Oldham Lib-Dems reckon there’s no better time to protect our ancient woodlands Date published: 11 December 2020
Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani
Ancient woodlands now only cover less of 3% of England’s landmass, yet the charity The Woodland Trust has estimated that 1,200 woodlands may be under threat.
Oldham Borough Liberal Democrat Councillors want to see Oldham Council at the forefront of the fight to protect our nation’s remaining irreplaceable legacy of ancient woodlands and ancient and veteran trees.
Saddleworth West and Lees Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani will be proposing a motion at the next full meeting of Oldham Council (December 16) calling for more protection for these trees.
VILLAGERS are celebrating victory after controversial proposals to build a climate positive house on a popular spot in green belt land were turned down. The application, which would have seen the house - described as a Bond Villain s lair by one objector - built on land south of Church Lane in Riding Mill. The applicants attempted to use Paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which allows new dwellings to be built in the countryside where they are of exceptional design, to get around the green belt issue. Speaking at Tynedale Local Area Council s virtual meeting on Tuesday, Rob Murfin, the council s director of planning admitted that the house was of exceptional design - but argued that it did not enhance the area.