New policy for planning decisions

The Government has reviewed and published a new set of planning policies, called National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). These new policies now guide planning decisions throughout England.  

"Ancient Woodland remains significantly threatened under this new framework,"  said Woodland Trust Chief Executive Sue Holden.

  Read our full statement

How will this affect ancient woods and trees?

Over the last ten years in England, there have been a total of 630 ancient woods under threat from development due to weaknesses in planning policy.

Although the NPPF retains phrasing from existing planning policy around the protection of ancient woods and trees, the wording that planning applications should not bring about the loss of these habitats 'unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location clearly outweigh the loss', leaves a dangerous loophole. 

Thank you for your support

We have seen a huge amount of support for this campaign; it is clear that ancient woodland is valued by so many, including you.

Over 25,000 of you acted on behalf of woods and trees. You asked Government to protect ancient woodland, talked to your MP about your local concerns and responded to our poll about the level of protection measures you want ancient woodland to have.

Whilst protection is still not absolute, without your voice protection for ancient woodland may have been lost completely.

 Read the NPPF here

 Read our planning blogs 

 What have the papers been saying?

 Why are we interested in the NPPF?

 Wood or tree under threat?