Bid to protect ancient woodland from off-road drivers is passed unopposed

A bid to protect an area of ancient woodland in Wrexham from off-road drivers has been passed unopposed.

Council officials have recently highlighted a spate of anti-social behaviour at Llwyneinion Woods in Rhosllanerchrugog, which is designated as ancient semi-natural woodland.

The area is partly covered by a tree preservation order (TPO) which was put in place in 1995, but the local authority recommended a new extended order should be imposed to tackle the problems with 4x4s.

Councillors met to discuss whether to confirm the protection measures earlier this week after an objection was raised.

A horse owner who uses part of the woods for grazing said the area contained a high number of sycamore trees, which she claimed could lead to the animals suffering a potentially fatal disease caused by eating seeds.

However, planning committee members unanimously gave their support after hearing from one of the council’s arboricultural officers.

Speaking at Wrexham’s Guildhall, Jon Brewin said: “This tree preservation order is being put in place primarily to protect the woodland from off roading and 4×4 activities.

“I carried out a site visit there following receipt of the objection and I met the tenant of the paddock area.

“We walked round the paddock and she explained to me the concerns she felt about the risk of that particular illness affecting horses.

“The concerns I felt at the time were that there was no real attempt to work with the council on this and there was just the question of moving forward with proposals to remove the sycamores that were on this piece of land and change the use of that land to an increased paddock area.”

In a report published ahead of the meeting, the authority’s chief planning officer said the woods were popular with walkers and local residents.

As well as off-roading, Lawrence Isted also revealed there had been reports of fly-tipping at the site.

In recommending the protection order for approval, he added that it was the use of 4×4 vehicles which had caused the greatest concern.

The order will now be imposed without alterations after receiving the committee’s backing.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme).