Long Walk Wood
8 December 2023
Ref: Long Walk Wood
Dear Residents of Aston and Weston Parish and Richmond Retirement Village You will be aware that Richmond Villages Aston on Trent are taking steps to secure the local woodland permissive path. This is due to concerns over the health and safety of a number of trees both directly along the route and within the woodlands on the land owned by us. We understand the concerns of local residents. The woodlands represent an important piece of local history to many, as well as providing an area for calm, restful exercise, and reflection for the local community, including our residents and staff.
Risk to public safety The decision to temporarily close the path on Richmond Village's land was taken because risk assessments highlighted concerns about the safety of the trees along the woodlands route. Our priority is to mitigate against the risk of injury to members of the public, including the local community and our residents, who enjoy using the path. An annual woodland survey completed in October of this year noted that a number of trees are in serious decline due to Ash Die Back (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) and Sooty Bark Disease (Cryptostroma corticale). These conditions increase the risk of sizable branches or trees falling onto the pathway, which presents a significant health and safety risk to path users. Both the Forestry Commission and South Derbyshire District Council visited the site in October and agreed with the need for urgent felling of a number of trees due to the health and safety risks posed to the public and potential further spread of tree disease. The responsibilities of Richmond Villages in this situation have also been affirmed by Derbyshire County Council. In addition, any softening of the ground due to poor weather or strong winds increases the risk of dislodging trees.
Our responsibilities as landowners of a permissive path Responsibility for the health and safety and management of the site, as well as preservation of the woodland and associated wildlife habitats lies with Richmond Villages as the landowner of the permissive path. The permissive paths within the site are governed by a permissive path agreement between Richmond Villages and the local planning authority. This agreement requires us to close the pathway in the event of any risk to the health and safety of residents at the village, staff, visitors, and members of the public.
Removal of diseased trees
The Woodland Survey identified a number of trees needing to be removed to assure the long-term sustainability of the woods. These trees were noted as dead on the condition survey, and as presenting a risk owning to their deteriorating structural condition. A draft report from our Woodland Management Contractors detailing every affected tree has been shared with local councillors to provide the background for the work being completed. The information in this document includes the age of the trees (in life stages established by tree height and diameter), the trees' health and structural condition based on safety and stability. We also enclose this linki to highlight the trees of immediate concern, which provides details of the reasons they need to be felled. Several residents have also asked about the meaning of the various tree markings that can currently be found in Long Walk Wood.
These are as follows: • Some trees are marked with a silver disk – these are information disks that number the trees so that we can identify them against our woodland survey. Only trees of a significant size are numbered. Trees that require works have been sprayed. • Any tree marked with an X requires felling due to disease/decline of structural condition. • Any tree marked with MON-5m marks a tree that is dead (either due to disease or age) and needs felling, however, a 5-metre trunk will remain standing to support wildlife habitat. • Any tree marked with DW requires pruning back deadwood, however, will not be felled. Following receipt of the survey, our contractor Glendale is liaising with South Derbyshire District Council's Tree Officer to obtain all relevant permits for the works to remove the dangerous trees situated alongside the permissive pathway. Further applications are being sought to also address the remaining trees within the woodlands that also require felling to avoid the spread of both Sooty Bark Disease and Ash Dye Back further into the woodlands. We will replace any such trees felled and rejuvenate the woodlands to ensure a sustainable and long-term environment can be maintained for all. Richmond Villages are working with our woodland maintenance contractors in revising the Woodland Management Plan. We look forward to sharing plans with residents when we are hosting a public information evening on Monday 29th January 2024 at 7pm at Richmond Village Aston on Trent. If you wish to attend this event, please contact our reception team no later than Friday 19th January to inform us of your attendance and leave your name and contact details. Reopening the permissive path Subject to receiving relevant permits from South Derbyshire District Council, we hope that the felling of the dangerous trees along the permissive pathway can begin in the weeks commencing 11or 18 December. Hopefully this will mean the permissive path can reopen before Christmas. We will work with local parish councils to inform residents of any further felling works within the woodlands in the New Year. In the meantime, please follow our safety notices to avoid any accidents during the works
Should you have any queries, please contact me via the email address below. Please note that this is a very busy period within our Retirement Village and I will endeavour to acknowledge any queries prior to Christmas. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to welcoming you for our community events as advertised locally in the coming weeks. On behalf of our residents and my team, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Yours faithfully, Kerstin Taylor Village Manage
Posted: Wed, 13 Dec 2023