Leather Lane trees

The ‘Save Leather Lane Oaks’ Campaign urgently needs to raise funds

While we normally restrict ourselves to Prestwood news, this one is of interest because of the impact of HS2.  We have had this note from the “Save Leather Lane Oaks” group.

The ‘Save Leather Lane Oaks’ Campaign urgently needs to raise funds to pay for an experienced independent engineer, who has drawn up designs for an alternative over-road/bridge for Leather Lane in order to avoid the destruction of this ancient holloway by HS2.

To date, our campaign has managed to stop the needless felling of 88% of the veteran oak trees along the southern bank of Leather Lane in Great Missenden. We have the UK’s top bat experts on board as well as local environmental groups and NGOs, including the Woodland Trust. We have also raised funds to pay for ecological surveys which have confirmed the oaks as a highly active and crucial bat corridor for up to 7 species of bat including the endangered Barbastelle bat. You can see our letter to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) here.

The campaign is at a critical point. Over the past year we have engaged with all relevant parties from local residents, interest groups, parish and county councillors as well as HS2’s subcontractor EKFB to come up with a solution that will benefit all. We have put forward our proposal to HS2 to realign the new road to the North of Leather Lane (called Option 7). This means no further felling of any trees and saving this important wildlife corridor.  

Funds are urgently needed to continue this important work. You can donate to our Crowdfunder, or directly through BACS Transfer or Cheque – Account Name: Leather Lane Crowdfunding, Sort-code: 30-96-38; Account No: 11509663.

Save Leather Lane Oaks now have the chance to save the remaining oaks and the wildlife that relies on them. Please donate what you can.

 There are other ways you can help and support too.

• Are you able to volunteer to help with canvassing in our local area? We will team you up with an experienced canvasser and provide you with all the information you need.
• Or perhaps you can help with holding a stall to distribute their leaflets to help raise awareness? 

• If you can assist in any way or have ideas for fundraising, please drop us an email on saveleatherlaneoaks@gmail.com. Any help will be most gratefully received, no matter how small.

• You can also share our local petition with your friends and family local to the area which will be directly submitted to HS2, EKFB as well as Parish and Local Councillors who represent the residents.  

• You can sign up to our mailing list here.

Thank you.