HS2 ordered to stop felling trees at Jones Hill Wood near Wendover

The High Court has ordered work stop for now

Author: Dan GoodingPublished 16th Apr 2021
Last updated 16th Apr 2021

Controversial work to fell trees in woodland which inspired Roald Dahl in Buckinghamshire has to stop for now.

The High Court has today ordered HS2 to stop their work licences by Natural England at Jones Hill Wood near Wendover.

The area is said to have inspired the children's author to write Fantastic Mr. Fox.

It comes after a petition calling for the work to stop was signed by over 6,000 people.

Earlier this week we heard that legal proceedings had started**** over concerns at the extent of the work taking place in the woodland.

Now contractors have been ordered to cease all felling, pending a hearing which will begin no earlier than the 24th May, according to Stop HS2 campaigners.

The RSPB has also spoken out against the work going on to prepare for the High Speed rail line.

Natural England granted the licence for works to take place and they have written this blog post explaining their position.

In it they say:

"At Jones Hill Wood, we have undertaken a careful assessment of the impacts in this area and requested further hibernation surveys.

"Our assessment has concluded that the felling of 0.7 hectares of woodland at Jones Hill Wood will not be detrimental to the favourable conservation of the overall bat populations in this area."

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