Portacabin Broken Into

The portacabin has been broken into and many people fear it is now being used as a drug den. This only recently happened since the landowner moved it away from a more prominent position nearer the roadside. Where is his 'duty of care' for the woodland?
Photo : 28th November 2009

Litter At The Entrance

Plastic bags, full of empty drink bottles and beer cans are littering the entrance where the landowner has also left tree cuttings and garden waste. A large commercial pack of bottled water has also been abandoned beside the old metal railings.
Photo : 28th November 2009

Council Grant More Protection For The Wood!

Bristol City Council have taken further action by removing the Permitted Development Rights from Grove Wood. This means Mr Jafari can not undertake any developments normally granted to private landowners, such as building walls or installing temporary structures. This now enforces the level of protection the wood should have had from its conservation area status and we hope to see the temporary fencing also removed as it no longer serves any purpose. The council are also seeking to prosecute for the container not being removed by 22nd October 2009.
Photo : 7th November 2009

Portacabin Moved With A Tractor

On Friday 6th November 2009 the portacabin was shunted further into the wood with an old tractor. In the process the woodland floor was wrecked, leaving deep tyre marks in what appears another attempt to degrade the land. Although the landowner is causing more chaos, people can be reassured the campaign group is as strong as ever and that the Council are making some important decisions. Their action may appear slow at times as everything requires authorisation from their legal department.
Photo : 6th (top) and 7th (bottom) November 2009

Pruning, Strimming And Fence Clearance

Recent pruning and strimming (21st-23rd October 2009) has resulted in lower branches being removed and saplings being cut back to ground level, despite the TPO. In January 2009, the High Court clarified all trees within a woodland, irrespective of age and including saplings are protected by a Woodland Tree Preservation Order (see here). Apparently the temporary fencing has been cleared in preparation for more permanent structures, possibly walls, and access to the upper footpath will be restricted despite its current assessment as a public right of way. There is concern innocent people are being randomly hired by the landowner or his associates to try to justify the existence of a portacabin. Anyone seeking 'gardening' work should be wary of replying to online advertisements.
Photo : 23rd October (top) and 7th November (bottom) 2009

More Good News! The Portacabin Is Going

On 24th September 2009, Bristol City Council ordered the landowner to remove the monstrous eyesore of a portacabin within 28 days (22nd October 2009). The Council now seem to be taking all the necessary action to protect this woodland for the public and its wildlife. To read the complete legal notice simply click on the image.
Photo : 18th October 2009

Fencing Blocks Lower Footpath Again!

For several weeks, the landowner's fencing has restricted access and caused potential danger to those using the lower footpath (Public Right of Way No.153). This has occurred on numerous occasions since its installation on 11th July 2008 (see below) but despite the Council enforcing the tree clearance this perpetual issue has still not been resolved.
Photo : 18th September 2009

Footpath Cleared Of Fallen Trees

On Thursday 23rd July 2009 the Council cleared the lower footpath (PROW153) of all the fallen trees, making the path safer and accessible to more people.
Photo : 27th July 2009

River Frome Flows Freely Again

Although immediately reported to the Council and Environment Agency, the tree which blocked the River Frome for over a year has finally been removed by the Council on behalf the landowner.
Photo : 27th July 2009

Famous Viewpoint

Famous viewpoint showing the landscape before and after the essential tree works. After a few years of regrowth it should look pretty similar. Look how much the ivy has grown in one year.

Council Tree Works

On Wednesday 22nd July 2009 the Council enforced highway regulations by doing the much needed tree works. Now the Council have made the trees safe the landowner can no longer make any claims for their removal. Surely this is better than replanting as once land is cleared it is easier for landowners to submit planning applications. Congratulations to all those involved for saving this line of trees - campaigners, public and councillors.
Photos : 24th July 2009

High Court Defends The Grove Wood TPO

The attempt to quash the Tree Preservation Order using section 288(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 has failed. The judge dismissed the case brought by the Council's ex-tree officer as he was not "aggrieved", since he neither owns the land or lives nearby. He also had no legal right to challenge the order as he was not an eligible "objector", despite persistently opposing the Council’s democratic decision making. This means the landowner is the only person who could attempt another challenge but this would involve the Secretary of State. The High Court also recognised the magnitude of public interest.

Cardiff Administrative Court: 10.30am Friday 3rd July 2009
Co/3998/2009: Jonathan Bown v Bristol City Council
Link to full report
Evening Post article, 22nd July 2009

In a separate case the High Court clarified woodland TPOs protect all trees within a woodland, irrespective of age or size:
Link to full report
Tree Care article

Mysterious Pruning Of Blackberry Hill Trees

Nobody seems to know who did this pruning on Monday 6th July 2009. There was confusion over whether this was the Council, Highways Agency or even a member of the public.
Photo : 18th July 2009

That Fencing Is Down Again!

The temporary fencing obstructs the lower footpath again.
Photo : 18th July 2009

Essential Tree Works

Essential tree works will take place from as early as Wednesday 22nd July to enforce highway regulations and public safety. All works have been subject to public consultation. Branches and trees overhanging Blackberry Hill will be removed (see above), as well as any obstructions on the lower riverside footpath. Bristol City Council will do this on behalf of the landowner who will be charged for the work. Five day notice (09/01588/VD)

Photos : top - 18th July 2009, bottom - 3rd May 2009

Dangerous Fencing Blocks Footpath Again!

