The reputation of a renowned wildlife charity is at stake after almost 40 trees were 'culled in one destructive act' at an exclusive golf club.
The RSPB successfully applied to have 36 pine trees that had stood on the site at Parkstone Golf Club in Poole for more than 60 years axed.
And after the application was made to the Forestry Commission the trees were felled even though they were subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).
Before and after a group of 36 pine trees were felled at the exclusive Parkstone Golf Club in Poole
The exclusive golf club, whose members include Harry Redknapp and Women's British Open champion Georgia Hall, asked the RSPB to apply for the felling licence last year as part of the charity's wider work of creating heathland around Poole Harbour.
But local outrage has since prompted Poole Borough Council to launch a criminal investigation into the felling.
Residents whose £1m homes back on to the course have questioned why the charity whose objective is to protect bird life and its habitat has played a part is the 'destruction of it.'
The row of £1million homes (left) look across the pond onto the exclusive golf club where a row of pine trees (right) blocked residents from the view of golfers using the course
Part of the probe will focus on whether the RSPB was aware the pine trees were subjected to Tree Preservation Orders when it made the application on behalf of the golf club to the Forestry Commission.
After securing permission, the mature pine trees that stood next to a lake by the first green of the £1,700 a year course were quickly axed.
Local residents said they have now lost their privacy as it is possible for golfers to look into their homes.
One homeowner, Peter Norrie, 61, claims the loss has led to the value of his property to fall by £200,000.
Before: The view of the pine trees on the golf course from Peter Norrie's garden before they were felled
After: Peter Norrie said he has lost his privacy and his home has reduced in value by £200,000
He said: 'Since I moved to this house I have seen ducks, geese, swans, moorhens and many other beautiful birds in that area of the course.
'Parkstone Golf Club is on a site of over 100 acres, so I do not understand the RSPB's ambition to restore heathland on one of the lowest points of the golf course on the other side of a small stream, adjacent to the lake.
'The lake trees were some sixty-plus years old and offered protection and sanctuary to these wild birds and their young ones.
'I thought the RSPB was established to protect birds, not destroy part of their natural habitat and make them more vulnerable to danger.
'Across a distance of no more than 100ft at least 15 trees were felled, not thinned, but culled in one destructive act.
'I am astonished that the RSPB would be involved in any activity that puts the welfare of wild birds at risk and I am equally surprised that the RSPB is involved in applications for felling licences.'
The exclusive golf club, whose members include Harry Redknapp and Women's British Open champion Georgia Hall, asked the RSPB to apply for the felling licence last year
Mr Norrie said speculation is rife that the club, which is set to host the PGA European Ladies' Championships this summer, cut down the trees to make the course more 'open' and improve the view from the club house.
Mr Norrie said the RSPB has so far refused to answer his questions while the investigation is ongoing.
Several residents have also written letters to their local MP over the matter.
The trees were subject to a long-standing TPOs and any bid to remove that protected status should have gone through Poole council.
Andy Dearing, Poole council's planning enforcement officer, said the criminal investigation into the 'alleged unauthorised destruction of protected trees on land at Parkstone Golf Club' was ongoing.
He confirmed that both the golf club and the RSPB formed part of the investigation.
The RSPB said they could not comment because the matter is part of an ongoing investigation.
A spokesman for the charity has previously confirmed that they did apply for the felling licence, which was granted by Forestry Commission, for the work at Parkstone Golf Course.
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https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/rspb-faces-local-council-probe-over-its-role-in-felling-36-trees-at-exclusive-golf-club/
News Photo RSPB faces local council probe over its role in felling 36 trees at exclusive golf club
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