logo
Investigation underway after environmentalists 'sickened' by tree felling video in Jersey

Investigation underway after environmentalists 'sickened' by tree felling video in Jersey

ITV News07-07-2025
A video of woodland being felled in Jersey has sparked outrage from environmentalists and calls for better legal protections.
An investigation is underway to see if the felling of woodland on private land in Jersey was lawful.
It comes after a video was shared on social media of trees being cut down at a property in Fliquet, which has since been removed.
The island's former Climate Change Minister and Chair of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, Deputy Hilary Jeune, told ITV News:
"My first response is aghast at how aggressive it is, including with the music over the top - it seemed to be promoting it as a really a good thing, that there were big machines scouring the earth and taking away not only the trees but any wildlife has completely gone.
"As an environmentalist, I felt completely sickened by it."
She added that this is not the first case of it's kind and "the risk has always been there, and been brought up many times."
The Infrastructure and Environment Department have said they need to "discover the facts of the case and see if there have been any breaches under any relevant laws - before any action can be taken."
In Jersey, there are no laws explicitly preventing the felling of woodland in these kinds of areas if they are on private land.
People can apply to the Planning Department to protect individual trees, but due to the length of the process, very few trees are actually protected.There were attempts to tighten tree protections by the previous States Assembly but these have since been withdrawn.
Jersey's Wildlife Law protects nesting birds as well as many trees and plants. Planning permission is also required for the removal of some trees.
Environmentalist, Sheena Brockie, says the protecting biodiversity on the island is crucial.
"Granted there was damage from Storm Ciarán, however there was still standing trees, standing deadwood's really important.
"The fact that every single blade of grass, every single shrub, the majority of trees - they're covered in ivy and those kind of trees support so much wildlife.
"The soil biodiversity, the birds that depend on it, the bats that depend on it - these are protected under the legislation."The Environment Minister, Deputy Steve Luce, added the islands greenery needs to be looked after.
"I see sites that are developed and trees are still being felled where I feel that's unnecessary and consequently, since I've been minister we've formed a tree advisory board and that group of people are coming forward with certain recommendations about varieties we might want to grow in the future, and about protection."
ITV News Channel tried to speak to people inside the property, but no one would answer.Planning are now carrying out an investigation to see if there has been any breaches of the law.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Minns government's environmental integrity condemned as ‘nonexistent' amid 40% surge in land clearing
Minns government's environmental integrity condemned as ‘nonexistent' amid 40% surge in land clearing

The Guardian

time2 hours ago

  • The Guardian

Minns government's environmental integrity condemned as ‘nonexistent' amid 40% surge in land clearing

The Minns government has lost its way on environmental policy, according to the New South Wales opposition, the Greens and a member of the crossbench, after government data revealed a 40% surge in land clearing across the state. The report is the latest headache for a state government under pressure over conservation concerns, including continued logging in a promised koala park in the state's north and the failure of a koala translocation project in the state's south. 'Where is Chris Minns on the environment? He hasn't delivered, he's had two years,' the NSW Greens environment spokesperson, Sue Higginson, said. Higginson said the government 'rode to power' on a promise to do better for nature but habitat destruction had continued, adding there had been no discussion about changing 'disastrous' native vegetation laws introduced by the former Coalition government. Sign up: AU Breaking News email 'Right now Labor's environmental integrity is nonexistent as we are still waiting for the establishment of the Great Koala national park and it is still being logged at an industrial scale,' she said. The 2023 land-clearing data, published Monday afternoon, shows 66,498 hectares of native vegetation was cleared for agriculture, infrastructure and forestry in 2023, which the Nature Conservation Council of NSW said was 'equivalent to bulldozing Sydney's Royal national park four times over'. Land clearing in the state has increased over several years as a result of John Barilaro-era laws introduced in 2017 that relaxed regulation of native vegetation clearing. In the years since, clearing across the state exploded, at one point reaching levels close to 100,000 hectares per year. While the 2023 data does not show clearing of that scale, the destruction of habitat increased significantly after a brief dip in 2022. Clearing of woody vegetation was up 55%, with 32,847 hectares cleared in 2023, compared with 21,137 hectares in 2022. Agriculture was responsible for 77% of all clearing, and the state's west and north-west, including the Cobar and Bogan shire council areas, were clearing hotspots. In June, the NSW State of the Environment report showed the trajectory of conservation indicators including the extent of native vegetation, the condition of habitat and the number of threatened species was getting worse. The Coalition environment spokesperson, James Griffin, said he was open to talks with the government about reforms to land-clearing regulations. Higginson said the Greens were also prepared to work with the government to rein in clearing. Griffin accused Labor of spending its time in opposition attacking the Coalition for its environmental performance, and since winning government in 2023, 'not only are these problems not being solved, they're getting worse'. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'I'm passionate about the environment and this is an outrageous situation we find ourselves in,' he said. 'The key indicators on the state of the environment are going backwards, there's no marine conservation program to speak of and there is a complete lack of ambition on fundamental environmental issues,' he said. 'I have a great degree of sympathy for [environment minister] Penny Sharpe. I think she has been completely sidelined by Chris Minns who sees zero political benefit in the environment and so simply doesn't care.' The independent MP for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby, said both major parties had failed. She said while Griffin criticised Labor, 'the reality is, his government chose to accelerate this disaster, tearing up the Native Vegetation Act in 2016 and unleashing a bulldozer bonanza that has only accelerated'. 'Labor promised to fix the mess – but nearly two years later, native forests are still being logged and critical habitat is still being destroyed,' she said. Scruby said she had recently visited parts of the proposed Great Koala national park on the mid-north coast. 'I saw fresh koala scratchings on trees just metres from clear-felling. It was gut-wrenching. These forests are supposed to be part of a koala sanctuary – but they're being logged while we continue to wait for Labor to act,' she said. In a statement, the NSW minister for the environment, Penny Sharpe, said her government would 'continue to work with the Natural Resources Commission and with farmers' on land clearing. 'Before the Coalition came into power, land clearing was down to around 10,000 hectares a year. The Coalition let this blow out,' she said. 'This will take time to work through, but we are committed to reducing excessive land clearing.' On Friday, the government took a step towards delivering one of its environmental commitments by formally gazetting the first 962 hectares of a promised national park for koalas on the Georges River in south-western Sydney. The new park, called Warranmadhaa (Georges River Koala national park), is located between Long Point and Appin. 'This new national park is one of the most important in the state for koala conservation, protecting almost 1,000 hectares of vital koala habitat in south-west Sydney and delivering on our promise to safeguard this iconic species,' Sharpe said. '$48.2m has been committed to establish and manage this park, ensuring long-term protection for the south-west Sydney's koalas.'

