REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore visited Southcrest with Woodland Trust representatives to highlight the importance of protecting ancient woodland and biodiversity.
Southcrest Woodland is one of Redditch’s precious ancient woodlands, providing a vital habitat for wildlife, as well as an outdoor space for the local community.
Ancient woodland covers just 2.5 per cent of land in the UK, yet around 40 per cent has been damaged over the last century by commercial plantations and inappropriate management.
Without urgent government action, many of these irreplaceable habitats risk being lost forever.
The visit, arranged in partnership with the Woodland Trust through the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Woods and Trees, gave Mr Bloore the opportunity to see first-hand the challenges facing ancient woods.
He was briefed on the trust’s ‘Rescue Our Forgotten Forests’ campaign, which calls for bold and fully-funded recovery plans to restore these habitats.
Mr Bloore said: “It was a real privilege to visit Southcrest Woodland and witness the natural beauty and biodiversity of an ancient woodland right here in Redditch.
“Protecting these spaces isn’t just about preserving our heritage – it’s about tackling climate change, supporting wildlife and leaving a greener future for the next generation.
“The Woodland Trust’s work to restore damaged ancient woods is absolutely vital.
“We face a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring these precious ecosystems back from the brink but we must act now.
“I will continue to work with the Woodland Trust to support their campaign and press the Government to do much more to protect and restore ancient woodland.”
The Woodland Trust is calling on government to launch fully-funded, evidence-based recovery plans for ancient woodland restoration and revising and increasing funding schemes to support landowners and public bodies so they can restore damaged sites.
The trust also wants stronger legal protections on ancient woods, including reforms to the forestry felling licensing system, to encourage sensitive, restoration-focused management.
Mr Bloore has pledged to use his platform in Westminster to champion this cause, as well as engaging with local stakeholders to protect Redditch’s natural heritage for future generations.
