Rewilding Plan to plant trees axed after objections
PLANS to plant hundreds of trees at a coastal beauty spot in Clevedon have been scrapped after a wave of opposition.
North Somerset Council had announced plans to plant more than 1,000 trees on the grassy slope leading down to the sea next to the Walton Park Hotel.
The planting is part of the authority’s rewilding scheme which will see thousands of new trees planted right across the district over the next several years.
But residents set up a petition calling for the scheme to be stopped, which collected more than 1,000 signatures in just two days.
They say the land has been used by local people for more than a century and is also a popular picnic area and place for young people to play.
The petition was organised by resident Tom Vaughan and local councillor Caroline Cherry. They are now calling for the council to work with residents on a scheme to improve the land next to Walton Park.
A friends group has now been set up with residents urged to join and have their say.
Mr Vaughan said: “This has been a victory for people power, and I’m very grateful to the people of Clevedon who wrote letters and added their names to the petition so quickly, and in many cases included comments explaining the importance of retaining this much-loved open space and its stunning view.
“My aim now is to maintain the positivity of the campaign and come up with ideas which ensure Walton Park can be preserved and improved for future generations. With this in mind, we have set up a group called Friends of Walton Park, Clevedon, and are inviting local residents wanting to be part of future plans to please sign up to this group.”
Councillor Cherry said the site was invaluable for people locally, especially those without a garden.
Councillor Cherry said: “Walton Park is an invaluable green space for children, parents and many older residents who take exercise, play and sit in this area,” she said.
“Many residents were very concerned that this unique vista would be lost forever.
“I’m delighted that Walton Park will retain its views over the channel and continue to be used as a green space for the community.”
The council’s rewilding programme involves creating new habitats across the district to enable wildlife to flourish and help address climate change.
After declaring a climate emergency earlier this year, councillors agreed unanimously to put in place the rewilding programme.
Officers have now identified areas of council-owned land as potential sites for rewilding by either planting trees or allowing the grass to grow taller.
Under its rewilding programme it is looking to increase wildlife and biodiversity by converting around 16 per cent of this “amenity grass” to tall grass areas and a further 10 per cent to woodland.
This will result in around 40 new hectares of tall grass and 20 new hectares of woodland across the district.
North Somerset Council executive member for environment Councillor Bridget Petty said: “I’m delighted the residents and council can work together to establish compromise.
“In this circumstance the community asked that this small open space remain without being part of the council-wide rewilding scheme.
“It was good to visit the site, see the views and memorial benches.
“The council is willing to listen but also remains dedicated to action on climate change and preparing our communities and landscape for the changes we will see. Rewilding is a strategy to also increase biodiversity which I know means a lot to the residents of North Somerset.”