A number of trees have been planted around the ward having been commissioned by ward councillors using the ward revenue budget.
Locations include Orrin Close (junction with Lomond Ginnel) and Middlethorpe Drive.
In addition, trees have been planted at a number of locations nominated directly by residents (mainly to replace felled trees) including on Chaloners Road.
Local councillors are lobbying the owner and leaseholder of the land around the Moorcroft Road shops to make some much-needed improvements.
The potholes in the car park at the rear of the shops are getting deeper and pose a real hazard to pedestrians, particularly during wet weather.
Residents have expressed concerns about uneven and rocking paving stones in the area outside the Dick Turpin pub, and the latest problem emerged on 25 September when high winds caused a number of branches to fall from the pine tree, with some others hanging precariously.
A resident has kindly put up some tape to secure the area. Cllr Stephen Fenton has contacted the landowner and leaseholder to request that they arrange an urgent inspection of the tree and for the hanging branches to be removed.
Stephen hopes to meet on site with the landowner and leaseholder in early October.
Planning applications have been submitted to the council for trees to be felled, new trees planted and flytipping to be cleared in an area of privately-owned woodland in Dringhouses.
The existence of a Tree Protection Order on the land off Nelsons Lane means that works cannot be undertaken without permission having been granted.
The applicant’s stated aims for the proposed work are to:
Maintain an attractive, safe and tidy appearance to Breary Close and adjacent footpath
Remove invasive Sycamore species within the front of the property
Remove areas of fly tipping accumulated within the woodland over the years
Create a defined boundary to the woodland
Re-establish natural boundaries to the area to the north and east
Remove overshadowing and overbearing self-sown Sycamore trees to the east adjacent to St Helens Rehabilitation Hospital
Create increase the quantum of quality native woodland cover within the area and provide a greater diversity of species.
Details of the planning applications can be found on the council website HERE and HERE.
The woodland was put up for sale in 2015 – see further information HERE
Thanks to funding from the Ward Committee budget, trees have been planted around the area. Some replace trees that have been felled and others are new.
Hunters Way
Moor Lane
Tadcaster Road
Silverdale Court
We are hopeful of being able to plant more trees provided that issues relating to utilities beneath verges can be resolved.
Stephen has secured action to cut back trees that are obscuring street lights on Acomb Wood Drive.
Some trees have been cut back to allow light through
But some lamps remain entirely obscured by branches
Two trees have already been cut back, but others are the responsibility of the Woodland Trust. They Trust have said that they will instruct their estate contractor to trim back the branches in early September.
We will monitor the situation to make sure that this happens.