Concern at application to fell trees close to canal near Berkhamsted

Plans to fell trees on a six-acre piece of land in Dudswell, near Berkhamsted, are to be considered by the Forestry Commission.

An application has been made to remove mature poplar and other willow trees from the land, that borders on the Grand Union Canal.

And the Forestry Commission has now extended the public consultation period from July 23 to August 13.

The online consultation does not specify how many trees are earmarked for removal.

However the Forestry Commission has confirmed that the application is to remove poplar and other willow species which “are in poor health”.

According to local Liberal Democrat councillor Lara Pringle, members of Northchurch Parish Council have been told the request is to remove the trees “due to safety concerns”.

And they have been told the area will be replanted with fast-growing cricket bat willow trees, at a density of 100 stems per hectare – with other broadleaf’ tree species being retained.

But – despite the assurance that there will be replanting – Cllr Pringle says that locally there is a perception that the removal of these trees could be “the gateway to developers’.

“The Forestry Commission says that the felling licence will include enforceable conditions that there should be suitable replanting,” said Cllr Pringle.

“But concerned residents worry that this might not actually take place at that location and that the application for the Forestry Commission licence may be leaving open a back door to developers.

“This is a beautiful area enjoyed by residents of Berkhamsted, Northchurch and Tring.

“People walk here just to enjoy the view. The entire backdrop to the historic vista from the conservation zone will be decimated by the removal of these trees.

“For the residents who live here, the trees are an important screen to filter out pollution and noise from the main road – and it is understood the trees were originally planted for that purpose.”

The name of the applicant – or the application – has not been published by the Forestry Commission.

Commenting on the application, a spokesperson for the Forestry Commission said: “Trees are a precious natural resource, which is why anyone wishing to fell them must ensure they comply with the Forestry Commission’s felling licence requirements.

“There has been a felling licence application in Dudswell to remove poplar and other willow species on site which are in poor health.

“We have now extended the consultation period on this application, to ensure residents are able to contribute to the proposals.”

Meanwhile a spokesperson for Dacorum Borough Council said: “Dacorum Borough Council is a consultee in the Forestry Commissions consideration of a felling licence application in the area of Dudswell.

“An investigation by the commission indicates there is a health and safety concern in the area due to the structural condition of many of the trees, some of which have collapsed into the canal.

“As part of the application, it has been noted that the total area felled will be replaced with cricket bat willow trees and remaining broadleaf species will be retained and protected.”

The public consultation on the application – that can be found on the Forestry Commission website – closes on August 13.