PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO NORTH NORTHANTS COUNCIL TO SAVE OUR TREES ON WELLINGBOROUGH WALKS….

We heard very recently that Stanton Cross developers plan to cut down upwards of 61 lime trees which are part of the historic Wellingborough Walks next Monday 20th Feb 2023.  Many residents and Councillors alike in Wellingborough are very concerned by the planned removal of these beautiful and essential trees, particularly since there is presently a current Tree Protection Order (TPO) on all 189 Lime trees that make up the Wellingborough Walks, including the 61 trees planned for removal next week.

Many people of our town will be mystified as to how the cutting down of these trees can be possible when a live TPO is in place, which is designed to protect the historic Walks from this eventuality.  We are too and we are seeking clarification from North Northants Council officials as to the legal basis under which the developer feels empowered to take this action.  However all of this is taking time and the clock is ticking fast to prevent this travesty from happening.

The Wellingborough 'Walks' have been around since 1847, and some parts date right back to the 1600's.  To fell any of these beautiful trees should be beyond the pale, but to cut down all of the trees from the Dog and Duck pub down to the river is appalling.  It's also inexplicable in these times of needing to support resident well-being, working to protect bio-diversity and cutting Co2e emissions, to even consider felling 61 trees of over 100 years of age.  

To replace the Co2e emission sequestration 'powers' of just one of these trees would require planting upwards of 300 saplings and only after about 4 or 5 years of growth would their Co2 'sink' powers reach the same capacity of just 1 of these trees today.  Urgent action is required to holt this action on Monday and to safeguard these beautiful trees well into the future.

Given this we, the undersigned are calling on North Northants Council to …

(a) take urgent action to enforce the current Tree Protection Order covering all trees on ‘Wellingborough Walks’ (dated 1st July 2016) and place a temporary stop notice on the planned felling of any the trees due next week

(b) Carryout an investigation and hold a consultation with local residents and Councillors about the planned removal of any trees from Wellingborough Walks area

Other Urgent Action…
As well as signing this petition you may wish to also contact your North Northants Councillors and Wellingborough Town Councillors to express your urgent concern about the planned action, to make sure it can be stopped in time.

Best wishes

Marion

Cllr Marion Turner-Hawes

Wellingborough Town Councillor for

Isebrook Ward