News

Residents in Winston Avenue, Poole, are soon to see the planting of 4 semi-mature, 11 metre high oak trees. These are to replace 3 oak trees that will be removed during the current redevelopment of the site.

Peter Watson, Head of Planning Design & Control Services, Borough of Poole, said: "Whilst the loss of these oak trees is regrettable, their removal and replacement with trees of this size is the most suitable way to ensure they are retained in this area. If the existing trees were kept, they would be likely to fail from root severance or shortened life due to health problems. This would limit their amenity value and within the next 10 years it would be likely that the trees would have to be felled."

Following consultation with local residents and Ward Councillors, this work was approved at Planning Committee on 4 April 2002. The site, formerly 11 to 27 Winston Avenue, is currently being redeveloped with 31 houses and 18 flats. The changes in the levels on the site are such that a small area of land, containing the trees, will be above the level of the new access road, this creates the need to lower the ground by 1.1 - 2.3 metres to make the area level, which involves the removal of the trees.

Councillor Bob Williams, Executive spokesperson for Environment & Prosperity, said: "We work hard to ensure that our beautiful environment in Poole is protected and well managed. This is a really good example of how trees can be managed with unusual but highly successful technology. It is important to look long-term at situations and in this instance, to maintain a high quality amenity, we are forced to remove these trees. Replacing them with 4 trees of high quality in this way will ensure that the area maintains its value for the residents."