Residents’ dismay at loss of mature trees
Bothwell villagers have described as “outrageous” the removal of an estimated 20 mature trees from a residential area of the village.
According to residents in the Croftbank Crescent and Langside Road area, the work has been going on behind their homes for a number of weeks and has involved earthmoving machinery and chain saws.
South Lanarkshire Council, however, have pointed out that since the area – known locally as ‘The Orchard’ – is not within the Bothwell Conservation Area no planning consent is required for their removal.
One angry resident told the Advertiser: “I think what has been done here is disgraceful. These trees added to the character of the area.
“Their loss detracts from the area’s amenity. They were part of a valued piece of green space.”
Another Croftbank Crescent resident said: “There has been a lot of activity during the day, on and off, over the last few weeks. It’s been taking place on Saturdays and Sundays as well.
“Whoever it is has been using JCB diggers. I’d say about 20 mature trees have been removed. It was quite overgrown, but they’ve more or less levelled the area. It all looks a terrible mess.”
Another resident said the green space behind the terrace had been an asset to the area and pointed out that work to cut back the vegetation had been taking place since last year.
However, the loss of the trees in the last