A VOLUNTEER group which helps to conserve Petersfield Heath is gearing up to try to stop more of it being cleared of young trees and undergrowth.

The Friends of Petersfield Heath say they weren’t consulted on a recently adopted management plan for the 97-acre beauty spot, which advises that more of the heath should be cleared.

This is so the popular open space can revert to its natural heathland state of a century ago.

Petersfield Town Council is responsible for the Heath and administers the new management plan, which was compiled by South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) experts.

In a letter which will go before the council’s grounds committee next month Richard Warton, chairman of the volunteer group The Friend of Petersfield Heath, says the planned clearance should be called off.

Mr Warton said: “Since 2008 there has been a reduction of heath woodland and woodland undergrowth of about a quarter.”

He also said that planned undergrowth clearance near Music Hill would have an adverse effect on the wildlife living there, especially bats.

He added: “We have evidence that at least five species of bat use these woods. It is an offence to harm or disturb any of the UK’s species of bat, and it is also an offence to disturb or destroy their habitat.”

Another volunteer, Melanie Oxley, said: “We are gearing up to protect more woodland from being thinned or felled.

“On the strength of the frequency of bats using the pond and nearby woodland, we expect the council would be in breach of wildlife law if the chainsaws and chippers make an appearance.”

Council spokesman Steve Field said the differing views would be aired at the grounds committee meeting, and work proposed in the management plan was scheduled to go ahead.

The Friends of Petersfield Heath and the Rotherlands Voluntary Group, which maintains land alongside the River Rother from Pulens Lane to the Petersfield Rugby Club clubhouse at Penns Place, are to discuss combining their treasurer and secretary roles.

This is due to a lack of volunteers interested in taking on the posts.