'Absolute shame' - Protesting Meir Park residents hit out as trees chopped down

Residents Steve Goold, Alison Dhatt and Andy Jones protest the tree felling
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Campaigning residents have hit out after trees were chopped down in their neighbourhood - sparking an afternoon protest. And during the height of the incident in Meir Park three police cars were called to the scene.

Now concerned families fear the trees were being felled in readiness for the greenspace to be possibly used for houses. Neighbours say the plot on Canberra Crescent has been home to oak, willow and ash trees since the estate was constructed over 40 years ago.

After hearing the sound of chainsaws, they say that four trees had been chopped down. They say the greenspace is a popular spot for dog walkers, children and residents who enjoy the well-established trees.

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But community leaders say the trees weren't protected and while the council had maintained it, the plot was never transferred into council ownership. It's understood such plots were sold on by land owners.

Day one of tree felling on Canberra Crescent
Day one of tree felling on Canberra Crescent

Families say the plot is a popular one. Nearby resident Jon Evanson said: “I walk my dogs here all the time, it is an absolute shame to see the trees cut down. I know many children from nearby come and play on it and countless others.”

Three police cars and several officers were called out this afternoon with residents told to move away from the land. Residents say the police had been there most of the day while the felling took place and they were warned of ‘aggravated trespass’.

Andy Jones who has lived on the estate since 1983 expressed his frustration. He said “It’s plots of land like this on Meir Park which make it so appealing to people. It’s not just a built up housing estate. It’s got greenspaces, it’s got trees, well-established trees.”

Fears have been raised it will now be used for housing. Resident Alison Dhatt believes the land was sold. She said: "As residents we would have come together and bought the land to stop it being built on."

StokeonTrentLive has attempted to contact the land owner, however this has not been successful at the time of writing. Meanwhile ward councillor Abi Brown has issued an updated on the situation on her Facebook page - and says she has received a number of calls, e-mails, and messages about the piece of land.

She wrote: "When estates are built, public open space is normally transferred to the council for ongoing maintenance. For some reason, this did not happen in a number of locations across Meir Park. Subsequently, although the council maintained the land, some of the land owners have sold these areas on. That is the case at Canberra Crescent.

Police on Canberra Crescent, in Meir Park
Police on Canberra Crescent, in Meir Park

"The trees weren’t covered by a Tree Preservation Order, and therefore the landowner did not need any permission to remove them. The only consideration would be avoiding nesting session, which is between February and August.

“Until a planning application is submitted, it is hard to comment further. I have spoken to the residents' association this afternoon, and we will work together to support residents as best as we can, however at this time until an application is received, there are limited actions that can be taken, however I will continue to update residents as best as I can.”

Councillor Brown says as it stands no planning application has gone in. Meanwhile Staffordshire Police confirmed it was called out at 1.50pm.

A spokeswoman said: "We were called at 1.50pm to reports of a group of people trying to stop a gardening business from chopping down a number of trees on Canberra Crescent, Meir Park, after the landowner arranged it. Officers attended and the gardening business agreed to remove the second tree at a later date.”

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