A Cherry Tree ‘avenue’ being removed from Ellington Park in Ramsgate will be replaced with new trees, says Thanet council.
Last month the felling of the trees, as part of the project to build a new cafe, restored terrace, new playground and landscaping was interrupted when protestors from Thanet’s Green Party attempted to stop the trees being cut.
Green councillor Becky Wing had posted to social media to say the tree removals were unnecessary.
She said campaigners wanted to see saplings planted and to be able to take hold and get established before mature trees were removed.
Following the protest works were halted until a meeting was held on January 5. This was attended by Thanet District Council leader Rick Everitt, Cabinet member Cllr Steve Albon and other elected members, representatives from Ramsgate Street Trees and the Ellington Park project team and Friends of Ellington Park.
Agreement has been reached between all involved and work will go ahead for the trees to be removed and replaced with ornamental cherry trees that will be 4 to 5 metres tall, weigh around 300 kilos and will be mechanically lifted in and planted by an experienced landscape contractor.
Some 20 trees had been identified as diseased and within the final five years of their lifespan.
Cllr Albon said: “In 2019 we set out an ambitious plan for Ellington Park in Ramsgate, in partnership with the Friends of Ellington Park (FOEP).
“Following extensive consultation with the community plans to renovate the historic bandstand; restore the best features of the original 1893 Joseph Cheal landscape scheme; improve play facilities; and provide a much needed café and toilets were approved.
“Work began on the bandstand in the summer of 2020 and in autumn we broke ground for the café. Part of the work to restore the Joseph Cheal landscape scheme involved a thorough analysis and advice of tree surgeons, arboriculturists and landscape architects, which noted over 20 trees in the park that were diseased and within the final five years of their lifespan.
“Many of these trees were at risk of storm damage, where falling boughs create a potential risk to life. These potentially dangerous trees were marked for removal and many more younger trees will be planted across the park to replace them.
“In December, a number of individuals attended the Ellington Park site to express their concern about the removal of trees and all works were halted.
“Following a meeting held on January 5 it has been agreed that the plans for tree removals and planting will continue as proposed.
“The new trees will not be saplings. The plan is for ornamental cherry trees that will be 4 to 5 metres tall, weigh around 300 kilos and will be mechanically lifted in and planted by an experienced landscape contractor.
“We recognise that trees are an important part of the local ecology. Any decision to remove them is not taken lightly.
“At the meeting the project team shared information about the need for these particular removals, how trees fit into the overall masterplan for the park as well as details of the final planting scheme.
“I’m pleased to confirm that everyone agreed that these works were for the benefit of the ecology environment and community. As a result works will now proceed without any further delay to the project.”
The contract to build a new cafe, restored terrace, new playground and landscaping in Ellington Park was awarded to BJF Group.
Works are due for completion in early summer 2021. The project will mean the creation of a new community café and toilets, landscape works to conserve the terrace and bring back the Cheal’s landscape scheme and new signage, alongside critical repairs to the pathways. The works will complement the specialist restoration of the bandstand which started in June.
The project Masterplan in full.
and the destruction of thanets’ mature trees goes on.
I think Thanet Trees will be miffed to see the Thanet Green Party has been given the credit for this disruption.
Great to see that the project is going ahead again. Looking forward to seeing the park in its revitalized glory.
huh
Thanet trees were nothing to do with this. Local residents expressed grave concern at the removal of healthy trees to be replaced with young saplings. At the meeting it was revealed for the first time that the replacements are significant sized trees that will fill the space admirably. This just shows how important it is for the council to be completely open and transparent in all its dealings with residents.
But the cherry trees were almost at the end of their natural life. There was nothing stopping concerned residents from asking for details as to whether the tree to be felled would be replace by saplings or somewhat sturdier trees. Did they make such enquiries and if so what response did they get?
were they dead? if not they should be left alone healthy trees should not be destroyed.
If trees in a public place are coming to the end of their lifespan, then it’s probably better and safer to fell them before they become unhealthy/dangerous, and replace them with healthy young trees, than to wait until they become a hazard to the public.
who said the trees were dead?the public are a hazard to the public but they are not removed or felled, pity really
The arboriculturists said they were diseased.
Members of the public who transgress are “removed” – they get banged up.
That’s really not a nice thing ti say about one’s fellow-species.
😂😂👍
trees not tree
to not ti! (9.59 post)
For goodness sake leave one commenter on here alone she is entitled to post a comment on a story and when she does some of you are on her quicker than that, it is bullying you should be ashamed of yourselves and you know who you are constantly replying to her comments and effectively calling her libelous names if you are unable to respect this person at least show respect for yourselves.
I don’t see how responding to another person’s comment when you don’t agree with it is bullying. If so, then I myself have certainly been bullied, as has Barry Lewis.
so it seems I have three of my fans on here tonight You just can’t help yourselves can you? I have a right to comment the same as you do so what is your problem?I have a woman that has said that she did not realise Britain was an island another one that thinks it o k to discriminate against disabled people by stopping them from parking closer to where they want to visit because we all pay our taxes and and lastly I have some little man who likes to argue with me for the sake of it.
What’s that got to do with Cherry Trees in Ellington Park?
You seem to have lost the plot a bit.
If I have lost the plot it is because of nasty people like yourself that keep commenting on my comments ,not just once but on and on please give it a rest it is boring
But are you saying that you can make comments (which others don’t agree with) but those others aren’t allowed to comment in return?
Does the same rule apply to you, too?
bla bla bla bla
Not a lot actually and here we are again with the insults give it a rest you are all becoming so predictable. not back off from you neither will I stop commenting on stories on this site get used to it or get over it. nasty nasty people
go on Phyllis, you insult me, if I have lost the plot it is because of people like you and others on here.I will not back off but I will not sink to your level by insulting you.goodnight and goodbye Phyllis.
I have never said that I don’t believe Britain is an island. How on earth could anyone living here have said such a thing? Please stop misinterpreting people’s posts.
Are you calling me a liar?stop harassing me Marva how many times do I have to ask?
Ms Peeling has probably misinterpreted something I said on another thread several days ago.
and to you bla bla bla you dozy woman