EmmJFeb 13, 2023
Tim Smalley

There is big conservation news coming out of Scotland today.

The government has adopted new planning rules, known as National Planning Framework 4, which will ensure that *NO* development will be supported if it impacts ancient woodland & ancient & veteran trees across the country.

The new rules have come into force with immediate effect.

These habitats are irreplaceable, so it's a landmark step in the fight against climate & nature emergencies.

#woodland #trees #photomonday #forest #art

Feb 13, 2023 at 7:28pmWeb
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023

I can't describe how happy this makes me, having fought to raise awareness and campaign to save ancient woods across the UK during my time as a fundraiser at the Woodland Trust.

// 🕺 does a happy dance 🕺

Read more about NPF4 here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-planning-framework-4/

National Planning Framework 4

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) is our national spatial strategy for Scotland. It sets out our spatial principles, regional priorities, national developments and national planning policy. \r\nIt should be read as a whole and replaces NPF3 and Scottish Planning Policy.

Show threadSomersetWhovian 🇺🇦💙Feb 13, 2023

@timsmalley
Wow - much needed good news. Well done Scotland 🍾🥂

I hope that's one of the devolved areas the UK govt can't interfere with?

Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023

@ClaireCopperman I believe the entire planning system is devolved. In the NPPF (UKgov) there used to be a caveat for 'nationally important' projects or 'wholly exceptional reasons'... but it appears this loophole has been removed in Scotland's latest version of its planning framework.

Current UKgov planning guidance for ancient woodland, for reference: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ancient-woodland-ancient-trees-and-veteran-trees-advice-for-making-planning-decisions#assess-the-effects-of-development

Ancient woodland, ancient trees and veteran trees: advice for making planning decisions

How to assess a planning application when there are ancient woodland, ancient trees or veteran trees on or near a proposed development site.

GOV.UK
Show threadSomersetWhovian 🇺🇦💙Feb 13, 2023
@timsmalley
Thanks. And it's good to see that it's entirely devolved. That guidance doesn't seem to have stopped the destruction of much ancient woodland by the HS2 project.
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023

@ClaireCopperman yep, that was considered 'nationally important' infrastructure and would fit the 'wholly exceptional reasons' criteria. Many would argue otherwise. Most locals who have had ancient woods destroyed by the project would agree.

The loopholes are always the important part, and in England & Wales, there are a lot of loopholes in the current NPPF. Ancient/veteran trees basically have no protection, unless you seek protection via the local council (central gov't can override that).

Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023
@ClaireCopperman Some of the mitigation guidance in there is frankly hilarious. You simply can't mitigate the loss of a habitat that has been there for at least 425 years, and in many cases 1000+ years.
Show threadSomersetWhovian 🇺🇦💙Feb 13, 2023
@timsmalley
Indeed. It's basically "don't damage ancient woodland unless you want to."
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023
@ClaireCopperman A bit like the 'don't pump sewage into the rivers, unless you want to' policy that is currently killing our rivers and beaches!
Show threadSomersetWhovian 🇺🇦💙Feb 13, 2023
@timsmalley
Absolutely. Who needs clean water anyway?
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023
@ClaireCopperman Exactly :)
Show threadMarkusFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley I want that for Germany!
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023

@markus_quandt I hope the Scottish government gives hope in Germany. It can be done. ❤️

I fundamentally disagree with ScotGov's main policy of independence (I'm part English, Welsh and Scottish... so have always seen myself as British), but they are so right on this. Credit where credit is due.

Show threadAndrew ThompsonFeb 13, 2023
@markus_quandt @timsmalley sadly, without independence Westminster government can undo all good things achieved by devolution. Just look at the mischief they have wrought by overturning the gender recognition reform legislation. Also, the post-Brexit UK single market bill will prevent 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 from holding to many other policy positions borne of devolution. For example our long-standing ban on cultivation of #GMO crops & gene edited animals
#Indy #YouYesYet ?
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023

@greenaspen I don't really want to get into a debate on independence. My view is borne out of the fact that I have English, Scottish and Welsh blood in me as a result of my family roots. I'm British.

Britain without Scotland would be like having an arm torn off. That's not to say I don't understand the reasons for independence (many valid), but my views are entirely based on family history.

