Beautiful, National, Natural Heritage under threat in Limerick.

limerick | environment | news report

Wednesday December 13, 2006 05:01

by Mark O'Connor - Gluaiseacht, resident near development concerned

markpeteroconnor at yahoo dot com

Highfield, Limerick

2 mature Monterey Cypress trees, 1 Giant Redwood and 1 Turkey Oak set to be felled. Local residents take action to council and developers.

Concerned Citizens of Highfield in Limerick turn out to defend their natural heritage. Locally known as Chicken tree 1 + 2, are the old Monterey Cypress trees, the Giant Redwood and Turkey oak tree face possibly being felled.

Felling of younger trees occurred Friday and Monday on site, an act which is understood to be directly in breach of condition 6 of this developments Bord Planala planning permission (see condition 6 in full below).

Following today's pressure from these local residents and subsequent mediation with the developer and the council, a commitment have been given by the developer that all felling will cease until documents are sent to council. The residents expect the developer to honour this commitment.

More updates to follow.

Residents acting against developer tree felling

"Prior to commencement of any development on foot of this grant of permission, a revised landscaping scheme incorporating suitable open space for residents of the proposed aparments, shall be submitted to the planning authority. This scheme shall specify trees proposed for retention, together with measures for their protection during the period in which the development is carried out. The site shall be landscaped in accordance with the agreed scheme, which shall also include a time scale for implementation. Open space provision on-site shall be in accordance with the provisions of the current development plan for the area, to the satisfaction of the planning authority."

No such landscaping scheme or timetable has been received by the City Council.

Anyone with ideas, please get in touch.

Felled trees