‘A part of Welshpool’s heritage lost forever’

The removal of trees which were up to 200 years old to make way for the new one-way system has enraged some local residents claiming a part of Welshpool’s heritage has been lost.

The diggers moved in to the small wooded area opposite the Spar last weekend to remove seven trees and allow for a sweeping corner from the Car Park onto Church Bank.

But it has left a number of local residents unhappy with one claiming he was even willing to step in front of the workers to delay the work until it was properly debated.

“It was only by chance that I was in town and saw the workers fencing off the area,” said the man who asked not to be named: “No-one seemed to know anything about it so I remonstrated with the workers on the site but in fairness they had been given a job to do. It just seems such an irresponsible thing to do.”

Another man that was witnessing the diggers move in added: “This area was a part of the old vicarage gardens so it is like watching a part of Welshpool’s heritage being lost forever. Such a shame that progress has to come at a cost.”

But a spokesman for Powys County Council confirmed to mywelshpool that nothing illegal had taken place and that planning permission had been granted to remove the trees.

“The initial application was made in 2007 and passed in April the following year,” said Lee Evans. “It is an area of conservation preservation and the trees were automatically protected so we commissioned an independent report before planning was granted.”

That report discovered some of the trees were in poor health and stipulated that any works carried out should visually enhance the area with proper landscaping management. The Town Council has also stated that seven trees will be replanted at another location to offset the damage.

Welshpool’s town centre is currently undergoing its most dramatic restructuring for a century and the one-way system is expected to open on December 6. The new Tesco store will open in February 2011 and four more superstores are due to open by next summer.