THE Forestry Commission this week defended its handling of a major tree-planting scheme in a moors beauty spot.

The Commission said plans for 46 hectares in Bilsdale had met necessary criteria and that proper consultation procedures had been observed.

The comments came amid anger among some residents about the extent of the scheme, which one woman has described as "the rape of Bilsdale".

Freda Phalp from Great Ayton says pleasant fields between Chop Gate and Fangdale Beck have been "disfigured" and that visitors to the area do not want to see trees en masse.

Bilsdale residents claim there was not enough consultation before the planting went ahead on land either side of the main road through their part of the North York Moors.

An area parish forum heard the scheme would have a huge impact on the landscape and feel the national park authority should have done more to alert locals to the plans at an earlier stage.

But the Forestry Commission, which approved the scheme, said the plans had met necessary criteria.

Iwan Downey, regional operations manager for the Commission, also insisted proper consultation procedures had been observed.

Mr Downey said such schemes were instigated by landowners with proposals for new planting or management of existing woodland.

A woodland officer then looked at the project and made contact with the applicant, visiting the site to discuss the proposals to see if they conformed to issues such as standards and policy.

"With new planting, there is a scoring system to take into account issues such as rural development, regeneration, recreation access and tourism," said Mr Downey.

"If the scheme reaches the threshold, it qualifies to be considered for grant aid. If not, the landowner could still proceed, but with no help from the Commission."

Forestry Commission grants on a wide range of activities are paid on a flat rate per hectare basis.

As an example, broadleaf planting could attract a contribution of up to £1,050 per hectare. Converting existing woodland could qualify for a percentage of agreed costs.

Statutory consultations take place with bodies such as English Nature and the national park.

"In this case, the park wanted to retain the heather and gorse habitat and both English Nature and the park authority were supportive of the scheme," he said.

"This was not a particularly big scheme, there have been much larger ones elsewhere.

"It also did not qualify for an environmental impact assessment as it was too small."

* Leading article: page 18

* Letters to the Editor: page 19