COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

They say that in other areas of the city residents were consulted



Locals' have voiced their upset after not being told about the loss of a view they love in Coventry. They have complained to the city council about the planting of new trees that affect the view of Lake View Park from their homes that face the park.

They say that when trees were planned to be planted in other parts of the city, residents were consulted beforehand. But they said they only became aware when the trees were being put into the ground.

Dozens added their names to petition to voice their anger. The petition, which has 55 signatures, is set to be looked at by Coun Abdul Khan, cabinet member for policing and equalities, at a meeting next week.

They have asked for more consultation. Their petition read: "We the undersigned petition the council to consult with residents on Lake View Road on the location and number of new trees to be planted at Lake View Park.

"Residents in other parts of the city have been consulted on the location of new trees as part of Trees for Cities funding, to ensure the new trees are welcomed and are a best use of the resource."

A report said there was an 'oversight' in communicating the tree planting plans to residents.

"The new trees were funded by the government grant called the Urban Tree Challenge Fund which, provided sufficient resources for the council to plant 36 semi-mature trees on this park," the report said.

"The Parks Service team worked with the Urban Forestry team to find the best location for the trees on this site and the open northern side of the park was considered the best option, because they would provide shading for a future path that is proposed and awaiting funding.

"Due to resourcing problems, the Urban Forestry team overlooked the need to notify local residents of this change," the report explains. "Residents in similar locations where trees were being planted did receive notification of trees being planted.

"The trees are being planted to help the city council achieve its goals as set out in the Urban Forestry Strategy. The main aim is to plant 360,000 trees to help fight the effects of climate change."

It goes on to add: "The letters were received by residents at the same time as the trees were being planted along with changes to the site being undertaken by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust as part of the Sherbourne Valley project.

"The oversight was due to a specific in-service pressure that are now not present. Changes within the Parks and Open spaces team have already provided resources to allow all future tree planting projects will be consulted with local residents appropriately, to make sure everyone knows of the changes."

The meeting to discuss the petition and the changes will be held on September 1.

Trees at Coventry park will not be dug up in spite of residents' safety fears



Residents have failed in their bid to have a line of trees in front of their homes uprooted and moved somewhere else, arguing that the saplings had blocked their parkland view. A 55-name petition was presented to Coventry City Council following the planting scheme along the edge of Lake View Park in Coundon which neighbours say was carried out without consultation.

Their petition was backed by Cllr Jackie Gardiner who took the case of the Lake View Road residents to this week’s (Monday) meeting of the cabinet member for policing and equalities only to be told the trees were staying. Park and openspaces manager Tim Wetherhill said the 36 trees had been paid for by the government’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund and that the open northern side of the park was considered the best option because they would provide shading for a path which would be created once funds were available. The planting was part of the Urban Forestry Strategy to plant 360,000 trees to help fight the effects of climate change.

He added: “We are planting amenity trees across many sites as part of the programme but at this site we didn’t write to the residents which is why we received the reaction we did. During the process of the planting we did write to the residents having realised our mistake.

"We have met on site with residents and Cllr Gardiner to understand what the residents are feeling about the effects of the trees and we are looking to try and mitigate as many of those issues as we go forward.” Despite the early lack of consultation and the concerns raised, residents were told the trees would remain where they were.

Cllr Gardiner said she appreciated the plan to plant so many trees to mitigate climate change but said the issues at the park were two-fold.

“Firstly there is the lack of consultation with local residents who object to these trees and secondly, where best to place those trees,” she explained. “The decision-making behind the siting of these trees is flawed.

“Close to every property on Lake View Road objects, this is how badly the council has got it wrong. The reasons why residents are so upset is simply loss of safety and the loss of cherished local character.”

She added that there was an additional problem after soil moved to the edge of the park as part of the Sherbourne Lake Project created an embankment higher and wider than planned and this was now covered in weeds, further restricting the view.

“This creates a very significant safety hazard because those walking in the park can no longer quickly and easily reach the road, they cannot be seen from the road. In time it will be possible for unsavoury characters to conceal themselves. Residents of Lake View Road are a prime resource of vigilance and safety and have on many occasions come to the aid of park users in distress and under threat. Their view into the park is now massively impeded.

“The trees should be planted in areas of the city devoid of trees that would truly benefit from them. These saplings should be located elsewhere for the benefit of those who truly need them. They are not wanted here and if that costs the council money to relocate them then so be it.”