A PROTECTED woodland destroyed by a landowner is finally being repaired and replanted.

Pondtail Wood, in Muddleswood Road, Albourne, had been bought by wealthy landowner James Hyatt in March last year.

Within two months, he had flattened 13 acres of the land, protected as part of the South Downs National Park, and dug waste and drainage channels on the woodland floor.

He had also imported hardcore to create access roads before the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) and Forestry Commission (FC) intervened, slapping Mr Hyatt with enforcement notices requiring him to restore the 20 acres site.

However, not long after the notice was given Mr Hyatt placed the plot of land on the market with the SDNPA confirming that any requirements would be passed on to whoever bought the plot.

Fortunately, a new owner stepped in to buy the wood – conscious that he had to take on the liability of restoring it.

The restoration was subject to delays earlier in the year following the early spring rains, which caused the site to be water-logged and thus sensitive to additional damage.

However, a spate of good weather meant the new owner could begin work on Pondtail Wood, near Hurstpierpoint.

Conservation advisor to the Sussex Wildlife Trust, Phil Belden, said: “The new owner has made initial contact with Sussex Wildlife Trust, and thanks the Trust and locals for their time and involvement in the wood’s protection over the last few months. He is hoping to reinstate the woodland, over time and subject to funds, to ‘redeem the woodland to its former beauty and improve its biodiversity’.”

According to the Trust, the landowner is undertaking the agreed works, working with the South Downs National Park Authority, Forestry Commission and Natural England.

Under the watchful eyes of an ecologist and enforcement officer, he is currently removing a large area of “waste” dumped in the wood, and he has also undertaken some safety works, removing dangerous and overhanging trees left in situ by the previous owner.

The work is essential to the area, which has had health and safety issues while overhanging trees still remained.

Mr Belden added: “All seems to be going in the right direction, but early days yet, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on this. Our wish is to have not just a repairing of the damage, but to see a full restoration, the coniferous plantation eventually replaced with the original deciduous woodland tree cover and the ground flora slowly re-emerging to its former glory. The early works are encouraging, so we are hoping for a more promising future for Pondtail Wood.”