Weymouth company fined for illegally felling trees
The timber was sourced from a protected habitat
A Weymouth company's been fined £30,000 for illegally felling trees in a priority habitat.
The Forestry Commission investigated Weymouth Park Ltd after felling of oak, ash, sycamore and beech trees aged between 40 and 100 years old in Fleet Wood, Chickerell in January 2023.
The woodland is protected under Dorset National Landscape (formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and close to a SSSI and protected birds' habitat.
The commercial value of the timber felled was £3,250 - but the total loss of amenity is valued at £37,000.
Weymouth Magistrates Court found the firm guilty of felling trees without a licence, which is an offence under Section 17 of the Forestry Act 1967.
Nobody from the company appeared at the court and no reason was given for the felling.
A Forestry Commission spokesperson said:
“Ancient trees are vitally important to our heritage and wildlife, and we take protecting all trees and woodlands extremely seriously. These irreplaceable habitats take hundreds of years to establish and bring huge cultural, historical and landscape value.
“If there’s no felling licence, exemption to the need for a licence, or other valid permission in place anyone involved in the felling can be prosecuted.”
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