Goodbye my little wood

[Mark /\]

I got a phone call today from our lass in tears saying the've cut all the trees down.

I live in Bradford and the thing that made us buy our house was because it was surrounded by greenery and not houses.

At the back was a playing field for the children and at the front was a road in front of  some land full of trees which masked an industrial estate. we saw plenty of birds, bats, squirrels and foxes.

A few months ago a we found out that there was planning permission to build a new unit (open 24hrs) with a new entrance onto the road near our house. A pettition went around to show our concerns about the increase in traffic and to see if they could move the entrance around the back near the other units so they would not have to cut all the trees down and we could save the wildlife.

The lady who started the petttion came round and said we were succesful and the entrance would be moved and the tress would stay.

I got home yesterday and saw all the poplars had been cut down (they must have been 80ft tall) as well as a load of other trees. we thought they would stop there and leave the rest near the road alone as agreed. Boy was I wrong.

I get home tonight and see piles of shredded trees and trunks scattered everywhere it looks like a tornado has been through the land and its total devastation. I cant believe it and dont know what to do.

Our neighbour has lived next door since she was born and used to play over the road when she was a little girl, shes heartbroken and was crying most of the day.

We dont know what to do now, should we complain to the council again or what?

So peeved off, sorry for the rant just wondered what you lot would do. At least I wont see the mess for 2 weeks as were going on holiday Sunday morning.

[Mark /\]

[glosterwomble]

That is really sad Mark, I would complain but obviously you have lost your trees now. Maybe a complaint would get some put back along the roadside at least. Some people are utter ba***rds, I feel so angry for you. Let us know what happens but in the mean time have a good holiday, it has happened now so you should just get away and enjoy your break.

[betula]

I am so sorry ,how sad for you.How could they say it was going to be OK and then carry on and do it.

A terrible loss for you :(

[star]

Oh hun,

I really feel for you all. Its a shame you didn't get it writing about some trees being left in. Someones head should roll for this. As you say, its the wildlife that really suffers.

[jjt]

Joni Mitchell was right - they took all the trees and put them in a tree museum. Complaining is a waste of time but if you do it then do it to the local paper, the council'll only care if they get slated big time in public. These people do not give a s##t, their bottom and only line is money. What is really needed is direct and unfortunately violent action, but who's got the guts? The only time enough people will realise this is when it's too late. Put some nestboxes up and do what else you can to not let them win. Growing your own food is a good place to start. I'll be too p'd off to sleep now.

[twinkletoes]

...and you just know that someone in authority is going to say "there has been a terrible mistake, the people hired to take the trees down read the instructions wrong and took them all instead of only the ones indicated....".    Of course it will have really happened because it will be easier, quicker and cheaper for the contractors to build the new unit without having to manoeuvre trucks and other building machinery around trees.   It is a tragedy.   I hope it will be possible to make sure that someone is liable to replace a lot of the trees (3 year old ones at least) once the new unit has been built.   It won't replace the ones that have been taken away but it will help bring back the wildlife at least.
twinkletoes

[bridgehouse]

So sorry to hear this.
The people of Shirley [west midlands] where I live have almost the same thing .We have a lovely old oak tree. and over the years other oaks have sprung up  around it bluebells carpet the ground in the spring.  Now its going to be ripped out to make way for a shopping centre most people just don't want. I am very sad about it I to used to play under the tree as a child .How often in ones life time do you have the privilege of watching a wild wood form .I really feel for you about your trees.
     Bridgehouse [June]

[cambourne7]

yes make a complaint, they would have had to put the removal of the trees in the planning application as its possible they had a tree preservation order.

Contact your local council building control today and get them to inspect the site. There are big fines for felling a tree with a tress preservation order.

Make sure they plan new trees and not just baby ones, get them to but in like for like. Its going to cost them a fortune!!!

[Mark /\]

Thanks for your replies.

One of the neighbours said they started a week early, because a lot of the council workers were on strike about low pay so there was no one around to stop them doing what they wanted. Dont know if it
is true but they could'nt have timed it better.

The wood pigeons, doves and magpies keep flying around. Guess they are looking for their homes.

We will complain when we get back from our holiday but its too late now its all ruined. We are just dreading to see what it will be like when we get back.

[cambourne7]

its a sorry state of affairs.

You will find that you can email the planning people to complain.

[honeybee]

So tragic! It saddens me so much to read about such little respect for nature and our surroundings  :'(