Yarmouth felling within the law says site tree expert

Alan Short and Simon Hirst are the co-owners of the land, in a beauty spot near Lucketts Farm, and plan to introduce a new, extensive treehouse and glamping resort to the area.

It will offer a unique glamping experience in an eco-friendly retreat, and work is currently underway to bring the woodland resort to life.

But residents are worried about the amount of trees being felled in the process.

The site off Ningwood Hill near Yarmouth.

Chartered arboriculturalist, Wayne Isaacson, is working on the site.

He said: "All the work is being done under a Forestry Commission woodland management plan, and has an associated felling licence."

Residents had raised concerns about the extent of the tree felling, and have taken to social media to complain.

Asked if the licence was strictly for tree thinning, Wayne said there were various facets to the felling licence, and all work is being carried out within the woodland management plan.

Regarding works taking place during a nesting season, Wayne said: "There's no law that says you can't fell during the nesting season.

The site off Ningwood Hill near Yarmouth.

"The offence is to disturb nesting birds, and there are no nesting birds there. The trees were felled a while ago."

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: “The woodland forms a site of importance for nature conservation and is also covered by a Woodland Tree Protection Order, being designated as ancient woodland.

“Officers have met with the owners recently and are aware that the woodland is being managed in consultation with the Forestry Commission, with some of the non-native trees being carefully thinned to allow native trees to be re-planted.

“We do not have any current applications for the site.

"We will contact the site owners to check that the works undertaken remain those approved by the commission.”