woodland for a home could be threatened meaning the woods you and your children enjoy are also at risk.
Why does it matter?
Since the 1930s we have lost over 50% of ancient woodland and it now only covers around 2% of England’s landscape. It is also estimated that Britain is home to around 80% of Northern Europe’s important and magnificent ancient trees. What we have left is precious.
To lose the protection for this vulnerable and finite resource would be a planning disaster.
The Woodland Trust worked hard to enshrine protection for ancient woods and trees specifically within PPS 9. This is our most effective weapon in the fight for no further loss of ancient woodland.
Why do we need to enhance protection?
Despite the importance of PPS9 and our success in applying it - there is a caveat within it stating no loss of ancient woodland 'unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location outweigh the loss of the woodland habitat'.
This has meant that in certain situations ancient woods come a poor second to economic benefit. This is often the case with new roads or quarries.
We need retain the principle of protection this policy was designed for.
Moreover we need to have this caveat removed to prevent further loss of ancient woods and trees.