Pondtail Wood update – 15 July 2016
July 15, 2016
Please note that there is a more recent post on Pondtail Wood
Solicitors acting on behalf of the owners of Pondtail Wood in West Sussex have lodged an appeal against an Enforcement Notice issued by the South Downs National Park Authority which came into effect on 12 July 2016.
The Enforcement Notice stipulates that the site owners must remove all deposited soils, waste and drainage channels by 23 August in order to expose the ancient woodland soils which can then support the return of native species.
The SDNPA are now awaiting formal notice from the Planning Inspectorate with full details of the appeal. As with any planning application an appeal would suspend the ‘effective’ or start date of an Enforcement Notice until the appeal is decided or withdrawn.
Tim Slaney, Director of Planning for the South Downs National Park Authority, said:
“Wherever possible we try to work with site owners to fix breaches in planning and took careful legal advice before issuing the Enforcement Notice. We have a strong record in defending significant planning decisions at appeal and are determined to see Pondtail Wood restored.
“We appreciate that the local community are as frustrated as we are with the damage to the site and delays to its restoration. In the meantime our Stop Notice remains in force, we are visiting the site regularly and can confirm that no additional work has taken place.”
Previous posts on this subject