Dozens of trees to be felled for Friargate development...

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Plans to develop land near Coventry Railway Station will destroy the “greenest part of Coventry’s heritage” according to environmentalists.



The Friargate development in Coventry, which the city council believes will create 13,000 jobs, could wipe out up to 100 trees according to plans – and that’s enraged green campaigners.

The impact of the development was revealed in the Telegraph’s Red Button column.

The £59million project will cover 37 acres, create 14 new office buildings and is estimated to be worth £11m a year to the city in business rates.

Ann Wilson, from the Coventry Tree Group, said that some of the affected trees in Greyfriars Green could have been there longer than 50 years.

“Some of the trees are quite significant, they are old trees and they are the greenest part of Coventry’s heritage,” she said.

“It is unusual that an application to remove the trees has gone in after the plans for Friargate have been approved. Whether this was something that wasn’t asked properly or answered fully at the time, I don’t know.

“The trees have been recognised as forming an important part of the conservation area, they are especially important for the environment and for attracting people to the area.

“In all the consultations people say they want more green as it breaks up hard lines and concrete – and this development is going to create a lot of hard lines and concrete.

“They plan to plant replacement trees, but quite a few are on a concrete deck and I don’t believe they will grow – certainly not large ones.

“We do want development in the city but it would be so beneficial to everybody if we can keep the trees. I don’t believe people who have grown up in the city will want to see any more greenery destroyed.”

Coventry City Council said in a statement that the number of trees to be removed was unlikely to be as high as plans indicate.

It read: “The planning application, including this aspect, was debated and approved by the planning committee on September 12 following the usual period for people to make comments and objections.

“The plan does not highlight the trees on the main part of Greyfriars Green to the north of the Ring Road – the majority of the historic trees on Greyfriars Green will not be touched.

“The plan that was submitted to planning committee shows the worst case and the amount lost may not be as high as indicated on the plan.

“New trees will be planted throughout the new development. The number of new trees will ultimately outnumber those being removed. We are seeking to retain as many trees as we possibly can.”

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Campaigners meet with developers in battle to save Friargate trees

Protesters fighting to save almost 150 trees in Coventry have met with developers to voice their concerns.

Part of the Friargate development would see a new decking area created from Coventry train station, leading through Greyfriars Green. Campaigners say it would wipe out trees, including some which are nearly 50-years-old.

The £59million project , which the city council believes will create 13,000 jobs, will cover 37 acres, create 14 new office buildings and is estimated to be worth £11m a year to the city in business rates.

More than 40 objections have been lodged on the city council website while the number of signatures on a petition asking for further public consultation regarding the trees on the green and on junction six of the ring road continues to grow.

The petition will be presented at a planning meeting by Coun Hazel Noonan tomorrow.

Members of the Coventry Tree Group have met with the developers behind the decking part of the plans, Costain, to discuss their concerns.

Ann Wilson, the group’s spokeswoman, said: “The developers insisted they had informed local people, but that only seemed to include those in the immediate vicinity.

“The plans shown did nothing to alleviate concerns that what was proposed was far less appealing than the current walk through the established trees and we were dismayed to learn that the plans had apparently already been rubber stamped.

“It was felt that some building construction with guaranteed occupancy should actually be established first, to prove that this development will attract jobs to the city.

The 13,000 jobs that the councillors keep quoting cannot possibly depend on the construction of a deck.

The council insist that the deck will be an improvement, so it was surprising to see that it would involve two road crossings for pedestrians rather the excellent current one that was built for the Olympics.

“Everyone agreed that improvements were necessary but not at the expense of so much existing green infrastructure.

“It was felt that if the deck design could be modified to preserve and extend the existing landscaping, then they could then move the scheme forward with the backing of the people who live in this city.”

Coventry City Council said previously in a statement that the plan does not highlight the trees on the main part of Greyfriars Green to the north of the Ring Road and the majority of the historic trees on Greyfriars Green will not be touched.