CANNOP PONDS ARE UNDER SERIOUS THREAT !
*these pages still under construction |
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WHAT ARE THEY? Two large open access freshwater ponds set in a wooded valley at the heart of the FOREST OF DEAN, in Gloucestershire, England. They are a key part local history, playing a role in the Industrial Revolution that shaped the modern world. Since 1866 they have been a haven for wildlife and a popular location for visitors maintained in recent decades by the work of resident angling club so that the public can access almost every part of the site along paths and roadways HOW ARE THEY THREATENED ? Forestry England has put in place a series of 'options' for the future of the two ponds and the surrounding streams and wetlands. These include the potential to REMOVE the ponds entirely and replace them with a series of streams and puddles. This, they claim with 'increase biodiversity' , which is hard to imagine as there are already more than 1100 recorded species within a 1000m radius and ANY work of this type will inevitably destroy existing habitats and threaten the wildlife. How can you improve bio-diversity by first destroying what you already have? WHY IS THIS THE CASE? We are not entirely sure! The official views is that Forestry England are obliged to maintain the ponds by law under the 1975 RESERVOIR ACT. This requires work to be done now and in the future to maintain safety of the site and the villages and population located downstream in case of flood or failure. Are they trying to duck out of future responsibility for this work by removing the ponds ? Are they operating on some other, hidden, agenda and using this as an excuse? Their reasons simply do not appear to make sense. to see their highly unpopular mission statement THE NEXT CHAPTER , we dispute the truth and validity of many claims contained in this document. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SAVE THEM? The vast majority of resident in the FOREST OF DEAN bitterly oppose the removal of either pond and the damage this would cause to the site, the habitat, the heritage and the future enjoyment of a public asset. Over 43,000 people have so far signed the ONLINE PETITION since it was launched last summer. to see the petition In Our Battle To Save Cannop Ponds We Have Support From MARK HARPER MP seen here meeting with the SAVE CANNOP PONDS TEAM members Katherine, Mark, Shaun & Simon
THE FOREST OF DEAN DISTRICT COUNCIL Council chair Julia Gooch, Jamie Elsmore, deputy leader Paul Hiett & Council Leader Tim Gwilliam with the SAVE CANNOP PONDS TEAM, Simon, Katherine, Mark and Shaun at the ponds in March 2023
THE FOREST OF DEAN VERDERERS An ancient legislative body who have overseen the wellbeing of The Forest Of Dean continually since they were founded by William the Conquorer. KEEP UP TO DATE to access the public Facebook group for the latest news, information and discussion. for the YOUTUBE page with historical & contemporary videos on the Ponds and the continuing battle to save them
email us cannopponds@outlook.com updated 14-04-23 |
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The SAVE CANNOP PONDS website is operated and edited by the SAVE CANNOP PONDS TEAM in Gloucestershire, England. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not the editor.
