Parish News - Bishops Lydeard Parish

Ash Dieback is having a significant impact on the trees and woodlands of the UK. The disease is highly destructive of the native common ash tree and was first reported in the wider environment in 2012. Since that time, it has spread and is now present in most of the UK.

On the Quantock Hills ash trees in the wider environment were first identified with symptoms of ash dieback in 2017 but the rate of infection and decline in tree health was very limited. However during regular inspections this spring and summer Rangers from the Quantock Hills AONB Service noticed significant ash dieback in the trees along side the road at Cothelstone Hill.

Following Forestry Commission advice, the AONB Service will be looking to fell the infected trees that are near the roadside due to the increased risk of those trees falling or dropping into the road and causing harm to road users. Due to the complexity of felling large trees on the roadside this will require the road to be closed for approximately 3 weeks this autumn.

Iain Porter, Development Officer, said “This is a concerning time for woodland managers and the prevalence and pace of ash dieback has been unprecedented. While it is disappointing to have to fell these trees it does give us the opportunity to plant a different mix of native trees to increase the resilience in our woodlands. The works have been planned to reduce the disruption to road users and visitors to Cothelstone Hill however due to the complexities of felling large trees on the roadside it will mean the road has to be closed for a period.”

Ash is one of the UKs most useful and versatile native tree species, providing valuable habitat for a wide range of dependant species. It can grow in a variety of soils and climate conditions and due to its ‘airy’ leaves and foliage allows light to penetrate to the woodland floor, encouraging ground plants and animals. Experience indicates that ash dieback can kill young and coppiced ash trees quite quickly. However, older trees can resist it for some time until prolonged exposure, or another pest or disease, attacking them in their weakened state eventually kills them.

Members of the public can help minimise the spread of ash dieback and other diseases by brushing soil, mud, twigs, leaves off their footwear and wheels before leaving a woodland site. They can also park on hard surfaces, such as tarmac, concreate or gravel, rather than soil and grass surfaces.

A planning application is being prepared for submission to Somerset West and Taunton Council for a mixed-use development at land off Taunton Road.

The scheme proposes to relocate the existing Co-op convenience store to a purpose built building benefiting from a larger sales area, 17 parking spaces and a dedicated delivery yard. In addition 9 dwellings are proposed (8 x 3 bedroom and 1 x 4 bedroom).

An online consultation event has been launched to gather the local communities feedback on the proposal.

Information boards about the scheme are available here:

Bishops Lydeard – Pull up banner 1

Bishops Lydeard – 2

Bishops Lydeard – 3. Our proposal a mixed use development

Bishops Lydeard – 4. Scheme benefits

The final information board (4. Scheme Benefits) includes a link to submit your comments on the proposal. Please do so by 10th August 2020.

If you have any queries, please contact the Clerk (clerk@bishopslydeard.org)