Ancient woodlands under threat

Good morning everyone, Our latest story pack released today is about the ancient woodlands across England – which campaigners fear could be coming under threat.

There are more than 1,000 square miles of the habitats in the country.

But Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of 2029 and the recent creation of the “grey belt” – areas of poorer quality open spaces that can be built on – are seeing more developments taking place on or close to the woodlands.

The protected areas can only be built on or near in “wholly exceptional circumstances,” according to planning policy. But there are fears the need to create new homes will broaden the term “exceptional” at planning committees across the country as councils try to meet strict targets.

To help you localise this story pack contains a full background to the story plus:

Data showing the proportion of each district-level local authority area in England covered by ancient woodland.

Detailed statements from the RSPB and Ancient Woodland UK, which you can use.

A right of response from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Contacts available upon request for Doncaster and Derby case studies and experts.

The Shared Data Unit has found dozens of ongoing campaigns around the country, where developers are hoping to build on or near ancient woodland.

Among them are neighbourhood groups fighting plans in Somerset, Stockport and Gloucestershire among many others.

This pack and the statements from national bodies will help you to put those local fights into a national context.

We have permission to pass on contact details for campaign groups in Derby and Doncaster should you be interested.

For those details or any other queries, please get in touch with ius as always: shared.dataunit@bbc.co.uk

By Paul Lynch | Local Democracy Reporting Service