Belle Vue Two are spared the axe

9:28pm Thursday 13th March 2008

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FOLLOWING months of opposition Malvern Hills District Council has retracted its plans to cut down two London Plane trees on Belle Vue Island.

Their decision follows the result of an independent assessment from the Forestry Commission that concluded the trees posed no risk to the surrounding area.

The issue had generated strong feelings in Malvern, inspiring a campaign group and a petition of more than 1,500 names objecting to the proposals.

Steve Price, campaign co-ordinator for Save the Belle Vue Two, expressed his joy at hearing the news.

He said: "It's a victory for common sense and people power.

"It was very much public pressure that kept this going. We kept going up to the council meetings and asking questions.

"The support was brilliant. People were coming up to the terrace to sign the petition even during the Christmas parade."

The initial request to remove the trees was made by the Great Malvern Town Centre Partnership which felt they were ill-suited to the location.

A meeting of the southern area planning committee in October 2007 narrowly voted to have the trees removed.

Cllr Ralph Madden said: "The decision to fell the trees in the first place was made solely on the understanding that damage would be caused to the surrounding area on Belle Vue Island and that the tree's roots posed a risk to the drainage system.

"In light of the petition from local residents to save the trees, we felt that the best way forward would be to invite an independent advisor from the Forestry Commission to assess the trees and their impact on the Belle Vue area."

The report, by Alice Holt Tree Research, recommends a programme of work to be undertaken including annual pruning of the trees and maintenance to the retaining walls and surrounding paved areas.