‘The destruction for all to see!’

Residents have reacted with horror to the latest drone footage that has shown the level of devastation at a key nature area in the middle of Welshpool.

Powys County County has sanctioned the complete destruction of the Bull Dingle, close to Borfa Green, in the height of nesting season, with scores of adult trees torn down due to the presence of ash dieback and the threat of flooding.

The council explained that a full consultation took place with residents and the job was months in the planning to avoid problems in the future.

But the sheer scale of the work, and the time of year that it has been carried out has caused outrage and a dedicated Facebook page has been set up for residents to share information, and their discontent.

In a schedule of work, seen by MyWelshpool, scores of trees are listed including Oak, Cherry, Elm, Chestnut and 123 Sycamore trees, which are all believed to have been chopped down.

Sally Gartell, who has set up the Facebook page, said: “Bull Dingle (has been) totally destroyed, residents have been lied to, misinformed, not consulted.

“Habitats have been destroyed, protected species have lost their homes.

“It seems that people have been kept in the dark. Different people have been told different stories. Lies have been written. We want to know the truth and someone should be held accountable.”

Earlier this week Powys County Council told us: “The council is overseeing the removal of the trees at Bull Dingle due to ash dieback, a fungal infection that can cause trees to become brittle and liable to fall.

“There is also a culvert running through the Bull Dingle, which has been previously blocked by a fallen tree which led to flooding.

“While we never want to cut tree downs, the trees are diseased and could pose a risk of falling on nearby properties and to those who walk through the Bull Dingle if they are not removed in a safe manner.

“Properties adjacent to the tree at Bull Dingle were informed of the works along with the local county councillor.”

The picture that has angered Welshpool…. courtesy of From Above - Drone Photography, and (below) how the area looked before the work from Google Maps.