Saving the Poplars
October 6, 2008 12:00 AM
The story of the 'decision' to fell all 700 poplars in Stanborough Park reads like an episode of "Yes Minister!"
Key parts of the script included a vanishing Cabinet Member, a Decision that was not a Decision but might become a Decision soon, a Public Meeting, a Heckler and an Expert.
The upshot of the last two months frenzy is that a decision will be made by the cabinet on October 7th. Currently the report before cabinet recommends that ALL of the trees in the southern car park should be felled, with replanting scheduled for winter 2009/10. There has been no genuine consultation - although the council asked residents to respond to Finesse Leisure by 29th October, the cabinet paper was written on the 19th!
We support the removal of any hazardous trees - if a tree is unsafe it must be dealt with.
BUT - we think it would be much better to spread the work over several years, rather than chop everything down now. Pollarding in the south car park offers a much less drastic solution and we find it strange that the council seem to have rejected this option.
Groups of local residents, and the Welwyn Garden City society have all called for the preservation of the trees and for a phased replanting.
The final decision will be made at the cabinet meeting of 7th October. Please attend this meeting and show solidarity with all who will be asking questions there.
The meeting is at Campus West, in the Council Chamber. That's inbetween the foyer and Roller City.
If you have a view, please write to Clare Berry at clare.berry@welhat.gov.uk. She is the cabinet member with responsibility for Environment and Community and was the person who made the decision that wasn't a decision, to cut down all the trees. Ask them why they did not wait to hear the views of everyone who wrote in before writing their report. Ask most of all why they want to chop down the trees when there are sensible alternatives available. And ask them not to do so.
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