High Court injunction to stop illegal tree felling obtained by National Park Authority
PUBLISHED ON: 18 JANUARY 2021The New Forest National Park Authority has successfully obtained a High Court injunction to prevent further damage to an area of protected woodland in the National Park.
The injunction was sought after 12 oak trees were illegally felled on land south of the A336 at Bartley, which is in a protected conservation area.
The site, between the junctions with Eadens Lane and Tatchbury Lane, has a long-standing tree preservation order (TPO) and is classified as a priority habitat of broadleaved deciduous woodland. Badgers, hedgehogs, at least six types of bat, and more than 25 protected bird species are found in the area.
The unauthorised tree felling took place in early December, leaving large fractures and splits in the remaining tree trunks. Several other oaks had been marked with an ‘X’, suggesting that they were also going to be chopped down.
It appears likely that the trees were felled to provide access to adjoining land within ‘Terry’s Patch’, which includes a larger open field. The NPA recently raised concerns about this land being divided into separate plots with different ownership, issuing an immediate Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights to put up fencing. This Direction, which has not yet been confirmed by the NPA’s Planning Committee, was intended to ensure the boundaries between plots were sympathetic to this important New Forest conservation area by requiring express planning consent for fencing.
Signage on site about the Article 4 Direction was removed three times, each time being replaced by the NPA. Building materials and equipment were also brought onto the woodland.
Leo Randall, Chairman of the New Forest National Park’s Planning Committee, said: ‘The special landscape of the National Park has the highest level of protection, and this High Court injunction illustrates that, where appropriate, we will take decisive measures in respect of any threats to the landscape.
‘Our broadleaved habitats have been identified as being the most threatened, requiring urgent conservation measures under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
‘The developers in this case ignored or were unaware of the Tree Preservation Order in place. Unless restrained by an injunction order they could well have caused further significant irreversible environmental damage to the New Forest.’
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Notes to photo editors:
Photos of the felled trees are available via the links below
Notes to editors:
A tree preservation order prohibits any person whether acting alone or under the direction of another, from cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilfully damaging or destroying any specified tree, group of trees or in a woodland.
About the New Forest National Park Authority
Protect – Enjoy – Prosper
The New Forest National Park Authority’s statutory purposes are to:
-Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park – Protect.
-Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.
We also have a duty to:
Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.
The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005. Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.
Visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk to find out more.
Maria Court, Communications Officer
New Forest National Park Authority
Tel: 01590 646650
Email: maria.court@newforestnpa.gov.uk
Attachments
- Trees felled within a conservation area at Bartley1.jpg Trees felled within a conservation area at Bartley1.jpg
- Trees felled within a conservation area at Bartley2.jpg Trees felled within a conservation area at Bartley2.jpg
- Trees felled within a conservation area at Bartley3.jpg Trees felled within a conservation area at Bartley3.jpg
