Greens protest destruction of trees on derelict site
11 July 2007
Property developers who ignored Tree Protection Orders and bulldozed ten trees brought out protesters in force at Anston House opposite Preston Park yesterday.
Bridgetown Property developers, who own the site, destroyed the 100 year old trees despite the preservation orders and may now face prosecution by the Council now that local Green Party members and environmental activists, have drawn attention to the illegal action.
Green Party Councillor Amy Kennedy, who supported the demonstration said,
"The actions of the developers amount to environmental vandalism."
The protesters unfurled a banner and held posters up to the rush hour traffic. Many drivers hooted in support and some cyclists stopped to express their concern at what had happened.
Passing pedestrians urged the protesters to draw up a petition calling on the Council to prosecute the developers.
The destroyed mature trees included a healthy elm, a species that has been severely depleted by Dutch Elm disease, and beech. At the back of the derelict site and piled up at the pavement end is tree débris.
Local residents had alerted the council when bulldozers arrived at the site in late June and started the demolition of the trees and an out of hours duty officer arrived in time to stop any further destruction.
The council are now considering prosecuting the company. Anston House has been derelict for some years although the owners have had planning permission to build. The adjacent site where the trees were felled is empty.
Notes to editors:
Further information:Geoffrey Bowden
Brighton & Hove External Communications Coordinator
07958 682683
[ENDS]
