Bournemouth, Eco & Environment | Posted on April 17th, 2024 | return to news
Protest at felling of Boscombe tree
Local people, angered at the felling of the ‘Boscanova Tree’, a Poplar, gathered in Boscombe to put forward their views.
Such was the anger that a tree had been cut down in the centre of Boscombe that a memorial has been held. However, BCP Council has defended its decision to fell the Poplar.
Local councillors, businesses, activists, and residents gathered together following the felling of the ‘Boscanova Tree.’
Resident, Jacky Demsey, said: “We gathered in remembrance for the Boscanova Tree. Waking up to find it suddenly gone was a shock for everyone. There was no public consultation or notice from the council before killing this much-loved tree which seems indicative of an attitude that finds little value in the natural world and gives very little respect to it.”
Drummers from Extinction Rebellion led a procession from the Tardis at the other end of the precinct down to the stump where Jacky said a few words and the crowd sang an adapted version of ‘Bella Ciao’, which is based on a protest folk song.
More speeches followed before a local choir, Red Alert, sang ‘Solidarity Forever’ with the crowd joining in the chorus.
Local Green Party councillors were in attendance along with a Labour councillor who were all joined by local businesses including Just1swap’s James Savva.
Jacky added: “Let us remember also that this council voted to recognise the climate and ecological emergency. Unless every department acts in the interest of the environment, no good changes will happen. The council is meant to be working for us, caring our town; that is their job.”
The consensus from the crowds gathered was that the remaining stump could be carved into something artistic and poignant. There is also a petition circulating asking the council (in accordance with their statutory duty regarding section 115 of the Environment Act 2021) to consult with residents and local councillors regarding the felling of street trees, where no exemptions apply.
Jacky said: “We ask that trees will be grown and managed in consultation with professional arboriculturists and arborists. We strongly urge our elected representatives and all council departments and employees to do everything in their power to ensure the protection of our town trees, not only for the benefit of our community, but also for that of future generations. We also urge BCP to improve their communications and keep the public informed.
“It is, very sadly, too late for this tree, the decades of benefits it has brought to this area erased in a few hours. We need our council to understand and acknowledge how painful it was for our community to suddenly discover an ugly stump where once a beloved and valued tree was. We dearly hope that in future there is a higher level of scrutiny to avoid the needless destruction of any urban tree.”
A spokesperson from BCP Council said: “BCP Council recently removed a tree on Boscombe High Street which was beginning to cause substantial structural damage to nearby buildings, including local high street businesses.
“We appreciate the crucial role trees play in shaping and benefiting our natural environment, and the council would only remove healthy trees in very exceptional circumstances.
“Where the removal of a tree is deemed essential, proposed works are exempt from public consultation.”
Article updated 19 April 2024
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