Owners of a West Wight caravan park will face legal action over the unlicensed cutting down of trees in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, nearly two years ago.
Mature oak trees were felled at the Silver Glades Caravan Park, on Solent Road, Cranmore, in April 2021, which residents branded a ‘decimation’.
It is thought around 70 large trees were felled over a two-day period at the caravan park.
Spink: Sends a clear message
Local councillor, Peter Spink, said while a decision to prosecute has only just been made, it sends a clear message that action will be taken against those who ‘decimated’ nature and the beauty of our Island.
Residents said the trees were home to red squirrels, dormice, bats and birds and an area of woodland was ‘flattened’, showing there was ‘no care for the environment’.
TPO on rest of the site
Following the ‘decimation’, residents successfully got the Isle of Wight council to enforce a Tree Preservation Order on the rest of the site.
It stopped any further destruction without permission, on the grounds the trees were at risk from development pressures and inappropriate work.
Case passed to the CPS
The matter was then investigated by the Forestry Commission and was referred to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The government body, DEFRA has now confirmed the case has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, which has decided to commence legal proceedings.
DEFRA was unable to comment further as it is still an ongoing incident.
Crime carries an unlimited penalty
Cutting down trees without a felling licence, where one is required, currently carries an unlimited penalty if convicted at the Magistrates Court.
The penalty could be increased to an unlimited fine if the court wishes.
Spink: In the fullness of time the felling will be reversed
Cllr Spink said the courts also have the power to impose a replanting order.
He said,
“It will take many years for the woodland to be restored to its former glory, but at least the felling will in the fullness of time be reversed.”
Previous attempts have been made to contact the owner of Silver Glades Caravan Park.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © Spence Willard
