Councillor criticises tree campaigners

A LEADING Doncaster councillor has hit out at campaigners from ‘‘ outside of the area’’ protesting against the removal of street trees on a borough estate, calling it ‘‘ appalling’’.

Joe Blackham, cabinet member for highways and street scene, said protesters campaigning on Middlefield Road, Bessacarr, would not engage in dialogue with the council to come to some sort of conclusion.

The council began felling trees in January but stopped after a leading environmental barrister who represented Sheffield campaigners said Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council ( DMBC) ‘ could be breaking the law’.

Bosses at DMBC resumed felling in October after saying the Forestry Commission told them they ‘‘ don’t need a licence’’ to carry out the removal in order to fix pavements.

So far, 60 trees along the road have been felled and four remain standing. Campaigners said they would continue to peacefully protest.

Coun Blackham took a question from Conservative Bessacarr councillor Nick Allen who said people from ‘‘ outside of the area’’ were coming in ‘‘ causing a nuisance’’ and asked if the situation could have been handled better.

He said: “I don’t concur to suggest we could’ve handled it differently. Extensive consultation was carried out with residents and they supported the consent to move forward, with good reason.

“The reason for removal is damage to the highways and ward members were keen to approve the work.

“It’s regrettable that people who aren’t living in that area are the people who are boycotting the removal.

“There is an ongoing dialogue and I hope we can find a sensible solution as part and parcel in assessment of the trees’ removal.”