A group of wood owners and residents in Leaden Roding are urging Uttlesford District Council to protect ancient woodland at Buckwell Wood.

Leaden Roding Woodland Appreciation Society noticed new building works at the wood, which was recently sold by Woods4Sale and now appears to be operating as a commercial logging business.

Campaigners reported the works to the council's planning enforcement department, believing them to be unlawful.

A number of trees which obstructed the works have been cut down, but campaigners believe the majority of the wood worked on at the site is brought from distant sources, and may cause damage to Buckwell Wood's Ancient English Woodland status through contamination.

In a letter to the council, the group said: "The new visual landscape at Buckwell Woods, some of which is capable of providing overnight shelter, has massively impacted the area.

"Whether they are too scared to admit it or not, all users/visitors of the woods - animal, plant and human populations alike, have been disturbed."

The wood - which dates back to at least 1600 - features a range of trees including oaks, ash, hornbeams, willows and the occasional elm, and is home to wildlife such as muntjac, roe and fallow deer, wood mice, badgers, foxes and hares.

A spokesperson for the society said: "The use of large vehicles and machinery in combination with a woodland flooring poses risks of accidents and fires.

"It is critical that any company has the knowledge and experience to proceed with safety and care in mind.

"Lack of consulting on the behalf of Woods4Sale and Buckland Wood has dented trust and devalued the natural environment condition. In turn this has severely diminished the surrounding plots of land, in an area that used to be described as tranquil.

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"If more ancient woods carry on like this we will not have any ancient woodland left in a few decades.

"This development is a major threat to all and everything in its vicinity."

A spokesperson for Uttlesford District Council said: "The matter has been drawn to the attention of our Planning Enforcement Team which is investigating."

Woods4Sale has been contacted for comment.