Fantastic news! Members of the South & East Development Control Committee voted in favour of applying a blanket Tree Preservation Order to Grove Wood today, 29th October 2008. Praise goes to those councillors and officers for making a wise and brave decision in the face of opposition from their staff. Congratulations also to the Snuff Mills Action Group and everyone directly involved with the campaign. Thanks also to all the efforts of the public who have successfully lobbied the Council and overturned poorly delegated decisions which would have otherwise gone ahead. It's been long and arduous, to say the least! There were 35 formal requests for a TPO from the public, versus the landowner's single statement which he was denied reading as this was presented under the agent's name.
The TPO puts in force better protection for the wood, its wildlife and the public amenity of trees because the conservation status was considered to not provide enough protection for this historic area. This means that even the smallest tree in the 17 acres of part ancient woodland cannot be felled without a hefty fine and a requirement to replant it. It also saves the line of mature trees running up Blackberry Hill by reversing planning application 08/02173/DC which would have removed 27 trees in addition to those destroyed in January 2008 without any permission. There are no previous cases of this in UK legislation so the campaign has also made history!
The TPO puts in force better protection for the wood, its wildlife and the public amenity of trees because the conservation status was considered to not provide enough protection for this historic area. This means that even the smallest tree in the 17 acres of part ancient woodland cannot be felled without a hefty fine and a requirement to replant it. It also saves the line of mature trees running up Blackberry Hill by reversing planning application 08/02173/DC which would have removed 27 trees in addition to those destroyed in January 2008 without any permission. There are no previous cases of this in UK legislation so the campaign has also made history!
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Council webcast:
Evening Post:
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Photo : 12th October 2008
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