HOMES could be flooded as a result of plans by English Nature to cut down an area of woodland, New Forest residents have warned.

People living in Sandy Down, Boldre, say the 16-acre patch of pine and birch in the heart of their village is vital to keep them high and dry.

English Nature says the copse was heathland 40 years ago, and wants to return it to that state.

But resident David Frost said: "The trees act like wicks - they soak up the water in the ground. We are worried if most of the trees are taken out, the houses in Lower Sandy Down will flood, like they used to years ago."

And Angela Giddens - who has lived in Lower Sandy Down for 35 years - said: "Years ago, I can remember cascades of water coming over our doorsteps. The water table here is very delicately balanced.

"They are talking about leaving a fringe of trees as a screen, but they are very leggy round the edge - nothing to stop the north wind blowing down on us," she said.

And neighbour Tim Godden said: "This has not been thought through. It is nonsense for English Nature to spend thousands of pounds clearing this site.

"It will revert to a copse again within two decades unless more money is spent to kill the bracken and dig out the ditches. Who will pay for it"

Russell Wright, spokesman for English Nature, said: "We are not looking to create a flooding problem.

"We will evaluate the situation to make sure it doesn't happen.

"Ideally, we would like the site to be maintained by grazing, but that is up to the owner, we can't force it."

He said the Sandy Down copse was a candidate for classification as a Special Area of Conservation - one of Europe's most significant habitats - once it is restored as a heath.

"Heathland is incredibly important because there is not much of it in Europe as a whole. We must restore what we've lost here," said Mr Wright.

The Sandy Down copse is mostly part of the Morant Estate. A small section is owned by Lyndhurst resident Tim Eyres, who has said he is unhappy with the scheme.

Boldre Parish Council has decided to make no comment on English Nature's plans. Deadline for letters of objection is Monday.

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