Mature trees outside Tesco have been cut down a week after campaigners wrapped themselves around them – Wales Online

Trees that were given a stay of execution after protesters threw themselves around their trunks, have finally been cut down.

The trees along Wellington Road next to the large Tesco store in Swansea city centre were due to be felled as part of the first phase of the ongoing 135million revamp of the city centre.

Eight trees in total were due to be removed, although Swansea Council said it would be planting 17 smaller trees elsewhere to mitigate the loss.

But when contractors moved onto the site two weeks ago, supporters of campaign groups including Save Swansea Trees and Swansea Tree Forum forced a delay by wrapping themselves around the trunks .

A discussion ensued with council officers, and the felling was postponed.

The stand-off prompted a row between Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, who said groups had been kept updated with the plans, a claim disputed by The Woodland Trust, which insisted it had not been consulted about the felling.

Mr Stewart claimed the Woodland Trust was invited to a meeting about the trees but declined.

Joseph Coles, urban programme lead for the Woodland Trust said: The Trust has been supporting Save Swanseas Trees and the Swansea Tree Forum since they brought our attention the significant tree removals taking place in the city centre back in 2018.

We have acknowledged that in some circumstances, trees were removed for acceptable reasons where evidence was provided, and we applaud the commitments Swansea is making to the climate emergency, green infrastructure and biodiversity through its city development.

We also appreciate the councils recognition that residents are concerned about tree removal.

We also recognise that planning permission was approved last year for the removal of trees as part of large-scale redevelopment in Swansea.

However, we must emphasise that contrary to the statement made by Swansea Council, we were not consulted, nor did we endorse the removal of these semi-mature trees on Wellington Street without evidence of their location and status.

In a lengthy article published in the Swansea Evening Post on Wednesday, March 4, Coun Stewart listed the public consultations and separate consultations for interested parties as well as outlining the people individually contacted to attend the meetings.

He also reiterated why the work was carried out. He said: "The Wellington Street reconfiguration is being undertaken to improve access for buses/coaches/taxis and to improve disabled access. The work is also required to improve the access in Tesco and reduce the congestion onto Westway.

"The works form part of the reconfiguration to support the creation of the new Swansea Central Phase 1 development."

A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "While its always regrettable to have to remove trees, we have said right from the start that a number would have to make way if we were going to successfully deliver the Swansea arena project.

"We obtained planning permission to do the work. By smart planning we were able to save a number of trees originally earmarked for removal but, unfortunately, it was not possible to deliver a new entrance for Tesco and two way traffic without removing eight trees.

"We will be planting 17 replacements and all will be semi-mature and around 9m high when planted. Visitors to Wellington Street will be able to enjoy even more London Plane Trees than before because five are being planted to replace the four that were removed."

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Mature trees outside Tesco have been cut down a week after campaigners wrapped themselves around them - Wales Online