TAP News June 2008
Project Update
The surveys to support the Planning Application and Environment Agency licence applications will continue over the coming months. They are mostly concerned with ecological / environmental issues, although some archaeological questions remain to be resolved in the area of the ancient furnace site. The recent tree survey, carried out by Broadway Tree Consultancy, has indicated that 100 trees along the route of the proposed pipe route should be felled.
The following summary indicates the extent of the recommended work:
"In total, 100 trees have been earmarked for felling, and they can be divided into the following categories:
| 11 | |
| 35 | |
| 6 | |
| 48 | " |
As can be seen from the figures above, the number of trees being removed as a direct result of the pipeline trenching will be 48, with the remaining 52 being removed for public health and safety or good woodland management reasons
The felled trees will be cut up into lengths and these will be stacked away from the path to form habitat piles in the undergrowth. Such dead wood piles provide homes and food for a large number of fungi, worms, insects, mammals, mosses, lichens and plants, and are an important part of the woodland ecosystem.
The stumps that result from the felling will be left in-situ, and the majority of these are species that will re-sprout (coppice) from the stump. The coppice re-growth will then provide a valuable understorey layer to the woodland and provide shelter or food for a wide range of insects, birds and mammals.
In addition, roots from the stump retention ensure that the river bank, and soil of the woodland floor, remains anchored in place and less likely to be washed away by flash floods or heavy rainfall.
Finally, a more uneven age structure to the woodland will be achieved by removal of the large over-tall trees. This will open up gaps in the canopy thereby allowing daylight to reach the woodland floor and encourage new seedling growth. Were it in place, such works would normally be part of a good woodland management scheme.
Please help
Letters in support of the Project could be helpful to the success of the Planning Application. The Planning Application can be viewed by clicking here. and then entering 1452 in the Application Number field in the window that next opens, then clicking the "Search" button.. Finally, under the heading "Case File", click on the box marked "Comment on application" to enter your comments.
Alternatively, you may write to Monmouthshire County Council, Planning Department at County Hall, Cwmbran NP44 2XH. Quoting the reference number 2007 / 01452
Norman Williams
Marketing & Publicity Director
Tintern Angiddy Project Ltd
Telephone: 01291 680016
E Mail: info@tapenergy.org