THAMES Crossing Action Group (TCAG) are “delighted” to learn that Natural England, the government’s official nature and wildlife body, has designated The Wilderness official Ancient Woodland status, after TCAG submitted evidence of its maturity. The Wilderness stands on the path of the £10 billion+++ Lower Thames Crossing (LTC).
Natural England has written to TCAG, confirming the new status of the southern section of The Wilderness, which is the part threatened by the LTC, after TCAG submitted extensive evidence to Natural England. The LTC is currently undergoing an examination by the Planning Inspectorate of its DCO planning application. Ancient woodlands are afforded extra protection in planning law.
National Highways have always denied the woodland is an ancient woodland, even stating in their recent evidence to the examination that they are “not aware of any evidence that would suggest that there is potential for The Wilderness to be considered ancient woodland. To the contrary, desk-based information sources and data collected during the Applicant’s field surveys indicate that The Wilderness does not meet the ancient woodland criteria.” [1]
TCAG Chair, Laura Blake, said:
“We feel completely vindicated as we have said all along that the evidence shows that The Wilderness is without a doubt an ancient woodland. Previously National Highways have dismissed the evidence of all the indicators this was ancient woodland, claiming instead that no evidence exists. Clearly they got it wrong in regard to The Wilderness, and we do have concerns about what else could be wrong.
“As a community group we have researched and presented our evidence to National Highways in our consultation responses over the years, as well as submitting it to Natural England. You have to question why National Highways weren’t able to do similar? We are grateful to Natural England for listening and increasing the protections for this precious woodland. This new status should afford The Wilderness added protections, and is more ammunition that shows the Lower Thames Crossing should not go ahead.”
Woodland Trust lead campaigner, Jack Taylor, said:
“The Woodland Trust always likes to see the specialness of habitats recognised, especially where they are smaller habitats within the landscape and when their importance has previously been dismissed. Well done to Thames Crossing Action Group for working with Natural England to have The Wilderness properly recognised. However, despite its new ancient woodland status, The Wilderness is still facing devastation. We hold hope that Government will do the right thing and not allow the Lower Thames Crossing scheme to go forward with so many irreplaceable habitats at risk.”
