Woman Plans Christmas Day Tree Protest Against Felling for Development

An individual has stated her intention to skip her family’s Christmas Day meal to occupy a tree, aiming to prevent its removal close to her residence. Hazel Harwin, aged 61, resides on Barkers Lane in March, Cambridgeshire. A proposal for a new development comprising 130 houses has been put forward for this area. The proposed scheme involves the clearing of existing trees and hedges to make way for an expanded pedestrian walkway and cycle path. Mrs. Harwin recalls her children’s playtime in the tree with affection. She asserted that the trees are subject to protection orders and should not be removed, given their role in supporting diverse wildlife. Fenland District Council indicated that tree protection orders might be revoked if a project is deemed to offer greater advantages to the broader community. “My children climbed this tree”, stated Hazel Harwin, 61, who has been a resident of Barkers Lane for over three decades. A specific tree that Mrs. Harwin is attempting to preserve is situated within the premises of the Neale-Wade Academy. It is located behind a 1.5m (5ft) tall fence and approximately 1m (3ft) from the roadside verge on Barkers Lane. The academy has been approached for a statement. She remarked, “I know I will be technically trespassing when my husband sets up a ladder and I climb up into the tree, but if anyone says I can’t be there, I’ll just sit on the verge on Barkers Lane.” A petition initiated recently by Mrs. Harwin, which opposes the removal of trees and hedges along Barkers Lane, has gathered over 500 signatures. She intends to submit this petition to Fenland District Council and its planning department in the upcoming New Year. Fenland District Council explained that the objective of tree preservation orders is to guarantee that no unauthorized work or felling occurs, and that any such activities are evaluated through proper channels. The council further stated that, in specific situations, the removal of protected trees might be considered essential to enable broader development and the associated advantages. Concerning Barkers Lane, official council records indicated that a portion, though not the entirety, of the tree might require removal to allow for road widening. The implications of this action on the local area’s character were deliberated in the committee report and during the Planning Committee session, alongside the advantages of proceeding with the development. Council members determined that additional investigation was necessary to ascertain precisely which trees might need to be removed and to ensure the protection of remaining trees, should the proposals receive approval. News from Cambridgeshire is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. This content is copyrighted by BBC in 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for material found on external websites and provides information regarding its policy on external linking.