A NEW woodland could be coming to farming land in the Shropshire Hills.

Stuart Anderson MP has urged residents to have their say on plans to create a new woodland on 54 hectares of land used for farming in the Shropshire Hills. The farmland site at Picklescott near Church Stretton in South Shropshire has been acquired by Forestry England to “expand the nation’s forests”.

The land, part of which is occupied by a dairy farm, is only 2.5 miles away from Lond Mynd.

Forestry England said feedback on the “initial ideas” would help to shape “final designs.” But the consultation has only been open for a week and is due to close on August 11.

The MP has called on Forestry England to extend the consultation period by at least three weeks to ensure that as many residents as possible are given enough time to read the plans and to respond.

He said his concerns include the lack of an appropriate road system to cater for traffic, the risk of increased sheep worrying at the location, and possible damage to views of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty due to Forestry England’s commitment to ensure public access to every new woodland it creates.

Draft designs are available to view and to comment on via Forestry England’s website at https://consult.forestryengland.uk/forest-districts/picklescott-consult/. Those who are not able to do this can instead respond via email to woodland.creation@forestryengland.uk.