Ancient woodland campaigners fear a drive to build more houses could put some of England's oldest habitats under increasing pressure, despite government protections designed to prevent their loss. The protected areas can only be built on or near in wholly exceptional circumstances, according to planning policy. But the Labour government's pledge to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of 2029 and the recent creation of the grey belt - areas of poorer quality open spaces that can be built on - are leaving ancient woodlands at threat, campaigners say. A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said ancient woodlands continued to benefit from very clear and strong protections. But the BBC has found dozens of individual sites which feature planned developments immediately next to the woods.