That said, I want a politics that is more inclusive, through some form of PR. I want my vote to count.

Show threadAndrew ThompsonFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley fair enough! All I was really trying to point out is that Scottish devolution is an illusion ,
Protection for ancient woodland and veteran trees is hugely welcome, but as a retired forester involved in ecological restoration & reforestation I am very sceptical as to whether the NPPF changes announced will be adhered to. It should mean that there will be no more grant aid for planting of exotic conifers through the many fragile remnants of our upland native woodland.
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023
@greenaspen yes, it is not clear whether the aid grants for non-native conifer planting are being grandfathered, but they should be. It would be an additional show of commitment to improving the overall health of native woodland across the country, particularly the more fragile habitats in the uplands and on the coast.
Show threadAndrew ThompsonFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley the trouble is, I suspect that the new planning protections will be restricted to only those areas of native woodland which are already identified on the Scottish Government’s existing register of ancient native woodland, and maybe confined even within that to the highest tier of nativeness ‘quality’ This will leave large numbers of isolated veteran trees and significant remnants of potentially high ecological value at risk. The devil will be in the detail.
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023
@greenaspen it sadly always is, and always will be. I would imagine there will be further pressure from the likes of Woodland Trust Scotland, NT Scotland and other NGOs if it's not a blanket ban. Many PAWS have a high potential for restoration to their former glory if given time (the worst will require >100yrs for full restoration), as would those suffering from slow decline due to a lack of natural regeneration caused by over-grazing and limited buffer zones.
Show threadMarkusFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley @greenaspen Oh yes. A constitution, proportional voting, perhaps a federal structure could potentially turn the UK into a much better place than it lately has become. Much of the independence drive might then become unnecessary... Let's hope that the current crisis leads to such deep reforms at some stage. (Not that I could claim that this kind of political system has had much benefit for ancient trees in Germany, however.)
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023
@markus_quandt who knows how something like that would be achieved, but yes, let's hope there is a rainbow at the end of the current crisis. There has to be a better system of politics than the one we have currently.
Show threadMrs CloudyFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley @greenaspen by what mechanism do you imagine the UK system could ever be changed to PR?
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023

@CloudyMrs I'd suggest asking a constitutional expert.

I am not one of them but, as a voter, I would like to vote *for* a candidate/party, rather than against the candidate/party I want least.

Show threadMrs CloudyFeb 14, 2023
@timsmalley that's the point though. You may want a change of system. Lots of people in the UK may share your wish, but there is absolutely no mechanism that would bring about that change. To stay in the UK is to be resigned to living within the current FPTP UK system, with all its clear failings, for the rest of your life. Things can be better for the constituent nations of the UK, but not within the union.
Show threadSakFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley Un mundo con más pensamientos y mentes así. 👏🏻👏🏻
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023
@Sak Yes, we need more minds with their hands on the wheel of power thinking this way. 😍
Show threadSakFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley Así es. 🙌
Show threadShachihokoFeb 13, 2023

@timsmalley

This may come across as a silly question, but what are "veteran" trees? At a guess, I'd presume "have been standing/growing since some prominent war" (presumably WWII), but ...

(Not gonna lie: the idea of trees fighting alongside human soldiers is pretty epic and I need to work it into a story sometime.)

Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023

@Shachihoko veteran trees show significant signs of decay, such as hollowing, decaying, dead or dropped branches. It could be a veteran after being damaged in a storm, struck by lightning, etc.

The best way to think about it is that all ancient trees are veterans, but not all veterans are ancient trees!

Show threadShachihokoFeb 13, 2023

@timsmalley

Huh. That makes a lot of sense. Thank you!

