Bull Dingle land slip concerns raised with replanting to begin “any time now”

Concerns have been raised by town councillors that the delay in replanting at the Bull Dingle site is causing subsistence following weeks of torrential rain, but they have been assured that the site is under observation with no need for alarm bells at this time.

Cllr Bill Rowell, whose property backs onto the site that had its trees removed this summer, said at last night’s full council meeting that a small part of his garden had already been lost and Cllr Jackson Quarréll added that “I feel things are getting quite urgent” after he was aware of two residents witnessing problems.

Powys County Council carried out the project after an in-depth survey highlighted health and safety concerns caused by unstable trees.

But it caused a backlash, prompting the authority to assure residents that a full replanting programme would take place before the year-end.

And at last night’s meeting, County Councillor, Graham Breeze, explained there had been delays due to the recent storms as well as a burst pipe on Borfa Green that had blocked the access point.

But he reassured councillors that work would be carried out as soon as it is safe to do so, and that the area was under observation with no cause for concern raised by council officers.

The town council agreed that they would “maintain dialogue” with Powys County Council and that the item would be added to every full monthly meeting until they were happy with progress.

Here’s a snapshot what was said at last night’s meeting:

Cllr Jackson Quarréll: “We are getting to the winter months where it is going to be getting pretty problematic planting the trees.

“I know two of the residents there have seen subsidence on the opposite side to them and have gone down to investigate and have found it pretty hard to get back up again.

“So, if we are going to get people going down to do the planting, getting in and out is going to be more problematic than it should be, so we need to reach out to the county council and ask if they have got a revised scheme on when it is going to be planted and what’s going to happen about the monitoring. Because, with subsidence happening, if something main were to happen over the winter of course the culvert, which was one of the reasons they used for doing the work, if the culvert gets blocked and the waters come flooding in, it is the below residences and the hospital which will be hit by the waters.”

The Mayor, Cllr Phil Owen: “Certainly, that was my main concern when the whole thing arose and it is known that the tree roots tie that land together into a very precipitous (way) and there is a considerable danger of subsidence and slip, particularly when it is wet.”

Cllr Bill Rowell: “I have an interest being a resident with my back garden adjacent to it. I have lost some ground, there has been some slippage immediately behind my back garden. Nothing too serious but I would like to see some action taken.

“I accept that with the sort of weather we have had over the past few weeks, that’s bound to have impacted, but it is important we don’t lose too much time.”

Powys County Councillor, Graham Breeze: The work is due to start any day. It was due to start two weeks ago but there was a major burst on Borfa Green bank which meant traffic lights had to be put in place in the very area where access would have been for replanting.

“Then, the following week, we had so much rain that it has been absolutely impossible for workers to get onto the area at all.

“As to monitoring of the grounds, that is taking place regularly and I did check this week with officers who are happy that any movement has been very minimal and was expected under the circumstances, so no concerns at the moment.”

PICTURE: The site captured in September by From Above - Drone Photography.