Lib Dems deplore Council's decision to fell poplars
October 11, 2008 12:00 AM
Originally published by Welwyn Hatfield Liberal Democrats
Originally published by Welwyn Hatfield Liberal Democrats
Stanborough Poplars
Despite a packed meeting attended by at least 50 members of the public, and reporters, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council's cabinet has decided to fell the the vast majority of the trees in the south car park at Stanborough Lakes.
This is despite numerous calls from local residents and the Welwyn Garden city Society, calling on them to consider the option to return to the original system of pollarding that had been abandoned in the past 20 years.
The public gallery were clearly appalled by the process at the cabinet; their complaints were:-
Many of the eight questions that were asked of the cabinet were not answered fully.
the cabinet had clearly made up its mind ahead of the "debate" and each cabinet member took his or her turn to trot out a pre-scripted commentary.
The cabinet papers were written on 19th September - ten days before the closing date for public comment on the latest tree report
The cabinet were erroneously informed that the recommendation to fell the trees was a health and safety matter - when it is crystal clear from the reports that pollarding is a perfectly viable way to meet the safety concerns. The only reason the expert recommended felling the trees was that he did not like the "aesthetic" of pollarded trees.
No financial evidence was put forward to assess the relative costs of the different options.
All three Lib Dem councillors, Tony Skottowe, Louise Lotz and Malcolm Cowan spoke against the recommendation and in favour of pollarding, as did ex-Handside councillor Nigel Quinton. It was noted that both conservative ward councillors for Handside, Helen Bromley and Fiona Thompson, were present but said nothing.
Nigel Quinton commented afterwards: "It is obviously nothing to do with party politics whether the proposed actions are the best solution. It is difficult however to escape the conclusion that the Tory leadership are so insecure, despite their vast majority, that all sensible debate must be quashed and their recommendations supported by all conservative members.
"What the WGC society and others were putting forward were cogent, well argued views that recognised that action was required to deal with hazardous trees, but argued that less drastic solutions could be found and the trees replaced over a period of 10 to 20 years. Now it looks like the place will be devastated for several years with no guarantee that the replanting will ever go ahead.
"We will continue to seek a way to stop the council proceeding with this vandalism."
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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