A small pocket of remaining ancient forest of Bere. Idelwood is about 3 ½ acres situated in Longwood Avenue, Cowplain. Over 20 years ago there was a small house situated in 1 corner. The owners had put a Tree Preservation Order on the whole site. When the owners died the house was vandalised and eventually demolished. The land was then left to family, who have not looked after it so it has been left to mature on it’s own.

There are about 30 species of birds including, woodpeckers, tree creepers, bullfinches and owls. Some of which are on the red and amber conservation list. The trees a re mainly oak beech ash and yew, with primroses and bluebells in the spring. Bats have been seen to fly in and out at dusk, so are likely to be roosting, and there are many other small mammal, and also slowworms.

Now this small woodland has been recognised for what it is, Hampshire County Council’s biodiversity Dept: are recommending it to be put as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). This would hopefully safeguard Idelwood for the future. We are hoping it could help to teach children about the many sides of nature and many dog walkers already use it.

Havant Borough policy (NC1) states that all development proposals should avoid damage to bio-diversity and geological features and seek to achieve wildlife gain wherever possible. Bio-diversity has been defined as “all species of plants and animals, their habitats and the complex eco-systems that sustain them”. It therefore includes all types of wildlife not only rare creatures living in a few places.
(NC4) Development will not be permitted which is likely to harm a site of importance for nature conservation, or as local nature reserve, unless there are reasons for the proposal, which outweigh the need to safeguard the nature conservation value of the site. SINCs are sites of critical importance for nature conservation. They are considered to form an irreplaceable resource, which should be protected from the adverse effects of development. This policy refers to natural environment through out the borough because it is important for as many people as possible to have direct contact with nature.

However, major planning development has been put in to HBC for an erection of a 3 storey building, comprising 54 assisted living units with a 30 bed care unit with accommodation and basement car parking. New vehicular access would be in Longwood ave and emergency vehicle access to Ruskin Way and Wesermarsch Rd, this would virtually wipe out the woodland and the wildlife and birds. The few trees left would be severely damaged. Also water that the trees once utilised would flood to low lying surrounding areas.
The findings of the bio-diversity unit at Hampshire County Council have proved by examining old maps and records that the site has been recognised as “ancient semi-natural woodland “ with a good diversity of plant species, indicative of it’s woodland origins. It is a remnant of a formerly much larger area of woodland. HBC have been notified of this, unfortunately after the planning proposal has been put in. Hopefully the planning officer of the case will see Idelwood for what it is, and also the rest of the planning committee. To be designated a SINC says it is somewhere special to keep forever, especially in a built up area.A few clips from the HAMPSHIRE BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN FOR HAMPSHIRE state; Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands have existed since 1700. TPOs are there to protect threatened woodlands or ancient veteran trees. The overall aim of the partnership is;

	To ensure no further loss or degredation of ancient semi-natural woodlands
	No further removal of them
	Restore Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland sites giving priority to link isolated fragments
	Has to be restored by 2010
	Improve quality of ASNW sites habitat and ensure the requirements of all priority species with ASNW are met

Update March 2007

Well Idelwood is still standing. Nothing much has really been heard about the development on the wood but we do know that the developers were going to get in touch with Winchester Council to see if there was a way around the Biodiversity issue. As far as we know they could only build on the old house site,brown field site, which is a small area but this would give them the advantage but hopefully not enough for what they want. Litter is still a bit of an issue although we do the best we can. If people are kind enough to pick up any they see it would be a great help. If people didn’t throw it in there,that would be even better!! We want people to enjoy the woods and space but not at the expense of giving the council a reason to pass the development plans. Daffodils and wood anemones are blooming in there and it will be bluebell time soon. The woodpecker is really enjoying himself in there this year. Five were seen in one go on one bright day.The bird song is lovely in the woods some days!. Any support and help is. always welcome .Any news will be posted on the website.Keep supporting.

Anyone who wishes to help or know more please e-mail us.

Although the final date to write to the planning dept was 19th Oct, letters will still be accepted up until the morning of the actual planning meeting, which is not yet known. Please quote reference number 05/56339/005 and send to

Head of Planning and Development Services
Civic Offices
Havant
Hants
PO9 2AX
Also to any Havant area councillors.
We also have the backing of Dr Caroline Lucas MEP, the Green Party Member of the European Parliament for the south east of the uk. The letter she wrote to the planning dept was gratefully received by us! At the moment the developers have gone very quiet, but as soon as we have any news we will let you know
To find Idelwood, turn off London road into Longwood Avenue
at the first bend, Idelwood is on your right.