Titnore Woods: Reprieve for 210 trees?/Mass Mobilisation on 7th Oct
tliom | 27.09.2006 14:12 | Ecology | Social Struggles
Despite being asked, Indymedia editors has decided not to promote this story to the front page of the UK Indymedia. Considering IMC was originally borne out of RTS and the Anti-roads movement/ecological struggle, this is a poor show guys...
There will be a "mass mobilisation" for all supporters of the camp and opponents of the development on Saturday October 7th. Gather 2pm at Durrington rail station to descend (or ascend?) en masse on Titnore Woods. (Details of directions to Titnore are at the bottom of this email, Camp's Tel. No. is: 0780 4245324).
However, eviction is still obviously expected at any time. Despite this, an ENERGETIC expansion bid has been launched by the Titnore Woods campers at Worthing, West Sussex. Urgently needed is more timber and polyprop rope (6mm is best) and tarpaulins for tree houses etc, plus, on a more mundane level, supplies of toilet paper and real coffee.
If eviction takes place, supporters are being asked to go as soon as possible to the camp, congregating in Fulbeck Avenue, Durrington, if access is barred. Then on the first Saturday after any eviction there will be a protest against eviction and against development. Fulbeck Avenue, Durrington. 12 noon.
Titnore Woods in West Durrington, on the edge of NW Worthing, is one of
only two ancient woodlands surviving on the Sussex coastal plain. It is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including protected species like great crested newts, bats, baadgers, skylarks and corn buntings.
Titnore - Reprieve for 210 trees?
BBC reports "West Sussex and Worthing councils said government advice meant Titnore Lane would not now have to be straightened as part of the West Durrington scheme. It could mean about 210 out of 265 threatened trees being reprieved". See BBC Report below.
From:
info@protectourwoodland.co.uk
Sent out Wed 20th Sept
Dear Friends and Supporters.
Don't Celebrate Yet!
That's our advice on hearing the news that West Sussex County Council (WSCC) has, after taking note of the latest Government guidance on speed limits, decided to agree that Titnore Lane should have a mandatory 40 mph limit order imposed on it.
Furthermore, as we understand it, WSCC have decided that with a 40 mph limit in place there will not be a need to straighten the bends at South Lodge. Neither will there be a requirement to provide a roundabout south of South Lodge to access the proposed West Durrington Urban Development.
Whilst we welcome this announcement from WSCC full details of the changes
are awaited. It could be of course that a widening scheme might be lurking in the background.
Notes
If the bends at South Lodge were straightened, then a new section of road would have to be built cutting through the most important part of the Wood. In this section the lichens represent the richest assemblage in this part of Sussex, and the trees here are larger and more mature than in the surrounding woodland. They are also much richer in lichens than any others in the Worthing wood complex.
*** Next fight is to stop the access road crossing the woods where the camp is sited.
*** If eviction takes place, supporters to go as soon as possible to camp, congregating in Fulbeck Avenue, Durrington, if access barred.
*** First Saturday after any eviction, there will be a protest against eviction and against development. Fulbeck Avenue, Durrington. 12 noon.
*** Saturday October 7 - Mass mobilisation against Titnore development!
Meet at Durrington station at 2pm to head en masse for Titnore Woods. See
ya there!
www.protectourwoodland.co.uk
Wednesday, 20 September 2006, 16:12 GMT 17:12 UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/5364438.stm
Titnore trees saved from the chop
Ancient trees could be spared the axe as a controversial housing development no longer requires associated road improvements, two councils have said.
West Sussex and Worthing councils said government advice meant Titnore Lane would not now have to be straightened as part of the West Durrington scheme.
It could mean about 210 out of 265 threatened trees being reprieved.
Tree-top protesters who set up camp in Titnore Woods said they would only leave if all the trees were saved.
They have been making their voices heard since the end of May from tree houses built in the ancient woodland.
About 55 trees are still threatened by an access road off Titnore Lane
The proposals for 875 new homes and associated community facilities originally required highway improvement works in Titnore Lane, including the straightening of a bend at South Lodge.
Now the councils will ask the developers - the Heron Group, Persimmon Homes and Bryant Homes - to remove this aspect from their plans in the light of new government guidance.
This would "significantly reduce the environmental impact" because more than 200 trees beside Titnore Lane would not need to be removed.
But protesters said they would continue their campaign, described as "a defiant act" over "a huge juggernaut of property development".
Landowner Clem Somerset won a court ruling in July for them to be evicted, although the bailiffs have yet to move in.
What's it all about?
(source: www.protectourwoodland.co.uk):
Well if we want to go back to the very beginning I guess it started about 1934 as new housing marched steadily westward along what is now the A259 south of the railway line.
It soon became apparent that the existing level crossing at Goring-by-Sea was not going to cope with the increasing amount of traffic being generated, not only by the housing but also by the goods yard that was adjacent to the station. In those day’s most of what was produced locally and brought in, travelled by train and only then distributed by van / lorry.
