Author: Notts IMC
Tags: lenton NCC environmentalism local_communities
Pic: nottingham.indymedia.org/system/photo/2...

Protests have begun against Nottingham City Council’s plans for extensive felling of trees in Lenton. On Friday a small demonstration against the logging was held which attracted the attention of City Council staff and PCSOs. The council is planning to cut down 84 lime trees because of “aphid mess, falling branches and loss of light”, but the protestors say it is really a money saving strategy. They are planning to meet at the entrance to Nottingham Castle at 8am on Monday for another demonstration.

Newswire: Lenton Tree Felling | Logging in Lenton

Nottingham City Council sent letters to residents about the felling dated 18th June which was followed up by a public meeting on 25th June. Residents opposing the tree cutting claim this was a public relations exercise and say they have not been consulted about the plans.

A post by Lentoner on Indymedia highlights the ecological benefits of having mature trees on the streets of Lenton:
“They create habitats for wildlife (not just aphids) playing a role in the biodiversity of the area. The trees help in some capacity to deal with excessive surface-run-off during sudden down-pours, intercepting and soaking-up rain water (particularly important of late). They also provide seasonal shading and cooling through evapotranspiration and reduce the urban heat island effect. At a time when we are increasingly concerned about climate change and how to adapt to a hotter, wetter climate, does cutting back on this natural mechanism for resilience really make good sense?”

A protest against the logging was held on Friday morning, which was met by 3 council staff and 3 PCSOs who claimed that the local tenants association had approved the plans. The protestors say that residents have not been consulted with and that they have no knowledge of there being a local tenants association.

These are not the only trees felled in Nottingham this year. The start of work on the new tram lines has meant the felling of 40 mature trees on Queens Walk in the Meadows, with a further 12 identified for clearance and 9 under threat. 40 trees on University Boulevard have also been felled. Extensive tree clearance has occurred on the old railway embankment in Wilford despite protests from environmentalists, and the tram will go through a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation at Fairham Brook in Silverdale, something which has prompted flooding fears.