Trust Makes Appeal for Britain's Ancient Woods
9/30/99
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Title: Trust Makes Appeal for Britain's Ancient Woods
Source: Environment News Service
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: September 30, 1999
GRANTHAM, UK, September 30, 1999 (ENS) - The Woodland Trust, a UK
woodland conservation charity, has launched a national appeal for
donations to help save Britain's ancient woodland, the country's
richest wildlife habitat. The UK is now one of the least wooded
countries in Europe, and over 50 per cent of ancient woodland has
been lost since the First World War.
"The Woodland Trust wants to halt the senseless destruction of
ancient woodland that is still being carried out in the so-called
name of development. We have launched a public appeal to help save
woods under threat. We also want to impress a sense of urgency on the
government about the need to provide stronger legal protection for
ancient woodland now," explains Mike Townsend, chief executive of the
Woodland Trust.
As part of its campaign, the Woodland Trust has identified a list of
24 ancient woodland sites which are currently under threat and is
also concerned about many others around the country.
One of these ancient woodlands is Upper Vert Wood near East Hoathly.
It has been identified by East Sussex County Council and Brighton and
Hove's Unitary Council as a suitable area for waste disposal. The
wood is home to rare species such as the pearl-bordered fritillary
butterfly.
At Ketton Gorse and Wytchley Warren Wood near Stamford in
Lincolnshire, 40 acres of woodland is being threatened by a major
planning application to extend quarrying activities. The Trust warns
this development will have a devastating effect on the landscape and
the wildlife that inhabits it.
The list of 24 sites has been submitted to the Forestry Commission,
along with a report, "Protection Issues Surrounding Ancient
Woodland," which reveals how current planning legislation is failing
to protect these areas.
Townsend says, "We want to get a protection designation for ancient
woodland that is recognised throughout the planning system. We also
want to tighten up any identified weaknesses in the felling licence
system, including tougher penalties for non-conformance."
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has 1,000 sites in its
care covering roughly 17,240 hectares (42,600 acres). It offers free
public access to nearly all of its sites.