So someone had the idea to build a bridge across the railway, then it was suggested why not improve the narrow lane up to the Littlehampton road. From what we’ve been told by those who lived in the area around that time, all manner of plans were drawn up for linking Goring and the A259 with the A24 at Findon via Titnore Lane and the Longfurlong across the Downs.
Like so many schemes there was delay after delay so by the outbreak of War only an earth embankment that was to be the bridge over the railway was built – and that was only on one side. It wasn’t until the late 1960’s that the bridge and the improved road to the Littlehampton road were finally completed. But why did they make that road a dual carriageway?
Many stories abound for the reason, but we think the most plausible one was the perceived need for a western bypass of Worthing. Why? Because even by the late 1960’s traffic was increasing rapidly and to build more and bigger roads was, and still is now, seen as the way to cut congestion. Although we haven’t seen the plans, we understand if it hadn’t been for the determination of a lady councillor at Worthing to prevent it, that dual carriageway would have by now gone up Titnore Lane over the A27 and then across the Downs to the A24.
Although nearly 40 years on, that desire for a western bypass is still wedded to those who think more roads will solve congestion. So when the land at West Durrington was earmarked for development, Titnore Lane was chosen as one of the feeder routes for traffic and as part of the deal the developers would foot the bill for ensuring the Lane could cope with the extra traffic the development generated. The battle to save Titnore Woods from this road widening scheme to serve the proposed 875-home housing estate and associated new Tesco hypermarket has been waging locally for around five years. The land the protestors are occupying belongs to the Somerset family, who stand to earn between £60 to 70 million from the sale of their land to developers once planning permission is granted (the
crucial planning meeting to give go-ahead for the development plan has been delayed).
Well we disagree and so does the Worthing Society, East Preston and Kingston Preservation Society, Worthing and West Sussex Green Party’s, Worthing Friends of the Earth, South Coast Against Roadbuilding, Titnore Emergency Action and the many thousands of local residents who have written letters and signed petitions.
We will not allow any widening, straightening, duelling or whatever to the Lane, for to do so would see one of the most important woodland complex's in southern England eventually destroyed in the name of the Worthing western bypass.
On Tuesday 29th August, an appeal against trepass of the land was heard at
the High Court in London, but was unfortunately, and predictably lost. The protest camp has suffered constant police arrassment. However they have vowed to fight to the end. Woodland defenders have began their occupation on May 28th.
It has attracted huge public support locally, with Worthing residents disgusted at the way Worthing Borough Council has ignored overwhelming opposition to the plan and meekly bowed down to the interests of the landowners and the property developers.
Protesters have vowed to stay in the tree camp to the bitter end, deploying "passive resistance" to the small army of hired thugs expected to be sent in against them.
Anyone who can help is urged to get down to the camp in time for the possible eviction. Exact dates are not likely to be provided in advance by the authorities!
For more info and to take a look at the site-map and aerial views, go to:
www.protectourwoodland.co.uk/titnore.htm
URGENT EcoAction
Woodland defence force protecting Titnore Woods nr Worthing
People who have a spare few days encouraged to get down to the site; camping gear, own plate, utensils and basic provision are recommended (bring what you need and what you can afford to share). Directions of how to get to the site as below.
Please help resist this eviction in any way you can directions are available here:
http://www.protectourwoodland.co.uk/tea.htm
(directions also below):
DIRECTIONS:
The camp is in woods just north of "Somerset Lake", a fishing lake east of Titnore Lane. Easiest access is from Fulbeck Avenue, off Titnore Way. Take the path at the far east of Fulbeck Avenue, walk over the small wooden footbridge and then turn left until there is a large gap in the hedgerow on the left, walk through into the open field and follow the track to the far side of the field, keeping the clump of trees to your left. You should see a gazebo straight ahead of you centrally located at the front of the stretch of woodland.
It can also be reached via the car park at Tesco's in Durrington, which is served by no 3 and 4 buses from Worthing central railway station. Basically head straight on from the entrance to the fields at the back end of the supermarket car park, and walk across the open field to the other side, then turn right long the track reaching the gap in the hedgerow mentioned above.
Nearest railway station is Goring by Sea on the main South Coast line with direct trains from Brighton, Portsmouth and London. There is a camp phone - 0780 4245324. if you are coming from the station, then cross over the footbridge over to the opposite platform, and out of the station exit turn right into the road and walk up until you reach a major A-road roundabout. Titnore Lane is a minor country lane at the other end of the roundabout (straight on). Walk down here and take a right into Titnore Way further down, which feeds into Fulbeck Avenue.
