A landowner has called Bristol City Council’s decision ‘disappointing’ and ‘without merit’ after a planning application to fell more trees next to the River Frome was turned down after it received almost 100 objections.
Wyldecrest Parks bought the Riverside Drive woodland estate in early 2022 which also houses mobile homes that sit between Frenchay, Downend and Oldbury Court. However, residents were left devastated after trees that stood adjacent to the homes were felled. This caused further anger among neighbours on Glenside Close who said the entire area was bulldozed and flattened with claims of up to 40 trees being cut down between February and September last year
Glenside Close resident Viv Keast said: “It has completely changed the area - it was meant to be a place of natural beauty but it's an awful eyesore and residents are worried about what will happen next.” David Langbridge, who has lived next door to Mrs Keast for 17 years, said he wants the councils to make it clear to the site's landlord what they can and cannot do. “It's very clear that the owner acts then asks for permission,” he added.
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On January 23 the council refused the planning application submitted by Wyldecrest Parks to fell a number of trees on Riverside Drive last November. The local authority said “complete removal of these trees is excessive and unnecessary and will cause further damage to the character and appearance” of the area. It added that the proposed works would “adversely affect the Tree preservation order (TPO) status of the trees as well this part of the Conservation Area in terms of character and/or appearance”.
It continued: “Considering the extensive loss of canopy cover that has adversely affected the character and appearance of this part of the Stapleton and Frome Valley Conservation Area due to the works that took place during the summer of 2022. The remaining trees need to be well considered and proactive management undertaken to retain these trees until new planting can be undertaken to recreate the wooded valley character of this part of the conservation area."
But Wyldecrest Parks’ chairman Alfie Best said the council’s decision was without “merit” and “disappointing”. He told Bristol Live the local authority should have looked at the planning application more “diligently and carefully”.
He said a full report to assess the trees deemed dangerous was carried out by an arboricultural consultant on behalf of the company around five months ago, and the findings identified what trees should be felled. “We have carried out our duty of care diligently so it has no effect on us whether we cut the trees down or not,” he added.
“However, the removal of these trees was purely for safety reasons and enhancement. Our job is to look after our residents and try and protect them where we can.”
Wyldecrest Parks had already begun refurbishments to the site, which started six months ago. This included the implementation of new electric and water supply, new drainage, kerbs and roads and new mobile homes on the vacant plot.
Although Mr Best will not be appealing, he said the plans were ultimately for the benefit of the general public, its residents and the caravans on the site. “We’ve done our part now,” he added. He stated that the liability now resides with the council should an incident occur - given its prior consent for tree removal without the need for replacement.
News of the council’s refusal has been welcomed by members of the community including Mrs Keast. She said: “We are pleased that Bristol City Council has refused this application to cut down more trees and that the Area TPO protects the remaining trees on this site.
“But we remain concerned that as the Riverside Park site is redeveloped there remains a considerable risk of more damage to the character and appearance of this part of the conservation area.”
Ms Kelly Allen who walks for leisure along the river also objected to the idea. She said the “horrific destruction” is unnecessary. “In a climate crisis, as declared by Bristol City Council, we need to preserve green spaces” she added.
“Trees help combat air pollution, something that should be of maximum importance to a city that has introduced a clean air zone.” Frome Vale councillor Lesley Alexander said she is delighted with the council's decision and claimed Wyldecrest had already “caused enough damage to the conservation area”.
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