Protest saves tree — for now — 31/ 7/2007
A BATTLE by residents to save a copper beech from the axe has won a temporary reprieve for the 100-year-old tree. The 65ft giant, on Mayfield Road in Whalley Range, was due to be felled after a firm that owns a nearby house claimed its roots are damaging foundations.
But residents on their way to work staged a spontaneous protest by climbing into the branches. They have vowed to climb the tree every morning until they see evidence that its roots are causing damage.
A tree preservation order was removed at the request of Manchester-based property developer Northern Group, which plans to refurbish the house.
Kate Whiteside, 38, who lives next door and was one of the neighbours who took part in the tree-climbing protest, said: “We believe you need a very good reason to cut down a mature tree like this. We’ve been asking the council to show us the documents for almost a month.
“We’re not irrational and if it is causing damage and has to go then so be it. But until we see the evidence that justifies cutting it down, we will campaign to save it.”
Nathan Eziars, of Northern Group, said: “We have done everything by the book and have approval from the council to fell it. The large root system is causing structural damage to the property and we have submitted reports from structural engineers to the council.
“I understand there are strong feelings about it, but it’s a health and safety issue. The tree is affecting the structural integrity of the property, which we plan to refurbish as soon as the planning department can process our plans.”
A council spokesman said: “The council made a decision having received expert advice on the impact of the tree. We are satisfied with the advice we received and therefore planning permission was granted.”
Several groups of Manchester residents have staged tree top protests in recent years in a bid to thwart developers’ plans.
Campaigners battled for six years to preserve the old Birley Tree, on Birley Fields in Hulme. The 110-year-old Italian poplar was eventually brought down after a dawn raid by workmen with chainsaws in 1999.
Plans to build a second runway at Manchester Airport also saw protesters take to the trees in the late 90s. Eco warrior Swampy and fellow environmental campaigners first dug tunnels under the site.
When evicted from there, they moved to nearby Cedar’s Wood and Arthur’s Wood in the Bollin Valley and attempted to stop the lopping of trees on the runway’s flight path by chaining themselves in branches.
Protesters and bailiffs clashed as Cedar’s Wood was cleared, and the 40 who remained in Arthur’s Wood had to be removed one by one.
The runway finally opened in 2001.
From Manchester Evening News