This is the response we received from Newcastle City Council's assistant director of planning, updating us on the investigation into tree felling in Woolsington Woods. ________________________________________________________________ Re: Tree works at Woolsington Hall Estate I refer to your e mail to Pat Richie, Chief Executive dated 25 November 2016 and correspondence from Catherine McKinnell MP dated 2 December 2016, regarding tree works at Woolsington Woods. The Chief Executive has asked me to respond on her behalf. In responding to this case, please note that the Council is following guidance recently issued under the National Planning Policy Framework on Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) and trees in conservation areas dated 6 March 2014. The Council’s Enforcement Plan (April 2015) sets out that we will endeavour to contact the complainant within 20 working days from the date when the complaint was received to inform you whether there is a breach of planning control and if so how we intend to pursue the matter. If the Council decide to take, or not to take enforcement action, we will endeavour to contact the complainant within 10 working days of that decision and the reason will be explained. Following receipt of your complaint the Council contacted Cameron Hall Developments about the alleged works. The response was that the work was carried out as several trees had blown over in recent high winds. They confirmed that following a call from a resident of Woolsington Village, they undertook emergency action on Wednesday 23rd November to make safe a tree that had blown down onto the wall and was hanging dangerously over the public footpath near to the bus stop. A site visit was carried out on 29 November 2016, to investigate the alleged unauthorised felling in an area known as South Plantation which is subject to a Woodland Tree Preservation Order. The Officers found several trees within this area which have been either recently felled or worked upon. During the visit it was noted it was possible to see where the entire trunk of the tree, which had been felled, was rotten, there was no recent growth and the trees were dead. In other cases the trees were close to the footpaths it was observed that the roots had become waterlogged and there was a danger that the trees would fall onto the track or footpaths running through the wood. From the site inspection and evidence gathered it is clear that the trees in question were dead, or were in poor health and structural condition affecting the roots and lower trunk where they had been growing within bodies of water, or were felled due to their growing condition and form e.g. former coppicing which had created conditions within the tree that caused it to be potentially hazardous. In view of the above investigation, and because the Council have prior knowledge of the state and health of the trees in this woodland, it is clear that the tree works were undertaken as part of the management of this woodland and in the interest of public safety. As the development has not yet commenced it is not considered that the matter is a breach of conditions attached to planning permission 2014/1925/01/DET. The council have written to Cameron Hall Developments, who own the site, to remind them that due to there being a Woodland TPO in this area that in cases where there is a need to carry out emergency tree work in the interest of public safety, they notify the Council in advance. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further clarification on the matter. I can also confirm that I have forwarded a copy of this response to Catherine McKinnell MP for information. Yours sincerely Kath Lawless Assistant Director Planning