Tree Felling: Enfield
(asked on 27th October 2025) - View Source
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks made by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 24 April (HL Deb col 756–7), what progress has the Forestry Commission made in its investigation into the illegal felling of the Whitewebbs Oak that took place on 3 April.
Answered by
Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
It is acknowledged that the works to this ancient tree caused public concern. The Forestry Commission has carried out a site inspection and detailed review to determine whether there have been any breaches of the Forestry Act 1967 in relation to the tree works on the Oak.
The Forestry Commission review has concluded that in this case, there have been no breaches of the Forestry Act 1967 or the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Forestry) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999.
The decision of the Forestry Commission does not reflect the decisions or actions of other public bodies or individuals who may be conducting investigations or initiating proceedings in relation to any other alleged offences or civil matters other than those set out within the Forestry Act 1967 and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Forestry) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999.