Ancient woodland is threatened by neighbouring development. Quarries, roads, housing, aviation and waste disposal developments are being built right up to the edge of ancient woods which means they suffer from:

• Chemical pollution - including air pollution, polluted water run-off;
• Disturbance including noise and light pollution and soil disturbance;
• Fragmentation - developments separate sites from each other making it harder for them to survive;
• Introduction of non-native species which out-compete native plants

These add to the cumulative effects of development in the area which are already making it difficult for ancient woodland to survive and will inevitably make the woods more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.