Liberal Democrats have succeeded in having an application to fell trees on Towcester Water Meadows withdrawn. Tory controlled South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) had submitted plans to cut down trees on the water meadows, and reduce others by 40%. Trees on the water meadows are subject to preservation orders and are in a protected area. Although the trees are on land owned by SNC the application to fell them were made by a contractor and not the council. The application was however authorised by the council.

Commenting, Councillor Martin Johns says: “Liberal Democrats supported retaining all these trees, it would have been a another act of vandalism to cut them down. It’s a scandal that the Tories want to fell trees simply to get more light into their massive building that now dominates Moat Lane.”

Councillor Chris Lofts says: “At first I couldn’t believe that the Conservatives would have approved making this application. I should have known better of them and that these lovely trees would be next on their list for removal.”

Councillor Lisa Samiotis comments: “Not only is the council pretending it’s not responsible for making the application, it’s having to pay twice for advice from tree consultants. The council has to support its application with advice from consultants. As a planning authority it is then paying Aylesbury Vale Council to provide advice to SNC’s planners.”

If you wish to see the application do so by following this link:

http://snc.planning-register.co.uk/plandisp.aspx?recno=74837