An application to fell two maple trees in St Peter’s to make way for a community garden with raised beds and extra seating has prompted both objections and notices of support.
The Trustees of St Peter’s Memorial Hall want to create the garden and seating on a strip of land they own alongside the hall to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II and mark 100 years of the hall’s existence.
Ten comments have been lodged on Thanet council’s planning portal in response to the plans with six objections and four in support.
One objection says: “These are beautiful, very mature and established trees that provide great benefit to the community. In addition to their aesthetic value, such large trees provide shade, improved air quality, increased biodiversity and water attenuation.”
It adds: “These trees are very old and are fundamental elements of the historic environment and should not be destroyed.”
However, another resident supports the application saying: “I’ve lived (in the area) for almost 40 years. In that time these non native trees have got bigger and more problematic.
“These trees and the land belong to the memorial hall and their upkeep is a burden and huge cost to the hall.
“They drop branches, seeds and leaves which clog up the drains and gutters. As there are no road sweepers residents are left to clear the debris.
“All that grows underneath is unsightly weeds. Rubbish is regularly thrown in, often removed by residents and hall volunteers.”
The resident says it would be a boon to have seating and gardens for the village and St Peter’s Village Tour guests.
Hall trustee Gordon Eyles said: “This will be of benefit to disabled people, and encourage bees, butterflies etc. We have a grant from Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council to do this work.
“To achieve this, we need to demolish two maple trees on the site, which have only grown from random seeds, and not part of a planned planting. We will plant replacement trees which will be more decorative.”
The application, which is yet to be decided, can be seen on the Thanet council planning portal, reference TCA/TH/23/1307
