THE felling of 30 trees in an ancient woodland has sparked calls for action in Sedgefield.

Today, borough councillors are being asked to confirm a tree preservation order for part of Carr Wood, where a member of the public reported seeing destruction taking place in February.

The landowner said only scrub had been removed.

But aerial photos showed some 30 trees had gone, soil had been imported and access paths made.

The part of the wood involved is next to a site on which Knotty Hill Golf Club is being allowed to make a golf course.

Planning consent for this, granted in 2001 to the owner of the golf course, stated that no trees were to be felled or pruned.

On February 10, a provisional preservation order was made after the woodland destruction was reported.

Within hours of the sighting, a Sedgefield Council tree preservation officer and Colin Grayson of the Forestry Commission were at the site.

The owner said scrub had been removed and a ditch cleaned out. But it was found trees had been removed with an excavator and the land ploughed.

A report to the development control committee says soil had been brought in to start making a golf tee or fairway and paths to provide access to the tee.

The land being developed was formerly agricultural.

Carr Wood lies outside the boundary for which consent was granted. The approved plans allow for rough grass up to the edge of Carr Wood, but no development within it.

The report says the land will need to be returned to its original state but that complete restoration is impossible.

"To protect the trees from further damage a preservation order is thought to be necessary," says the report.

Carr Wood has been designated as ancient semi-rural woodland by English Nature, but this does not give it statutory protection.

The committee is being told that the UK has 80pc of northern Europe's ancient woodlands.

"The borough has a special international obligation to protect such areas under threat," says the report.

"Ancient trees and woodlands are our most important wildlife habitat and once gone are lost forever."

Councillors heard that unauthorised development linked to Knotty Hill Golf Club had led in part to the ancient woodland being destroyed by the landowner.

Preservation officer Roger Lowe said an order was the only way to protect the woodland.

"The committee could not take any action unless the area is protected by an order," he said. "After Friday that could well be the case.

"There could be some restoration work needed and we don't want any more trees being damaged during that time, so a preservation order is necessary."

A spokesman for the golf club said no-one would be available to comment until next week.