Highfield Ely Academy Downham Road Ely Cambs CB6 1BD Tel: 01353 662085 office@highfield.cambs.sch.uk
Thursday 28th March 2019
Re: Update on Cambridgeshire County Council tree netting situation
Dear Parents and Carers/Sir or Madam
You might have seen comments on social media or news stories in newspapers over the last few days regarding trees that have been netted by Cambridgeshire County Council in our school grounds. Context of the decision While the trees are within our school grounds, the decision to net the trees and the planning application to extend the school building is being managed by Cambridgeshire County Council and is out of our control. We understand that the decision was taken to ensure that no birds started to nest in them whilst the planning application was being determined. This would mean that birds would choose to nest elsewhere and would allow felling to take place as it would not disturb any nesting birds. We believe the council took this decision following suitable advice and with good intentions to allow the extension to be built at the earliest opportunity, without unnecessary delays, and for the benefit of children with life-limiting conditions. The extension, once completed, will provide much-needed new facilities including a new hydrotherapy pool, sports hall and fitness suite. There will also be a new space for pre-school age children and a centre to provide life skills and therapy for young adults with Profound Multiple Learning Difficulties between the ages of 19 and 25 – the first for Cambridgeshire. Decision by Cambridgeshire County Council to remove the tree nets In response to public concerns Cambridgeshire County Council has now decided to remove the nets from trees. This will take place during the school Easter holidays. The council has told us that they take their environmental responsibilities very seriously and always seek the advice of ecologists to ensure that the impact on wildlife of their building projects is minimised. This is the first time they have used tree netting and whilst they have no evidence of birds being harmed, they have made the decision to act on the concerns of local residents and remove the nets which were put up last month. The council was also aware that the school had received several letters from people expressing concerns, some of which were threatening serious and unacceptable behaviour that could have compromised the safety of the school. The council also wanted to make sure that the school’s good relationship with the local community wasn’t compromised by the decision.