Nicola Sturgeon agrees to TV special as ex-SNP leader to be grilled on 'striking revelations' in new book
Nicola Sturgeon agrees to TV special as ex-SNP leader to be grilled on 'striking revelations' in new book

Daily Record

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Nicola Sturgeon agrees to TV special as ex-SNP leader to be grilled on 'striking revelations' in new book

The former first minister will be quizzed by ITV News ahead of the publication of 'Frankly' next month. Nicola Sturgeon has agreed to a high profile TV interview ahead of the publication next month of her eagerly anticipated political memoir. ‌ The former first minister will be grilled by ITV News stalwart Julie Etchingham for a special programme that will be broadcast at 7pm on August 11. Sturgeon's book, Frankly, hits the shops on August 14. ‌ The interview will focus on the memoir's most striking revelations, delving into the ex-SNP leader's successes and controversies, personal insights and political flashpoints. It is being produced by the ITV News team responsible for previous headline-grabbing political interviews with former Prime Ministers David Cameron in 2019 and Boris Johnson last year. ‌ Etchingham said: "Nicola Sturgeon is quite simply one of the stand-out politicians of a generation. From her rise as a working class girl to the pinnacle of Scottish politics as first female First Minister, she has charted dizzying political heights to being hailed the most dangerous woman in Britain. In what I hope will be a revealing encounter, I can't wait to see how Nicola Sturgeon lifts the lid on her politics, life and legacy - and to find out where she heads next.' Sturgeon has declared nearly £200,000 in outside earnings since standing down from the top job in Scottish politics. Her book, Frankly, is expected to lift the lid on her nine years as Scotland's leader and the breakdown of her friendship with the late Alex Salmond. According to her Holyrood register of interest, she received £75,000 in 2023 from publishers Pan Macmillan for the first of four instalments of a book advance. ‌ Other income, including a recent £76,500 second book payment made via her literary agent and fees for book reviews, was paid to her personal company. Nicola Sturgeon Ltd also received £25,000 from broadcaster ITN after the former SNP leader appeared on a general election night results show. To coincide with publication of her book, fans of Sturgeon are being charged £75 to attend a 'meet and greet' with her later this year ahead of an interview in Edinburgh. The fee is on top of ticket prices for the event at the 2200 capacity Usher Hall which stretch to £73.95 including the booking fee. In an Instagram post, she plugged an 'evening with Nicola Sturgeon ' in the Capital in which she would reflect on her career in politics. Sturgeon, who is standing down from Holyrood next year, has been accused of being a part-time MSP since resigning as FM, with critics hitting out at her attendance record.

What do locals in Scotland think of Donald Trump?
What do locals in Scotland think of Donald Trump?

ITV News

timea day ago

  • ITV News

What do locals in Scotland think of Donald Trump?

