The Forestry Commission will investigate the felling of an estimated 70 mature oak trees in an area of a caravan park in Cranmore after residents raised their concerns.
Residents close to Silver Glades Caravan Park claim that the oaks, along with other trees which are thought to be home to dormice, bats and squirrels, have been ‘axed’ by contractors over the past week.
The area, which is classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is 3 acres in size, with around 1.5 acres of woodland said to be affected.
Complainants contacted the Isle of Wight Council’s Tree Officer when they noticed the work begin on Saturday, with extra concerns that the work has taken place during the breeding season for Red Squirrels and birds.
It’s understood that Hampshire Constabulary was contacted about the works and that the Forestry Commission is investigating the incident.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said:
“We can confirm the trees are within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), on private land and do not benefit from Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) or conservation area protection.
“It is not known who did the work, however depending on the amount of wood removed they may have had to apply for a felling licence from Forestry England.
Article continues below this advertisement “Given the age of the trees it is also probable they housed protected habitats such as birds, bats and potentially squirrels which may have been disturbed.
“Such disturbance could be contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
“Neither of these are within the Isle of Wight Council’s jurisdiction and it understands that the Island’s Forestry Commission officer and the police wildlife and countryside liaison officer have been notified of the situation.”
There needs to prosecutions. Destroying trees and wild life habitat in the breeding season is disgusting. No permission should be given for development of this land EVER!
There’s a surprise, there council won’t even aid the investigation, maybe a councillors little sideline of a business, get some nice wood, then use it privately in a development…. I smell a rat.
Need to follow Poole`s example regarding Sandbanks and surrounds, tree preservation on all trees. At least that way, with resultant massive fines, many wont chance it.
Humans are the plague
Yep, I couldn’t agree more,look at the Amazon, Australia’n open mines, Chinese industry, pollution, old people who refuse to die etc,shark fin soup, turtle stew, bat soup,dog kabab,big game trophy hunting etc etc, humans are the earth’s vermin, It is no wonder that nature is starting to fight back, covid this time, what’s next I wonder?
I totally agree, M c hammer. More people need to wake up & ‘step outside the box’! A few more years & the human race will have completely over populated the Planet!!!
Bloody council passing the buck again and just why didn’t the trees have tpo’s it’s ancient woodland isn’t it and why anyone would give them permission during breeding season is beyond me
Watch out for more caravans !!!!
New owner’s obviously not interested in preserving our wildlife or the area of outstanding natural beauty …..
Trouble is now they have cleared it will they get the go ahead for more caravans????
Watch this space .
Personally I feel they should be made to replant trees …..
But at the end of the day money talks!!!!!
Too many top councillors have much money invested into private businesses and are thus tempted to allow what suits them or their family or friends fiscally.
Trust no one.
Greed ruins and runs this Island. I KNOW
So sad. The damage is done, no fines can replace 100 year old oak a
…However in some instances this is neither practical nor possible. As contractors it is our responsibility to ensure that work to trees and vegetation carried out within this period avoids any impact on nesting birds. This would be an infringement of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and in breach of The European Habitats Directive 1992/Nesting Birds Directive.
During this season it should be assumed that nesting birds will be present and therefore it is the duty of the client and contractor to prove otherwise.
Same happened here in Stockport
Stockport? Wtf , it was you lot that invented the industrial revolution, stones and glass houses etc,!!! I’m surprised that you have any tree’s left!!!? X
… Although the majority of the responsibility lies with the contractor it is important that as a client you are sympathetic to the laws behind disturbing nesting birds. This may result in work being postponed until all nesting birds have gone. It is also a common misconception that certain bird species are not protected under these laws. In fact all wild bird species are protected, as are any eggs and it is an offence to remove them from an unoccupied nest. The maximum penalty for each offence is a £5000 fine and up to six months imprisonment in the Magistrates court, and a £5000 fine and up to two years imprisonment in the Crown Court.
Islanders are happy to allow outsiders in when they come bearing cash!!
Same as Cornwall….whining about no more 2nd home owners earlier this week….don’t sell them then!!!!!!
You can’t cash in then whine afterwards…the island…like Cornwall and Devon will be under siege this year…watch the cash flow!!!!!
You get what you deserve…..iow council should be ashamed of themselves….but guess what…. they’ll be voted straight back in….
I Give you article 1…
The floating bridge…
I rest my case!!!
The only reason this council will get back in is because there is no one else to vote for as they are all rubbish, full of self importance and egotistical. 2nd homeowners should be limited as most of them stay here for 1 or 2 weeks of the year and don’t really give a stuff about the properties they buy here as it’s only for a jolly, they may rent them out ( even when there not supposed to ) If only most of them were a little more polite and considerate about coming here, but I’m afraid most are not….. self importance and ignorance are order of the day.
This made me so sad, it’s was a place rich in wildlife. How can this happen at a time when we are supposed to be helping nature.
This is a crime against wildlife and the environment they need to be prosecuted. Absolutely disgusting that a greedy developer can destroy so much just to line his own pockets. We must all watch out for this happening and protect our beautiful Island. Report them.
Surely the trees need to be replaced with what was chopped down. Set a president or every Tom, dick and Harry will be chopping down Woodland at the weekend. Iam sure the area doesn’t need an enlarged holiday camp ruining an AONB. Very Sad 🙁
As they have done this – the punishment should be that the land is forefeited to the forestry commission who will oversee the planting of new trees, paid for the by former landowner and then managed on behalf of the island in perpetuity