TPO? What TPO!

I had to walk down what used to be a pleasant footpath through the woods on my way to Atlantis Leisure - to put up a poster, I hasten to add!

These woods had all been designated as TPO - Tree Preservation Order - even though they are privately owned. The owners of this plot applied for permission to remove many of their trees and build a house and the council, quite rightly, turned them down. They appealed, and the Local Planning Board gave the go ahead. There was more to it than that, but nothing I want to repeat in public. 

The result - a big bare site and a house going up! What is the purpose of a TPO if it's simply removed when the need arises? 

The authorities need to think a bit more carefully before destroying any more of the natural, or even semi-natural environment. Now we have the Highland Council agreeing to a new American golf development on the Sutherland coast, on an SSSI, in spite of a huge public outcry and strong opposition from several environmental bodies! "But it will provide a few permanent jobs!"  "Oh, that's alright then."