Parkstone Golf Club told to plant 10 trees after chopping down 36

The settlement means a potential public inquiry on the felling issue had been avoided, BCP Council said.

Residents spoke of their shock and fury back in 2018 when the removal of trees as high as 70ft took place.

Having been advised there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic chance of conviction if a prosecution was launched, BCP Council has reached an agreement with the golf club around four years on from the felling.

A joint statement from the local authority and Parkstone Golf Club issued yesterday morning said the council and Natural England are in support of the replacement planting, which will begin "shortly".

• Read more: Investigation into felling of protected trees at swanky golf club

"Natural England, BCP Council and Parkstone Golf Club will work collaboratively to safeguard the entire course, for future generations," the statement said.

"All parties take the protection of the natural environment very seriously and will be working in partnership to ensure this plan protects the heathland and its wildlife, the visual amenity to the public and effective tree management in future.

"Natural regeneration has since taken place over the years and there are new trees over three-four metres high in place, which along with the replacement trees will see the restoration of the landscape in the relevant part of the golf course.

"This is a complex case and this agreement reflects a balanced outcome in the interests of all parties."

• Read more: Golf club wont be prosecuted for cutting down trees

Parkstone Golf Club applied for a felling licence in 2017 and this was approved by the Forestry Commission. The following year a number of trees across the course were cut down.

The council said it advised there had been a breach in the normal council's procedures, as some of the trees were subject to a tree preservation order.

Guidance was given from the Planning Inspectorate, with BCP Council, Parkstone Golf Club and Natural England working together to reach an agreement.

"This settlement secures the reinstatement of some trees and a commitment to working together on the future stewardship of the natural environment of the golf course," the statement added.

"The site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), where the removal of trees can positively contribute to the delivery of the environmental objectives within the designation as an SSSI."

The trees before they were felled

Having reached an agreement, the council said the need for a planned public inquiry or other formal proceedings, no longer applied.

• Read more: Tree felling sage at Parkstone Golf Club

"As owners of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the golf club are required to manage their heathland for a wide range of heathland plants and animals," said a Natural England spokesperson.

"They have worked closely with Natural England over several decades to enhance the SSSI heathland further. This has included restoring additional heathland areas where conifers have become dominant. This is particularly where this provides optimal wildlife habitat - like south facing banks or connects together existing areas of heath to provide the more substantial areas of habitat that many species need.

"We are pleased that it has been possible to reach an agreement to plant some native tree species in the relevant part of the golf course to reinstate trees as landscape features in this area without a significant impact on the SSSI.

"We look forward to working closely with the golf club and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council in the future."

Parkstone Golf Club told the Daily Echo it had no further comment to add to the joint statement it issued alongside the council.