Stansley Wood “Development”
I’m concerned about the new holiday homes/ residential buildings currently being constructed next to the Stansley Wood entrance gate. I assume they’ve got planning permission so a lot of the obvious disturbance issues have clearly already been overruled by now, but I am concerned that there is a path going straight from these buildings into the permit only area with no gate. If they are rented out for money, it’s likely that these will be marketed towards weekend dog walkers who won’t be in the area for long, will have little accountability and little information will be given to them in terms of access restrictions and rules. Are there any mitigations in place and has this been brought up with SSW? I don’t really see how it’s fair that anyone should have free access to the permit only zones unless they are working for SSW. Apologies if I’ve misunderstood anything, ive not seen any posts about it on here, its just very hard not to notice the chopped down trees, piles of rubble and sound of chainsaws and loud music not far from the “quiet as you approach the hide” sign, thats all!
Hi Jamie - many thanks for your comment - the redevelopment of the old buildings next to the gate has been underway for quite some time - and I guess there are times when the work is noisier / more intrusive than others. SSW are the land owners but have to have planning permission and clearance from Natural England re the SSSI. Regarding dogs at Blithfield they need to be on a lead / under control and we have had members taking theirs to WMBC hides from time to time. I will certainly check the point about access, but would suspect this will be fenced off in due course - I’m meeting SSW on the 24th and will double check then. SSW staff do request WMBC membership cards if they encounter visitors to the hides - I’ll update further after the 24th with best regards Mark