CM 21/21
It was moved by Cllr C Mott and seconded by
Cllr R Cheadle:
“This Council
will lobby the Secretary of State and local MP’s, while
working closely with neighbouring authorities and agencies, to
secure the protection of woodlands vulnerable to the effects of
lotting.’
Cllr Mott introduced the motion and made
reference to:-
- lotting (the subdivision of large forests and
woodlands) not being a new practice, but one that often realised
larger returns for those selling;
- owning woodland had become
an aspiration for many and was becoming an increasingly fashionable
trend stimulated by companies buying large areas of woodland and
subdividing them into smaller lots for sale;
- prices could often reach £20,000 per hectare,
thereby making it unfeasible for local communities to regain
control over their surroundings;
- the growing concern at the
resulting lack of woodland management and the influx of huts, sheds
and other development on these small patches of land; and
- her main concerns being summarised as:
- in the event of a woodland fire, the number of
people that could be affected and who would know that they were
there;
- conservation issues, including the removal of trees
and habitats and the disturbance of wildlife, flora and fauna;
- issues around the management of human waste;
- farm security, livestock and equipment due to the
anonymity of those occupying the land; and
- trespass because some
people were of the view that they had the right to roam
anywhere.
In conclusion, Cllr Mott stated that woodland
recreation was certainly beneficial but that intensive clearance,
development and noise was detrimental to the environment and to
wildlife with important corridors being disrupted. Therefore, Cllr Mott called for the introduction
of a wider strategy to protect, restore and manage woodlands and
one that ensured that woodland owners were made aware of the
importance of the habitat and any historical features contained
within it to ensure that these features were better understood,
conserved and protection. Finally, Cllr
Mott stated the need for a more co-ordinated approach to dealing
with this issue at a local and national level.
During the debate, some Members expressed
their surprise that this practice was still taking place and it was
noted that only 11% of England had any forest cover, which was
significantly less than many other European countries.
Upon being submitted to the Meeting, it was
declared to be CARRIED and ”RESOLVED that this Council will lobby the Secretary of State
and local MP’s, while working closely with neighbouring
authorities and agencies, to secure the protection of woodlands
vulnerable to the effects of lotting.”