Campaign launched to save woodland

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save a woodland in Bridgend after plans were submitted to build three homes on it.

The outline planning application involves building three detached homes and garages on Briary Wood, Briary Way, Brackla.

The site forms part of the locallydesignated Tremains Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and is also registered as Ancient SemiNatural Woodland, with the trees subject to Tree Preservation Orders (TPO).

Keith Hughes, who has lived in the local area for 30 years and started the Save Briary Wood petition on inyourarea.co.uk, said: “Local residents at Briarfields and beyond are up in arms about this.

“The ancient woodland and pos- sibly all its habitat and wildlife will disappear. Despite an original authorisation for just one property at this location, the planning department at Bridgend County Borough Council have given permission for the detached dwellings.

“We are concerned that once again this will be a case of ‘planning creep’ – there is already evidence to suggest that plans for up to 11 dwellings have, or are, being considered.”

He added: “Briary Wood backs on to the ‘black path’ leading to Archbishop McGrath and Tremains Primary School, and this will not only have a profound effect on the children who walk this path daily, but to my mind sends out the wrong signal from BCBC on the environment and wellbeing policies that they pro- mote throughout the county.

“The woods is a key link in the healthy biodiversity of the surrounding woods and it has outstanding public amenity value.”

A tree survey submitted by Clay Williams Associates as part of the application recommends the felling of 23 trees, with tree management work being undertaken on nine trees.

The report states the trees, which are mainly ash, are “largely poor specimens” and “potentially dangerous” due to their location on a steep embankment and the “total lack of tree management work” by the previous landowner.

The deadline for members of the public to make representations on the plans has been extended to July 3.