All the trees within the red line were rapidly felled on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November 2008 - over a hundred. Most people are amazed this is private land as it has been open to the public for years and is considered to be part of the park. The site is just outside the conservation area which many people want extended to include the whole park.
- With the tree carnage taking place over a weekend without the Council's knowledge, this appears to be the clandestine work of another property developer. No public notices were displayed about intended tree works or warning signs during the felling. The Forestry Commission can prosecute the landowner if a tree felling licence was not obtained. However, there is no real compensation for the loss of an established wood and everyone is shocked by the scale of the devastation!
- A council officer visited the site on Monday 10th November and placed an emergency Tree Preservation Order on the remaining trees. However, there aren't many left to protect and those left standing are part-felled or hacked around. There is a badger sett in the wood and the nest box erected by The Community Owl Project was torn down.
-
Click on images to enlarge
Please add your comments at the end of the photo section
