The fight to save beloved woodland near Hythe rumbles on.

The Environment Agency (EA) describes the work at Mill Leese in Saltwood - which will see trees felled and vegetation and debris removed - as essential.

The EA says the maintenance work is 'not a matter of choice' but a legal requirement in the interest of safety, as the reservoir there acts as a flood storage area which helps prevent flooding in the town.

But as the landowner, who also owns Saltwood Castle, previously refused entry to the land, the EA applied for a warrant through the court to gain access.

It is believed a compromise has now been agreed - with entry to the woodland allowed, but a limit on how many tress can be felled and where.

It comes as residents previously hit out over the proposal to tear down the "healthy trees", which are home to 11 species of bats.

Protesters say the work at the old railway embankment is unnecessary, will harm wildlife and will ruin an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Walker Ailish Erskine, 24, from Saltwood, said: "The contradiction of claiming the work is being done for the purpose of flood prevention, whilst ripping up trees (that are proven to prevent flooding) feels unbelievably detrimental to the environment."

Mike Slade, 58, also from Saltwood, has been walking his dogs in the woods for 30 years, and also enjoys bird watching there.

He said: "It is everyone's favourite spot that joins Saltwood to Hythe.

"But apparently the EA wants to fell the trees so that that a couple of staff can inspect the associated embankment twice a year."

Last month, worried residents and councillors gathered at the woodland, with some holding signs reading 'save the trees'.

Saltwood Parish Council is also confused over the plans, with chair of the council, Cllr Frank Boland, writing letters to Damian Collins, the district's MP, and Carrie Johnson, wife of the Prime Minister, listing his concerns.

Mr Collins has since written a letter to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs over the issue.

But Cllr Boland has yet to receive a reply from Mrs Johnson, he says, despite sending it through recorded delivery and receiving a notification letting him know it had been delivered.

Cllr Boland added: "Emotionally I am against the plans.

"I am in a position however where I can be persuaded, but the Environment Agency hasn't provided information which would persuade me."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said that while they are "legally obliged to do this safety work", they are "also looking to enhance the ecology of the area".

The EA will work with qualified and specialist ecologists before commencing any maintenance work so there is minimal impact to the ecological systems, it says.

The spokesman added: "Mill Leese is a flood storage reservoir which protects up to 70 properties in Hythe from flooding.

"The reservoir embankment at Saltwood Castle must be maintained to a high standard and we have been advised to carry out this work by an independent inspecting engineer.

"This is not a matter of choice, but a legal requirement in the interest of safety under the Reservoirs Act 1975.

"Although we are not required to let the landowner know beforehand about maintenance activities, we chose to do so here because of the nature and timescale needed to carry out these works.

"Access has been refused and we therefore had to apply for a warrant through the court."

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