Plans to improve protection at ancient woodland after fly-tipping complaints and damage caused by off-road drivers

Plans to improve the level of protection given to an area of ancient woodland in Wrexham look set to be approved following complaints about fly-tipping and damage caused by off-road drivers.

Officials from Wrexham Council have highlighted a recent spate of anti-social behaviour at Llwyneinion Woods in Rhosllanerchrugog.

The area has been designated as ancient semi-natural woodland and is partly protected by a tree preservation order (TPO) which was put in place in 1995.

However, the local authority said a new extended order was required to tackle the problems raised, including 4×4 drivers using the site.

Members of the council’s planning committee will now be asked to confirm the protection measures when they meet next week.

In a report, chief planning officer Lawrence Isted said: “The objective of the tree preservation order is to extend the existing statutory protection of Llwyneinion Woods which is to be considered at risk from inappropriate management, usage, felling, pruning or vehicular damage.

“The woodland has been a popular area appreciated by walkers and local residents alike but has also had a recent history of anti-social behaviour including fly-tipping and, more recently usage of the site by 4×4 vehicles.

“It was the latter and most recent activity of vehicular use and concerns regarding the impact upon the woodland that prompted a review of the statutory protection in place and the need to extend protection of the woodland through the making and serving of a new, separate order.”

Despite carrying out a Land Registry search, Mr Isted said the council had been unable to identify the owners of the woodland.

As a result, several notices have been put up around the site to inform any interested parties of the authority’s intention to impose a TPO.

One letter has been received in support of the proposals from Esclusham Community Council, along with an objection submitted by a horse owner who uses part of the woods for grazing.

In their submissions, they said the area contained a high percentage of sycamore trees, which they warned could lead to the animals experiencing a potentially fatal disease known as atypical myopathy .

The condition is caused by horses eating sycamore seeds and can result in muscle damage, affecting their ability to stand or breathe.

However, Mr Isted said discussions with the objector revealed they wanted to remove all of the sycamore trees from the area, which he felt could not be justified.

He added: “A site visit was undertaken between the arboricultural and the objector/horse owner during which concerns regarding the risk of atypical myopathy were discussed.

“The decision to leave the boundary of the TPO unchanged was taken by the officer when, during the discussions, it became clear that the objector planned to purchase the land and to remove all the mature sycamore trees from within the woodland segment leaving only the understory of hawthorn and hazel.

“The one partial objection to the TPO is not considered sufficient in justification to affect the confirmation of the TPO with modification as it would result is a substantial loss of amenity and ecological services to the community.”

The preservation order will be discussed at a meeting being held at Wrexham’s Guildhall on Monday (DEL 2 SEPTEMBER 2019).

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