One little word makes a huge difference for Scotland’s dwindling ancient woods

Campaigners are celebrating a major victory in the battle to save Scotland’s disappearing ancient woods.

New policy published by the Scottish Government on 13 February will bar developments which would destroy or damage the rare habitat, and individual ancient or veteran trees. The new rules come into force with immediate effect and will guide the deliberations of local council and national park planning committees.

Previous drafts of the planning rules stated such woodland 'should not' be lost to development. The new wording states such developments 'will not' be supported.

Woodland Trust Scotland policy advocate Suzie Saunders said: “Precision of language means everything in policy like this. The switch from 'should not' to 'will not' could be the most important change in ancient woodland protection for years.”

The section covering forestry states: “Development proposals will not be supported where they will result in: i. Any loss of ancient woodlands, ancient and veteran trees, or adverse impact on their ecological condition;”.

Suzie Saunders continued: "This is our richest and most complex terrestrial habitat with vast plant, animal and fungal communities developed over centuries with minimal disturbance.

“They are irreplaceable. You cannot just plant trees in a field and expect the complex biodiversity built over centuries to take up residence.

“Once they are gone, they are gone for good, so it has been a matter for huge concern that the little we have left has been chipped away at over the years for things like building developments, car parks, and golf courses.

"Only around 1.9% of Scotland’s land area remains as ancient woodland.

“Woodland Trust Scotland has long campaigned for an absolute moratorium on developments which destroy or damage these remaining patches. The consultation on a new National Planning Framework was a major opportunity to call a halt to the destruction and we are absolutely delighted that the voice of our members and supporters has been heard loud and clear in Parliament."

Ancient woods in Scotland are defined as those that have persisted for hundreds of years and can be evidenced since at least 1750, when the first accurate maps were made.

One of the most notorious losses of ancient woodland in recent years was for a golf course at Ury Estate in Aberdeenshire. The creation of the course designed by Jack Nicklaus led to the loss of several hectares of ancient woods including hundreds of trees. Woodland Trust Scotland believes the new rules would have seen that proposal struck down at the first stage of planning. The new policy would also challenge schemes such as the long-running saga with Flamingo Land at Loch Lomond.

Notes to editors

For further information please contact George Anderson at Woodland Trust Scotland on 07770 700631.

The Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK with more than 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.

The Trust has three key aims:

• protect ancient woodland, which is rare, unique and irreplaceable
• restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life
• establish native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. Access to its woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.