A Westwood Acres resident says she is ‘raging’ after trees in an area covered by a tree preservation order (TPO) were chopped down.
Tracy Whyman has lived at her shared ownership home in Blackthorn Road for almost two years and says that after a catalogue of problems the tree felling is ‘the last straw.’
The 59-year-old said: “The trees were all covered with a TPO but they have been chopped down and then the remains have been chucked right at the back of me. I have an open fence and they just left them there. One of the trees that got chopped had squirrels and woodpeckers.
“After the issues I have had with doors, windows and you name it at the house this was the last straw. It was a habitat for wildlife and it’s been destroyed.
“The whole point of moving here was for the trees at the back of me but now they’re gone people can see straight in my bedroom window. I’m just raging.”
Blackthorn Road is part of the Poorhole Lane development of 153 modular homes. Love Living Homes led the development, backed Town & Country Housing.
When revised plans for the development were approved in 2021, L&G Modular Homes said more of the trees would be retained onsite and there would be added habitat and biodiversity as part of a ten year woodland plan.
The scheme did also include removal of some trees, including some with preservation orders, and plans for replanting native species but it as pledged that there would be an extra 2.89ha of woodland retained compared to the first proposal, wildlife corridors, wildflower areas, hedgehog highways, a pond and swift and bat boxes. Planting was to include cherry, conifer and Dutch Elm trees.
Tracy says she has complained to affordable homes provider Town & Country and to Thanet council.
‘Dead, damaged, or diseased trees’
However, Town & Country say only two diseased trees were removed and Thanet council says these were not covered by the TPO.
A Town & Country spokesperson said:” We’re aware that the site developer has removed some trees on Blackthorn Lane. “This is part of ongoing woodland management.
“The work has been carried out following advice from an arboriculturist and meets planning and local authority requirements.
“Only dead, damaged, or diseased trees were removed, and logs were left to create wildlife habitats.
“The trees will be replaced with saplings and our estates management team will ensure they are well cared for.”
‘Not covered’
A Thanet council spokesperson added: “As part of our commitment to protect our environment, all reports of illegal tree felling are taken very seriously. We carried out an investigation following reports that in October 2024, two protected trees were felled in the Blackthorn Road area of Broadstairs.
“A blanket Tree Protection Order is in place, covering this area but it only applies to trees that were in situ at the time the order was made in 1956.
“Following a site inspection, it was determined the felled trees were not covered by the preservation order because of their age. Therefore, no further action will be taken.”
The squirrels, undoubtedly grey squirrels, are classes as vermin.
They are American invaders, and have pushed our native red squirrels to the brink of extinction.
George ,someone has forgotten to take their drugs today ,he will be alright soon nah forget that
It isn’t wrong to exterminate grey squirrels. They are, like rats, classed as vermin.
Who said they should be exterminated? Not me.
I still prefer squirrels though. They have a better sense of humour.
You need to wind ya neck in feller. You’ve got to much to say .. your nothing but a keyboard pest
he’s literally using the same language Goebells used to describe jewish folk. WTAF kathy?
These trees were not chopped down but taken down by professional people.
It seems to me a lot of tree huggers don’t understand tree management.
And what does it matter about trees that are less than 68 years old anyway ?
Bah !
They have hardly been around long enough to warrant calling themselves trees . . .
Just in time for National Tree Week!
Builder’s will always find away around to get more room to build more homes ,they just don’t care about wildlife or trees ect , it’s all about profit
i agree with peter and others , those tree rats should be wiped out . they have no place in our flora and fauna , they are imported vermin , once they are dealt with , the green parakeets should be next on the list for chop.
I wouldn’t go as far as calling the people of Ramsgate “tree rats”. Indeed, many can barely walk to Wetherspoons and back.
i think they will be alright peter , they have a month off while its de-loused
“Real world” and your on-line friends- you really are offensive. It’s not funny.
Glad you love squirrels too. Aren’t they great?!
Just because you’re ‘offended’ it doesn’t mean you’re right!
“Admityew Luvtrump” -What’s not offensive about “I class most people in Ramsgate as vermin”? It might be meant as a joke but it’s not amusing.
You are though! Thanks for the giggle.
Yes isn’t our special relationship with North America great,we gave them the neans to develop nuclear weapons and they gave us grey squirrels and their crayfish, both of which have out competed our native species.
Of course we did burn down the White house in 1812, but now they have learned how to do it themselves.
Enough of rage from Ms Whyman and silliness from PC, what is needed is more trees not less, because they improve the environment and make every urban area more pleasant to live in.
Part of the reason that Westwood cross looks so dismal is the lack of trees amongst many other failings.Its hard to believe it now, but Westwood cross was actually planned that way.
If there is an afterlife I hope those responsible for Westwood cross are made to live there for all eternity as a penance for their bungling incompetence and lack of empathy for the people of thanet.
Loon.
Thank you PC, always ready with the bon mot that disguises your inadequacy.
But the USA did give us Hank Williams, which more than wipes the slate clean!
And Elvis! Nothing can top America’s contribution to music.
I wonder if yours and admityew IP and MAC addresses match?
How many trees/shrubs were destroyed just so she can have a home, hundreds no doubt same as all round Thanet so its no good moaning if a few are chopped down by her house the area is already destroyed of wildlife
I am a tree lover, but have wrestled with those mature ones along Margate Road from Ramsgate Viaduct, to Pysons Road, as to whether they should die or not! The pavements in this area would make a good Royal Marine obstacle course as the tree roots have displaced the pavements and made them highly dangerous! Its a nightmare on a Mobility Scooter, but just what to do with the trees baffles me! I would hate to see them cut down, but on the other hand people must come first, and these are major tripping hazzard too!
Most of the trees under the preservation order were wiped out before the building of that development began. I remember a demonstration there at the time. TDC did nothing about it then either.
Have any new trees been planted and maintained since to give them a healthy start as promised under the planning agreement? Westwood without the wood !!
did you read the article, specifically the last section, at all?