Out of London, it is very easy to blag fare on Thameslink line (Bedford to Brighton). Change at Haywards Heath, buy a ticket to Goring-on-Sea (the camp is only 20 minute walk from there, cross over passenger footbridge at station, then head to main roundabout to walk down Titnore Lane and follow directions as written above).
Financial donations can be made at the camp (ring number above if you can't find it!) or by sending a cheque payable to "The Porkbolter" to PO Box 4144, Worthing BN14 7NZ.
However, eviction is still obviously expected at any time. Despite this, an ENERGETIC expansion bid has been launched by the Titnore Woods campers at Worthing, West Sussex. Urgently needed is more timber and polyprop rope (6mm is best) and tarpaulins for tree houses etc, plus, on a more mundane level, supplies of toilet paper and real coffee.
If eviction takes place, supporters are being asked to go as soon as possible to the camp, congregating in Fulbeck Avenue, Durrington, if access is barred. Then on the first Saturday after any eviction there will be a protest against eviction and against development. Fulbeck Avenue, Durrington. 12 noon.
Titnore Woods in West Durrington, on the edge of NW Worthing, is one of
only two ancient woodlands surviving on the Sussex coastal plain. It is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including protected species like great crested newts, bats, baadgers, skylarks and corn buntings.
Titnore - Reprieve for 210 trees?
BBC reports "West Sussex and Worthing councils said government advice meant Titnore Lane would not now have to be straightened as part of the West Durrington scheme. It could mean about 210 out of 265 threatened trees being reprieved". See BBC Report below.
From:
info@protectourwoodland.co.uk Sent out Wed 20th Sept
Dear Friends and Supporters.
Don't Celebrate Yet!
That's our advice on hearing the news that West Sussex County Council (WSCC) has, after taking note of the latest Government guidance on speed limits, decided to agree that Titnore Lane should have a mandatory 40 mph limit order imposed on it.
Furthermore, as we understand it, WSCC have decided that with a 40 mph limit in place there will not be a need to straighten the bends at South Lodge. Neither will there be a requirement to provide a roundabout south of South Lodge to access the proposed West Durrington Urban Development.
Whilst we welcome this announcement from WSCC full details of the changes
are awaited. It could be of course that a widening scheme might be lurking in the background.
Notes
If the bends at South Lodge were straightened, then a new section of road would have to be built cutting through the most important part of the Wood. In this section the lichens represent the richest assemblage in this part of Sussex, and the trees here are larger and more mature than in the surrounding woodland. They are also much richer in lichens than any others in the Worthing wood complex.
*** Next fight is to stop the access road crossing the woods where the camp is sited.
*** If eviction takes place, supporters to go as soon as possible to camp, congregating in Fulbeck Avenue, Durrington, if access barred.
*** First Saturday after any eviction, there will be a protest against eviction and against development. Fulbeck Avenue, Durrington. 12 noon.
*** Saturday October 7 - Mass mobilisation against Titnore development!
Meet at Durrington station at 2pm to head en masse for Titnore Woods. See
ya there!
www.protectourwoodland.co.uk
Wednesday, 20 September 2006, 16:12 GMT 17:12 UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/5364438.stm Titnore trees saved from the chop
Ancient trees could be spared the axe as a controversial housing development no longer requires associated road improvements, two councils have said.
West Sussex and Worthing councils said government advice meant Titnore Lane would not now have to be straightened as part of the West Durrington scheme.
It could mean about 210 out of 265 threatened trees being reprieved.
Tree-top protesters who set up camp in Titnore Woods said they would only leave if all the trees were saved.
They have been making their voices heard since the end of May from tree houses built in the ancient woodland.
About 55 trees are still threatened by an access road off Titnore Lane
The proposals for 875 new homes and associated community facilities originally required highway improvement works in Titnore Lane, including the straightening of a bend at South Lodge.
Now the councils will ask the developers - the Heron Group, Persimmon Homes and Bryant Homes - to remove this aspect from their plans in the light of new government guidance.
This would "significantly reduce the environmental impact" because more than 200 trees beside Titnore Lane would not need to be removed.
But protesters said they would continue their campaign, described as "a defiant act" over "a huge juggernaut of property development".
Landowner Clem Somerset won a court ruling in July for them to be evicted, although the bailiffs have yet to move in.
What's it all about?
(source: www.protectourwoodland.co.uk):
Well if we want to go back to the very beginning I guess it started about 1934 as new housing marched steadily westward along what is now the A259 south of the railway line.
It soon became apparent that the existing level crossing at Goring-by-Sea was not going to cope with the increasing amount of traffic being generated, not only by the housing but also by the goods yard that was adjacent to the station. In those day’s most of what was produced locally and brought in, travelled by train and only then distributed by van / lorry.
So someone had the idea to build a bridge across the railway, then it was suggested why not improve the narrow lane up to the Littlehampton road. From what we’ve been told by those who lived in the area around that time, all manner of plans were drawn up for linking Goring and the A259 with the A24 at Findon via Titnore Lane and the Longfurlong across the Downs.
