TREES A CROWD AT CONTROVERSIAL HOSPITAL

15-12-2007

The Stirrer has discovered that plans for a controversial psychiatric centre in Bordesley Green were opposed by a Birmingham Council planning officer because too many mature trees would be destroyed. But “lack of time” means that no preservation orders have been issued, and now residents say that trees are being hacked down anyway.

The officer Lesley Sheldrake recommended in January that the new 80 bed mental health unit on the old Yardley Green hospital site should be rejected.

Her advice was based on the fact that 75 decent quality trees would have to be axed, although she admitted that “due to workload it has not been possible to make a site visit” and her comments were based on a consultant’s report.

Sheldrake added that, “an unacceptable number of…trees will be lost and for that reason the proposal should be refused.”

She also suggested that there were trees on site that were worthy of being issued with a Tree Preservation Order, but none have subsequently been issued – no doubt the “workload” is to blame again.

In the face of considerable protests by local residents - the scheme now has outline planning permission, and demolition of the old hospital buildings is now underway. What’s more, some of those precious trees have already borne the brunt.

Campaigner Nazar Hussain said, “We don’t know if it’s the good quality trees that are being cut down, but we want the Council to get down there straight away to find out.

“We’ve been waiting nine months for someone to make a site visit, and if the good trees do disappear, it will only help the scheme get to go ahead by the back door.”

Annie Shaw, spokesperson for Birmingham East and North PCT which is commissioning the work confirmed that some trees have been chopped down in accordance with the outline planning permission.

She confirmed that no trees on site had preservation orders.

Birmingham City Council are working on a response.