NATURAL England has confirmed it has scaled back its plans to fell hundreds of trees on Duddon Mosses this winter, following a public outcry about the plans last year.
Plans to fell trees and rewet the peatlands remain in place, however, and the future of a popular wooden "boardwalk" across the moss remains far from certain.
County Councillor Matt Brereton, the local member for High Furness division, said: "Following a single public meeting last year, which more than 80 people attended, many expressed concern that the consultation had been flawed and that the plans to fell nearly all the trees on the ancient peat moss lands were far too drastic, and should be halted to allow for proper discussions with local people.
"People were worried that wildlife species - including some of the UK's most endangered, such as natterjack toads, red squirrel, hazel dormice and marsh tits - would be affected by a drastic destruction in habitat.
“Concerns were also raised about knock-on effects such as flooding of surrounding land, and possibly the destruction of the entire bog, if the plan to raise the water table and rewet the mosses was not managed carefully over a more measured timeframe.
"I am pleased to say that such was the strength of feeling about the planned tree felling, that Natural England did commit to scaling back its plans this winter and said it would consult more fully with residents about the scale and scope of future felling plans.
"While it is clear that no wide-scale felling has happened this year, some tree felling and tidying up post winter storms including Arwen has taken place at White Moss and Heathwaite Moss, both lying to the north of the A595 at Wreaks Causeway towards Woodland, and local people have raised concerns about how many trees are being cut down and what the effects on local wildlife might be.”
In its response to Mr Brereton's communication, Chris Kaighin, Deputy Area Manager, Cumbria Area Team at Natural England, said: "We are aware that our neighbours might have individual concerns over these works and phasing our plans in this way gives us the opportunity for further community engagement in advance of the works on the southern mosses.
“The current NNR management plan expires at the end of March 2024 so we will be reviewing and updating that in 2023. The boardwalks are near the end of their life and there will an opportunity to consult over their replacement and hear ideas about any changes that local residents and visitors would like to see.
"Natural England is happy to inform people of our plans and hear their views and how they want to be involved. However, we may also be limited in how much we can accommodate individual wishes, because it is Natural England’s statutory duty to have regard to conserving and enhancing biodiversity, including the restoration of habitats."
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