Tree damage at Freemans Wood - May 2020

On the 24th April, members of the local community were shocked to see bulldozers ripping out trees and shrubs on the boundary between Freeman’s Wood and the part of the industrial estate owned by Hurstwood Holdings. Freeman’s Wood is now protected from development as it has been awarded Town Green status following years of campaigning by Friends of Freeman’s Wood and local residents.

Mandy Bannon, Councillor for Marsh ward, said:

“I was shocked to find out about the tree destruction and contacted City Council Planning Officers straight away. They asked the developers to cease work, but the clearance continued despite this. A track has now been created along the boundary, and the removal of trees is clear to see. It’s heart-breaking - especially when the local community has worked so hard to protect this woodland as a natural green space.”

Jon Barry (who led led the campaign to secure Freeman’s Woods Town Green status) said “The destruction of dozens of trees and shrubs on the Freeman’s Wood boundary is mindless vandalism. It looks like the clearance work has affected trees which were covered by tree preservation orders and has encroached on the Town Green boundary too. It is especially upsetting that this demolition of wildlife habitat has taken place during the bird-nesting season. Many breeding birds will have been adversely affected, as will hedgehogs, deer, foxes and other animals that use the wood.”

The City Council has provided the following statement:

“Following complaints to the Council regarding damage and removal of trees, immediate contact was made with the developer, and a meeting has now taken place. “They [the developers] have been advised that the earth moving works and creation of a track do not have the necessary planning permission, and a full investigation [by the City Council] is taking place in respect of the removal and damage to trees in the area of the boundary between Freeman’s Wood and Lune Industrial Estate. It has been advised that any further works are now at their own risk.”

Read the full statement below: