News / Trees
Hospital under investigation after trees felled in protected area
Residents have been left dismayed by “unauthorised” tree felling and stringent woodland management by Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Woodland Walk, the green area tucked between Prospect Avenue and the Bristol Heart Institute, is a woodland conversation area and subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).
Bristol24/7 understands the hospital has not applied for permission for the work which, in several sessions over the last two weeks, has “transformed the area from a wood to parkland,” according to one resident who has also been concerned by the hospital’s “assertive” management regime affecting wildlife.
“All the smaller trees have been removed and all of the undergrowth ripped out,” said the resident, who did not wish to give their name. “Under the regulations, all of this is illegal without permission.”
A spokesperson for the hospital’s trust described the site as “a treasured part of our estate” and noted that it often undertakes “improvement works” in the area.
Bristol City Council, contacted by Bristol24/7 for comment, has initiated an enforcement investigation to determine if a breach of planning control has occurred.
A resident provided ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos of the woodland conservation area which they said is now an “environmental disaster”
Mark Ashdown of Bristol Tree Forum explained that trees in conservation areas may not be felled unless an application has been made to the council for permission.
“The trees are protected by a TPO but they did not apply for prior permission as they are obliged to do,” he told Bristol24/7.
Following another complaint by the resident in relation to this latest work, the council opened the enforcement investigation on October 29.
This may take up to four weeks to complete and in the meantime work has continued at the site, with workers telling a concerned resident they have been informed by estate staff that there are “no restrictions” in place.
The resident said the area, which they described as “a little haven” for wildlife, is now an “environmental disaster”.
Badgers started digging a sett in the area earlier in the year and it is home to bats and foxes, a tawny owl and sparrow hawk family.
“Our health and wellbeing is intrinsically linked to our environment and it is deeply frustrating that University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust has caused such destruction to our small corner of Bristol,” added the resident.
“Cutting down trees without following the proper process and acquiring the right permissions is inexcusable.”
Residents said they counted the rings of felled trees and found some of them were over ten years old
Residents complained about tree felling in the same area in 2023 and, after a subsequent council investigation, found that the planning permission the hospital had for the activity had expired three months prior.
The work, which had been permitted to be undertaken before February, took place during nesting season. The council failed to act on this occasion.
Following the incident, head of sustainability at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Ned Maynard told residents that the trees would be replaced, but the hospital has yet to plant any.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “Our Woodland Walk is a treasured part of our estate, used by our colleagues, patients and visitors.
“We regularly make improvement works to the area, which includes removing plants which present a hazard or risk the health of our protected trees”.
The spokesperson failed to confirm to Bristol24/7 if permission was granted.
Woodland Walk is a designated woodland conservation area that includes a constructed walkway connecting a car park to the Oncology Unit
Mark Ashdown is frustrated by council “inaction” on tree felling.
“Sadly, this is just one example among many of the council’s failure to act in the face of blatant breaches of tree protection law,” he said, citing “illegal” tree works or removal at Stoke Lodge Playing Fields and Quakers Friars.
“These are just two of many examples where we have reported illegal tree removal and the LPA has refused to act, usually on the grounds that it was not ‘expedient’.
“In fact, we cannot recall a single instance over the years when these illegal actions have been sanctioned.
“We have presented the council with chapter and verse on many occasions and begged it to make planning enforcement do its job, but our pleas have come to nothing.”
All photos & image: Bristol24/7
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