Titnore Woods Protest Camp

The tree top protest camp has been set up since May to protect the unique ancient woodland, currently under threat by plans to build 875 houses, with damaging associated road widening. It has strong local support but with winter fast approaching it needs all the help it can get. An appeal has been put out for funds, rope and building materials, warm clothes, boots, and food. If you can get to the camp to offer support or supplies, directions are below.

The proposed development would plough through rare ancient semi-natural woodland that has been there since the last ice age. It has been designated a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) and is completely irreplaceable. Several hundred trees would have to be felled, many over 150 years old and comprising oak, ash birch and willow. The woods are home to many protected species of wildlife, including bats, crested newts, dormice, slow-worms etc.

These trees are part of one of the last remaining areas of ancient woodland on the coastal plan and ironically the developers accept that the ancient woodland is of great conservation importance as it is known to support a considerable variety of bird species - long tailed tit, blackcap, treecreeper, willow warbler and chiffchaff.

The camp is in woods just north of "Somerset Lake", a fishing lake east of Titnore Lane. Easiest access is from Fulbeck Avenue, off Titnore Way. Take the path at the far east of Fulbeck Avenue, then turn left until there is a large gap in the hedgerow on the left, opposite a cleared square of ground on the right, and cross right over to the far side of the field, keeping the clump of trees to your left.

It can also be reached via the car park at Tesco's in Durrington, which is served by no 3 and 4 buses from Worthing central railway station. Basically head straight on from the entrance to the fields at the back end of the supermarket car park, reaching the gap in the hedgerow mentioned above.

Nearest railway station is Goring by Sea on the main South Coast line with direct trains from Brighton, Portsmouth and London.

There is a camp phone - 0780 4245324.

Send a message of support: infoatprotectourwoodland.co.uk

Keep up to date with what's going on at the camp with the excellent Porkbolter website. and download a short movie of the camp from Schnews. Protect Our Woodland has full details of the ancient woodland and the campaign to save it. Camp website: http://www.freewebs.com/titnore/