Bristol woodland protected

A Tree Preservation Order on Grove Wood in Stapleton has been confirmed, protecting it from further felling.

The wood has been at the centre of a long-running row between residents and landowner Lord Houshang Jafari.

Last year Mr Jafari was given consent to fell a number of trees but since then residents have expressed concerns about the safety of others.

Some 61 people submitted statements to Bristol City Council's development control committee regarding the application – the vast majority in favour of the confirmation.

Speaking at a meeting yesterday Christine Williams, of Manor Road, Fishponds, said: "I've lived in this area most of my life. It's a beautiful spot, it needs protection but for the last 15 months it has been desecrated."

A spokesman for Mr Jafari's agents, Mair Veritas, said: "Far from desecrating it, we have been asking for over a year to work on the plan.

"The Snuff Mills Action Group has interfered with the public's rights."

Councillors unanimously voted to confirm the preservation order.