The Woodland Trust has warned ancient woodland is under threat in a plan to build a road in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The Vale council is proposing building a road linking the A48 at Sycamore Cross with junction 34 of the M4, to ease congestion and help access Cardiff Airport.
Campaigners have previously slammed the plans for potentially knocking down ten houses in the village of Pendoylan, and blocking key routes east-to-west for cyclists on country lanes.
Now Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, has criticised the proposals for the threat of damaging and destroying at least six ancient woodlands — more than four centuries old.
The ancient woodlands under threat, according to Coed Cadw, includes: Log Wood, Coed Llwynhywel, Coed Waunn-lloff, and Coed Ffos-ceibr. In these woods live Barbastelle and Bechstein’s bat, and rare birds like lesser redpoll, lesser spotted woodpecker and woodcock.
The Vale council is currently consulting the public on the proposals. The consultation runs until December 23, after which the council will consider what to do next — potentially drawing up a full business case for the new road.
Coed Cadw is encouraging people to register their concerns about the loss of ancient woodland on their website, with six days left to register objections.
A spokesman for the Vale of Glamorgan council said: “No decisions have been made on this matter, which is currently the subject of public consultation.
“Early in the new year, a consultation report will be presented to cabinet and a decision taken on next steps. We encourage as many people as possible to respond to the consultation.”
The plans can be read in full on the Vale council’s website, where people can also respond to the online consultation.
Interested individuals are urged to visit the Coed Cadw website to register their concerns.
For more information, visit: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/protecting-trees-and-woods/campaign-with-us/m4-link-road/
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