Action call as fears grow over woodland
Seven ancient woods in Shropshire have been lost over the past decade as new figures show a 'high level' of threat to woodland in the county.
The Woodland Trust says Shropshire has had one of the highest numbers of threats to ancient woods in the past 10 years. Seven woodlands across south Shropshire and close to Telford and Shrewsbury have been lost completely in that period – the joint fourth worst in England.
The report says those lost completely include Webscott Wood, near Harmer Hill, Cantlop Wood, in Condover, near Shrewsbury, Short Wood near Wellington and Maxfields Coppice in Cleobury Mortimer.
The others are Limekiln Wood in Telford, Wetreins Coppice in Cleobury Mortimer and Castle Wood in Tong, near Shifnal.
Woodland Trust chiefs said that comparing Shropshire's statistics to the national picture, it was clear ancient woods in the county had come under 'high levels of threat' over the last decade.
The Government is preparing a response on recommendations put forward by the Independent Panel on Forestry (IPF) on the future of England's forests.
They include a drive to increase woodland generally and access to woodland across England by 2060.
People in Shropshire are now being urged to say yes to the recommendations and join a campaign to put pressure on North Shropshire MP and new Secretary of State for the Environment Owen Paterson.
Nikki Williams, head of campaigning for the Woodland Trust, said: "In the last two years it has been proven that public passion for woodland is strong.
"We were delighted with the bold recommendations made by the Independent Panel on Forestry in its final report.
"To make the report a reality, we are asking people in Shropshire to tell Owen Paterson to accept the recommendations so the woodland will be protected."
