Irreplaceable ancient woodland saved in Uckfield

2 March 2009

The Woodland Trust is delighted by the secretary of state's decision to support Wealden district council's refusal of planning permission for a large residential development adjacent to beautiful and precious ancient woodland at Lake Wood, Uckfield.

Ancient woodland is the UK's equivalent of rainforest, the richest habitat for species in the UK. Lake Wood and surrounding woodland have numerous ancient woodland indicator species such as bluebells, 5 species of bat, dormice and great crested newts.

The ancient woodland at Lake Wood is made even more valuable because it is ghyll woodland and these types of woodland are virtually unique to SE England and contain many rare species that are highly sensitive to water and air pollution.

If permitted the development would have cause a complete break down of the local habitat network with a serious negative impact on ancient woodland, ghyll woodland and protected species within.

Alice Farr of the Woodland Trust commented: "We are delighted by the decision to reject the planning appeal. It's a win for the environment, for wildlife, and for the numerous local families that enjoy the wood. The plans are in contravention to several planning policies and it is heartening to see that the protection of these valuable habitats is taken seriously. The decision to dismiss the Inquiry is a step in the right direction for the protection of ancient woodland, but this success could not have happened without invaluable advice of Natural England and the support of the Downlands Action Group, only by working in partnership has the Trust managed to safeguard this precious ancient woodland in East Sussex."

Michael Pope, Chairman of Downlands Action Group commented: "This campaign has helped to create a greater sense of community locally, and I have made good friendships with a number of very committed and interesting people. All the efforts of everyone involved have not been in vain, for all of us have come to an even greater understanding and appreciation of our rich environment through this process, and the degree to which our natural heritage is vulnerable if we do not take it upon ourselves to seek to protect it."

---

Press releases, papers and documents published on this page are the intellectual property of an organisation unrelated to ePolitix.com. We promote their parliamentary and political campaigning activities as they are subscribers to the ePolitix.com service.

As such, ePolitix.com does not edit, endorse, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases and other such types of content are the responsibility of the originating organisation.