Email sent to Suzi Allen (consultant to EDDC) and copied to Sidmouth Herald newspaper. Dated 8 April 2004.
Thank you for the email. I have not finished with this by a long way: as a branch of organised crime (pardon the pun) it seems that illegal tree felling has much to recommend it: vast potential profits and minimal risk. The large tree in my photo appears to have been directly in the way of the proposed extension of the garage premises www.seered.co.uk/nissanaerial.htm
Ownership of the land is also interesting www.seered.co.uk/nissan4.htm
You will be able to view the aerial photos on screen at EDDC which gives better detail than available from the prints provided via EDDC drawing office. I am writing to Kate Little about this and will copy to you. Many local people are also now objecting to the multiple tree felling. I am seeking more photos taken from ground level. EDDC should be investigating this matter - not leaving it to local residents to come up with all the evidence. I intend to contrast your efforts here with the man-months EDDC put into trying to prosecute me for growing a few square metres of long grass - now increasingly recognised as a good thing in all gardens. My only crime was being ahead of the times!
I shall be raising the specific issue of a replacement tree(s) in the same or similar location(s) as that felled so that the developer/owner does not profit by having cut down a protected tree(s) without authority to pave the way for development. If EDDC do not insist on this then it is clearly open season on trees - cut down those that are in the way, agree to plant a few replacements in different locations and walk away with the proceeds.
There will be publicity, in due time.
Regards
Dr Stephen J Wozniak