THE potential sale of woodland has sparked a council probe amid flood fears for a West Cumbrian village hit by Storm Desmond.

Coun Peter Kendall has “grave concerns” that the harvesting of parts of Flimby Great Wood will not only affect wildlife but increase the risk of flooding to the village.

Two parcels of land of about 216 acres woodland have been advertised for around half a million pounds though no sale has been agreed.

The Forestry Commission England has an approved management plan in place until 2033.

But despite the safeguards, Allerdale’s full council has backed coun Kendall’s calls for an authority-led investigation as well as the cancellation of the land sale.

He said he wanted  assurances that wildlife was protected and the remaining trees on the land would not be harvested as a crop.

Councillors agreed with his motion which called on planning chiefs to check if there are any trees within the wood which merit Tree Preservation Orders.

Members also agreed to ask the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission about any concerns they might have about the impact of tree-felling on the flood risk in Flimby.

Coun Kendall and the Flimby Flood Action Group believe the trees’ root network plays an important part in helping to absorb water that runs off the fells and down from Broughton Moor.

The flood fears of Flimby residents increased in the middle of last year when part of the wood was harvested.

Back in 2015 Flimby, Seaton and Maryport had about 40mm of rain in just a few hours, with more than 100 homes hit.

But two Conservative councillors spoke out against the motion, claiming that the council did not have the authority to intervene in a private land sale.

Coun Jim Lister, Conservative councillor for Aspatria, said: “I don’t think we should presume to try and cancel the sale. I don’t think we should be telling people what they can do their own private things. Would cancelling the sale make any difference to the proposals for the woodland?

“The Forestry Authority, not the Forestry Commission, are consulted before any woodland over a specific amount – and it’s not a large amount – is felled. “This is a managed woodland not an ancient woodland, and it would be a step too far if we tried to take control.”

Mark Jenkinson, deputy leader of the Conservatives, added: “We are asked to support the cancellation of a sale that doesn’t exist. It’s on the market but there hasn’t been a sale agreed. Are we asking officers to go out and survey 80 hectares of trees which wouldn’t be a small task?  The wood us under a management plan so it gets restocked.”

Sales agent Raymond Henderson hit back following news of the opposition.Hestressed that wood management was very “strictly regulated”, with re-planting carried out to replace felled trees

He added: “Timber is a major industry in the area with Iggesund. Where will the area get timber from if there isn’t managed woodland?

“If the council wants to be proactive they should be active in promoting new woodland not trying to prevent sales and the ongoing management of woodland.  Would you tell a farmer not to cut down his corn or wheat?”