Plantations on ancient woodland sites PAWS

Plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) is mentioned in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) as an example of an ancient woodland but without definition. It is also listed within the Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Irreplaceable Habitat) Regulations 2024 under its schedule of irreplaceable habitats.

The Woodland Trust defines Plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) as being "ancient woods that have been felled and replanted with non-native species. Typically, these are conifers, but it can also include broadleaved planting such as non-native beech, red oak, and sweet chestnut. Although damaged, they all still have the complex soil of ancient woodland, and all are considered to contain remnants of the woodland specialist species which occurred before."

These types of woodland are often mentioned alongside ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW) as in the NPPF as being considered irreplaceable, high-biodiversity habitats of which organisation the Woodland Trust are working hard to bring back into their former glory. The Wildlife and Countryside Link give further details on PAWs thus "During the 1950s, 60s and 70s, large areas of ancient woodland were felled and replanted with non-native trees, often conifers, in response to a policy drive to become more self-sufficient in timber production. Around 40% of remaining ancient woodland is PAWs, most of which is privately owned. Defra has a new target in their Keepers of Time policy to bring the majority of these damaged and critically at-risk sites into restoration by 2030."

The Policy paper; Keepers of time: ancient and native woodland and trees policy in England published by the UK government 27 May, 2022 describes PAWS as "Ancient woodland sites that have been converted to plantations dominated by non-native tree species. These often retain some remnant features characteristic of ASNW such as ground flora along rides or pre-plantation native trees."

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