Mr James Cross,
Chief Executive Natural England,
Foss House,
Kings Pool,
1-2 Peasholme Green
York YO1 7PX
Dear Mr Cross
We are writing to ask Natural England to consider, as a matter of urgency, the complex of woodland known as Fineshade Wood (SP99) in Northamptonshire for notification as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (“SSSI”).
Collectively, through a mixture of formal surveys and ad-hoc records gathered by local wildlife groups and individuals, we have amassed significant evidence of the value of Fineshade Wood for wildlife across a range of habitats and species groups. We have compared this with the latest available Guidelines for Selection of Biological SSSIs (published on the website of the Joint Nature Conservancy Council). On the evidence already gathered, we believe that Fineshade Wood qualifies for notification as a SSSI for the following reasons:
- Fineshade Wood has an “outstanding” assemblage of native reptile species in a local context, with all four of the widespread species present (adder, common lizard, slow-worm and grass snake). The population of adders is particularly important in a county and regional context.
- The breeding bird assemblage scores for Fineshade Wood exceed the thresholds for SSSI notification in the main habitat types found there (lowland scrub and woodland).
- At 497 hectares, Fineshade Wood is one of the largest blocks of ancient semi-natural woodland in Rockingham Forest that is without protection.
In several further areas, additional biological surveys may show that the site also qualifies against other taxonomic criteria, particularly for vascular plants, mammals, and invertebrates. We have provided strong existing supporting evidence for each of these groups.
Detailed information and further evidence relating to the above points can be accessed on the Friends of Fineshade website, and is also set out in the enclosed Annex to this letter. There you will see that we believe that the “Critical Standard Principle” should be applied to Fineshade Wood, so the site has to reach the qualifying standard for only one habitat or species to be eligible for selection as a SSSI.
We know that Natural England is engaged in a review of its strategic approach to designation. However, the matter is urgent because Fineshade Wood is threatened by another planning application for a huge holiday development.
Because this is a matter of considerable public interest, both locally and nationally, please be aware that we intend to publish this letter and your response on the Friends of Fineshade website, and possibly elsewhere.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Signed by Barrie Galpin, for the Friends of Fineshade and on behalf of:
Colin Wilkinson Senior Conservation Planner, RSPB Midlands Region
Brian Eversham CEO, Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants
Dr Tony Gent Chief Executive Officer, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
Simon Dudhill Chairman of Hawk & Owl Trust East Midlands Group
Martin Izzard B.E.M Branch Secretary, Beds & Northants Butterfly Conservation
Linda Biddle Chairman, Rutland Natural History Society
Sandra Parsons Chairman, Duddington-with-Fineshade Parish Council
Richard Reed Parish Clerk, Duddington-with-Fineshade Parish Council.
Mark Avery Writer, blogger and environmental campaigner
Tom Langton Ecologist specialising in Reptiles and Amphibians
Brian Laney Reptiles and Amphibians Recorder, Northants
Mike Alibone Birds Recorder, Northants
Rob Wilson Botanical Recorder, Northants
Douglas Goddard Butterfly Recorder, Northants
Phil Richardson Northants Bat Group and Mammal Recorder, Northants
Peter Edwards Sett Recorder, North Northants Badger Group
Richard Eckton Formerly FC Wildlife Ranger for Fineshade Wood
Fraser Bradbury Silvecologist and formerly FC Beat Forester for Fineshade Wood
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Excellent. Push hard.
See this link for what NE is considering for designation – not Fineshade.
All but 2 are extensions, not new sites.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-designations-programme-for-areas-sites-and-trails/natural-englands-designations-programme-to-march-2017
But to quote “Inclusion in the programme is not a commitment to designate.”
At Fineshade, it’s the Forestry Commission’s own work of clearing conifer from former ancient woodland (AW) that has helped to make the wood worthy of SSSI notification.
The FC’s own Ancient Woodland Project has been very beneficial for reptiles, birds, butterflies and other wildlife, so we (the public) now have a mosaic of actual AW, regenerating AW and more recent plantations (<400 years old). Why shouldn't the FC be proud of what they've done (many of their staff are), recognise the biodiversity of the wood (many of their staff do), and give up any attempt to turn it into a holiday camp (as most of their staff want them to do)?
Thanks for your work in protecting this important wood.
‘…we (the public) now have a mosaic of actual AW, regenerating AW and more recent plantations (<400 years old)…’
Which is yet another item of scientific interest. The site is now a living laboratory enabling the recording of which plants are able reappear from long buried seed banks and measuring of the rate of spread of old woodland indicator species from the adjacent areas of undisturbed ground flora.
The combined total of all the UK’s remnant ancient woodlands is of huge scientific and cultural significance. That latter is especially relevant because this country is one of the least wooded in Europe. The increasing message is to keep and cherish what remains of these time capsules and to help them seed the emergence of regional broadleaved forests. It looks as if the FC has lost the plot at Fineshade.
That said we need to wary of the nimbyism that is in all of us. Yes, this planning application is wrong and should be stopped. But at the same time the ethos of forest holiday cabins should be respected and encouraged:
Getting young families from urban areas out into the countryside is good. To educate the next generation of environmentalists about woods and trees is good. To help do this using affordable holiday accommodation in monoculture forestry with ancient woodland nearby is good.
Surely there are alternative forestry sites in the vicinity which could be suitable?
For ‘the ETHOS of forest holiday cabins’ read ‘the BENEFITS of……
Yes, I agree we need to be very wary of the nimbysim charge. As the boss of Forest Holidays PR company, Curtin&Co, has written “Today, the selfish face of Nimbyism is masked by the honourable facade of protecting the environment” and they will certainly know how play that card, if/when their next application surfaces.
“Today, the selfish face of Nimbyism is masked by the honourable facade of protecting the environment”
Yes, that’s a clever jibe and a weaselly one too.
A useful response might be to throw it back and challenge him to be explain exactly what he means. Especially get him to unpick, if he can, ‘the honourable façade’ bit.
You are protecting this wood for society in general. Freedom of access is not being threatened.
Hence my question as to whether another FC site (with less cultural or ecological value) can be discussed. If so, there is potential for everybody to win:
1. Disturbance in construction creates forest glades, creates more edge effect with a rapid increase in biodiversity.
2. Any unfair nimby criticisms are negated.
Good luck.
Very best of luck, I think even if the SSSI designation is a long time coming the weight of science and evidence this campaign carries should be enough to prevent a holiday camp being built.