People living across Eastleigh have the opportunity to save and better protect ancient woodland by feeding in to a consultation announced by the Government this week.
Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said:
“It is my job as Eastleigh’s MP to ensure that the Government is listening – particularly when others might not be. This week’s announcement proves that, further to my work alongside ADD, the Woodland Trust and local residents, the Government has listened, and as a result, ancient woodland could be saved and better protected.
“This comes in stark contrast to Eastleigh Borough Council - who continue to ignore the concerns of local people and threaten our ancient woodland within their delayed Local Plan.
“A consultation has been launched and I would strongly urge constituents to take part in order to ensure that local views are taken in to account.
“Furthermore, in response to my letter over Eastleigh’s delayed Local Plan, the Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has stressed the importance of local residents writing to Eastleigh Borough Council to raise concerns over Eastleigh’s Local Plan once it has been published this summer.
“These representations will further press on Eastleigh Borough Council and the independent Inspector why our ancient woodland MUST be saved.”
Commenting, the Woodland Trust said:
“After years of campaigning, we are delighted that the Government plans to fulfil its manifesto commitment to improve protection for this precious and irreplaceable habitat by updating planning policy to put it on a par with our built heritage. There is work still to do to ensure that aged and veteran trees outside woods get the same protection, but this is a major step forward for our natural environment.
“As co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees, for which the Woodland Trust is the secretariat, Mims has played a key role in helping to secure this proposed change and we are very grateful for all her hard work”.