South Anderson Drive footpath concrete blocks update
Liberal Democrat councillor for Mannofield, Airyhall, Braeside, Broomhill, Garthdee, Kaimhill and Ruthrieston Learn more
by Ian Yuill on 10 February, 2016
Council staff have now spoken with the owners of the Craigielea Gardens sheltered housing complex and told them that – because they are in a conservation area – they should not have cut down the trees facing Craigielea Avenue without first telling the council.
The owners of Craigielea Gardens, Castlehill Housing Association, are taking action to “ensure no further works take place”. One of the council’s environmental planners will be meeting with a manager from Castlehill Housing Association within the next few days to discuss what happened.
7 Comments
Ian,
I am very glad to see that the council is taking some action on this matter. I would be delighted if it went to court.
Keith MacLennan
I am familiar with the area having lived in Craigton Terrace for the best part of 40 years and my father was a resident in Craigielea Gardens for almost 3 years.
The trees (probably cypress trees) which have been cut down were in my opinion too large and concentrated for the area. They must have been blocking light from the flats in Craigielea Gardens and certainly made the path along the top of the bank on Craigielea Avenue very dark. The hardwood trees which have been left are much more natural and airy.
Perhaps Castlehill Housing Association did act before consulting but I would argue that they have improved the area. Aberdeen City Council on the other hand have a track record for sometimes consulting but seldom improving with its actions with the city centre being prime examples.
The purpose of notifying the council about tree works in conservation areas is to give the council time to take action to protect trees if required. Castlehill’s failure to follow the proper procedure means neither the council nor, more importantly in my view, local residents had a chance to comment on the plan to cut the trees down.
Could you clarify if the normal cyclical replacement of a hedge is subject to conservation driven consultation, as these fast-growing plants are not generally grown as individual trees?
There are extensions to this hedge which could benefit from management (particularly those surrounding the play park – are these the responsibility of ACC?).
That’s an interesting question. The answer I have been given is probably not. I’ve received a full reply from council staff and I’m going to post that here as soon as I get a chance.
Have not seen this yet as I have been away. It does depend on the type of trees as commented. I would like to see more street tree planting where they have died off. A programme to dig out and fill the existing empty pits, some of which have been badly surfaced by tar, would continue the good work done in some streets. It is just a bit patchy at present.
Iain, the intention is to plant a beech hedge at Craigielea.
I too would like to see more of the missing street trees replaced. I’ve had some success in getting some replaced locally over the last couple of years but, as you rightly says, there are many more gaps to be filled.
To be political for a moment, my Liberal Democrat colleagues and I included funding to plant 500 extra street trees in our proposed council budget for 2016/17. Sadly the other parties on the council decided not to back this.