Location: Berkshire, near Wokingham

Status: Privately owned ancient woodland with quarry site

Wood threat
The area around Lindenhill Wood has been quarried since around 1950. Mineral (sand & gravel) extraction was granted consent immediately post war under the Interim Development Order process. This original consent unusually committed the opening up of a further land area for excavation after the expiry of 60 years [to 2007]. This would potentially result in a large part of the irreplaceable habitat of ancient Lindenhill Wood being lost forever after 2007 (except a 30 metre wide protective strip around the boundaries) unless consent was to be modified or revoked; and substantial compensation would be needed to be paid to the site operators for revocation.

What happened?
The operating company applied for this date to be advanced and extension of the site to begin before 2007, on the basis that the existing area was close to being worked out and they felt it was not viable to continue unless additional land was made available now. Because of the historic nature of the Planning consent and the significant environmental consequences, the application was called in by the Regional Government Office for determination by the Secretary of State. This is an unusual case where the Secretary of State effectively retains Planning Control - therefore the Mineral Planning Authority was not directly involved in the decision process. Modern planning processes however mean that now regulations for new work have more stringent requirements, where previously there were none. An Environmental Impact Assessment was submitted - which gave rise to a large number of responses during public consultation. The Secretary of State decided to re-open the Appeal against the Planning Conditions which were proposed by the then Planning Authority, which originally started in 1994 following Registration of the site.

What did the Trust do?
The Woods Under Threat team received documentation from English Nature stating that the woodland was of a standard to be designated as SSSI. We also received documentation from a planning consultant who had assessed the conditions. There was a possibility that dormice might be found on the extension area, which would give it additional protection under the EC Habitats Directive. The site was surveyed to assess whether it qualified as a SSSI – it was found to include 39 indicator species and is the second largest area of ASNW in Berkshire. We also noticed that the site’s Management Plan did not include the additional land which would be so affected. As there was a formal system in place the Trust was able to discuss the proposals and submit representations against the potential loss as part of this latest Inquiry. Our letter stated the wood should be protected with buffer zones. Other objectors included English Nature and Berkshire Wildlife Trust. It was not possible to stop planning permission, yet we were able to influence the conditions set on the development.

What did the community do?
There is a small active local community group who are still fighting to save the woodland. Tactics have included constant and ongoing contact with the site owners, including inviting decision-makers to tea. Currently they are having regular meetings with Grundons to try and persuade them to reduce the amount of woodland to be lost - their campaign is a good example of how local people can successfully influence through polite yet persistent discussion and by building good relationships.

What’s happening now?
In September 2007 the Appeal decision was finally announced and new operating conditions have been put in place. Before work can start on the mineral extraction, the operators must carry out a number of additional surveys to finalise the mitigation strategy. We are in the process of having our own ecological survey carried out in an attempt to record the value of the habitat.