Home / Environment / Woodland Protection Fight Intensifies
Woodland Protection Fight Intensifies
15 Oct
Summary
- Campaigners complain about woodland protection.
- Ancient status of woodland was withdrawn.
- Planning permission granted for a stadium.
A campaign group has lodged a formal complaint regarding insufficient protection for a local woodland. The Friends of Stratfield Brake (FoSB) revealed that Natural England had twice designated woodland at The Triangle, near Kidlington, as 'ancient.' However, this status was later withdrawn, with FoSB citing 'reputational concerns' and 'political interference' as reasons.
Oxford United was awarded planning permission last year for a new 16,000-seater football stadium on this site. The final decision on the stadium's construction is currently subject to an appeal.
Natural England has acknowledged the strong feelings surrounding the development and is currently reviewing new evidence. Historically, woodland dating back to the 1600s can be classified as 'ancient,' affording it greater protection under planning laws. However, establishing this designation relies on scientific evidence and probability due to the scarcity of reliable historical maps.
