ADD UPDATE, 8 April 2018: As ADD supporters will be aware, there has been widespread praise for the government’s recent announcement to give increased protection to our precious ancient woodlands. The new draft of the National Planning Policy Framework now states that “development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodland should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons”. Click here for the Woodland Trust’s view.
Eastleigh Borough Council’s Local Plan threatens no less than seven ancient woodlands, engulfing five in concrete and flanking a further two. See map here. There are no (legitimate) wholly exceptional reasons for doing so.
The government’s new clarity on protection for ancient woodland makes Eastleigh’s Local Plan look more unworkable than ever.
