Man arrested after 131 protected oak trees were illegally felled from Cator Park, southeast London

A suspect has been arrested for illegally felling more than 130 protected oak trees at a popular beauty spot in London, in what locals are calling a ‘tree massacre’.

A man in his 30s was detained after police were called to the field next to Cator Park in Beckenham, south-east London, when local residents saw dozens of mostly self-sown oak trees being cut down by workmen using chainsaws.

Angry conservationists labeled the destruction a “tree massacre” and tied black ribbons to the railings around the field.

The trees were felled last Saturday morning despite being covered by a Tree Protection Decree (TPO), which only came into effect three days earlier.

Local residents first knew of the destruction when they heard the sound of chainsaws coming from the woods next to Cator Park, which is popular with dog walkers and birdwatchers.

Witnesses claimed that the workers – who were believed not to be using any safety equipment – posted guards at the entry gate to prevent anyone from interfering and that their behavior was threatening.

The police were called and they warned the workers to stop, but the felling resumed when officers left the scene.

Only when the police returned did the destruction stop.

A man in his thirties was arrested and cutting tools seized.

Local residents even blocked a flatbed truck from accessing the site through the public park by blocking its route with a car.

The land – which is a haven for wildlife including bats, woodpeckers and kingfishers – is privately owned and was purchased in 2013 by its current owners – registered with a company based in Singapore – for £10,000.

But it has also been designated Metropolitan Open Land by Bromley Council, giving it the same status as ‘green belt’ land.

Conservationists said a Tree Protection Order (TPO) had been granted on the site after a number of trees were felled weeks earlier.

Michael Shilling, who lives near the crime scene, said: ‘It’s appalling – someone used the word ‘carnage’ and that’s what describes it best.

Bulldozers were stopped by police after local residents raised the alarm.

“There was a rumor that someone wanted to turn it into a sort of sports field, but the area is very popular with local people who walk their dogs, as well as bird watchers.”

A Bromley Council spokesman said: ‘We are aware of this very sad incident, which can only be described as environmental destruction, where protected trees have been destroyed.

“This was a thriving young forest that was appreciated by many locally and we are now investigating what happened here.

‘This is a serious matter, where anyone found guilty of committing an offense in breach of Section 210 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 will be fined up to £20,000 in a Magistrates Court or an unlimited fine at Crown Court.”

The spokesperson added: “We are grateful to local residents who have already stepped forward to help with that investigation, which is still in its early stages.”

Many of the 131 felled trees were between 20 and 25 years old.

The local community is now exploring ways to better protect the site.

Conservation charity CPRE London has contacted Bromley Council, the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency to determine which laws and regulations have been breached.

Anna Taylor, the charity’s director, said: ‘This is a devastating attack on our environment, biodiversity and, quite frankly, the community.

‘It’s a much loved area and is normally a very quiet place away from the road where people go to get away from it all.

“Tragically, the TPO didn’t stop the crew from cutting down these protected trees. It will take decades to recover.’

She added: “Occasionally, developers try to free Metropolitan Open Land from its protective status.

This is only allowed in exceptional circumstances and with the permission of the council and the mayor of London.

‘It is extremely unlikely that this site would ever have been de-designated given its natural richness and lack of road access.

“This ecological atrocity will now also harden the opinion of the authorities against such an approach.”

A spokesman for the Met Police said: ‘Police were called to Cator Park, Beckenham on the morning of Saturday 10 June, due to a dispute relating to the felling of trees reportedly under protection orders.

Officers responded and spoke to a man in his 30s and advised that work be stopped.

Officers returned after being told the felling was continuing.

“One man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has been taken into custody. He was later released on bail.

“A number of tree-felling devices have been seized.”

Earlier this year, a Plymouth council leader resigned after ordering the felling of 110 healthy trees under cover of darkness.

Richard Bingley, who signed an executive order for Plymouth City Council to proceed with the felling, was the result of a vote of no confidence.

Tudor Evans, the council’s new leader, this week called for legal action over the hood to be halted, saying it was time to ‘move on’.