A man has been arrested after chopping down 131 protected trees in what is being described by south London eco-warriors as a “tree massacre”.
But the suspect told ITV News London he had been granted a lease to “create sports facilities for children of all ages as well as BAME groups and other disadvantaged groups” in Cator Park in Bromley.
Tree-cutting equipment, including chainsaws, were seized during the arrest Scotland Yard said. The man was later released on bail.
The man told the broadcaster: “I’m a law-abiding citizen and had I known anything about the tree preservation order then I would not have cut down the trees.”
Shocking weekend for the #Bromley community and biodiversity. 🦋
— CPRE London (@CPRELondon) June 12, 2023
🌳 114 trees butchered in Cator Park, violating Tree Preservation Order.
🛑 This biodiverse sanctuary provided solace during lockdown. Stay safe and report concerns to police. #ProtectOurTrees #BiodiversityLoss pic.twitter.com/gCXAnnDLO9
Police were called on Saturday and the man was arrested and released without charge.
Sarah Counsell from the Cator Woodland Action Group told the BBC: “Early on Saturday morning, despite a TPO in place, a man instructed trees to be cut down in the field adjacent to the park.
“Concurrently there was also an attempt to bring a digger on to the site without permission, which was blocked by local members of the public.”
A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of this very sad incident, which can only be described as environmental destruction, where 131 protected trees have been destroyed. This was a thriving young woodland that was valued by many locally and we are now investigating what has happened here.
“This is a serious matter, with anyone who is found guilty of committing an offence which contravenes Section 210 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 being fined up to £20,000 at a Magistrates Court or an unlimited fine at Crown Court.
“We are grateful to local residents who have already come forward to help with that investigation, which is at its early stages.”
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called on the morning of Saturday, 10 June to Cator Park, Beckenham, over a dispute relating to the felling of trees that were alleged to be under a protective order.
“Officers responded and spoke to a man, aged in his 30s, advising work to cease.
“Officers returned after they were informed that the felling had continued. One man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and taken into custody. He was later released on bail.
“A number of items of tree felling equipment were seized.”
