Further to the letter 11 February last year, I am writing to confirm the objection of the Woodland Trust (Coed Cadw) to this application.The Woodland Trust has studied both the initial plans submitted by the developers, and also the additional ecological survey and information submitted earlier this year.The developers freely admit that this application would lead to the destruction of 4.5 hectares (over 11 acres) of Coed Hafod Heulog, a ancient semi-natural woodland which stands on both banks of the River Kenfig. The wood appears on the Countryside Council for Wales’ inventory of ancient woodland, referred to paragraph 5.5.15 of Planning Policy Wales.The same document states clearly, in paragraph 5.2.8:“Ancient and semi-natural woodlands are irreplaceable habitats of high biodiversity value which should be protected from development that would result in significant damage.”To be more specific, ancient semi-natural woodland are home to more rare and threatened species, 232 to be more precise, than any other UK habitat. The ancient woodland inventory defines ancient woodland as land that has been wooded since 1600. But as plantations were rarely created before this date, ancient woodlands sites are likely to have been wooded since shortly after the last ice age, some 9,000 years ago.In short, ancient woodlands are places of inordinate beauty and variety of wildlife. They are irreplaceable, and we simply cannot afford to lose them.It was for these reasons, among others, that the Welsh Assembly introduced firm protection for the small areas of remaining ancient woodland in 2002. If the proposed development was allowed to go ahead, in spite of clear Assembly policy, more ancient woodland would be destroyed as a than has been as the result of any other planning application since.The Woodland Trust has had the chance to inspect both the information submitted by the developer both with the initial application, and also the additional ecological surveys and information submitted earlier this year.All this information confirms that Coed Hafod Heulog is ancient woodland of high ecological value. It contains a rich variety of flowering plants that are typically indicators of ancient woodland, including bluebells, wood sorrel and dog’s mercury, and is also an important habitat for pipistrelle, natterers and long eared bats.New plantingThe Environmental Impact Assessment seeks to justify is destruction of this woodland on the basis that this would increase the quantity of coal that could be extracted, from 1.5 million tonnes to 2.4 million, and that the company could carry out “additional planting along the diverted watercourse, so that the overall loss of woodland would be minimal”. Planning Policy Wales (2), however, makes is clear that, because of its age, ancient woodland is irreplaceable. Newly planted woodland can be no substitute for an ancient wood which has developed and matured over thousands of years, and which has the richness of wildlife to prove it.WayleavesThe additional ecological survey highlights the fact that Coed Hafod Heulog is crossed by two wayleaves, and that the dominant vegetation in these particular areas is scrub. It is worth stressing that scrub is actually a very valuable habitat in biodiversity terms, particularly so when it is surrounded by ancient semi-natural woodland, and especially when it is in origin ancient woodland. This is because the part of ancient woodland that lies under the surface, the soils with their seed bank, fungi and invertebrates, is just as important as what stands above ground level. One can imagine that the developer has been tempted to make the proposed extension as large as possible, sacrificing the ancient woodland of Coed Hafod Heulog. But the role of the Planning Authorities is to implement planning policies, without fear or favour, and so to protect the environment for the sake of the local community. This implies refusing the application as it now stands. Indeed, the Woodland Trust is alarmed that this application has even been submitted, bearing in mind the Assembly’s policy on ancient woodland.Ancient woods are our richest, most important sites for a vast range of insects, birds, animals, flowers and trees and are home to more threatened species than any other UK habitat. Ancient woodlands are one of the glories of our natural heritage; they are places of inordinate beauty, reservoirs of evidence for environmental change, archaeology and economic history. We simply cannot afford to lose them, and new planting can in no way compensate for their loss.The Woodland Trust therefore urges the Council defend the local environment and quality of life, and refuse this planning application.
Yours sincerely
Rory Francis
Public Affairs Officer
Sunday 6 January 2008
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OUR STORY
We’ve had opencast mining in our community for almost 60 years. The most recent work started six years ago. In spring 2005, an application to extend the site by 51 hectares to the west was put forward by the mining company, Celtic Energy Ltd. This would have been through parts of ancient woodland and could have had an effect on biodiversity.The existing mine looks absolutely horrific. It’s a huge, black hole which looks like a moonscape. The mine is in the valley so you can see it from all directions - from the motorway to the sand dunes.It is also really close to the community. This means the noise and dust created can have a big impact, which makes our area a unique case.Strong public feeling
When Celtic Energy submitted the application there was a meeting in Bridgend. The public were allowed to attend but not to comment. That’s where I met other residents who were against the plan and together we set up PACT – Protecting and Conserving Together.The strength of public feeling against the mine is incredible. Now hundreds of people are involved, but it’s still down to a few of us to do all the organising. Unhealthy situationPACT approached the Cardiff Institute of Society of Health and Ethics to carry out a health impact assessment of the proposed extension on people living in the area. Their research came to the conclusion that the negative aspects of expansion would outweigh the positive. The report said; “The loss of amenity, visual impact, nuisance dust, noise and pollution are strong arguments against further open casting close to this community.”But health is not an issue that has to be taken into account in planning at the moment. This needs to change because, the way things are, councils can just pick and choose what they want to take out of something like a health impact assessment.
I don’t think there is a balance between industry and the needs of the people. Legislation on dust and noise is all geared up to help the industry. This means it doesn’t matter how much residents complain, because whenever noise or dust levels are measured they seem to be deemed OK. That’s why we’re calling for tighter legislation.Last month Celtic Energy withdrew their expansion plans. But we weren’t celebrating because that’s not the end of it. They have also put in an application for a time extension of another year for the existing site. No time extension has ever been refused.
When Celtic Energy submitted the application there was a meeting in Bridgend. The public were allowed to attend but not to comment. That’s where I met other residents who were against the plan and together we set up PACT – Protecting and Conserving Together.The strength of public feeling against the mine is incredible. Now hundreds of people are involved, but it’s still down to a few of us to do all the organising. Unhealthy situationPACT approached the Cardiff Institute of Society of Health and Ethics to carry out a health impact assessment of the proposed extension on people living in the area. Their research came to the conclusion that the negative aspects of expansion would outweigh the positive. The report said; “The loss of amenity, visual impact, nuisance dust, noise and pollution are strong arguments against further open casting close to this community.”But health is not an issue that has to be taken into account in planning at the moment. This needs to change because, the way things are, councils can just pick and choose what they want to take out of something like a health impact assessment.
I don’t think there is a balance between industry and the needs of the people. Legislation on dust and noise is all geared up to help the industry. This means it doesn’t matter how much residents complain, because whenever noise or dust levels are measured they seem to be deemed OK. That’s why we’re calling for tighter legislation.Last month Celtic Energy withdrew their expansion plans. But we weren’t celebrating because that’s not the end of it. They have also put in an application for a time extension of another year for the existing site. No time extension has ever been refused.
About Me
- KENFIGPACT
- The ‘Protecting and Conserving Together’ group (PACT) exists for the benefit and protection of the environment within the local area and is particularly concerned with preventing the expansion of opencast mining. PACT draws its membership mainly from the local communities representing truly local knowledge and concerns that are fundamental to the planning process. The group has many members and many more supporters representing a broad cross-section of society both locally and elsewhere. Its membership and supporters include MPs, AMs, clergy, environmentalists, professionals, economists, wildlife experts and scientists. The opencast impacts upon these three County Boroughs: Cefn Cribwr and Aberbaiden (Ogmore Constituency) Kenfig Hill and Pyle (Bridgend Constituency) Pen-Y-Bryn, Bryndu and Margam ( Margam, Neath/Port Talbot Constituency)
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