By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Photo: SCC
Council leaders are being urged to pause any decision on Southampton Airport’s request to fell 19 trees in South Stoneham Cemetery.

 

Liz Batten and Angela Cotton are due to address the city council’s cabinet before councillors consider the proposals.

The representatives from group Transition Southampton said there had been a “stark” absence of notice or consultation on the plans.

The airport is seeking a licence to fell 19 trees and cut back a further 10, which it says are an “obstacle to departing and arriving aircraft”.

'We are not being consulted properly on big decisions'

Giving the work on council land the green light would allow the airport to realise “the full benefits” of its extended runway and provide “significant” economic benefits, a report by Savills said.

The report, prepared on behalf of Southampton Airport, referenced a potential forecast local benefit of a 1,050 extra jobs and £75million gross value added a year over the long term.

However, Transition Southampton, with the backing of Southampton Climate Action Network, Southampton National Park City, Friends of the Earth Southampton and AXO (Airport Expansion Opposition) Southampton, is calling on cabinet not to rush any decision when it meets on Tuesday, July 15.

Ms Batten, left, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Seeing the response there has been across the city to this, people these days more than ever feel they are not being considered properly.

“We are not being consulted properly on big decisions like this.

“The people who have got relatives there and go there to spend quiet time, it must be devastating for them.

“Everyone who is affected by this needs to be given an opportunity to know exactly what is going on and to have their say.”

The airport is proposing a mitigation package, with four-to-one tree replacement, an urban wildflower meadow, works to a Townhill Park pre-school, a local defibrillator, a new residents noticeboard, a refurbishment of the cemetery chapel and the introduction of weather proofed memorial seating.

On the replacement trees, Ms Batten said: “The situation we are all in as we have just come out of a heatwave is emphasising how precarious the situation is now.

“Taking down that number of healthy trees and trying to replace them with saplings is a high-risk strategy now more than it has ever been.

“We have to think really carefully about what those trees are doing for us in this situation.”

Ms Batten said a proposed “major” change to the tree policy could see decisions on works become an executive function of cabinet rather than the current arrangement with the planning and rights of way committee.

An officer report to cabinet said this policy matter would be in line with legislation.

As reported, Southampton Airport said its application related to 29 trees that have been identified by the Civil Aviation Authority as “presenting an obstacle to departing and arriving aircraft”.

A spokesperson said: “Our application sets out our intention to continue to work positively with the council to agree an appropriate way forward which would include agreeing a range of measures to enhance the biodiversity of the local area.

“Not being able to provide a safe operating environment will have a direct impact on our ability to enhance our connectivity that plays such a vital role in driving the economic and social prosperity of the region.”

Liz Batten photo: supplied

Previously
Airport plan to fell cemetery trees sparks petition
Airport wants to fell 19 trees in South Stoneham Cemetery