LONG BATTLE TO SAVE GIANT BEECH TREES IN CANTON, CARDIFF, ENDS WITH BOTH BEING FELLED TO MAKE WAY FOR HIGH-END HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
LOCALS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS MANAGED TO DELAY THE FELLING WHEN A MEMBER OF EXTINCTION REBELLION OCCUPIED ONE THE TREES
CARDIFF COUNCIL ARE NOT TAKING THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY SERIOUSLY BY GIVING INTO THE NEEDS OF PROPERTY DEVELOPERS, ACTIVISTS SAY.
By Harry Bird and Mark S Redfern. All images copyright: Harry Bird
Protesters and local residents watched from behind high barriers as mature trees surrounding Suffolk House in Cardiff were felled by workmen contracted by developers.
Demonstrators had been outside the site from 5am and chanted “Shame on you!” as contractors felled trees, one of which was occupied by an activist from Extinction Rebellion.
The activist, who gave his name only as David, gave a statement to WalesOnline: “We are trying to protect this community and its green infrastructure. There is nothing wrong with these trees, they are healthy and mature.”
A valiant campaign had been fought to save the trees around Suffolk House, a site recently purchased by property tycoons Quin and Co Ltd and granted permission by Cardiff Council to develop the listed building into 17 new homes.
Three mature trees were set to be felled to make way for the swanky housing development, angering local residents who fought back against the plans, highlighting that cutting down healthy trees should not be a priority with the climate crisis looming.
John Pinn, director of Quin and Co, said in an open letter to residents: “unfortunately the trees which are approaching the end of their life, have outgrown the site.” Campaign group Save Suffolk House disputes this, telling voice.wales that the trees have 50-80 years left in their lifespan.
“Despite having declared a Climate Emergency on March 28 2019,” Save Suffolk House wrote on their website, “and despite the fact that Cardiff has lost… approximately 30 hectares of trees in recent years, Cardiff Council has refused to strengthen protection for mature trees in the city.”
The decision to fell the trees on the land, which will eventually become 7 town houses and 10 apartments to flog, was granted to Quin and Co by Cardiff Council’s planning committee in March 2019.
Welsh press reported that evidence was given in support of the felling by Ed Barker, a Tree Preservation Officer at the council.
Joy Lock started campaigning to save the 150 year old trees in June 2018 after a warming response to petitions in support: “The people have realised how precious those trees are.”
“Even though they got permission [from Cardiff Council in March 2019] we begged and begged please save those trees,” she told voice.wales at the protest. “They are so essential, especially next to this busy road taking in the carbon dioxide.”
Elaine Davey is from the Cardiff Civic Society and was at the demonstration. She told voice.wales: “I think we have a massive democratic deficit in Cardiff and that needs to be addressed.”
“Certainly on the planning committee, the councillors are not trained well enough, they don’t have time to read the reports thoroughly enough, they don’t understand the issues. They’re guided on decisions.”
“They might have one who knows what he’s talking about,” Davey told us at the protest, “but he may have a vested interest. Who knows?”
