7:30am Friday 15th August 2008
By Paola Dellafiora
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save around 700 trees from the chop were left angered at the handling of a public meeting last Thursday.
The meeting, which was organised by Finesse Leisure and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, was to allow members of the public to voice their concerns over the proposal to remove the Lombardy poplars at the two car parks at Stanborough Lakes.
However the discussion became heated when the chairman of the meeting Andy Carr implied the tree felling was a done deal and would go ahead in September.
“The meeting is to discuss the plans for the felling of the trees and to invite the general public and park users to understand the decision and background,” said Mr Carr Grounds Maintenance Manager for Finesse Leisure.
Campaigners from the Welwyn Garden City Society were left questioning whether there had been any real consultation about the decision, and whether transparency and democracy had played any part in the process so far.
Former Councillor Dennis Lewis who attended the meeting described it as “a fiasco”.
“The meeting was bad tempered and poorly chaired. The agenda was not followed and demonstrates a half hearted attempt to have a consultation,” said Mr Lewis.
He fears that if this plan goes ahead then more poplars on Howardsgate and Parkway will be next to face the chop.
“The Lombardy poplars in Howardsgate and in Parkway are an essential element of the beauty of our town centre. Their removal will tear the heart out of our Garden City and would constitute an act of extreme civic vandalism,” he said.
The plan to fell the tress at Stanborough Lakes follows an independent report which warns that in high winds, there could be a high risk of branches breaking and causing damage to people or property.
As a consequence the council, in partnership with Finesse Leisure Partnership, who manage the site on the council’s behalf, has plans to remove the trees.
The council maintains that these will be replanted in both car parks, enriching the landscape with a range of trees that will have a longer life span and be more suitable for a well used public cark park.
A council spokesperson said: “The council in partnership with Finesse Leisure are consulting with local councillors, experts and other appropriate groups with a view to gaining a full understanding of the problem and the possible courses of action available.”
“I would stress that at this stage no decision has been made and we welcome comments from the public.”
Campaigners hope a more inclusive and wide ranging consultation will be undertaken before any final decisions are made.
Comments about the proposed felling at Stanborough Park can be made by writing to Finesse Leisure Partnership, 4th Floor, Campus West, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6BX by Friday 22 August.
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