HI Courier
SHOCK!
March 2010 Issue 9 www.HIcourier.co.uk FREE
The local community newspaper for Histon and Impington HISTON'S GRAHAM BEATON
Residents and Parish Councillors have been shocked by the devastation of the wood between Histon Football Club and the Guided Busway. The operators appeared on Saturday morning 20th February and felled at least 20 mature healthy trees, all of which were protected by a Tree Preservation Order. Histon Parish Councillor Alan Eade said: "As tree warden for Histon, I was appalled to learn of the deliberate and unlawful destruction of the copse to the southeast of the Histon football ground. The presence of such areas of trees and bushes of varying ages and species is vital for the limitation of vistas, the preservation of the essentially rural aspect of our villages, and the prevention of the spread of nondescript suburbia. It constitutes an act of corporate vandalism and encourages the wilful disregard of long standing regulations to protect trees in our environment." The trees in question were protected and required parish council notification and district council assent before any work is to be undertaken. This makes their destruction, without prior permission, a breach of the Town and Country Planning Act. When felling commenced on the Saturday morning, the workmen and the gang leader were informed that the trees were protected and they were asked to check whether the necessary permissions had been obtained before proceeding. Despite this, felling continued until there wasn't a single tree left standing. The devastated area is immediately adjacent to and exactly in line with the southern edge of Histon football club leading to speculation by some that the club had ordered the clearing operation. One resident said, "The trees were part of a necessary wind barrier across the recreation area in the direction of the prevailing wind and this has now been lost. Also visually the trees made a complete line shielding the Holiday Inn from the Rec." A further potentially dangerous situation now exists since people will now be able to stand on the B1049 bridge and watch
The Villages' Newest Author: Steve Morris
Woodland Devastated
Holiday at Home
Devastated area, Monday 22nd February. Later photos reveal at least 20 large, healthy, and legally protected trees were cut without permission.
the football matches, causing a potentially serious road hazard. This mature wooded area not only provided an excellent wind, sound and visual barrier, but it also provided a wonderful haven for wildlife. Although it was quite narrow it had created a vital corridor between two established wooded areas, linking The Copse to the west with the Chivers Wood (alongside the Elizabeth Woodcock Memorial field) to the east. An enviro.volunteer commented "We've spent a lot of time improving the condition of other local wooded areas, so it's a very sad thing to see the
destruction of such a large number of healthy mature trees. It's quite ironic that this should happen the very week that we and so many other residents turned out to help plant up the new Centenary Wood on the other side of the village. Contractors who have recently been planting up alongside the Guided Busway are also somewhat concerned by this unexpected extra loss of habitat along this section." The HI Courier contacted Histon Football Club and received this response from club Secretary Julie Roach dated 27 February: "We employed a local firm to clear some shrubbery and some
dead trees in an area surrounding the club. However this did go beyond our expectations of what was anticipated." This is not the first time HFC have been criticised for their actions regarding the environment. Previously villagers were shocked by their actions during the installation of HFC's new footpath. On that occasion mature trees were cleared from the roadside embankment, losing an important feature and exposing The Rec. to road noise and wind disturbance. - Continued on page 2
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