RAVENURST: THE AXEMAN COMETH

20-11-2006

Residents living close to the threatened Ravenhurst Playing Fields in Harborne - the subject of an ongoing Stirrer campaign - are reporting that two trees have been chopped down over the weekend in apparent defiance of a preservation order.

Colin Dooley who lives in the area was among more than 100 people who attended a public meeting at Moorpool Hall last Friday who were told that Birmingham Council had recently put measures in place to protect the trees. That's why he was so surpised that a breach has - apparently - already taken place.

He said: “I went out on Friday morning to walk the dog and noticed nothing unusual, but by the afternoon two trees had been lopped down. They were reasonably substantial too, and had grown to a height of around fifteen foot or even higher.

“All you can see now are two stumps and a pile of branches. It looks as though someone is trying to make a point.”

The playing fields are owned by a trust connected with the Catholic Fathers of the Oratory on Hagley Road who are keen to develop the site, and have allowed the facilities to fall into disrepair.

Housebuilders Wimpey have been taken on board and already won the support of Sport England for a scheme that would see the majority of the land taken out of sporting use and converted to housing.

Opposition to the scheme amongst local residents is overwhelming.

More details as we get them.