Unauthorised tree felling beside Loch Lomond prompts action

Action has been taken to protect native and ancient woodland in Tarbet by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority.

A number of trees are said to have been felled without permission, while unauthorised work to create a significantly altered new access route off the A82 will be reviewed.

The Tree Preservation Order as served on an area of the woodland to the north and east of the property known as Ben Cruach Lodge, Tarbet, after deeming it at risk from further felling.

This has followed an ongoing investigation that has involved working with Scottish Forestry.

The national park authority’s planning team has also received an application for unauthorised works at the same property which have created a widened entrance off the main A82 trunk road, a fence and gates.

The application is for retrospective permission for the fence and gates and for the permanent formation of an enlarged bellmouth entrance, and engineering works to form a new driveway, wall and gates.

Scottish Forestry issued a temporary Stop Notice on May 8 requiring all tree felling works to stop.

The planning application process will determine whether the works are acceptable or not and if permission should be granted or refused.

The authority says that given interest locally from residents it provides the opportunity for the information provided by the owner to be accessible as well as formal comments to be submitted.

Stuart Mearns, director of planning and rural development at the national park, said: “We have taken this action because significant unauthorised felling and woodland removal has recently taken place at this property and while further information and reassurance has been sought from the owner on the remaining woodland, this has not been provided.

“We therefore feel that remaining native and ancient woodland could be at risk from further felling.

“This woodland contributes to the visual amenity and the woodland habitat connectivity of Tarbet and the wider Loch Lomond area.

“Unauthorised loss of woodland cover in this area would result in fragmentation of the woodland habitat and would also have a negative impact on the visual amenity for residents and visitors.

“As the planning authority, we have also required the owner to submit an application for the unauthorised works to create an significantly altered access off the A82. The application has been received and validated and will now be assess under the standard planning procedure to determine whether permission should be granted.

“The national park authority has been leading the investigation into the unauthorised works and is working closely with Scottish Forestry and Transport Scotland.”

In 2019 a pre-application notice was received for proposed major development in Tarbet which included this property.

The owner undertook public consultation on the proposals but a planning application has not yet been submitted.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*