Planning policy protection for ancient woodlands - Review published
A Defra-commissioned ADAS review uncovers inconsistencies in how local planning authorities enforce protections for ancient woodlands and ancient or veteran trees
ADAS, working in collaboration with RSK Group company Stephenson-Halliday, undertook a two year review into how Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) assess planning applications near ancient woodlands and ancient/veteran trees – protected under the National Planning Policy Framework.
Ancient woodlands, defined as forests existing since at least 1600 AD, are home to rich, irreplaceable ecosystems that support thousands of species. Now covering just 2.5% of the UK, these woodlands face increasing threats from development and other external pressures. Ancient and veteran trees not only serve as valuable habitats, their age and characteristics make them historically and culturally significant too.
Read the reportThe National Planning Policy Framework as it relates to ancient woodland and ancient/veteran trees in Paragraph 186 (c) states that:
To assess local policy implementation, Stephenson-Halliday reviewed over 150 planning applications and appeals in areas within 15 metres of ancient woodlands or veteran/ancient trees over a four-year period.
The ADAS Policy and Economics team carried out interviews with LPAs and the Planning Inspectorate to identify what factors influenced their decisions on applications near ancient woodland and ancient/veteran trees. Expert insight was provided during design and analysis by the ADAS arboriculture team.
Review findings
The findings indicate that the challenge lies primarily with implementation rather than with the policy itself. Key barriers to policy implementation include the identification of ancient woodlands and veteran trees, along with uncertainty around impacts by LPAs.
Mapping tools, such as the Ancient Woodland Inventory, are invaluable in identifying the location of ancient woodlands and veteran/ancient trees. However in one-third of cases assessed, LPAs did not consult mapping evidence and failed to recognise that trees near the proposed site were ancient woodland or ancient/veteran trees.
When ancient woodland or ancient/veteran trees were identified, the research found there was no single type of assessment used to measure impact. Planning officers also varied in what impacts they deemed to cause deterioration. This implies that deterioration is not well understood or assessed and the policy is not enforced consistently.
The findings of the review will inform recommendations from Defra to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Discover more in the report
Review of the implementation of the NPPF para 186 (c) in applications and appeals in or within 15 metres of ancient woodlands or near ancient and veteran trees – AE1903.