Like so many schemes there was delay after delay so by the outbreak of War only an earth embankment that was to be the bridge over the railway was built – and that was only on one side. It wasn’t until the late 1960’s that the bridge and the improved road to the Littlehampton road were finally completed. But why did they make that road a dual carriageway?
Many stories abound for the reason, but we think the most plausible one was the perceived need for a western bypass of Worthing. Why? Because even by the late 1960’s traffic was increasing rapidly and to build more and bigger roads was, and still is now, seen as the way to cut congestion. Although we haven’t seen the plans, we understand if it hadn’t been for the determination of a lady councillor at Worthing to prevent it, that dual carriageway would have by now gone up Titnore Lane over the A27 and then across the Downs to the A24.
Although nearly 40 years on, that desire for a western bypass is still wedded to those who think more roads will solve congestion. So when the land at West Durrington was earmarked for development, Titnore Lane was chosen as one of the feeder routes for traffic and as part of the deal the developers would foot the bill for ensuring the Lane could cope with the extra traffic the development generated. The battle to save Titnore Woods from this road widening scheme to serve the proposed 875-home housing estate and associated new Tesco hypermarket has been waging locally for around five years. The land the protestors are occupying belongs to the Somerset family, who stand to earn between £60 to 70 million from the sale of their land to developers once planning permission is granted (the
crucial planning meeting to give go-ahead for the development plan has been delayed).
Well we disagree and so does the Worthing Society, East Preston and Kingston Preservation Society, Worthing and West Sussex Green Party’s, Worthing Friends of the Earth, South Coast Against Roadbuilding, Titnore Emergency Action and the many thousands of local residents who have written letters and signed petitions.
We will not allow any widening, straightening, duelling or whatever to the Lane, for to do so would see one of the most important woodland complex's in southern England eventually destroyed in the name of the Worthing western bypass.
On Tuesday 29th August, an appeal against trepass of the land was heard at
the High Court in London, but was unfortunately, and predictably lost. The protest camp has suffered constant police arrassment. However they have vowed to fight to the end. Woodland defenders have began their occupation on May 28th.
It has attracted huge public support locally, with Worthing residents disgusted at the way Worthing Borough Council has ignored overwhelming opposition to the plan and meekly bowed down to the interests of the landowners and the property developers.
Protesters have vowed to stay in the tree camp to the bitter end, deploying "passive resistance" to the small army of hired thugs expected to be sent in against them.
Anyone who can help is urged to get down to the camp in time for the possible eviction. Exact dates are not likely to be provided in advance by the authorities!
For more info and to take a look at the site-map and aerial views, go to:
www.protectourwoodland.co.uk/titnore.htm
URGENT EcoAction
Woodland defence force protecting Titnore Woods nr Worthing
People who have a spare few days encouraged to get down to the site; camping gear, own plate, utensils and basic provision are recommended (bring what you need and what you can afford to share). Directions of how to get to the site as below.
Please help resist this eviction in any way you can directions are available here:
http://www.protectourwoodland.co.uk/tea.htm (directions also below):
DIRECTIONS:
The camp is in woods just north of "Somerset Lake", a fishing lake east of Titnore Lane. Easiest access is from Fulbeck Avenue, off Titnore Way. Take the path at the far east of Fulbeck Avenue, walk over the small wooden footbridge and then turn left until there is a large gap in the hedgerow on the left, walk through into the open field and follow the track to the far side of the field, keeping the clump of trees to your left. You should see a gazebo straight ahead of you centrally located at the front of the stretch of woodland.
It can also be reached via the car park at Tesco's in Durrington, which is served by no 3 and 4 buses from Worthing central railway station. Basically head straight on from the entrance to the fields at the back end of the supermarket car park, and walk across the open field to the other side, then turn right long the track reaching the gap in the hedgerow mentioned above.
Nearest railway station is Goring by Sea on the main South Coast line with direct trains from Brighton, Portsmouth and London. There is a camp phone - 0780 4245324. if you are coming from the station, then cross over the footbridge over to the opposite platform, and out of the station exit turn right into the road and walk up until you reach a major A-road roundabout. Titnore Lane is a minor country lane at the other end of the roundabout (straight on). Walk down here and take a right into Titnore Way further down, which feeds into Fulbeck Avenue.
Out of London, it is very easy to blag fare on Thameslink line (Bedford to Brighton). Change at Haywards Heath, buy a ticket to Goring-on-Sea (the camp is only 20 minute walk from there, cross over passenger footbridge at station, then head to main roundabout to walk down Titnore Lane and follow directions as written above).
Financial donations can be made at the camp (ring number above if you can't find it!) or by sending a cheque payable to "The Porkbolter" to PO Box 4144, Worthing BN14 7NZ.
tliom