Trees given the chop in preparation for delayed housing development

Adeveloper has explained why dozens of trees have been cut down near a Dundee roundabout.

An area of land next to the Swallow Roundabout on Kingsway has been cleared in recent weeks.

The work is linked to a planned upgrade of the roundabout as part of the Western Gateway housing development.

One driver said: “The difference is really quite stark. The land was covered with trees before, but now it looks really bare.”

Dundee City Council told The Courier it was a matter for developer Springfield Homes.

The housing firm said: “We try to limit the removal of established trees where possible and we look to replant trees throughout our developments.

“Ahead of the Swallow Roundabout improvements works, we have been required to remove a small number of trees.

“This is in preparation for the full junction improvements due to commence in June.”

Springfield said it was unable to give more details of the June work, including how it will affect traffic and how long it will last.

It comes after the developer created a “path to nowhere” at the Swallow Roundabout in order to prevent having to reapply for planning permission.

An upgrade of the roundabout is required as part of the planning conditions for homes at Western Gateway, where hundreds of properties have been built.

However, the work has been delayed due to a wrangle over a strip of land next to the roundabout.

Bill Batchelor, chairman of Western Gateway Community Council, said last year: “We are extremely frustrated with the continuing delays. The project is now three years behind schedule.”

GONE: Trees were felled to make way for work at the Swallow Roundabout in Dundee. Pictures by Mhairi Edwards.

How the area at the roundabout used to look.