Public meeting called over Walton-le-Dale tree felling plan – Blog Preston - United Kingdom News Beep

The plans were approved by South Ribble Borough Council’s planning committee in March but has since faced growing opposition. Residents objecting to the plan, including piling consultant John Hull, say they have a different proposal which they believe should be given more consideration.

He previously told Blog Preston: “The Victoria Road section of the Environment Agency’s scheme, recently approved at the SRBC Planning Meeting, does not, in my view, represent the most rational or least disruptive design.

“I live alongside the River Darwen, only a few hundred yards from the River Ribble, and I am keen to see solutions that do not create unnecessary disruption or environmental loss.”

On Monday, June 8 at 7pm a public meeting will be held at the Yew Tree pub where the public can hear from all involved and ask questions. The meeting will be chaired by Ribble Valley MP Maya Ellis and speakers include members of the Save the Royal Limes campaign group, local councillors, and representatives of the Environment Agency.

Graham Dixon, chair of the campaign group, said he believes that councillors on the planning committee and EA planners were not aware of the historical significance of the trees when they made their decisions.

He said he is hopeful the meeting will give an opportunity for a “genuine discussion” and that they can be successful in convincing that is possible. Speaking to Blog Preston, he said: “It was Maya Ellis who wanted the Environment Agency to come to the public meeting. We don’t want it to be about throwing rotten tomatoes, we want it to be a genuine discussion.”

He added: “I honestly believe when the project landed on someone’s desk, if they were given the brief of making flood defences without the trees being cut down, they would have managed it but they weren’t aware of the historical significance and or the local feeling.”

Explaining the need to remove the trees, the EA said it has considered all options but the density and spread of the root systems, and the proximity of the trees to the required working area mean it is not feasible to retain them and construct the flood defences. It also says the plans were the result of extensive investigations, including tree root radar surveys and engineering assessments.

A spokesperson said: “Our priority is protecting hundreds of Walton-le-Dale homes and businesses from the devastating effects of flooding and felling trees is always our last resort.

“We can’t carry out construction from within the River Ribble due to the risk of causing environmental harm to the river, its wildlife, and the surrounding land. Relocating the works further inland is also not feasible, as the road carries essential utilities and regionally significant communications cables. Neither of those two options is financially viable.

“We understand the strength of feeling for these trees from the community and we’ve taken 180 cuttings to grow at a nursery and replant in the area.”

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Article categoriesPolitics, Preston News, South Ribble News, Walton-le-Dale

Public meeting called over Walton-le-Dale tree felling plan – Blog Preston

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