Donald Trump is on a trip to Scotland, but what do people make of his visit? ITV News' Ben Chapman reports from Turnberry The US President Donald Trump is now halfway through his private visit to Scotland. He is here primarily to play golf and to open his newest course, but he is fitting in meetings with the prime minister, first minister and president of the European Commission. He is famously proud of his Scottish heritage, but what do people here make of this unusual presidential visit? Locals in Girvan, the closest town to Trump's luxury golf resort, had mixed views ahead of his arrival on Friday. One man said: 'There's enough trouble going on in the world at the moment without Donald Trump coming to Scotland to play golf. He's flying thousands of miles for a game of golf. I think his focus should be elsewhere. If anything good comes of it, then great, but I have my doubts.' While a woman said: 'I think it's great that he visits Scotland because his mother is from Scotland and he has invested a lot in Scotland. "He employs a lot of people in the region, and he looks after the places where he is running his business, which is great for this local economy.' "He's just such a controversial figure, and I just don't understand what he's up to. He's just causing chaos and confusion around the whole world," another man said. 'The US government won't be paying for it because it's a private trip, so I think the bill will land at the doorstep of the Scottish people. He should take some of his profits and pay for the expenses.' This mother and daughter had different views on whether Trump's visit was welcome or not. The mother said: 'I don't think it's worth it. Not for a private visit. There will be local disruption, and there is a cost implication as well. I mean, the Americans will obviously pick up some of the security, but there will also be an obligation on Police Scotland. I mean not just to police the visit but also the protests that are going to obviously result over the weekend.' Meanwhile, her daughter said Trump "brings a lot of good things to the community here". "I don't agree with everything that he does politics wise, but I think he's done a lot for the area, and I think, well, good luck to him," she added. On Friday night at Prestwick airport, more than 1,000 people camped out with deck chairs and picnic blankets to catch a glimpse of Air Force One touching down on Scottish soil. Many waited for hours to claim their spot. Surprisingly, there were no obvious protesters. Instead, the crowd was made up of dedicated plane spotters and locals who were excited to have the President of the United States and his plane land in their town. Some wore Make America Great Again caps and carried pro-Trump flags to welcome him. Samuel Ackroyd and James Swan were among those who waited more than eight hours to catch a glimpse of Air Force One. They told ITV News: 'I like Trump, but it's mainly about seeing Air Force One. 'This is a big bucket list item for aviation enthusiasts. Many of us want to see the Boeing 747-200. 'It's a great privilege to see the President of the United States land here.' A mother and her son, who came down from Fife, said: 'We've come down from Fife today to see President coming for the first time. We've never plane spotted in Ayr before but we wanted to be here today for this.' On Saturday morning, Trump was out on the golf course bright and early, but unlike his last visit as president, there were no protesters on the beach next to the Turnberry course. There was just the odd Trump supporter hanging around to try and see him in person. This couple travelled to Ayrshire from Liverpool to show their support. The man said: 'We support MAGA (Make America Great Again) and Trump and what he's doing. We've just made our way down to the golf course to try and catch a glimpse of him. Mainly because it might be the only chance we ever get to see him here. I know he's doing a state visit in London, but that will be all private escorts and everything, so we thought we'd try to see him while we can.' In the afternoon, planned anti-Trump protests took place in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, far from the president's eyes. Many there said they were frustrated and angry that he is being welcomed by our prime minister and first minister, and that he is coming on a private golfing trip that is costing taxpayers here. 'Trump's not welcome in Scotland. He has done too much damage globally. He's a global leader, but he doesn't like one or think like one. And we didn't vote for him here, yet he's here in Scotland today, and we're not happy about it. "He claims Scottish heritage, but he is not from Scotland. He doesn't share our values. We care about people. We care about diversity. Scotland has people in every single country in the world. He's just focusing on making America great. What does that even mean? It doesn't mean anything.' 'He wants to come and see his businesses, then let him pay for the security. Let him pay for the police. He's always bragging about how rich is, even though he didn't release his tax returns. So let him use some of all that money that he's had from all that winning and all those fantastic trade deals. 'He keeps telling everyone he's really wealthy and he's got all this money. Let him pay for it. I see, absolutely no reason why we should pay one penny for that orange walloper.' 'I am an American living here now, and he is just an embarrassment. I don't even want to go back to America right now. This is just a little part I can do because I'm not there. I can still vote, but I can't go to any protest there, so I just want to come out here and support everyone. I feel good that there are other people sharing my sentiment. 'He's like an evil genius. I don't know what it is, but he's Teflon Don. That's his nickname. These people are just kissing the ring because they feel they need to. "And I think once he is gone, whether it's a cheeseburger too many or whatever, I think it'll all go away because I don't think anybody has his level of depravity.' On Monday, Trump is set to meet the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. On Tuesday, he will open his new golf course in Aberdeenshire, which is named after his Scottish mother, Mary Anne MacLeod. He is due to leave Scotland on Tuesday afternoon.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store