Investigation 'ongoing' after 14 acres of trees felled at industrial estate near Bridgnorth
An investigation into whether a large number of trees on green belt land near Bridgnorth were felled unlawfully is ongoing, a government department has confirmed.
The Forestry Commission said it is still looking into whether a licence was needed to clear 14 acres of land at Stanmore Industrial Estate.
In addition to a felling licence, other permissions to cut down trees are sometimes required before a landowner can undertake the work.
The Forestry Commission said it had received reports of alleged illegal felling at the site in February and would send officers to the review the area.
It confirmed the investigation was still "ongoing" and that it could not comment further at this stage.
Concerns were first raised by residents of The Hobbins, who said the woodland had acted as a buffer blocking out noise and light pollution from the industrial estate.
Residents said they were "shocked" to see the work being done, and expressed concern over the damage to wildlife.
But a spokesman for Stanmore Industrial Estate said they were not aware of any laws which had been broken and that the land was being returned for agricultural use.
They added that a buffer of trees would be replanted between the industrial estate and the residential area in the autumn.
Shropshire Council confirmed it had also been notified of the land clearance, and said it was not in relation to its ongoing local plan process.
Wildlife protection officers from West Mercia Police also attended, but said no wildlife offences had been committed.
Before anyone can cut down trees, they may need to get a felling licence from the Forestry Commission; depending on whether an exemption to the need for a licence applies.
Felling trees without the authority of a felling licence, where one was required, currently carries a penalty upon conviction in a magistrates court of £2,500, or twice the value of the timber felled.
Provisions within the Environment Bill which is currently before Parliament, will increase this penalty to an unlimited fine, set at the discretion of the court.
The Forestry Commission can also serve a restocking notice upon the individual responsible for the land where unlicensed tree felling occurred, either with or without having secured a conviction.
This notice compels the individual to restock the land with trees.
Failure to comply with this notice will result in an Enforcement Notice being issued, which, if not complied with, may result in a separate offence being committed which carries a penalty of an unlimited fine.
