The Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, has welcomed today's news that the Football Association (FA) has changed its design plans for the new National Football Centre near Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The original plans threatened a large number of ancient trees, some of which are over 600 years old. New designs now remove the risk of damage to these ancient trees.
Subject to receiving written confirmation of this, The Woodland Trust, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and the Ancient Tree Forum are all then minded to withdraw their objections to approval of planning consent by East Staffordshire Borough Council. The Council's planning committee is due to consider the application on Monday 13 August, 2001.
Woodland Trust policy director, Dr Hilary Allison, says: "The Woodland Trust is delighted by this positive response from the FA who have now met our request to revise the layout of the development. As we said on 26 July, we wanted the best result for England's national sport and for England's irreplaceable countryside.
"This case has once again revealed how badly ancient trees are served by existing legislative mechanisms. The Council appeared reluctant to issue an emergency Tree Preservation Order as requested by the Woodland Trust. Where ancient trees and ancient woodland are concerned, the Trust is calling for automatic protection in all such instances."
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For media enquiries contact:
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail media@woodland-trust.org.uk
Notes to editors
Ancient trees: Ancient trees are a vital part of our natural and cultural landscape. It has been estimated that Britain may be home to around 80% of northern Europe's ancient trees. They harbour a unique array of wildlife and echo the lives of past generations of people in ways that no other part of our natural world is able to. The Trust and the Ancient Tree Forum wish to see this priceless legacy conserved for the benefit of all in our society and revitalised for future generations through the creation of a succession of future ancient trees.
The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 250,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: a) No further loss of ancient woodland; b) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; c) Increasing new native woodland; d) Increasing people’s awareness and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,100 sites in its care covering approximately 18,000 hectares (45,000 acres). It offers free public access to nearly all of its sites. Further news can be accessed via
www.woodland-trust.org.uk
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