PLANS to construct a forestry track from natural stone to allow diseased larch trees to be felled are acceptable to a local planning authority.
Natural Resources Wales has been removing the infected trees from the Welsh Government woodland area, known as Cuckoo Wood, at Beacon Hill near Llandogo due to the presence of Ramorum disease for which it says there is no treatment other than felling infected trees.
Two members of the public had contacted Monmouthshire County Council due to concerns at loss of mature and broad leaf trees from the 500 hectare area and questioning why work had started on the route of the proposed track.
The council’s planning department said the 366 metre long and four metres wide track is acceptable after the environmental body asked for approval under a prior notification process.
Planning officer Ryan Bentley said in a report: “The applicant has advised that the proposed track minimises any substantial ground damage caused by machinery and ensures minor watercourses are not polluted through site run off while operations take place.”
He also said Natural Resources Wales had originally intended using an existing three metre wide track but said that didn’t provide enough room for the machinery and constructing a new track avoids felling a large number of trees.
It was also stated sustainable drainage permission, to manage surface water run off, has also been granted and Natural Resources Wales has said it will contact the council’s rights of way officer to discuss any impact to the footpath network caused by the track.
One member of the public claimed work had already started but Mr Bentley’s report stated though track line felling works had begun no construction work for the track has taken place.
