THE TWO CORNERED COPSE

At the end of November last year, more planning detail from the Toads Hole developers was published on the council planning web site, including how the surrounding road networks would affect Three Cornered Copse.

Showing the dense vegetation, on the right, under threat from the proposed road widening

As we feared, the proposals are to take the edge of the corner off the North West of Three Cornered copse to accommodate a 4.3m wide pedestrian and cycleway. This would remove a strip of dense vegetation at the top of the corner of King George VI Avenue and Dyke Road Avenue. If the council decide to grant the request to donate this land free of charge, as is proposed, then this part of the Woodland Drive Conservation Area would lose a part of our valuable habitat for insects, birds and wildlife, and the copse would lose a part of one of its corners.

Only a year ago, the council declared a "Climate Emergency" in response to the International Panel on Climate Change report, and passed a motion to "strengthen local protection and enhancement of habitats", among other measures. The prospect of the same council approving a plan to do the exact opposite of this seems incongruous at the very least. There is till time to register comments on the planning site. (Link at the end of this article).

In the meantime the work goes on. The Park Rangers, assisted by the City Parks Ranger Volunteers picked a wet muddy day in December to plant 130 Stanmer-grown trees in an area at the top of the lawn. This area had been taken over by brambles and nettles, had become unusable, and was rapidly taking over the top of the grassy area. The Rangers cut back the vegetation, and the area now hosts native species of hedge whips, plus three Elm saplings which had been planted earlier.

On our last work day we also cleared the area near the coronation stone to restore the pathway that was intended to pass through the small copse of silver and copper birches. The paths are often muddy at this time of year, so a pile of woodchips was scattered across the worst parts to provide a bit of relief for walkers.

It’s a quiet time for work days, due to the winter weather, but we'll be scheduling more shortly. Until then, have a Happy New Year, from the Friends of Three Cornered Copse.

To comment on the planning :
https://planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=PINK7KDM0PA00