Residents urged to have their say on plans for new woods on Shropshire farmland
Stuart Anderson MP has urged residents to have their say on plans to create a new woodland on 54 hectares of land used for farming in the Shropshire Hills. The farmland site at Picklescott near Church Stretton in South Shropshire has been acquired by Forestry England to “expand the nation’s forests”. The land, part of which is occupied by a dairy farm, is only 2.5 miles away from Lond Mynd.
In their consultation document, Forestry England said feedback on the “initial ideas” would help to shape “final designs.” Yet, the consultation has only been open for a week and is due to close in just over ten days. So, Stuart has called on Forestry England to extend the consultation period to ensure that as many residents as possible are given enough time to read the plans and to respond accordingly with their thoughts on what is being proposed.
Stuart has said that, given the significance of the proposal, the consultation should be extended for at least a further three more weeks. In his letter to the Chief Executive, Stuart has also relayed feedback that he has already received from his constituents on the proposal. This includes concerns about the lack of an appropriate road system to cater for traffic, the risk of increased sheep worrying at the location, and possible damage to views of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It follows Forestry England’s commitment to ensure public access to every new woodland it creates.
Stuart has said that residents must respond to the consultation as soon as possible in case he is not able to have the deadline extended. Draft designs are available to view and to comment on via Forestry England’s website at https://consult.forestryengland.uk/forest-districts/picklescott-consult/. Those who are not able to do this can instead respond via email to [email protected].
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“I am urging my residents to have their say on plans to create a new woodland on land used for farming near Picklescott in the Shropshire Hills. Given that the consultation has only been open for a week, I am concerned that the 11th August deadline for feedback is too soon for residents to read and fully respond to the proposals. So I have called on Forestry England to extend the deadline for at least another three weeks. I have also relayed the feedback that I have already received from those who contacted me about this proposal.”
Following an update on 5th August, Stuart added:
"I am grateful to the many residents who raised with me their concerns about Forestry England's plans to convert farmland at Picklescott into a new woodlands. Given the significance of this proposal, it is important that as many residents as possible get to have their say on the plans that have been put forward. Since the consultation had only been open for a week, I was concerned that the 11th of August deadline for feedback would be too soon for residents to fully engage with the consultation.
Having written to the Chief Executive of Forestry England, I am pleased that they have now agreed to extend the consultation period by one week until the 18th of August. Although this is just one third of my recommended extension, it is a welcome move nonetheless. I am now arranging to meet the Chief Executive on site so that the views of local residents, including farmers, are heard at the highest level within Forestry England.”
