FARRON WINS ELEVENTH HOUR REPRIEVE FOR LAKELAND TREES

Plans to fell hundreds of trees in the Broughton in Furness area have been put on hold after South Lakes MP Tim Farron won a reprieve from the Forestry Commission this morning.

The order to fell the trees at eight locations to the north and east of the town should have been signed today with felling to commence on Monday 1 June. However, Mr Farron intervened this morning and was given assurances by the Forestry Commission that the order would not be signed and that consultation with the local community would now take place.

Speaking after the reprieve Mr Farron said, "Local residents are rightly very concerned about these plans - they would lead to the destruction of a vast area of beautiful woodland which could be devastating for local wildlife and for the recreation of local people and visitors. The County Council, who own this land, seemed to be proceeding with hardly any consultation at all and I'm very grateful to the Forestry Commission for stepping in to prevent this destruction and to allow local residents a say in what takes place."