Cheltenham Borough Councillors have made the decision to fell 'around 25% of Trees' in Benhall Woods in Cheltenham. This may be greater than 25%! To 'open up the canopy'. Please read and sign our petition. 

This is not routine maintenance and will have a great impact on the ecology of these woods and the animals that use the Woods as well as spoiling the Beauty of these Woods.

The Heavy usage of these Woods will mean that if 25% or more is felled. Then these trees will just be lost needlessly and the Beauty of this Wood ruined for ever.

We believe that to impose some idealised view of what a wood should be will ruin its natural beauty!

The argument to 'open up the canopy' is nonsense, because of the heavy usage there will be no new growth. It is a Wood and it is already losing a number of Trees each year! 

The argument that the Wood is man planted and that all trees are of the same age, will not be benefitted by felling younger trees already marked for felling or in losing so many Trees.

There would need to be investment in replanting and protecting young trees to give longevity for this argument to be valid, but this has not been planned, only a substantial felling. 

The Woods are already under pressure from so many visitors and Children who use the Woods as a Cycle Track and push over younger trees and dig up the paths for jumps. The Cycle Track has existed for decades and everyone enjoys these woods in different ways. The Wood is already under great pressure. I have seen many Woods that are more closely populated which survive without such action.

Munch Jack Deer also use these woods and damage the bark of trees which infest with woodworm and then die.   

There are many nesting species including Woodpeckers that will be disturbed.

The whole project is a waste of public funds. We believe that Benhall Wood is just holding its own and should be left to naturally select with only minimal intrusion and maintenance which is the way that it was managed until now.

You have a chance to have your say and sign our petition.   Thank you.