Fears over loss of ancient woodland
New planting scheme is‘no replacement’
A woodland conservation charity has expressed concerns about the number of trees that are to be felled at Perth Crematorium ahead of the construction of a new road which cuts through its grounds.
The Woodland Trust reckons around 2.4 hectares of ancient woodland, which is considered to be “incredibly rare” in Scotland, will be destroyed over the next four weekends and that a compensatory planting scheme “will not come close” to replacing the rich habitat that will be lost as a result.
The PA reported last week that Perth and Kinross Council is to start cutting down trees at the crematorium this Friday so it can construct a new boundary and access for the crematorium at a later date.
This is to allow for the construction of a new road between the crematorium and McDiarmid Park, which will then lead to Bertha Park where Springfield Properties intends to build thousands of new homes.
The Woodland Trust has since said that, although it cannot work out exactly how many trees will be cut down, it believes around 2.4 hectares of valuable ancient woodland will be lost forever.
A trust spokesperson told the PA: “It is regrettable that 2.4 hectares of woodland will be lost as a result of this development.
“According to Scottish Natural Heritage’s Ancient Woodland Inventory of Scotland the trees around Perth Crematorium constitute ancient woodland.
“Ancient woodlands are now incredibly rare in Scotland and are hugely valuable.
“Due to the continuous tree cover over hundreds of years, ancient woodland has important features such as undisturbed soil and a range of flora and fauna which are not found in modern woodland.
“Although we welcome all woodland planting, the compensatory planting scheme will not come close to replacing the rich habitat that will be lost with this ancient woodland.”
PKC has said the crematorium will be closed over the next four weekends to let the tree felling go ahead.