Hampshire police probe tree burning claims in Langley as New Forest NPA says contractor’s timing off

POLICE are investigating claims that birds’ nests and bat roosts were unlawfully destroyed during recent land clearance works at Langley.

A force spokesperson said there have been no confirmed offences on the land off Foresters Gate but enquiries are “ongoing”.

A concerned A&T reader photographed the recent land clearance works at Blackfield, claiming contractors had burnt trees that should be protected while animals were nesting.

“The owner of some woodland decided that they wanted it clear, so they got a contractor to do so,” the reader said.

“For six days the whole estate nearby was blanketed in thick smoke while these contractors burnt the trees, birds’ nests, bat roosts and everything else that they could.”

The reader continued: “It seems ridiculous that there are protected trees on land that the council controls, but when a line of trees crosses into the national park, as they do here, they aren't protected in any way.

“Even the urgent calls of residents trying to stop the destruction of habitat and animals were met with disinterest.

“What makes the national park pay more attention to one area of woodland and none to another?”

Responding to the concerns, New Forest National Park Authority’s senior tree officer, Nik Gruber, said: “We received several reports from concerned neighbours regarding this work, which took place from the beginning of April.

“There were no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) at this property, and being outside any conservation area, the trees were not protected by the New Forest National Park Authority. Therefore, we are not pursuing any unauthorised or illegal felling.”

He continued: “This location is right on the boundary of the national park, and we believe NFDC has a TPO on trees in the residential properties of West Common and Foresters Gate and are investigating any possible unauthorised pruning.

“Having viewed the trees and considered any public visual amenity value, I did not consider any trees or scrub worthy of protection by the NPA. NFDC’s environmental health was also involved with complaints regarding the smoke.

“During bird nesting was not a good time to be undertaking these works, and any disturbance or breach of the Wildlife and Countryside Act is a matter for the police.”

A Hampshire Police spokesperson told the A&T: “We received a report at approximately 9.20pm on Monday 8th April. The report stated that an area of land had been cleared in Foresters Gate, Langley.

“There is currently no confirmed offences, but enquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information should contact Hampshire police on 101, quoting reference number 44240147714.