Destruction of Weavers Down - Old Thorns Neighbour (11th Jan 2015 - 17:51:13)
There's a very interesting Facebook page called Weavers Down CG and it shows exactly what is being done to the land by Old Thorns and the consequences they are facing by the forestry commission. It's worth taking a look. www.facebook.com/pages/Weavers-Down-CG
Re: Destruction of Weavers Down - JP (12th Jan 2015 - 10:36:24)
OMG. What a mess and so totally unnecessary. I was not aware they had a tree felling session as I had to stop walking my dog there due to all the barbed wire in the ground as it would make a right mess of her paws if walked on. I guess the wild life there has no choice. I suspect he is trying to make it a place you would not want to visit so he can get his golf course approval through.
Re: Destruction of Weavers Down - bdavies (12th Jan 2015 - 13:15:23)
I hope that Martin Shaw/Old Thorns gets what he/they deserve and are fined considerably for this.
...The area ‘rep’ for the Forestry Commission paid a visit and was “ .. apoplectic with rage”. His decision was that the use of a timber jack was 'inappropriate' on this site and that, even though Old Thorns had a thinning licence, in his opinion they were clear-felling. He stopped the work immediately and has requested that Old Thorns clear the site (without using heavy machinery) and plan a replanting scheme. The Forestry Commission may even impose a fine !
Anyone who is objecting to the golf course should make reference to this act of irresponsible vandalism in their comments to EHDC.
Re: Destruction of Weavers Down - steve (12th Jan 2015 - 13:39:19)
I am a little confused by this thread as I had always understood that silver birch (which appear to be most of the trees being felled) were effectively weeds and did not belong in a properly maintained heathland environment.
Re: Destruction of Weavers Down - JP (12th Jan 2015 - 14:20:15)
Steve. I do not understand why you are confused unless you have not visited the site. Only a few Silver Birch were felled but the majority being Fir Trees where Red Kites and Buzzards nested and have now all gone. I guess you are in support of Old Thorns and have your own reasons why. It is now not safe to walk there and looks like a bomb site.
Re: Destruction of Weavers Down - liz (12th Jan 2015 - 15:03:13)
I admit I haven't seen this but it sounds dreadful. Hopefully Old Thorns has lost all credibility with regard to environmental issues. They're probably banking on the view that as the damage is done anyway, might as well re-develop..... . Awful.
Re: Destruction of Weavers Down - bdavies (12th Jan 2015 - 15:59:47)
I see that there is a Forestry Commission complaint e mail address and phone number. all those that have access to and use Weavers Down for public recreational purposes can make a complaint:
fe.england@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
call 0300 067 4321
Re: Destruction of Weavers Down - JP (12th Jan 2015 - 17:33:45)
The Forestry Commission Officer dealing with this serious matter is Dave Rogers. dave.rogers@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Re: Destruction of Weavers Down - steve (12th Jan 2015 - 17:54:47)
JP are the pictures on the facebook page unrepresentative then? Pretty well all silver birch as far as I can see, as are the piles of logs alongside the track!
Re: Destruction of Weavers Down - bdavies (13th Jan 2015 - 09:03:36)
Steve, perhaps you ought to call the Forestry Commission yourself and check with them. Tell them that they haven't got a case as all that was torn up was a load of weeds.
Re: Destruction of Weavers Down - jacqui midleton (13th Jan 2015 - 12:17:07)
Hi there
It is true that on heathland birch are chopped down as "weeds" - but you have to have a license and permission to do this and this has to be under the "heathland creation" banner - ensuring habitat for night jar woodlark and the like.
In this case it appears to me that the cutting down was illegal and what's more the contractor as well as the owner were breaking the law.
I do hope the FC stop any potential development around Weaver's Down - biodiversity-wise it is an absolute gem (rarities at every turn).
Landowners have a responsibility to behave within the law - and this particular landowner obviously thinks he is above it ...
Jacqui
Re: Destruction of Weavers Down - Old Thorns Neighbour (17th Feb 2015 - 20:00:26)
The outcome of the Forestry Commission's investigation into the illegal felling of trees by Old Thorns on the proposed site of their second golf course.
The Forestry Commission investigated a case of alleged illegal tree felling at the above location in January 2015. The information collected during the investigation has now been passed to me for further consideration.
From the details provided, I am satisfied that an offence has been committed under the provisions of the Forestry Act 1967 (as amended). This is because no exemption to the Forestry Act applies to the trees or land and the volume of timber felled is such that a licence to fell the trees should have been obtained before the felling took place.
