THE businessman at the centre of an illegal tree felling probe breached planning rules in neighbouring Surrey back in 2011, The Argus can reveal.

James Hyatt is being investigated over the cutting down and burning of around 13 acres of trees in the South Downs National Park at Pondtail Wood, near Hurstpierpoint.

Back in 2011, one of his companies, Wineham Investments Ltd, bulldozed dozens of trees on a piece of green belt land without warning.

After the destruction, Mr Hyatt tried to sell the 4.6-acre plot in Riddlesdown near Purley, Surrey, but it failed to reach its reserve price of £100,000.

Mr Hyatt later submitted planning applications for the site but they were rejected.

He appealed but the Government's planning inspectorate rejected his case.

Residents told the local newspaper at the time how diggers appeared one morning and started ripping up trees.

They were so fearful as to what might happen to the land they attempted to raise enough money to buy it from Mr Hyatt.

The businessman, who lives in Wineham Lane, Bolney, bought 20 acre Pondtail Wood in Muddleswood Road, earlier this year.

As of the start of this month approximately 13 acres had been felled, hardcore had been brought in and laid and access and drainage points constructed - all without the appropriate permission.

A joint investigation has been launched by the South Downs National Park, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission and a stop notice has been issued to prevent any future work.

Residents who have been keeping an eye on the site claim workers have ignored the order and yesterday the notice was removed from the gateposts.

A resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "It is worrying to think he has acted like this in Surrey. This is ancient woodland, so once it's gone it's gone.

"The authorities need to be tough to protect this beautiful part of Sussex."

Yesterday, The Argus revealed that Mr Hyatt had also breached planning rules in Sussex back in early 2000.

Having been refused planning permission on a two acre site in Southwater, he bulldozed trees as well as an artificially installed grass bank.

There has been criticism of the authorities for their slow response to the destruction at Pondtail Wood - which many fear is irreversible.

Brenda Pollock, from Friends of the Earth, said the regulatory system is too fragmented with different bodies dealing with different breaches of law.

She said: "We have seen the same in the past with fracking. This system is too fragmented and opaque - nobody can understand it.

"The authorities have been too slow to act and you only have to see the drone footage to see how much has been destroyed."

Mr Hyatt has not responded to The Argus's request for comment.