Having read through Kevin Warnes blog where he has accepted the consultation could have been more inclusive, we think it needs repeating that this was a decision not just made by him, it was made by Bradford Council's Executive Committee and, as yet, he is the only locally elected representative who has addressed this issue, albeit defending it.
We have critiqued the consultation on a number of occasions. The decision to ignore the local petition from the Village Preservation Society has still not been fully explained. Although there appears to be an implication that the funding could have gone.
We have repeatedly been referred to the reports, particularly reference was made to the tree pit reports. We have looked extensively at the documentation and would like to question the claims that the trees were not viable and replanting is not possible.
We have also launched a petition so please sign it here http://epetition.bradford.public-i.tv/epetition_core/community/petition/3008
The independent tree survey dated 17/1/2014 (link below) raises a number of questions as to Bradford Councils actions. According to their own independent review the best option was to maintain as many as possible and replant all the removed trees.
This is the only document I can find which refers to the trees/ tree pits discussion. I would be happy to review this if more information is provided. This document does (on page 33) state that it is a “Preliminary Assessment – This should not be referred to as a specification of Arboricultural Works”
The survey "has been prepared from a visual assessment taken from ground level without any detailed investigation"
"The site will benefit from an ongoing replacement tree planting scheme to improve the longer term tree cover, age and species diversity, though I would suggest that the overall aim is to establish a range of smaller growing trees with naturally upright canopies, which can be planted in locations or in ways that protect the local services and man-made structures."
4 separate options were given. Thus one more that the consultation offered residents.
1. To do very little and maintain the current situation – However this is in the medium to long-term either results in significant structural issues with the built form or leads to the loss of the tree population due to inappropriate replacement.
2. Remove the trees entirely – Which is a potential consideration and after the initial removal and mitigation, costs could be relatively cheap and effectively control the immediate risk to a very low level. However, the potential benefits offered by the trees as outlined in Appendix 8 would be lost and the long-term costs in health and secondary expense could be significant.
3. All the trees on the site could be removed and replaced with a more suitable species. When viewed in the medium to long term this can often be a cost effective option and although in the short-term loss in amenity is a negative, this may be outweighed with the correct choice of species which can be established in a more suitable location and adopting protective measures.
4. Undertake periodic phased tree removal and replacement, combined with staged tree reduction to help control immediate risks this compromise position could be used to achieve a compromise between the above options.
It has been repeatedly started that no other options were provided. However I would refer you to this quote from the survey.
This list is not exclusive and other options could be considered and would be suitable to this location – please feel free to contact me and discuss these options as required"
Further to this, the independent report commissioned by the council suggests an excellent resolution to the replanting issues that have been raised. That we implement nib planting. A detailed explanation is available in the document however it is summarised for ease here.
"One of the easiest situations in which to implement nib plantings are in one-way streets where they are used to demarcate existing or proposed parking bays. However, the procedure can be upgraded to incorporate more complex road types."
The independent tree survey can be found here: http://www.bradford.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/158EFFA8-375B-4D4D-8CAD-6281FC8A22D7/0/INDEPENDENTTREESURVEYVictoriaRoadSaltaire.pdf
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