Intake Wood FAQs (site planning and consultation)
Why weren’t the residents consulted prior to work commencing?
Safety is always our priority, and the work was undertaken because the safety of nearby residents was vital. We have looked at every option available including trimming down these sections but unfortunately that would pose further risk as it would increase the trees instability making them even more likely to fall.
As a District Council, we need to put the safety of our residents first and take action to fell a strip of trees to prevent potential future risk to people's safety.
Where did the original concerns for the trees come from?
Intake Wood has been here for a long time. Around the first world war, native trees were cleared and replaced with commercial non-native plantations - primarily Corsican Pine, with some Scots Pine. These species were initially planted to serve as a secure national supply of timber and wood products. These trees, especially when planted in dense commercial woodlands, like Intake Wood, have a life expectancy of around 80 years. They are shallow-rooted and, as they age, they are likely to topple during high winds. We have been planning works since 2022 to consider that and ensure resident safety.
Were the meetings NSDC had on the trees documented and is there minutes showing an action log?
The nature of the work means that many of the conversations were conducted on site between officers and sometimes other agencies like the Forestry Commission. As such although email exchanges have taken place there are no formal minutes.
Why was planning given to the houses if trees were a concern 30 years ago?
Whilst we can’t comment on the decisions that were made 30 years ago, it’s likely that the trees were smaller when these decisions were made.
How long will the proposed trees take to grow back?
The trees we are planting are mixed so they will grow at different speeds. Birches, hazel and willow trees will grow quickly and provide good cover in a few years. The oaks will be slow growing, but they will be present for generations to come.
Can someone professional and external assess the danger of the pines?
We are working closely with the Forestry Commission, who manage a neighbouring site and whom we expect to be undertaking the same type of licensed woodland management there, as we are, in Intake Wood.
Our intention was to allow this transition to happen gradually through selective thinning. However, our assessments, supported by the Forestry Commission, found safety concerns with the size and position of trees growing on a 3.5-acre slope close to people’s homes.
Corsican pine can be vulnerable in strong winds, and in these specific areas thinning would have made these trees even more unstable, increasing rather than reducing, the risk. On safety grounds, the difficult but necessary decision was therefore taken to remove those trees and replant with native species. This work was approved by the Forestry Commission who granted the required felling license. This will help ensure Intake Wood thrives for generations, offering improved habitat for local wildlife and greater resilience to storms, while taking it back to what it would have been like in historic times.
Can residents see all documents of the work? Risk assessments, safety checks etc.
Residents can request any information that is not commercially sensitive.