A LANDOWNER who illegally chopped down 13 acres of woodland has been given two months to make amends or face prosecution.

The South Downs National Park Authority has called on James Hyatt, who owns Pondtail Wood near Hurstpierpoint, to start replanting work by August 23.

The landowner, who lives in nearby Wineham Lane, Bolney, bought the protected land in March and chopped down the trees in the weeks that followed. He also laid hardcore and dug drainage channels.

A public campaign brought his actions to the attention of the authorities and he was issued a temporary stop notice in May.

The new enforcement notice issued last week requires him to remove all deposited soils, waste and drainage channels so the ancient woodland soils can support replanted trees.

He has previously been told he must replant all the trees he felled and look after them for ten years.

The action has been brought against Mr Hyatt by the South Downs National Park Authority alongside the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and Mid Sussex District Council.

Margaret Paren, chairwoman of the South Downs National Park Authority, said: "We have key roles to play in fixing this situation but we need to make sure that action is taken and that the local community are kept informed.

“Our enforcement notice stipulates that the site owners must remove all deposited soils, waste and drainage channels in order to expose the ancient woodland soils which can then support the return of native species.

“Wherever possible we try to work with site owners to fix breaches in planning, however if the work isn’t carried out by the August 23 deadline we will certainly consider prosecution.

“We appreciate that the local community are as frustrated as we are with the damage to the site and will be sending out regular updates on progress with the case.”

Campaigners have welcomed what they call the "firm stance" taken by the authorities but have criticised the speed of the action.

In a letter sent to Ms Paren, they said: "Concerns were first raised in March but no effective action to stop the landowner was taken until May.

"This is unacceptable for an area of planted ancient woodland within the South Downs National Park.

"Current legislation hasn’t helped in the way that it splits responsibility between so many statutory bodies and we would therefore urge that the SDNPA takes the lead to safeguard this site with the utmost urgency.

"The public is looking to the SDNPA for strong leadership on this and for reassurance that it cannot happen again. Once the site has been safeguarded and restoration is in hand, we suggest that the SDNPA reviews how the various bodies work together and any agreements between them."

The joint letter is signed by Chris Todd, Brighton and Hove Friends of the Earth, David Johnson, Campaign to Protect Rural England Sussex, Dr Tony Whitbread, Sussex Wildlife Trust and Robert Cheesman from the South Downs Society.

The Argus has made repeated attempts to contact Mr Hyatt but has not responded.