Archived press release

High Court saves Great North Forest

29 June 2007

The High Court in London has shown a red card to developers and ruled that a village community in Northeast England was right to prevent the destruction of 7,000 trees in Newbottle Wood, part of the Great North Forest and one of only thirteen community forests in the UK. The decision made by the Forestry Commission has been quashed by the Court as unlawful.

Trees & Wildlife Action Group (TWAG) has been campaigning for two years to prevent developer Durham Estates clearing Newbottle Wood in Houghton-le-Spring near Sunderland to make way for 20 football pitches, car parking and associated buildings and infrastructure.

Paul Bennett, Chair of the Trees & Wildlife Action Group (TWAG), said:

"This land mark ruling is' tree-mendous' and will change how future applications involving trees and development are considered. TWAG has been telling the Forestry Commission and Sunderland City Council since September 2005 that the people of Newbottle will not sit back and watch the 7,000 trees and the wildlife habitats vanish before our eyes and our stance has been vindicated by Mr Justice Collins.

To even contemplate sacrificing this beautiful green open space and the woodland was madness. On three occasions we have been forced to walk up the steps of the High Court and each time we have emerged victorious. It is very pleasing that at full-time its TWAG 3 Developers nil".

Friends of the Earth's Head of Legal, Phil Michaels, who represented the group in court, said:

This was an important legal case brought by the local community and the local community properly deserved to succeed.

TWAG secretary Vera Marshall was full of admiration for Friends of the Earth who had provided TWAG with their `Hartlepool Ghost Ship' legal team. Vera said;

"I cannot speak highly enough for the efforts of instructing solicitor Phil Michaels and barrister David Wolfe from Matrix Chambers. This has been a gigantic team effort and all of our supporters have played their part. Our campaign has galvanized such a community spirit across Wearside that we have been inspired to launch a local group of Friends of the Earth."

Former Newbottle Vicar, The Reverend Ray Skinner traveled to the court hearing from his parish in the South East of England. Ray said "Well done TWAG. This is a great result for the Newbottle community".

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust