2 April 2007: For Immediate Release

• This press release in Word, PDF and photographs for news and web articles

The Forestry Commission is considering whether to take legal action against RWE npower over its felling of trees at Radley Lakes, campaigners have learnt. [1] The German-owned power giant began to fell trees on 14 February amid a heavy security presence. Dozens of mature trees were felled to the cheers of contractors. Photographs of the clearance could not be taken due a wide ranging injunction served on protestors and the media. [2]

Now CPRE [3] has used Freedom of Information law to discover that RWE npower did not have the necessary felling licence from the Forestry Commission. The Commission's national office is now considering a report on the felling. But campaigners' requests to obtain a copy of this report have been rebuffed because the information it contains may be used in future legal action. [4]

Andy Boddington, spokesman for CPRE Oxfordshire, says: "This is a very serious matter. Npower have felled dozens of mature trees and cleared substantial nesting areas. The Forestry Commission must prosecute if the company has broken the law, otherwise the Commission will be giving the green light to any landowner who thinks that they can clear an environmentally important landscape without a licence." CPRE also believes that RWE npower should have supplied the Forestry Commission with an Environmental Impact Assessment [5].

Andy continued: "Npower told everyone that they were acting within the law. But now it seems that they are a law into themselves. Swans are now having to nest on footpaths because Npower cleared vegetation from the islands they nested on and the cormorants have been left with almost nowhere to roost." [6]

ENDS

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Contacts:

Andy Boddington, Campaign Manager, Campaign to Protect Rural England Oxfordshire. 01865 874780.

[1] The maximum fine for not having a licence under the Forestry Act 1967 are not large for a company the size of RWE npower, just £2,500 or twice the value of the trees. If a landowner is convicted of illegal felling, the Forestry Commission can insist that the trees are replanted and that the landowner maintains them properly for up to 10 years.

[2] For a short briefing on the battle for Radley Lakes, see:
http://www.cpreoxon.org.uk/campaigns/oxon/vale/radley/guide.htm

[3] The campaign is spearheaded by Save Radley Lakes, a local community group, and supported by CPRE Oxfordshire.

• http://www.cpreoxon.org.uk/campaigns/oxon/vale/radley/radley_lakes.htm
• http://www.saveradleylakes.org.uk/
• http://www.radleyvillage.org.uk/

[4] A manager for the Forestry Commission in the South East said in a letter to CPRE Oxfordshire: "A formal report outlining the findings of our investigation has been forwarded to our National Office for consideration. I am afraid we are unable to provide a copy of this report or copies of associated communications with RWE npower as this information may be pertinent to any legal action".

[5] The Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) Regulations require an Environmental Impact Assessment where there is a significant impact on the environment. CPRE believes that the extent of the clearance and its impact on the environment is significant and subject to the Regulations.

[6] A selection of photographs of the lake, cut trees and wildlife is available