Following changes made to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), some local planners are failing to safeguard trees and ancient woodland, according to the Woodland Trust.
It has been recorded that "inappropriate developments" such as caravan parks, or chicken and dairy farms have been approved by a number of local authorities in the last year. This has resulted in an unacceptable amount of damage to the ancient woodland, and in some severe cases, the loss of the woodland entirely.
Changes in July 2018 to the NPPF stated that trees and ancient woodland were to be protected under the same conditions as that of listed buildings. Therefore when local planning authorities are determining applications they need to consider, whether or not development resulting in the loss or deterioration of ancient woodland, or ancient veteran trees, deemed to be irreplaceable habitats, should be refused, saved only if there is not wholly exceptional reasons, and only if a suitable compensation strategy exists. These exceptions range from nationally significant infrastructure projects, to orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992, or hybrid bills, where the public benefit would clearly outweigh the loss or deterioration of the habitat.
For 20 years running, the Woodland Trust has been campaigning for these changes, and has worked closely with local planning authorities to help implement it, however, they argue that some authorities are still unaware of the new wording, or of the supporting guidance, and as such are “unwilling to suitably enforce it”.
Abi Bunker, Director of Conservation at the Woodland Trust, said "it is heartbreaking to see that one year on from the ground-breaking changes to the NPPF, there are still too many councils and developers across England that are not implementing the level of protection it affords to ancient woods and trees. We can and must do better than this".
"Some local authorities are doing this really well and should be applauded, but we need all planning authorities and developers to fully implement the changes and secure our remaining ancient trees and woodlands for future generations".
Thinking short term, the Woodland Trust has written to the head of local authorities all across England, sending a copy of its revised Planner's Manual, which aims to help local authorities to adopt both good practice and sound policy when making key decisions for woods and trees. The Trust has been awarded £210,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of a £1.5 million collaboration with Natural England, that is looking to update the Ancient Woodland Inventory to make sure the legislation works properly.
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