§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is true that Chichester District Council have agreed to allow the destruction of 43 acres of Inholmes Wood, Stoughton on the South Downs, and whether they will take action to prevent this landowner destroying this important deciduous woodland.
§ The Earl of AvonTwo applications for consent to fell trees in parts of Inholmes Wood, and covered by a tree preservation order, have been refused by Chichester District Council. Appeals are currently before my right honourable friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment, and a public local inquiry has been provisionally arranged for 9th February 1982. If a further application were to be made, it would be for the council to consider it in the first instance, as the authority concerned.