Flood prevention work threatens up to 81 trees at ‘haven’
AROUND 200 people attended a meeting to make objections heard over safety work that could see up to 81 trees lost at a natural ‘haven.’
Cheshire East Council says steps must be taken to at Poynton Pool to prevent the risk of extensive flooding during heavy rain.
The town has suffered severe flooding in the past and the council wants to raise low points on a 900km section of banking as well widen and resurface a footpath to form a spillway.
But each year there is a one in 10,000 chance of extensive flooding and residents question is this enough to warrant destruction of trees and the consequent effect on wildlife.
These points were raised at a public meeting at Poynton Civic Hall on Monday, which was also attended by two council officers.
After the meeting Jen Hartshorne, from Poynton Pool Objection to Tree Removal Group, said concerns remain.
She said: “The council needs to do a lot to change people’s minds, Poynton Pool is people’s haven away from a busy world.
“People enjoy taking their children there and appreciate having spaces they can go to that are full of wildlife, 77 different types of bird have been seen there this year.
“It got quite feisty at moments, some points really riled people. For example it was said mitigation for trees being lost in Poynton would be to plant others in Disley.”
The work would mean 44 trees would definitely be removed and another 37 may be, depending on how their route structure affects safety.
One suggested option was to finish the path with something other than hard kerbstones as this would require less trees to go.
Others were drawing down the water level so the pool is no longer classed as a reservoir, and therefore subject to certain safety conditions, or having a larger outflow pipe.
Proposals are out to public consultation until November 4 ahead of the submission of a planning application. Work is planned for completion by the end of 2023.
Councillor Nick Mannion, chair of the economy and growth committee, said: “There are parts that are lower. In the event of extreme flooding, water would not flow out of the pool evenly and could damage the bank – leading to an uncontrolled release of water.
“This would lead to extensive flooding and impact people and properties. We are taking action to improve the resilience of the spillway.
“The inspection found that existing trees along the bank also pose safety concerns. We will do all that we can to keep the removal of trees and shrubs to a minimum, but this
cannot be at the cost of safety.”
Also included in the plans is bio-diversity mitigation work such as the installation of bat boxes.
To comment email consultations@ cheshireeasthighways.org. Poynton Pool Objection to Tree Removal Group can be found on Facebook.