A couple of months ago, I wrote about the damage that had been caused by some moneygrabbers to a large expanse of trees in Toton, Nottinghamshire. They’d done this without any warning whatsoever, and the destruction was total. They had the weakest excuses imaginable – it would have been far easier to have admitted they wanted to build on the land and make money out of it, but they obviously were not the kind of people to do that in any way which was above board.
(I have to admit that I have a real issue with anyone who thinks that cutting down trees or shrubs is classed as ‘maintenance’. ‘Maintained’ woodland is virtually sterile, as far as natural wildlife is concerned. It’s like saying a zoo represents true wildlife.)
Well, a reader has sent me a copy of a letter which has been sent out by the Forestry Commission to the many people who complained and campaigned for reparation. It says:
TREE FELLING – TOTON SIDINGS, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
With reference to your letter expressing concern over the recent tree felling at Toton Sidings. The Forestry Commission has fully investigated this matter and has concluded that the trees were felled illegally. We will shortly be issuing a restocking notice. The details of this, in relation to tree species and planting location, are currently being worked upon.
Yours sincerely
Neil Riddle
Grants & Regulations Mananger
East Midlands Region
This is what you would call “a result”. I have also since found that it is covered by This Is Nottingham as a news story. Entertainingly, a certain political party – which isn’t currently in power – is also on the case, but it is worth pointing out that what the people who live there have achieved has absolutely nothing to do with that political party or its attempts to win votes. If it had been left to them, we’d perhaps be due for a letter to be sent to the Forestry Commission sometime before the end of the next decade – especially since their spokesperson, Anna Soubry, says:
“Toton Borough Councillor Marilyn Hegyi has met with a senior officer at Broxtowe Borough Council and it is believed the Forestry Commission will not be able to prosecute the owners as the wood as it is not big enough.”
Just goes to show what value can be had from the Conservatives, eh?. If you want something doing, don’t ask them to do it!
But back to the main topic: I wonder if the halfwits who cut the trees down will be prosecuted?