Ancient oak at woodland near Holt damaged with 1.5m deep cut

Nigel Marsh, who previously waged a five-year legal battle with West Norfolk Council over a campsite in Heacham, has now provoked the ire of North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) due to the incident.

Nigel Marsh at his campsite in Heacham (Image: Chris Bishop)

Enforcement officers from the authority also discovered ancient trees at Dam Hill Plantation in Edgefield, near Holt, had been harmed during an inspection of the 'glamping' shepherd huts, which were reported as "unauthorised development".

The ancient oak that had a 1.5m deep wound caused by the excavation work (Image: North Norfolk District Council)

Upon inspection, they found excavation work at the site had damaged roots of several trees, including a 1.5m deep wound to an ancient pollard oak.

The roots of the trees were badly damaged by the excavation work (Image: North Norfolk District Council)

The damage was caused by the creation of a road through the site when the at some time before spring 2023.

A report to councillors said: "The work illustrates a lack of consideration... future damage is considered likely to occur elsewhere on site."

The Dam Hill Plantation, near Holt (Image: North Norfolk District Council)

It led to a temporary protection order being issued by NNDC to protect the site and this has now been made permanent after councillors unanimously approved the order.

Andrew Brown, Liberal Democrat councillor for Stody at North Norfolk District Council (Image: Newsquest)

Andrew Brown, the local councillor for the area, said the activity at the site is "causing consternation and concern".

"It sits between sites of special scientific interest and the River Glaven, one of England's rare chalk streams, flows nearby.

"These trees are irreplaceable. We need to send a message that this activity is not tolerated."

Nigel Marsh, at his campsite in Heacham (Image: Chris Bishop)

Currently, Nigel Marsh of Norfolk Camping - the operator of the site - is embroiled in a legal tussle with NNDC after it issued an enforcement notice demanding he stops using it as a campsite.

It follows the construction of three shepherd huts deemed "permanent development", which NNDC says is not covered by an exemption licence for camping.

He says he was not responsible for the damage to the trees and that it occurred before the glamping huts were installed.

The site is in the Glaven Valley - a conservation area (Image: North Norfolk District Council)

Mr Marsh, who has also been locked in a five-year battle with West Norfolk Council over his use of land as a campsite in Heacham, has since appealed against the enforcement.

The Planning Inspectorate, the government department that presides over planning disputes, is due to make a judgement on the case later this year.