Council Motion: Protecting Ancient Woodland

As planning continues to be a top priority issue across local and national government, this motion looks at a fairly specific area of land protection but highlights the ways in which a Local Authority can campaign for the protection of specific areas. A motion similar to this could be developed to include areas of specific importance, heritage and beauty in your area.

Council notes

• That the revised National Planning Policy Framework [NPPF] (2018) put planning protection for ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees on a par with that offered to the best of our built heritage.
  
• The NPPF states that: “When determining planning applications, local planning authorities should apply the following principles: …… c) development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats (such as ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees) should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons”.
  
• That over 1200 Ancient Woodland sites across the UK are under threat from development.

Council recognises

• That the forthcoming Local Plan provides an opportunity for us to ensure that Ancient Woodland and ancient and veteran trees are protected across our Borough;
  
• That protection is required before the Local Plan is delivered to ensure that Ancient Woodland and ancient and veteran trees remain protected in the interim period;
  
• That not all Ancient Woodland and ancient and veteran trees have been properly identified, and it is important that a clear route is available to identify and protect Ancient Woodland and ancient and veteran trees across the borough

Council resolves

• To include the protection of Ancient Woodland and ancient and veteran trees into its forthcoming Local Plan, and maintain such protections in future Local Plans, adopting the following wording:

• Development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats (such as ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees) should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons.
  
  • As ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees are irreplaceable, discussions over possible compensation should not form part of the assessment to determine whether the exceptional benefits of the development proposal outweigh the loss.
    
  • Ancient wood pasture and historic parkland should receive the same consideration as other forms of ancient woodland. The protection of the whole habitat is necessary even though tree cover may be comparatively sparse. Development on open space between trees in an area of ancient wood pasture or historic parkland should not be permitted.

• To write to the Secretary of State to ensure that any changes to the planning system do not remove the rights of Local Councils to protect Ancient Woodland and ancient and veteran trees as part of their planning policies.

• As part of the consultation process for the new Local Plan, include consultation on any Ancient Woodland sites and any ancient and veteran trees throughout the borough, which should be covered by protection.