Council defends tree-cutting policy

DUNMOW Town Council has defended its tree cutting policy for the second year running following concerns raised by residents. Trees and hedges around Talberds Ley have been cut back to prevent branches falling on passers by and to keep the continued growth

DUNMOW Town Council has defended its tree cutting policy for the second year running following concerns raised by residents.

Trees and hedges around Talberds Ley have been cut back to prevent branches falling on passers by and to keep the continued growth of trees healthy.

However, resident Phillip Hynds has questioned the timing of the work after he found dead birds and destroyed nests when the trees were cut back at around the same time last year.

He said: "The town council does not seem to be learning the lessons of last year. I would not be surprised if more birds have died again this time around.

"I do not see why the council has to do the work right at the start of spring when it is most likely to harm local wildlife. Is the councils' downs and commons committee trying to wipe out the local bird population?"

Deputy clerk David Green said that "no nests were disturbed and the trees will generate very quickly" during the works, while chairman of the downs and commons committee, Trudi Hughes, insisted it was a necessity at this time of year.

She said: "The council is only doing what any prudent land owner should be doing."

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