Aberdeenshire and Moray developers warned over illegal tree felling
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Scottish Forestry is warning developers to get in touch before felling trees – or risk very hefty penalties.
The organisation states that, since the felling permission system changed last year, companies now face fines of £5000 for every trees cut down.
On top of that, Scottish Forestry can now issue a Restocking Direction ordering the developer to replant all the trees and look after them for up to 10 years – potentially preventing them from building on the land during that period.
Scottish Forestry office is already dealing with 19 reported cases of alleged illegal fellings in Moray and Aberdeenshire.
It states it has also issued four restocking directions since the new penalties came into force.
Brendan Callaghan, Scottish Forestry’s head of operational delivery, said: "The majority of our most serious cases are by small-scale developers who are felling trees to make way for new building.
"Some do not realise that the fines involved can be significant – and this can be a shock to them.
"Added to this, if we demand that the trees are restocked it will often prevent them from using the site for many years."
Every report that Scottish Forestry receives on an alleged illegal felling is fully investigated by woodland officers.
Mr Callaghan said: "It can be a time consuming job but it is necessary and we value the public being our eyes and ears on the ground.
"We have a very simple and clear guide to the new felling permissions system and we would recommend that developers take time to read it.
"We would much prefer to offer advice to anyone in advance of tree felling, rather than have to take punitive action after it has happened."
Information on the Felling Permission’s system can be found here.
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