Pickles 'destroys' ancient woods
The Woodland Trust has said the Government has failed to protect a precious wildlife habitat in Kent.
The charity said Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, today approved the planning application for a controversial quarry extension into ancient Oaken Wood near Maidstone.
This is the first real test of whether the Government’s recent planning reforms would offer sufficient protection to ancient woodland.
Woodland TrustChief Executive Sue Holden said:
“This is a landmark decision, but for all the wrong reasons.
“This so-called ‘greenest Government ever’ stated that the new National Planning Policy Framework would give sufficient protection to irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodland. It clearly does not.
“We are extremely concerned now that this outcome could define the level of protection given to ancient woods in all future planning decisions across England.
“With just two per cent ancient woodland cover remaining, we can not afford to lose any more. Ancient woodland is irreplaceable and, as such, no mitigation exists for its loss.”
The application had been strongly opposed by the
Woodland Trustin a 2-year campaign along with 6,000 of its members and supporters, Kent Wildlife Trust, and hundreds of local opponents who formed the ‘Save Oaken Wood’ community group.
The woods are host to a variety of rare wildlife species reside in the wood and are now under threat, including Pipstrelle and Natterer’s bats.
