ANCIENT trees are at risk if the Government has its way.

It’s not just young trees like the one felled last year on Whitcliffe Common because it was considered to spoil a view that are in danger.

Those at risk include trees in Ludlow and south Shropshire as well as in Tenbury and the Teme Valley according to the Woodland Trust. They claim ancient trees are at risk from destruction if a change in Government policy goes unchallenged.

For the first time, the level of planning policy protection for ancient and veteran trees could be lower than the protection given to ancient woodland.

The Woodland Trust is calling for these irreplaceable habitats to be given equal protection from development, just as they’ve always been. They say that Government’s review of planning rules means only ancient woods would be given greater protection and that many magnificent trees across the region deserve the same treatment.

The Trust currently has 1,386 ancient trees recorded on its Ancient Tree Inventory in the West Midlands, 582 of which are outside a designated area such as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

According to the Woodland Trust, 260 are in Shropshire, 123 of which are outside a designated area and 155 are in Worcestershire, 73 of which are outside a designated area.

“The UK is known across Europe for its incredible natural heritage; these living monuments have witnessed centuries of history, and they are still very relevant today,” said Kaye Brennan of The Woodland Trust.

“They deserve to be given a future – but that’s at risk unless they get the protection they so badly need, and deserve.”