CONTENTIOUS plans to build 23 homes in Highcliffe have been called in after concerns were raised they could be replacing “unmapped ancient woodland”.

More than 100 people have objected to the Jesmond Avenue planning application submitted by Brentland Ltd, opposing the “cramped” development.

And now the Woodland Trust has called for the land to be assessed to see whether it is “irreplaceable” ancient woodland before any redevelopment is approved.

The developer withdrew a 54-home scheme for the site last year before lodging its latest 23-home outline version with BCP Council in November.

It said the homes “would make more efficient use of urban land”.

But the application has already attracted more than 100 letters of objection, saying it would “destroy” the green corridor between the older and newer parts of Highcliffe.

And now the Woodland Trust has raised concerns the land could be undocumented ancient woodland, which would require greater protection under planning rules.

“The ecology report supporting the application indicates that this site could be unmapped ancient woodland,” it said.

“Ancient woodland, continuously wooded since at least 1600, is irreplaceable. It is our richest wildlife habitat, having developed over centuries, and contains a high proportion of rare and threatened species, many of which are dependent on the particular conditions that this habitat affords.”

The wood dates back to at least 1888 when it was identified in Ordnance Survey maps.

With ancient woodland covering just 2.4 per cent of the country, it is given extra protection in planning policy with the national planning framework updated in 2018 to discourage developmenty that would "result in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats".

Should the land be classified as such it would require “wholly exceptional” circumstances to be redeveloped and “suitable” compensation would also have to be provided by the developer.

The Woodland Trust has called for an assessment of the wood to be carried out before any development is allowed.

And, as a result of the charity's concerns, Highcliffe and Walkford ward councillor Nick Geary has called in the application.

This will mean the council’s planning committee will have to make the final decision on it.