Burnham Beeches has been maned as a ‘designated special area of conservation’, by Buckinghamshire Council, as they aim to protect the ancient woodland.

This comes after the council adopted strict building protocols near the boundary of the woodland following a consultation with residents in the summer.

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The building protocols that have implemented mean:

There will be a presumption against building any additional homes within 500 metres of the boundary of the Beeches to prevent harm from additional trampling and pollution on plant life by people and dogs.

Any additional homes built over 500 metres and up to 5.6 kilometres (3.5 miles) from the boundary of the Beeches will need to contribute financially to education, monitoring and survey projects.

These projects will be designed to help reduce any likely harm to the Beeches and are set out in the supplementary planning document.

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Warren Whyte, cabinet member for planning & enforcement for Buckinghamshire Council said: “This new strategy provides an open and transparent system of mitigation to protect and enhance the very special qualities of Burnham Beeches, and will ensure that any new development within the 5.6km will contribute to their future protection."

The woodland dates from the Iron Age with the beeches and oaks being hundreds of years old.