Residents are renewing calls to stop woodland being destroyed as development continues at Fowler's Stone Wood in Vigo.

Tree felling was first reported at the woodland off Harvel Road in April last year, leading to a Temporary Stop Notice being served before a High Court Injunction was obtained by Gravesham Council to stop the work.

But since then development has continued, and Vigo residents have become increasingly frustrated with the lack of action to enforce the injunction, while reported ongoing work at the site includes road laying, new fences and the erection of a mobile building

A retrospective application to change the use of land for siting one mobile home, toilet and one touring Caravan together with vehicle access has been submitted to the council - and residents now fear the application's progress will lead to further delays in preventing work.

Culverstone resident Andy Rose said: "It is now more than a year since this wanton carnage started and it is only getting worse. After the high court case, the occupants built a tarmac road and are now busy clearing more ancient woodland. Gravesham Borough Council have been completely ineffective in enforcing anything at this site."

Another anonymous resident added: "Whilst we remain confident that the planning will get turned down due to the precedent it would set and the damage he continues to cause to protected woodland, wildlife and the environment, our fear is that this will run for many months to come with appeals. How someone who has already put mobile homes and buildings on site, and broken a court injunction can now apply for planning is beyond us."

And another added: "The tree felling continues daily the past couple weeks, they have ignored high court injunctions, daily bonfires containing rubbish and still it continues as the council still have not stop this was continuing."

Gravesham Council confirmed Fowler's Stone Wood was an area of protected woodland, and that they were working with legal advisors to decide appropriate action.

A statement said: "The owner without authority has cleared trees, placed mobile homes on the cleared land, constructed an access road and erected fencing.

"The Authority has obtained an injunction from the High Court which has been served on the land owner, but unfortunately the owner has not complied with the injunction. As a result of the owner’s failure to comply, we are working with our legal advisors on the next steps available to the Council.

"A planning application has been submitted by the owner to retrospectively obtain approval for the unauthorised development works and this is being taken through due process."

A statement from Vigo Parish Council added: "The Parish Council continue to work with, and support Gravesham Borough Council in a bid to resolve this matter via the correct channels. The landowner has now submitted a planning application, for change of use for the land, and to site a mobile home, a touring caravan and create a vehicle access from the Highway (all of which has already been carried out). The strength of feeling among Vigo residents is strong, with over 340 comments having been made on the application. Vigo Parish Council will also be submitting a robust objection to the proposal.”

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