Hi all,
I'm in need of some advice around TPO's and a change of use...a bit of context; we (ages ranging from 14-40+), have been building trails (BMX jumps), on some private land since 2005 with the land owners’ permission. In 2009 a TPO was raised to cover the woods, the primary reasons for the TPO being "this area provides a softening effect and wildlife area adjacent to a slip road leading to the A***** trunk road". This week the land owner received an enforcement notice from the council essentially telling him that he needed to return the woods to their previous state due to significant root damage. It also stated that the jumps and building (a tree trunk/pallet/tarp tool shelter), were classed as engineering works and needed planning permission. I've spoken to the Tree Officer and Planning Officer; the PO was very reasonable and informed me of a paint ball site close by that had appropriate permissions and that he couldn't see why we would also not be able to gain such retrospective permissions...but this action was being led by the TO. The TO believes the woods are "potentially" ancient woodland and he just want them returned to their "previous state" and the land owner to begin a managed forestry programme.
I'm hoping that as the TPO was issued after we were in residence we can push back; it will be devastating to lose six years of hard work. We keep the woods themselves totally litter free and have stopped regular illegal motorbike usage and with the woods being so far from any built up areas we can’t understand how this action can be in the general publics’ best interest...any comments\advice will be grateful received.
Ian (appologies for the long post)!
