Representation by The Woodland Trust (The Woodland Trust)
- Date submitted
- 14 November 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The Woodland Trust welcomes the opportunity to register a representation to the following project. We hold serious concerns regarding the potential impact to Colton Wood (designated on Natural England’s Ancient Woodland Inventory), plus four trees recognised as veteran within the Arboricultural Impact Assessment (reference: APP-228). We also hold concerns regarding the likely increase in air quality impacts to a number of ancient woodlands. The Trust is concerned that Colton Wood’s proximity to the cabling boundary will result in noise and dust pollution during construction. As such, we recommend that a buffer zone of 30 metres is implemented to Colton Wood to mitigate for the above impacts. This is in line with Natural England and Forestry Commission’s standing advice which states: “the proposal should have a buffer zone of at least 15 metres from the boundary of the woodland to avoid root damage (known as the root protection area). Where assessment shows other impacts are likely to extend beyond this distance, the proposal is likely to need a larger buffer zone. For example, the effect of air pollution from development that results in a significant increase in traffic.” In addition, Ringland Covert - which appears on maps dated in the 1880s and is referred to within the application documents as ancient woodland – will be subject to likely direct loss and/or detrimental impact to facilitate the proposed cabling works. Natural England should therefore be consulted for their opinion on the scheme, the antiquity of the site and its likely effects on this important piece of woodland. Furthermore, four veteran trees are recorded within the DCO boundary. The Trust asks that during construction these trees are adequately protected in line with Natural England and the Forestry Commission’s standing advice which states: “For ancient or veteran trees (including those on the woodland boundary), the buffer zone should be at least 15 times larger than the diameter of the tree. The buffer zone should be 5 metres from the edge of the tree’s canopy if that area is larger than 15 times the tree’s diameter. This will create a minimum root protection area. Where assessment shows other impacts are likely to extend beyond this distance, the proposal is likely to need a larger buffer zone.” In summary, the Woodland Trust objects to the proposed development on the grounds of impact to ancient woods and trees. We hope our comments are of use to you.