ANGRY residents are set to fight plans to fell a further part of Gib Torr Wood.

Campaign group Forest Neighbours is to launch a petition this weekend to stop Staffordshire Wildlife Trust removing more trees as part of a restoration management programme at the site, off the Leek to Buxton Road in Quarnford.

The group is anxious the removal of the conifers, four years after an initial swathe was felled, will have a negative affect on wildlife habitats.

Roz Cullinan, from Forest Neighbours. said: "We feel they intend to fell the whole site.

"Forest Neighbours will oppose this application, because felling has devastated the bird population and put pressure on the existing wildlife.

"Further felling will completely change the landscape and the area will look like a desert. The Peak Park should be looking after the landscape as the wildlife trust is just playing with the land."

Resident Pam Sandiford added: "This would bring a huge change to the landscape of the area and would be like a world war for animals. Forest Neighbour was talking amicably to the wildlife trust and had drawn up an agreement.

"However it now seems that after a few years since the first felling the wildlife trust has gone back to its original idea to clear the site.

"Beside local residents, many people in Leek have been against the felling. It would expose the whole area, which can be seen when travelling along the Leek to Buxton Road.

"There is something wrong when a wildlife trust causes so much anger."

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust acquired Gib Torr Wood, which it has renamed Black Brook Nature Reserve, in 1996 so that it could undertake restoration management.

Under the trust's habitat restoration plan it wants to return most of the woods to open ground for the encouragement of ground-nesting birds.

The trust has applied to the Forestry Commission for funds from the English Woodland Grant scheme to cover costs to fell a further 28.5 hectares of the wood, which stands at 44 hectares in total.

Forest Neighbours was established more than four years ago to fight to keep the remaining woodland after the initial felling took place.

But the Wildlife Trust says its programme would see trees planted and the area restored to its natural moorland habitat, creating a haven for wildlife.