5-May-2025
Dear supporters,
You might have been wondering what the Leather Lane Conservation Group (LLCG) has been doing for the past year or more; now all can be revealed! Towards the end of 2023, the Leather Lane contractor (EKFB) was replaced by Align, which started a new era of constructive engagement. Finally, HS2 accepted the evidence of bat ecology that the LLCG had provided over the previous 3 years –
2.1.12 The mature trees lining Leather Lane are the most important ecological feature in the application area. They provide connectivity across the landscape and surveys have shown these to be an important feature for foraging/commuting bats. The lane is used by a diverse assemblage of bats (at least nine species) with the rare barbastelle bat being regularly recorded.
and it became clear that a fresh start needed to be made on the design. To this end, we engaged with Align, and Bucks councillors through a series of meetings during 2024 and 2025,at which the need to preserve the bat commuting corridor was fully agreed. The LLCG also insisted that mitigation for the fragmented corridor was provided during construction and also for the oak trees, in the form of a root protection zone. The LLCG had previously campaigned for the new over-road design for Leather Lane to be a green crossing for all wildlife (an idea that had previously been rejected by HS2) and this too was taken on board by Align at the meetings. A summary of our engagement was included in the Schedule 17 application by Align –
1.1.4 Throughout the development of design, Align and HS2 have actively engaged with the stakeholder group made up of the Leather Lane Action Group, Buckinghamshire Council, Chiltern National Landscape, and several other stakeholders including local and parish councillors. We have consistently communicated that the proposals will be iterative and had a focus on maximising tree retention which includes protecting the lone Oak (Ilona), whilst providing a safe highway design and creating a sunken (Holloway) character, which complements the rest of the historic lane and protected National Landscape.
However, our attendance at these meetings was conditional upon the LLCG keeping the proposals confidential and although no agreement was signed it was clearly in our best interest to retain the trust of Align, and some influence on the design process. This necessitated our uncharacteristic silence for the past year.
The Design
The new Leather Lane crossing design
(written statement, figure 17)
The schedule 17 application for Leather Lane, with plans, has now been published so we are released from our vow of silence. The most obvious improvement is that a green bridge (or short tunnel) with a width of 25m will be constructed, with planting on the bridge to provide flight lines for bats and connectivity for all wildlife. This is the only green bridge in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty/National Landscape, and the only wildlife friendly crossing between the South Heath portal and the Wendover viaduct.
The new design will result in a lower profile for the track crossing, and as a result of our lobbying for higher and better planting for the wildlife corridor the visual impact will be much greener and better integrated into the landscape. This represents a vast improvement on the hybrid bill design for local residents.
The LLCG are satisfied that Align gave respectful consideration to the LLCG’s design proposal for the new road and bridge to be constructed on the north side of the lane. However, the new lane will still be to the south side of the existing lane, due to constraints imposed by the drainage requirements and the position of an auto-transformer on the north side of the old lane. As a result of committed work by the Align design team, and lobbying by LLCG, only two more category A oaks were lost as a result, although some others will be pollarded to ensure their survival. On this occasion the LLCG are satisfied that Align have, on behalf of HS2, adhered to the mitigation hierarchy principles set out in the Environmental Statement.
The oaks were planted by Arthur Lazenby, the founder of Liberty’s store. Fourteen were felled in 2021, at the track trace and the haul road, and following the felling of two more in 2025, in total 16 oak trees have been lost. As the hybrid bill design would have caused the loss of 100 trees, mostly oaks, this is another major improvement, and the LLCG has been given the wood from the last two oaks felled, for use by the local community.
The LLCG and the local community are delighted that their hard work campaigning to save ‘Ilona’, the lone hedgerow oak near Hammonds Hall Farm, was a success. Thanks to some modification to the position of sound barriers Ilona and her ancient hedgerow will remain. We were pleased that our registration of Ilona on the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory was recognised by Align –
2.1.13 Finally, there is a solitary oak tree (named Ilona and hereafter referred to as the Lone Oak) located 120m south of the site near Hammonds Hall Farm. It is listed on the Ancient Tree Inventory as a notable tree by the Woodland Trust. A notable tree is described as mature tree which may stand out in the local environment because they are large in comparison with other trees around them. The Ancient Tree Inventory aims to map the oldest and most import trees in the UK.
The LLCG would like to place on record our appreciation of the work of the Align team, in mitigating the effects of construction on the lane.
The Bats
Significant bat activity was recorded during our bat walks in 2024, including barbastelle, and we will continue to monitor the situation this year. At the request of the LLCG and acknowledging the importance of maintaining connectivity during the ‘bat season’, the Align ecology team have provided temporary mitigation across the track trace during construction The ‘brash’ (dead branches) which spanned the gap at the trace has been removed (to prevent birds nesting) and replaced by fencing covered with netting. There is little information available on creating a temporary flight path, and we hope to make some assessment of the effectiveness of this arrangement.
Future Plans
As well as engaging with Align and HS2, the LLCG has now registered as a charity (number 1212850). One of our objectives is to establish a conservation area, particularly for bats, encompassing the new and old lanes, and the remaining trees, to ensure that the wildlife crossing continues to function effectively. This is a major undertaking for a small group, and will need additional trustees, and finance. Ownership and maintenance of the site are just two issues to be resolved
The conservation area might include the gap between the new and old lanes, which would contain many of the oaks, and the dark green areas to the SW of the line. The “Copse” (an old chalk pit) beside the old lane might also become available, although it is outside the HS2 act limits.The future of this area is a test case for the treatment of similar sites which are no longer suitable for the original agricultural purposes, but will need long term management.
We would like to thank all of you for your past support, without which we could not have persuaded HS2 of the importance of the Lane and its bats. We hope this will continue, while we ensure these gains are protected once construction is completed.