Swanage Tree Felling Plan Approved Despite Protection Orders Swanage Tree Felling Plan Approved Despite Protection Orders

Dorset Council approved cutting trees at a Swanage hostel. Swanage Town Council also gave its approval. The trees have local protection orders. These orders should prevent cutting them down.

Residents are upset and confused by this decision. One resident called it “almost criminal” and thinks it sets a dangerous precedent. Tree orders seem easy to ignore now.

The plan involves cutting around 36 trees, including mature sycamores and cherry trees, as well as “ecologically valuable” ash trees. The resident calls this ecologically destructive, and people don’t understand why this happened. Another Swanage resident lives near the hostel and didn’t know about the proposal. She can’t believe the council approved it, asking, “Where does it end?” if protected trees are cut.

Some council members had concerns about the amount of felling at a February 3rd meeting. Despite their concerns, they voted to move forward. They mentioned a “replanting plan” during the meeting, but no further replanting details were discussed, though.

Planet Purbeck is an environmental group encouraged by the council’s nature efforts. Still, they hope people start checking planning applications and want a balance between building and nature.

One resident believes action is needed quickly, as the tree cutting could start anytime now. That worries her a lot.

The councils cannot comment on these future plans. They were asked to give their side of the story, but the youth hostel did not respond to requests for comment.

Dorset Council approved cutting trees at a Swanage hostel. Swanage Town Council also gave its approval. The trees have local protection orders. These orders should prevent cutting them down.

Residents are upset and confused by this decision. One resident called it “almost criminal” and thinks it sets a dangerous precedent. Tree orders seem easy to ignore now.

The plan involves cutting around 36 trees, including mature sycamores and cherry trees, as well as “ecologically valuable” ash trees. The resident calls this ecologically destructive, and people don’t understand why this happened. Another Swanage resident lives near the hostel and didn’t know about the proposal. She can’t believe the council approved it, asking, “Where does it end?” if protected trees are cut.

Some council members had concerns about the amount of felling at a February 3rd meeting. Despite their concerns, they voted to move forward. They mentioned a “replanting plan” during the meeting, but no further replanting details were discussed, though.

Planet Purbeck is an environmental group encouraged by the council’s nature efforts. Still, they hope people start checking planning applications and want a balance between building and nature.

One resident believes action is needed quickly, as the tree cutting could start anytime now. That worries her a lot.

The councils cannot comment on these future plans. They were asked to give their side of the story, but the youth hostel did not respond to requests for comment.