Work to clear woodland on the edge of Wendover given the go-ahead
The woodland inspired Roald Dahl to write Fantastic Mr. Fox
Last updated 7th Apr 2021
Anti-HS2 campaigners say they have been 'let down' after work to clear a woodland near Wendover was given the go-ahead.
Natural Engalnd have granted HS2 the licence to clear Jones Hill Wood - which inspired Roald Dahl to write Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Campaigners trying to save the woodland said the licence allows HS2 to capture, transport, disturb and destroy bat roosts and it completely disregards the welfare and habitat of all other wildlife within the woods.
The actions of protestors, the local community and the threat of legal action by the Woodland Trust stopped Jones Hill Wood from being felled last autumn without a bat licence.
READ MORE: HS2 construction staff attacked in 'violent disorder' near Wendover
However last week, Natural England wrote a piece explaining the licence issued to HS2 at Jones Hill Wood and stated that the assessment had concluded and the felling of 0.7 hectares of woodland at Jones Hill Wood will not be detrimental to the favourable conservation of the overall bat populations in this area.
Squirrel", one of the protesters evicted from Jones Hill Wood in October stated,
"After spending the last year working alongside activists, community members, and academics to build a body of evidence and legal challenge to save Jones’ Hill Wood, we have once again been let down by Natural England and been shown how ineffective UK wildlife law is in the face of an infrastructure project like HS2.
"Natural England themselves have recognised the significance of this habitat and area, but despite being created to protect the environment by law, they are issuing licences to kill. We have followed every avenue within the law, and yet again we are seeing HS2 being allowed to continue with inadequate surveys."
READ MORE: Trees saved from HS2 destruction near Great Missenden
An HS2 spokesperson said:
“HS2 take its legal obligations seriously, and all of our ecology work is carried out in accordance with the law. Licenses from Natural England ensure that we have the right safeguarding in place to protect wildlife species, including bats.
“In addition, an area of 4.1 hectares of woodland is being created near Jones Hill Wood, with 22,000 trees planted in the area including native species such as Rowan, Birch and Guelder-rose, helping to increase connectivity with nearby Rushmoor Wood.”
Dave Slater, Natural England's Director for Wildlife Licensing and Enforcement cases, said:
“We take our duty to protect wildlife that is of risk of harm through HS2 works very seriously. HS2 are able to fell trees without approval, unless there is a risk to protected wildlife species – that’s why we required them to seek a licence for work at Jones’ Hill Wood.
“After careful assessment, we have determined that the felling of a small number of trees at Jones’ Hill Wood will not be detrimental to the overall conservation status of the bat populations in this area. There are mitigations that will be put in place, such as creation of new roosts.
“NE staff will monitor the activities of HS2 and their contractors to ensure that licence conditions are being met. If a member of the public is concerned that a contractor is not fully compliant with the conditions of the wildlife licence, they should report their concerns to us and the police so they can be fully investigated.”