Western Power Distribution (Wpd) Site Moor Lane Exeter EX2 7JA
1A small woodland of predominantly coppice alder, but including birch, oak, sycamore, lime, Norway maple, elder and hawthorn.The works include a thin of the whole woodland area. The intension is to achieve an even thin of approximately 15% of the crown area. A small open area will be enlarged to create a glade. The trees to be removed have been marked on site with a blue dot and total of 31 alder, 9 oak, 3 birch, 1 ash. The works are recommended for ecological improvements associated with planning approval 22/1633/FUL. They are required in relation to the hazel dormouse licence and these works were set out in the initial Ecological Assessment and the subsequent Landscape and Ecology Management Plan (24/0730/DIS). The licence has been approved by Natural England (2023-65908-EPS-MIT). The Ecological Assessment and Landscape and Ecology Management Plan have both been approved by Exeter City Council. The works within the woodland are targeted to improve the understorey extent and composition, as well as the species diversity and structural components of the woodland, with a view to supporting the favourable conservation status of hazel dormouse.We are making a felling license application to the forestry commission which we understand will exempt the works from the need to make a parallel TPO application. However, to guard against the felling license application being deemed unnecessary of superfluous this TPO application is submitted to ensure that works are not delayed, because some tree felling may be desirable in spring. Regardless of the formal applications process, we consider it beneficial for the LPA to be informed about the detail of the proposed works.