Neighbours urge builder not to chop down trees
‘WORK NEEDED TO CREATE A FOOTBRIDGE TO NEW ESTATE
NEIGHBOURS are joining forces to try to stop a number of trees being chopped down on a public footpath.
Gareth Morgan recently spotted that five trees near his home in Barrow upon Soar had been sprayed with red X signs, while others had a yellow X on them.
He said he was shocked to discover that Jelson, which is building homes on the Poppy Fields development across the Fishpool Brook from where he lives, was set to fell the five trees with a red X and prune the others.
The trees are being chopped down because Jelson is to replace a narrow footbridge across the brook with a wider one.
Dr Morgan, a psychology lecturer at the University of Leicester, said: “The urgency of the climate and ecological crisis is such that we really should not be losing any trees at this time.
“Some of the trees are very old and the damage to habitat for wildlife will be significant. The trees are beautiful to look at.”
He said the local authorities had no power to stop the trees being felled because Jelson received permission for the plan nearly eight years ago.
Dr Morgan, 41, said: “I don’t believe there has been any consultation about the plan to remove the trees, although there were people who fought against the building of the estate.
“So the council can’t do anything and our only chance is to persuade Jelson not to do the work on the bridge.
“The current one is quite a narrow footbridge, but it seems safe to me.
“This isn’t about being against the new estate and the people there.
“The main problem is the damage to the environment – we need trees to absorb carbon dioxide and for biodiversity.
“These issues are even more pressing now than they were in 2013 when this plan was agreed.”
A Jelson representative has been to the area to discuss the plan with residents.
Sam Maitland, technical manager, said: “Jelson Homes is required to upgrade the existing footbridge to Fishpool Brook in order to meet planning obligations.
“The footbridge will be designed in accordance with Leicestershire County Council design standards, providing safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists.
“The removal of a small number of trees is essential for the delivery of this key infrastructure and site clearance works will be kept to an absolute minimum.”