Reply to THIS thread
Start a NEW Talkback Thread
Talkback Home

trees in wood off highfield lane - dave (4th Apr 2014 - 22:50:27) it seems really bad to me to see so many trees being cut down to fire the eco boiler at brockham school in the woodland off highfield lane it has been left looking a total mess and further they want to strenthern the track throrgh the woods to get more heavy machinery into the woods to clear more trees. What do you think?

Re: trees in wood off highfield lane - Jaybee (5th Apr 2014 - 12:26:53) I'am sorry, I cannot agree. I have walked those woods regularly over the past 35 years and to my recollection this is the first time there has been any clearence. Yesterday I waked through the woods up to the cattle grid and thought what a vast improvment had been made. I am no expert but from what I could see it was only diseased spindly and dangerous trees that had been felled. I am certain that Bill Mills would not ruin the landscape just to fuel the boilers. Consider all the improvements he has made since the tenant farmers left Stanley Farm.

Re: trees in wood off highfield lane - Dawn Hoskins (5th Apr 2014 - 13:43:56) Hi Dave. For most of us living in this part of the country, trees are precious. The woodlands are what bring many to this area. However, the law of the land is exactly that – of the land. It protects the rights of landowners and gives them the right to do whatever they wish on their land. Nothing is prohibited unless expressly prohibited by law. To own a piece of land is, in theory, to own the airspace above it and the ground underneath to the centre of the earth. Landowners can therefore use this concept of ownership to do whatever they wish unless, it is expressly forbidden by law. In addition, regardless or whether a tree is blocking your light or dropping tonnes of leaves on your lawn each winter, there is not that much you can do about it. Anyone can grow a tree, however large, as long as it remains within the confines of their land and is safe. (If any damage is caused by the tree or its roots the landowner will be liable for repair costs or claims for compensation). There are some areas where the local authority has some powers. If an obstruction or danger is happening on the road or pavement, an abatement notice can be served on the landowner (or occupier of the land). They will have 14 days to fix the problem. If they don’t the council will do it and send them the bill for the costs of the work. To try to counter the power of the landowner, such as this school, to demolish woodlands and chop down every stick; there are a number of things in place to prevent total devastation! Tree Preservation Orders apply to many trees that can be seen or give amenity to the public. You have stated that these trees, and the mess created, is clearly visible from Highfield Lane - so the criteria for protection exists ‘prima facie’. TPO trees are protected and cannot be cut down (unless the 3 ‘D’s apply – dead, dangerous, dying). If the school building is ‘listed’ that can have an effect on the trees too. If the land around the school falls within the Conservation Area, they will be protected if the trunk diameters are more than 7½cm. This measurement is taken at a height of 1½ metres off the ground. The protection is not a prohibition however – it only means that the school will have to tell the authority that they plan to cut down the trees. If in a conservation area - the school must have given the Council 6 weeks notice so the work could be assessed. This should (but may not) involve a council tree officer. If the tree officer believes the work being proposed would damage trees providing valuable amenity to the area, then a Tree Preservation Order will be issued to protect the trees. When I say provide amenities I mean the benefits of the trees and the beautiful environment they provide. You do not have to be able to physically walk amongst the trees – they only have to be visible from a public place (road, footpath, bridleway etc). Also it must be felt that the loss of the trees would have a negative local impact on the environment. It would be a good idea to check to see if this land is within a conservation area. I am not sure but I think there may be an on-line mapping system to check this? In the first instance, I would suggest contacting EHDC to see if their tree officer has been to the site. This can be done on-line I think. If you think that this woodland should be protected - but is not - then you can make an application. Any tree, group of trees or woodland may be protected, subject to them meeting the criteria ie: The trees are in reasonable health and condition; are clearly visible from a public place; the loss of the trees would have a significant impact on the local environment and its enjoyment by the public. I may have given the impression that you can chop down all and sundry in your garden! However much the law favours the landowner - there are these ‘minimal’ protections in place, so it is a good idea not to breach them unless you wish to incur hefty fines. So, BEFORE you chop down your tree….. check to see if: • It is covered by a tree preservation order. Decision will at least 8 weeks in coming. • It is within a designated conservation area. Notice period of 6 weeks is needed and then permission is required after assessment. • It is on a rented property - permission from the landowner is required. • It is protected by a legal covenant - permission from the person(s) benefiting from the covenant will be required. • It is within a property, which is part of a relatively new development (up to five years), and may be covered by conditions on the original planning permission.

Re: trees in wood off highfield lane - Econ (5th Apr 2014 - 17:42:22) All this biomass energy idea was originally about utilising existing wasteful by-products. Any purpose-cultivated biomass is missing the point.

Re: trees in wood off highfield lane - Rob (5th Apr 2014 - 20:27:26) Its only eco if they re-plant the trees and they were grown for the purpose..... As an aside you would have to cover the entirety of the County of Kent in coppicing (every square inch) to produce the same amount of energy as one mid size nuclear plant!!

Re: trees in wood off highfield lane - Sarah (5th Apr 2014 - 23:32:45) Dave, Trees and woodland needs to be managed and this can sometimes mean areas are taken down... Doesn't always look pretty, but it is necessary... Not sure what the reason is where you have identified, but if it is management and being used for fuel sounds like they have a good plan. Sarah

Re: trees in wood off highfield lane - h (8th Apr 2014 - 23:00:30) Anyone cutting down trees in a large area of woodland needs a felling licence. I think it is obtained through the forestry commission. The details would be on their website. Also, permission needs to be sought in a conservation area for tree work, a proper application form has to be completed and the tree officer from Ehdc has to come and inspect the proposed trees first. Permission is not always granted, especially if it is a nice specimen of a rare tree. The officer will always check, because anyone could claim the tree was dying or dangerous. I do not think that the trees in question are in a conservation area, so they probably might only need the felling licence.

Re: trees in wood off highfield lane - Mike (9th Apr 2014 - 10:11:18) There is a requirement to avoid disturbing nesting wild birds at this time of year. Is this why it looks a bit of a mess?

Re: trees in wood off highfield lane - Steve Marston (14th Apr 2014 - 22:14:53) As a local professional forester I was instructed by Highfield and Brookham School to write a management plan to the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme Standards (UKWASS). This plan has been written to insure the sustainable long term management of the woodlands. The plan has been submitted and approved by the Forestry Commission, who manage the Forestry Act which oversees all land owners rights to cut trees. Within the plan using recognised and well tested Forestry Commission procedures, I have produced a work programme with estimates of timber (felled trees) produced for the next twenty years. All this has to be sustainable- this has been passed and a ten year felling and thinning licence issued. The timber produced from thinning, coppicing and felling is considered to be largely carbon neutral as the Co2 produced from burning it will be reabsorbed by the remaining trees on the site. So, producing woodchip to burn on site replacing fossil fuels is obviously a desirable options, as long as the sustainable yield is not exceeded. Regarding the comments on new planting- most of the work to date has either been thinning or coppicing which does not require restocking by planting. However an element of new planting within the Highfield Lane area will be carried out in the autumn of 2014. The woodland plan has identified the need to up grade the existing management access to the woodlands at Stanley Farm. This is planned to be done as sympathetically as possible. I hope this reassures people\'s concerns and I must stress the work being carried out is regulated and approved by the Forestry Commission. I am sorry for the long winded reply but quite a lot to respond to!

Reply to THIS thread
Talkback Home