Woodland Trust - A Vision for the 21st Century

Trees and forests are the very lifeblood of our planet. They stabilise the soil, generate oxygen, store carbon, transform our landscapes and provide one of the richest habitats for flora and fauna. They offer us respite, inspire our imagination, creativity and culture, and provide many opportunities for recreation. It is crucial that we value and look after them. If our woods disappear, people and wildlife will suffer.

The UK is one of the least wooded parts of Europe. Ancient woodland covers only 2% of our land. Ancient woodland is “our rainforest”, home to more threatened species than any other UK wildlife habitat - and it is irreplaceable. Yet almost half of what little remained in the 1930s has been lost or damaged. Only precious fragments are left and much is under threat from development, intensive land use and our changing climate.

We all need to redouble our efforts to achieve a vision for the UK as a land rich in native woodland and wildlife which future generations will enjoy as never before. Our vision is to protect what we have, restore what has been spoilt and create new woods for the future, to make our countryside more friendly for people and wildlife. Within the next 50 years and preferably much sooner our aspirations are for:

A doubling of native woodland cover in the UK (currently 1, 000, 000 ha)

Everyone to be within 4km of an accessible large woodland

All ancient woods planted with non-native conifers (220,000 ha across the UK) to be under active restoration

Absolute protection of ancient woodland

People, especially children, to better understand and value trees and woods

Every child to have the chance to plant trees

Hilary Allison

Policy Director

A land where people feel free to live thier lives:

• create businesses
• form hobby / interest groups
• access education and training
• to be active volunteers
• develop lasting and lively communities
• easy access to urban towns

David Smurthwaite

Education: Recognition that small schools and delivering education in small units is highly effective and delivers excellent results

Young People: Young people no longer feel it is necessary to leave the countryside and rural towns to pursue a career because technology and the planning system enables much wider opportunities for enterprise

Housing: Affordable housing - both low cost to buy and social rented - is much more widely available and re-invigorating a new generation of prosperous rural communities

Governance: Strong shire county unitaries have replaced 2 tier system and role of RDAs in sub-regional regeneration, delivering efficient government and place-based and more effective regeneration

Sustainability: Rural communities are pioneering new ways to complete transition from oil dependency leading on new renewable technologies, microgeneration rewarded by the national grid and (at last) supported by government to improve energy efficiency.

Chris Kolek

Design transport inter-connectivity that is viable by being flexible and demand responsive

Community spirit fostering by improvement of activities, services and facilities.

Measurement of demand, needs and desires at a lower level.

Better accessibility for all to green space especially nature reserves, tied to better education of all in wildlife and its role in eco-systems

Return to local crime control with local beat officers responsible to local community

Better access to emergency health services

Biggest aspiration: That people become less selfish and more concerned for fellow

travellers on the planet!

Jerry Stanford

Colne Connected

IT

Broadband available everywhere. Greater engagement with local democracy – more power to Parish Councils to deliver in partnership with others.

Transport / Travel

Improved public transport – good rail and bus connections to reduce dependence on cars and need for increasing car parking; also car sharing, cycle routes etc

Housing

Affordable housing where there is employment

- development of sustainable communities

- some rural communities which developed in the past to serve a purpose which is no longer there will have to cease to exist.

Education

Free school transport post 16 to encourage longer education without increased use of cars to schools by our 17 year olds

Better opportunities for further education in Market Tows

Tourism

Welcoming visitors to maintain the local economy for residents e.g events, markets, cultural activities thriving

T Beevor

Market Towns must provide small but sustainable communities with sufficient infrastructure for the increasing numbers moving into the countryside. This means enlarging small villages on suitable road or rail networks rather than enlarging existing ones. Ownership and pride of place is the key to vandalism, petty crime, litter and voluntary worklessness. A different approach to housing requirements will provide affordable, small but well-designed dwellings for the young as well as the elderly, who wish to be with their own age cohort.

Canals and mariners are the largest providers of internal holidays and education about different areas in our nation.

Carol M Chapman

Market Drayton

Shropshire

- Connected learning routes & employment opportunities to retain our young people in our communities alongside appropriate housing solutions for local people, especially the young. Services to reflect the demographics.

- Young people engaged through these routes with decision making & strategic planning.

- Thriving community led communities that are recognised by powers that be and are given delegated powers & responsibilities – ground level up not top down.

- A stronger voice for our communities nationally to find solutions to national policies/trends that adversely affect rural areas – e.g. fuel costs, car taxation (4×4’s are needed in rural areas!) Also to ensure policies, funding streams & strategic bodies are representative of rural areas – e.g. planning.

- Ability to influence rental values for business/retail space in market towns to encourage local, unique trades/businesses.

Tom Breffell

South Shropshire District Council

A vibrant, friendly, inclusive community that is self sufficient in terms of local food and energy production, well connected and is regarded as sustainable by retaining and supporting local businesses, services, education, transport and protecting a high quality environment for residents and visitors alike.

A community that will actively encourage and create opportunities for its residents to take their visions forward and enable them to proactively implement community projects that are planned delivered and owned by its residents – local empowerment and grass-roots development in action.

Mandie Berry

Renewable and energy efficient homes with use of recyclable components.

More community allotments with fruit and vegetables - at these it would be lovely to see intergenerational activity between young and old. Roof top gardens.

School markets – children growing fruit and veg and then learning entrepreneurial skills selling

Biodiversity – more environmental learning activities for young people. Links to farming

and young farmers associations. Outside classrooms; more recording of

what is right on our doorstep.

Linking up of heritage sites in the area, to naturally support each other – local tours that link up.

Affordable housing – more as country small cottages in keeping with area and with what rural young people have grown up with

Going back to farming, local people buying locally at post offices etc. post offices being kept but broadening their facilities.

Support village halls to offer more facilities and to be open for longer

Less crime

Pollution free and low carbon communities

More health activities / leisure facilities

Corrie Davies

Our communities will be:

Thriving / vibrant / welcoming / caring / supportive / beautiful / eco-conscious / wildlife friendly / multi-aged / visionary / good educational facilities / fabulous healthcare facilities / environmentally sustainable / crime-free / transport for all / pollution free / leisure opportunities / employment diversity / housing variety

Pmcl5@btinternet.com