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International Nature Reserve in Surrey Being Destroyed
13 November 1995
An outstanding area for wildlife proposed by the British Government for special protection under the European Union's habitats directive' is being destroyed by a landowner in Surrey. Juniperhill Wood, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) near Dorking, is owned by the Japanese company Nippon Sangyo and is being wrecked by heavy earth moving equipment. The damage started about 2 weeks ago and, despite the site's protected' status, damage is continuing. It appears that the site owner is converting the reserve into a landscaped park.
The site has been proposed for protection under international conservation laws because of its yew and box woods. The British Government has described the Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment area (in which Juniperhill Wood is located) as "the only outstanding locality [for natural box scrub] in the United Kingdom". The site is also home to a variety of rare animals and plants including the silver-studded blue butterfly, bee orchid and cut-leaved germander. Breeding birds include the hawfinch, sparrowhawk and nightingale.
English Nature, the Government's wildlife watchdog, has been alerted about the damage by Friends of the Earth but has so far failed to stop works.
Friends of the Earth campaigner Tony Juniper, said:
"The Government needs to introduce stronger laws to protect our best wildlife sites and have the guts to enforce them. In the meantime, English Nature's solicitors should try to get an injunction to stop work on this important site before any more damage is done."
David Crawford of Mole Valley Friends of the Earth said:
"Local people are appalled at the damage which has been wrought on Juniperhill. They cannot understand how this sort of thing can happen to such an important wildlife area. English Nature must bring the full weight of the law to stop this destruction"
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
