Planning Changes Threaten Vulnerable Woods

[Sneezewort]

Some people may have seen my post on the FC Sell-off thread about this topic - but the deadline for this consultation is 28 February and I think it is important enough to have a thread of its own

I picked up this info from a Woodland Trust update -

The Government really has been very busy recently. At the same time it announced its consultation for 'a new approach' to the care of England's Public Forest Estate, it is also consulting on proposed changes in planning policy under its Localism agenda. These proposals are intrinsically linked, posing further risk to England's vulnerable woods.

In streamlining the planning system, the one element of planning policy which specifically protects ancient woods and trees could disappear.

Your chance to influence these proposals ends on 28th February.

These are the Woodland Trust links to this issue - there is an email you can send/personalise to submit to this important consultation.

Changes to the planning system - the Woodland Trust

Ancient woodland protection- the Woodland Trust


National Planning Policy Framework Consultation

"The only specific top-level planning policy which protects vulnerable ancient woods and trees, Planning policy statement 9 (PPS 9), could be diluted or even left out completely in the proposed new framework.

This review is crucial as 85% of ancient woodland has no protective designation. We rely on PPS 9 to fight development threats to ancient woodland."

I am not an expert in planning regulations but I am very concerned that some of our precious ancient trees and other woodland could be lost if these proposed changes to the planning regulations are allowed to go through without proper safeguards being written into the new code

Julie

[nightshade]

I have always been surprised that our Ancient Woodlands are not protected as well as our National Parks. PPS9 seems designed for interested commercial manipulation http://www.communities.gov.uk/docume...pdf/147408.pdf