Statement: Cambridge Avenue redevelopment

We’re building 13 much-needed new two and three- bedroom family homes available for social rent on the site of a former sheltered housing scheme. Sadly, we can’t retain a cherry tree on the site, but we will replace it, and plant more trees than are currently there.

Before we applied for planning permission an independent tree survey identified only one high-quality tree on the site, a beech tree which will be retained. Initially, we planned to retain the Japanese Cherry Tree, despite it being classified as low quality - a non-native species with an anticipated life expectancy of 10 – 20 years. 

However, the detailed site design revealed that retaining the tree would not be feasible due to its shallow surface roots and proximity to car parking bays and drainage infrastructure. We will have to remove it but will replace it with another cherry tree once the development is complete.

If we had retained the cherry tree, four out of the thirteen houses would not have been able to have been built, which in turn would jeopardise the whole project. 

Environment, Climate and Nature is one of the key priorities in our new Council Plan, and we are committed to developing brownfield sites, while preserving and enhancing biodiversity. By the end of the development, the estate will be landscaped with a variety of trees and shrubs, resulting in more trees being planted than were originally there.