More on the cut trees and destruction of wildlife habitats

Cut Trees
After yesterday’s walk we visited the other bank of the River Thames to look closer at the large area of trees that had been cut down last month. The map above gives an idea of their location.
Cut Trees
The area beyond the tumbledown picnic benches used to be trees.
Cut Trees
This picture gives another view, with the piles of stacked tree trunks in the distance.

Tuckwells were granted permission to extract minerals in 1971 from a number of areas on Thrupp Farm, including the field called Nyatt [Area 5]. They excavated minerals from all the other areas but not Area 5. More recently they have been extracting minerals from Sutton Wick, south of Abingdon.

During an enquiry in 2019 their spokesperson said they still intended to extract minerals from Area 5 in future. The record of the discussion is at https://mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=20620. Local people wanted the area left undisturbed.
Cut Trees
The area not only includes meadows and trees but also a small lake, all of which had become a habitat for wildlife.

7 thoughts on “More on the cut trees and destruction of wildlife habitats

  1. Daniel

    I guess if you’re going to build hundreds and hundreds of houses you have to get the sand and gravel from somewhere?

    Reply
  2. David

    The area to be extracted is more extensive than shown on the above map. It includes the shallow lake called Orchard Lake east of Nyatt Field and the fen area between this lake and Nyatt Field. Both are part of a Local Wildlife Site. Orchard Lake, the fen and Nyatt Field comprise the last remaining wild, biodiverse and beautiful area within walking distance of Abingdon. If gravel extraction from the proposed 94 acre site were to proceed, it would be fenced off for at least 16 years during which time gravel would be conveyed across the remainder of this beautiful area. Presently Radley Lakes is used by many members of the public for quiet recreation, much needed in these times.
    Abingdon Naturalists Society have objected to the initial proposal on ecological and public recreation reasons: https://myeplanning.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Planning/Display/MW.0075/20

    Reply
  3. David

    I should add that the area of felled trees is not part of the gravel extraction area and is not owned by the mineral extractors

    Reply
  4. Hester

    I understand that the landowner intends to replant the felled area, which as David says is not part of the potential gravel extraction area.

    Reply
  5. Janet

    People should not be allowed to fell trees unless they undertake to plant new trees. Trees help to absorb polution.

    Reply
  6. Michael

    If the area of felled trees is not part of the gravel extraction area and is not owned by the mineral extractors then why have the trees been felled and on whose authority?

    Reply
  7. Houdini

    They were felling these last summer as the river path was cordoned off and we were diverted round instead of the usual path.

    Trees help prevent floods – without them the rain runs off soil and into the river, raising the water level. Trees also help keep soil in place, and their roots soak up water.

    Reply

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