Private woodland management

[naturalbaby]

I'm not sure if this is the right section for this question - I am wondering how to raise concerns about the way a local resident is managing private woodland.

They own it, it is behind several gardens and a huge amount of trees are being removed. I believe they do intend to keep it as woodland, and are removing trees to let in the light. However, I am concerned that they are planning to run a business there which will bring in noise and traffic. This will potentially affect the security of my house and garden due to it's location.

A large amount of wildlife used to live in the woods - I used to take my kids out looking and listening for owls and badgers. I am also concerned it will affect the drainage of my garden. We have a complicated water and drainage system and overflow goes out into this stream.

The woodland trust cannot offer any advice as it is privately owned and a relatively small amount of land. Is there any other way of restricting/controlling what they do there? They have completed work on their property in the past without consent and received large fines so this doesn't seem to be a deterrent.

Contact the planning dept at the council and also the arboricultural officer. If the neighbours have form then report your concerns.

Can you check with the local council if there are any tree protection orders in place? If there are not I am not sure you can stop them cutting them down. Woodlands have to be maintained. We have 2 acres of woodland and have to remove trees for the safety of the house, or if they are damaged or diseased. I am not sure it will affect the wildlife or drainage to be honest. If it is their land, not in an SSRI or conservation area and there are no TPO's in place I don't think you can do much about it.

I help manage an area of woodland: from time to time we do have to cut larger trees - they may be diseased (better to remove safely than have them crash down indiscriminately); or we may be managing the mix of species within the wood (we have it in for Sycamores...); or simply clearing paths/glades for a more mixed habitat. Of course, woodland can also be managed financially - are they harvesting trees/timber? My best guess would be that there's not much you can do about things like the impact on wildlife - assuming it's not protected woodland/no TPO in force.
BUT if the landuse is being changed from woodland to business/industrial, I would have thought that would need planning permission, inc the impact on others surroundings. Are you confident that this is happening, or just suspect it?
I'd give your friendly local planning officer a call and just check what the regulations are, given your neighbours have form they may be up for giving them a call and checking things (you can be anonymous of course)