NEWARK CAMPAIGNERS WARN OF PLANS TO FELL HISTORIC CEMETERY TREES
Left: The mature trees at risk of felling. Right: A recent bat survey at Newark cemetery from St George’s Trust which identified Pipistrelles, Brown Long-Eared Bats and Noctules
A campaign group is urging Newark residents to register their opinions on council plans to fell century-old trees in the town’s cemetery before time runs out this week.
Protect Newark’s Green Spaces (PNGS) - which previously ran a successful high-profile campaign to save the town’s Library Garden from destruction - is drawing attention to a planning application by Newark Town Council. The council is seeking public approval to make changes within Newark Cemetery. The deadline for concerned residents to comment on the plans is only two days away - Thursday 22 September.
The Town Council’s plans include 'the felling of trees in a conservation area' and extending the car park by the London Road entrance. Whilst the council has proposed to protect some trees, two mature black pine trees standing 50-60 feet tall and estimated to be around 100-years-old, will be destroyed.
If left to thrive, these trees could live another 400 years, providing crucial habitat for wildlife and removing carbon dioxide along the heavily used London Road. During a recent bat survey conducted by St Georges Trust, 196 bat calls were identified in the cemetery, with calls recorded from Pipistrelles, Brown Long-Eared Bats and Noctules in just one hour. Of these, 29 calls were under the two pine trees to be felled (picture attached).
A PNGS spokesperson says: “Around 100 years ago, the Great War was fought and won with a terrible loss of lives within the local community. Perhaps these trees were planted as a living memorial to mark a personal loss? Could we unknowingly be erasing a part of Newark’s history? Additionally, Newark will also lose a cherry tree, whilst the roots of a 150-year-old horse chestnut will be at risk when paved over, which we’ve seen in other areas of Newark lead to poor health, disease and felling in trees. Newark Town Council has proposed to use part of the land for a children’s burial area. Surely this plan can be renegotiated to work within an area of natural beauty? All across the UK are beautiful green burial sites. Could Newark join this map and create an extra special place with child burials which also act as wildlife havens?”
PNGS encourages residents to submit views on this application [22/01625/FUL] before it closes on Thursday 22 September.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Residents must register for an account to submit comments/objections
Comments can also be submitted by email to case officer Honor Whitfield at Honor.Whitfield@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk or by letter to the District Council: Castle House, Great North Road, Newark, Notts, NG24 1BY
When registering comments, ensure to use the reference 22/01625/FUL
For further comment from PNGS, please contact NAME on NUMBER/EMAIL
