Planning application turned down
The Woodland Trust Scotland, is delighted at Falkirk Council’s decision today (20 May) to refuse planning consent for the construction of 5 houses at Whinnie Muir in Torwood, thus saving ancient woodland.
The Woodland Trust Scotland objected to Falkirk Council about the planning application at Whinnie Muir, as the site proposed for development is presently woodland and is listed on Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) Ancient Woodland Inventory.
Falkirk Council has strong planning policies that protect its ancient, long-established, semi-natural woodland and the Trust is delighted that they have implemented these protective measures. Such policies have been designed to stop the decline of the natural heritage of the area and provide the people of Falkirk with a sustainable future.
Today’s decision by the Council is to be congratulated, as it demonstrates their commitment to the conservation and enhancement of Scotland’s natural heritage. Ancient woodland is irreplaceable and having been wooded for hundreds of years, the UK’s equivalent of the rainforest. Places of inordinate beauty, reservoirs of evidence for environmental change, archaeology and economic history, they are home to more rare and threatened species than any other UK habitat. We simply cannot afford to lose them, and new planting can in no way compensate for their loss.
Christina Byrne, campaigner for the Woodland Trust said: “Falkirk Council are the guardians of the environment and we congratulate them on their decision to turn down this planning application. Falkirk’s local plans are one of the best in Scotland and clearly states that they will protect ancient woodland, their local plan should he used as an exemplar which all councils should follow."
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Jacqui Morris on 01355 578777 or mobile 07979 706675 alternatively call The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail
media@woodlandtrust.org.ukThe Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
In 1984, the Trust acquired its first wood in Scotland. In the last 25 years the Trust has increased its holdings in Scotland it now owns 80 sites across Scotland covering 8,500 hectares. Further news can be accessed via this website.