The number of ancient woodland under threat from development is at a record high, a conservation charity has warned.
The Woodland Trust is calling on the Government to add the words ‘wholly exceptional’ to the criteria councils use to asses proposals for development which impacts ancient woodland.
The charity said its caseload of ancient woodland threatened by ‘inappropriately’ sited development has risen to 709, the highest in its 45 year history.
Beccy Speight, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said: ‘Reflecting the role ancient woodland and ancient trees play in our culture and history by mirroring the wording used in planning policy for the outstanding examples of our built environment - which can only be developed in ‘wholly exceptional’ circumstances - is a very simple update to make but it’s one that is urgently needed.’
A survey carried out by the charity also found more than two thirds of planners are not using official guidance known as ‘Standing Advice’ to help demonstrate the value of ancient woods and trees when considering development proposals.
Only 15% of planners surveyed are using the Ancient Woodland Inventory, with only 8% using the charity’s own Ancient Tree Inventory, which records the location of significant trees.
