Trees are one of our best weapons against climate change so why does our Council, having signed a declaration of Climate Emergency, continue to allow developers to cut down hundreds of our trees?  The last Focus highlighted the wanton destruction of trees on the ‘pocket park’ on the corner of Orient Way and Lea Bridge Road.  Well they are planning to do it again.  The Oliver Road development opposite the Orient stadium includes the destruction of a line of 86 mature and magnificent Lombardy Poplars that are maybe 100 years old.

Bob Sullivan says: “In reply to my objection I was told that Taylor Wimpy, the developers, and the Council agreed that the retention of the Lombardy Poplars was not considered to be the best long-term outcome for the redevelopment. 

Surely cutting down our mature trees is not the answer to address the climate emergency.  Once again the Council continues to be the developers friend”.