Plymouth Live readers have been sharing their thoughts on plans to fell mature trees from a Ministry of Defence site in Plymouth. The decision to axe these trees has sparked debate on environmental and community implications. Seven of the “beautiful” mature trees are set to be chopped down at a military base in the centre of Plymouth.
Planners said the loss of the trees was “regrettable” but nevertheless have given approval for them to be felled at the Regimental Training Wing building opposite the Royal Citadel. Vivo, a company which manages assets for the , said it needs to cut down the huge lime trees in order for it to install a new security fence around the site at Hoe Road and Lambhay Hill. One reader, Greenshank says: "Of the twenty trees inside the security fence, I assume it's only the seven largest that are facing the chop, these largest trees must be 80+ years old and were planted before any security concerns for the site.
"Also of concern is the forty trees along the base of the citadel walls, could they also be in danger eventually for security reasons, the army has been caught in the act quite a few times by ad-hoc chopping down shrubs under the 'for security reasons' pretext. At least the on the northwest of the site is safe as it's well outside the security fence." RickOshay reiterates: "Why can’t they just tell the truth; the contractor wants to remove the trees because they can then put up the new fence faster and more cheaply.
" This Is Me adds: "W.