Tuesday deadline on Newtown Common tree felling

Opposition grows to heathland management plan

Opposition is gathering among Newtown Common users and villagers, to proposals to fell a large area of trees on the common - with a deadline of tomorrow (Tues March 31), to make views known.

Newtown Parish Council has published on its website extensive details of proposals to fell 1.9 hectares of Scots pine on Newtown Common, as part of heathland management of the common.

The resulting timber would be unsuitable for the market and likely to be burnt on site

The 56 hectare common includes 37 hectares of woodland and the parish council says the removal of 1.9 hectares will leave the majority of the common still covered by woodland.

The issue has divided the parish council, which needs a unanimous decision to proceed.

Users of the common have said the move would have a devasting effect on wildlife, but the parish council says the felling is needed to sustain heathland on the common.

The parish council has issued 'voting slips' on the issue, sent to all those on the electoral register in the parish, with a deadline of tomorrow (Tues March 31).

Visit www.newtown-pc.org.uk for more information.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Newbury Weekly News on Thursday and turn to the Hampshire pages.