Large-Scale Tree Felling at the Old Garden Festival Site

Dear all,
apologies for being the bearer of this acutely pessimistic
note. Not far away from Princes Park is the old Garden Festival site
which had the potential to be an excellent park and resource for the
community. The site has been an excellent site for wildlife for over
twenty years.
I have a number of problems with the present planning application
that has gone in, but I wont go into these at present.
What has caused me great anger though, is the large-scale
tree-felling which is presently taking place on the site. This is not
of self-sown trees but the original plantings including many fine
semi-mature Oak trees. This is not management, but devastating
clearance work in preparation for a development that has not been given
planning permission yet. Additionally, it is totally insensitve to be
carrying out this work now, as many birds commence their breeding
activities. Parts of the site are presently a bleak sea of tree stumps
and it is very depressing. I don't know how they have managed to get
away with this environmental destruction but it is a very bad sign at
atime when there is supposed to be greater environmental awareness.



-to the MD of Langree McLean Ltd, John Downes.-

John,
I am concerned to hear that more than 1000 trees have been felled,
including some original, well established oak trees.

What is the purpose and scope of the current tree work on the site?

I am advised that the work is overlapping with the nesting season and
that the wild bird population will be harmed. What advice have you had
about that?

If the stumps are to be lifted, will that release contaminants through
channels left by the voided roots? Could that have occured already?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
John Coyne
Councillor for St Michaels Ward