How much ancient woodland is under threat from the proposed route for HS2?
Ancient woodland is defined as land that has been continuously wooded since at least 1600AD. It covers just 2% of the UK now and is an irreplaceable part of our national heritage.
The route chosen will cause loss or damage to at least 83 ancient woods - direct loss to 41 and damage to 42, and that is just Phase 1. We are saying that if HS2 is supposed to be a world-class infrastructure project that showcases the UK, that it must be built with more respect for the UK’s natural heritage.
Is the
Woodland Trustadvocating for HS2 to be axed?
No, we are not against the project in principle, but we oppose any transport scheme that would destroy irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodland - that surely can’t be called ‘green transport.’
Are these pre-1600 woods not already legally protected?
No, contrary to popular belief, ancient woodland is not legally protected and the threats are relentless. Existing planning guidance contains very significant loopholes couched in terms of ‘overriding need for development’ in an area.
Only woodland that has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest has legal protection and even then Government can override it in a case like HS2
How much of our ancient woods are under threat?
We are aware of more than 400 cases where ancient woodland is threatened at present – everything from housing to golf courses, quarrying and road building. Consequently the
Woodland Trustis running a campaign ‘Enough is Enough’ which has seen over 45, 000 people call on the Prime Minister to address the need for better protection. There are in fact some very simple, low-cost steps that can be taken to start the ball rolling such as ensuring that loss is properly recorded. Amazingly, that isn’t the case at present.
HS2 is the biggest threat in terms of one project and this comes back to the idea of the project as a national showcase – we need to do better.
What can MPs do when the HS2 Bill returns to the Commons this week?
We support the amendment to the High Speed Rail instruction legislation put forward by members of the Environmental Audit Committee and Cheryl Gillan. It says that the Select Committee should make the necessary amendments for environental protection on and report to the House on the environmental impact of the project.
Ultimately we would like the Select Committee to ensure that loss of ancient woodland will be minimised.
It is not about having no development; it is about respecting and valuing our heritage.
What has the government response been to your concerns about HS2?
Defra are our main contact, but obviously this project is led by the Department for Transport and planning comes under DCLG. The paradox is that woods and trees deliver so much in terms government policy right across the piece but so often these issues come back to Defra.
In this case Government as a whole needs to listen more. We don’t think the Environmental Statement for Phase 1 does justice to ancient woodland. The
Woodland Trust’s ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign is already supported by more than 45,000 people asking for stronger protection for ancient woodland.
We are often presented with the argument that 2 million trees will be planted, but this will never create a habitat with the same ecological value as ancient woodland that has evolved over centuries. A unique mix of soils resulting from continuous tree cover exist in ancient woodland that have been undisturbed for centuries, and these woods support at least 256 species of conservation concern, according to Natural England.
Nearly 50% of the ancient woodland that survived until the 1930s has been lost.
The Queen’s Speech is next month. What would the
Woodland Trustlike to see in terms of legislation?
22% of the UK’s ancient woodland exists within the public forest estate so we like many others, want to see a Forestry Bill put forward so the Government can make good its commitments on the public forest estate since the sell-off U-turn.
There has been plenty of welcome dialogue and encouraging noises but that has gone on long enough now. It's time to legislate. That means putting the public forest estate on a sustainable footing for the future by modernising the existing legislation. That must be a priority candidate for the Queen’s Speech.
In general, as we move towards the election, all parties need to commit e to protect the best of what we have and recognise that trees and woods play a central role in creating better places to work, live and spend leisure time as the country pulls out of recession.