We the undersigned petition Suffolk Coastal District Council to immediately cease all forms of deforestation and destruction of existing woodland habitat at this unique site, and engage fully and constructively with the sites current users, in order to preserve this vital local amenity area as a mixture of woodland and heathland, free from restrictions for future generations. More details
Submitted by Mr Doug Parr of Sutton Heath Users Group – Deadline to sign up by: 28 May 2012 – Signatures: 236
More details from petition creator
The wooded element of Sutton Heath has been in existence for decades & has naturally evolved into a vital local amenity area, where people from all walks of life can visit & take part in a wide range of leisure activities, free from restrictions in a beautiful sheltered & safe environment. This woodland area also provides valuable habitat for owls, bats & many other forms of wildlife, complementing the wildlife & landscape of the more open areas of heath on the site. Sutton Heath Woodland equates to only 2% of the South Sandlings area & yet attracts almost 40% of total visitors to this area, with 80% of those being local people walking their dogs. SCDC have gained access to grants to restore parts of the site to more open heathland. The site is designated as Open Access Land under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000, resulting in restrictions on exercising dogs off lead between 1st March & 31st July. The grazing of livestock within newly fenced enclosures has led to further restrictions.