The temporary fencing obstructed the lower footpath, causing further nuisance to the public. Thankfully, the Council ordered the landowner to deal with this, presumably as a Health & Safety matter. This land clearly needs better management. You can object to this dangerous eyesore by writing to the Council using case number 09/30029/WAL.

Photo : 15th April 2009

Change Of Ownership

Ownership of the wood has been transferred to one of many companies registered at the landowner's Bristol address. The Rhino Group Ltd is described as being involved with the "general construction of buildings and civil engineering works" and "forestry and logging." Not surprisingly, there have been numerous director, secretary and company name changes. According to the ecological survey conducted by Landmark (ref: 08/EC/2013/LJR), 200 trees were originally scheduled for felling - bizarrely published within public statement No.40 at the Council meeting on 1st April 2009 (see here). As suspected, there are commercial interests in this land but the Council will ever grant planning permission to build here so any property speculation is futile.

Survey extract: "As stated earlier, the majority of the c.200 trees scheduled for felling have yet to be marked up for removal. A number of the marked trees did have suitable features for roosting bats, however, the majority of the trees within the site were not considered to have large numbers of suitable roost features. It is understood that the c.200 trees require immediate felling for health and safety purposes."

Council Make The TPO Permanent!

Great news! The Council confirmed the Woodland Tree Preservation Order (TPO 1092) on 1st April 2009. Forty nine people submitted statements to defend the TPO, versus the one statement from the landowner's agent, Mair Veritas. The landowner's only option now is to challenge the Secretary of State over this decision, which given his history is highly unlikely. Read the landowner's insidious objections and the officer's response (South and East Development Control).

Third Attempt At Fencing

How ridiculous! This is completely unacceptable in a conservation area and it certainly restricts the movement of wildlife. The upper path is in the process of being designated a public right of way so the landowner is wasting his time by blocking access. This also demonstrates he is not able to manage such an important riverside woodland. The Council has a statutory duty to protect the environment, so if they invest so much in enforcing building regulations why the lack of standards in this conservation area? You can still enjoy the majority of the woodland so you shouldn't feel put-off going there - this is what the landowner wants. If anything, visitor numbers are increasing as the persistent misuse of planning procedures has encouraged lots of publicity. The lower riverside path has been a public right of way for many years so it is perfectly legal to walk there. If you encounter any problems or see anyone damaging the trees which are protected please contact the Council and Snuff Mills Action Group.

Photo : 2nd March 2009

Protest Walk - Sunday 25th January 2009

About 150 people including local MPs and Councillors enjoyed a peaceful walk through Grove Wood. This was a legal protest against the landowner’s recent attempt to restrict public access to part of the wood. People walked different paths in order to assert their 'right to roam' land which people have done for generations. MP for Kingswood, Roger Berry said "I have been aware of this row for a long time and now it seems we should look for this land to be taken back into public ownership by the city council. This is a woodland area which has been used by local people for a long time and we want it to stay that way" (Evening Post, 25th January 2009). There is the maxim "once a highway, always a highway", whether it is used or not. In the case of Harvey v Truro RDC (1903), Mr Justice Joyce said "Mere disuse of a highway cannot deprive the public of their rights. Where there has once been a highway no length of time during which it may not have been used will preclude the public from resuming the exercise of the right to use it if and when they think proper" (Rights of Way, March 2001).
Photo : 25th January 2009

Fencing Mesh

The mesh is 4cm wide by 26 cm high, which restricts the movement of larger mammals and much wildlife.

Photo : 16th February 2009

Additional Footpath Restriction

The fencing has already been vandalised! Could this be bored teenagers or the public asserting their access to land they have enjoyed 'by right' for over twenty years.

Photo : 22nd January 2009

Second Attempt At Fencing

What a mess! This is precisely what campaigners and the public have been warning the Council about for more than a year. The land now looks more like a building site. What about that petition for a Compulsory Purchase Order which 4,500 people signed?

Photos : 22nd January 2009

Tearing Up The Bund

The landowner has pulled the large wooden logs from the bund which he created in January 2008 by illegally chopping down healthy trees. It is common knowledge that kingfishers live along this riverbank and are a protected species... or are supposed to be! The 4x4 is also obstructing the public footpath. How much damage will this maniac do before he is stopped?

Photo : 17th January 2009

Fencing Off The Wood & Footpath

There is no planning permission for any permanent structure yet this temporary fencing was going to be concreted into the ground. This stops access to a footpath which is currently being designated as a public right of way. Remember, this is a conservation area and there are aesthetics to consider as well as the free movement of wildlife, particularly smaller mammals. The landowner and his workmen are supposed to be clearing the obstructions on the footpath beside the river but are hell bent on causing havoc and intimidating local residents. If we are to expect such poor quality work by this rogue property developer then the future for Grove Wood looks very bleak.

Photo & Video : 15th January 2009

Driving On The Pavement!

Another example of the blatant disregard for a public footpath.

Photo : 15th January 2009

Fencing Foundations

People were told the temporary fencing will be cemented into the ground but was then shored up with illegally felled logs (see above).

Photo : 15th January 2009

Tree Roots Severed

The roots of several trees have been severed despite the current Tree Preservation Order being in force.

Photo : 14th January 2009