Residents appalled as contractors coppice trees in Beltinge
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by Adam Williams
awilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk
Beltinge residents have voiced their disapproval after
contractors moved in to cut back trees on a woodland
path.
Dozens of trees were coppiced last week on the edge of
Reculver Countryside Park on a footpath between Glenbervie Drive
and Manor Road, work the city council says will protect the
woodland for future generations.
But, despite the reassurances from the council’s
countryside department, the Gazette received numerous calls from
shocked and appalled neighbours.
Contractors were on site at the end of last week, but
Joanna Elliot, from Glenbervie Drive, was furious to see the work
going ahead without warning.
She said: "I contacted the council straight away and they
told me approval had been given to coppice trees along the
path.
"But, in some cases, the trees have been cut down to the
roots in front of one person’s house. It’s a huge shame, as there’s
been no sign this was going to happen.
"They’ve chopped down trees on a relatively new path, one
that’s well used by people in the area and valued as a great
community asset.
"It just doesn’t make sense at all to me and I’ve spoken
to other people who are less than impressed."
City council spokesman Rob Davies apologised for the lack
of notification, but stressed the work will safeguard the woodland
for decades to come.
He said: "We understand residents’ concerns about the lack
of advance warning and information posters are now on
site.
"Coppicing is a traditional, sustainable tree management
practice which allows stems to grow back from the base of the tree,
which we also carry out to improve value for wildlife in the
protected woodlands in the Blean and Larkey Valley Wood.
"It will allow light to come in and is good for ground
flora such as wood anemones and bluebells.
"Then, as the trees regenerate as multi-stemmed, it is
good habitat, firstly for ground nesting birds, then fruiting
shrubs and trees that provide food for other woodland birds and
mammals including dormice.
"We’ve chosen to coppice this area because it will provide
variation along the pathway and a varied habitat for
wildlife.
"It will also prevent the ad hoc, unsafe and unauthorised
topping of trees by residents, and prevent the elms from being
affected by Dutch Elm Disease.
"A Kent Wildlife Trust warden with expertise in coppicing
has visited the site and confirmed the work has been carried out
exactly as expected."
Tuesday, February 21 2012
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