'Don't build houses on our ancient woodland'

Ancient woodland and fields must not be threatened with development, campaigners have said.

Albemarle Homes hopes to submit a plan for 130 houses at Littleworth Lane fields, near Rossington in Doncaster.

But Preserve Littleworth Lane Fields said rare plants and endangered animals could be destroyed if the development goes ahead at the "heritage site dating back to a Roman fortress".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), residents have decided to fight proposals before they are submitted because they have serious concerns about the threat of future development.

Kev Haigh, whose home looks out towards the woodland, said: "In the morning you look out the window and there's rabbits running around and crows out there."

Another resident, Gary Cantrill, said the sight of the woodland "makes you realise just how special it is."

Sam Rogers, from the campaign group, said the "special" area, near Littleworth Lane and Sheep Bridge Lane, could be lost because people from outside the area want to make money.

Ecological consultant Matt Shardlow, who is working with the group, has helped secure Natural England recognition for the site as "ancient woodland", meaning Albemarle would need further surveys and assessments before submitting development plans.

"It doesn't technically change the fact it's ancient woodland, but [it] means people ignoring that fact can't ignore it anymore," Shardlow said.

"It isn't just because it's old," he added. "It's because the older it is, the more important it gets for rare plants and species."

He said the campaign group was right to get "on the front foot" and act before plans were submitted.

"The problem is the whole planning system is designed for the developer to be on the front foot and the pressure on the council to say yes," he said.

Campaigners said Persimmon Homes' proposals for the same site in 2009 reached a similar stage but fell away after survey requirements for the woodland became too much of a barrier.

They also raised concerns about future development on other nearby fields because Land Registry documents revealed a local businessman owned several fields around Littleworth Lane as well as the one Albemarle Homes wanted to build on.

Albemarle Homes was approached for comment but did not respond.

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