Show threadVirginicusFeb 14, 2023
@Shachihoko @timsmalley Birnam Wood is full of veterans of the battle of Dunsinane.
Show threadCsepp 🌢Feb 13, 2023
@timsmalley Oh hell yeah.
Show threadPaul LalondeFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley I wish we could get BC to follow suit.
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023
@Flux yes, I follow some of the old-growth campaigning done by the likes of the Ancient Forest Alliance. It's terribly short-sighted. :(
Show threadMichaelFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley excellent. Does this mean we can save the small remainder of Dundonald, S. Ayrshire's ancient woodland? Or, has the quarry contract already been signed, and so doesn't apply?
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023
@micandkelly I don't know, sorry - it's probably best to check with your MSP? I'd assume planning has already been granted, so may not be retrospective :(
Show threadMichaelFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley all the same - thanks for your efforts :)
Show threadAviva GaryFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley neat
Show threadRai Aren 🖖✨📚🇺🇦Feb 13, 2023
@timsmalley 🥳 👏 👏 🙌 🌳 💚
Show threadLars Marowsky-Brée 😷Feb 13, 2023
@timsmalley Scotland sure has some of those.
(Kilbrannan, Kintyre)
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023
@larsmb that's a beauty :)
Show threadSarah CollinsFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley I love this news! Go Scotland! 😍🌳🌲
Show threadSteven Lawson PhotographyFeb 13, 2023
@timsmalley That really is terrific news
Show threadTim SmalleyFeb 13, 2023
@stevenlawson 🤞 let's hope it holds up
Show threadPeter BrownFeb 14, 2023
@timsmalley excellent news! Let’s see if Edinburgh City Council can apply the same protection for magnificent trees in the back greens of Victorian Edinburgh; trees which, if they were visible from the street, would have maximum protection.
Show threadCassian [main]Feb 14, 2023
@timsmalley This is such great news, I want to put it on https://reddit.com/r/GoodClimateNews but I can't find any good news articles about it anywhere - it needs more attention! :)
GoodClimateNews • r/GoodClimateNews

A source of positive motivation for climate action. Improvement in the face of adversity is possible.

reddit
Show threadPeterD 🇩🇪 🇨🇦Feb 14, 2023
@timsmalley Great news - now how do we get every country in the world to follow suit. #Canada? #Ontario? #Alberta, by chance"
Show threadThird spruce tree on the leftFeb 14, 2023
@peterdeppisch @timsmalley Hey, I'm all for this. I did laugh out loud at #Ontario - given how our current premier is bulldozing the greenbelt around Toronto, this is a non-starter with Ontario's current government. If #Alberta can bring back Notley and the NDP *maybe. *Could probably pass in Quebec but Im not up to date on #quebec poli. Hard sell in #bc, as progressive as it is the logging lobby... and frankly there's nowhere to put new homes that isn't forested with ancient trees.
Show threadPeterD 🇩🇪 🇨🇦Feb 14, 2023
@tezoatlipoca @timsmalley Realistically, no country except maybe #Iceland will follow the Scottish legislation anytime soon. #Shame. There will be a #ConferenceOfTheParties (COP) the day #Hell and #HighWater become the #Apocalypse.
Show threadJennifurjeanFeb 14, 2023
@timsmalley
How absolutely wonderful.
Show threadThird spruce tree on the leftFeb 14, 2023
@timsmalley We need this *everywhere*.
Show threadDrKikiFeb 14, 2023
@timsmalley amazing. We need more of this worldwide.
Show threadJennifer SlackFeb 14, 2023
@timsmalley
Very good news.
Show threadKenFeb 14, 2023
@timsmalley
The McNiven in me loves that news.
#evironment
https://bestanimations.com/Flags/Europe/Western/UK/scotland-flag-animated-gif-3.gif
Show threadΩ 🌍 Gus PoseyFeb 14, 2023

@timsmalley That put a lump in my throat.

I reckon I'm walking a slightly thinner line than I thought.

Show threadReboot RobotnikFeb 14, 2023
@timsmalley That's rather lovely - now all they have to do is wait for England to overrule it
Show threadVicki KyriakakisFeb 14, 2023
@timsmalley Great news 🌳🌲
Show threadSmall Things ConsideredFeb 14, 2023
@timsmalley
dreaming of framework 5: no longer allowed to be called «development» if it impacts ancient woodland & ancient & veteran trees
Show threadStarkRGFeb 14, 2023
@timsmalley I wish Australia would do something like this. Of course, we *do* have protections for some woodlands and the logging companies just blatantly ignore them and get away with it time and time again. Even *extraordinarily* important archaeological sites with spiritual significance aren't safe from Australian companies. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juukan_Gorge
Juukan Gorge - Wikipedia

Show threadJulie Kuehl 🧶🐶🐱🌻⚒️Feb 14, 2023
@timsmalley @javorszky I can’t even dream that this would happen in the US