Off with their heads ...and trunks

David O'Leary • Published 7 Jan 2011 09:30 0 Comments

TREES planted to mark the Queen's Coronation are to be given the chop.

Six birch trees were planted along the edge of West Linton playing field to mark Her Royal Highness's accession to the throne in 1952.

But Scottish Borders Council will be forced to remove them if their rejigged siting of the village's new primary school goes ahead.

Villagers were shocked last month when council planners changed original plans to build the new facility on the south side of the Robinsland plot.

Locals hit out at the unexpected changes - and feared they would lose their only playing field.

And this latest blow latest, that they are to lose their trees, has caused further anger.

One villager blasted: "It beggars belief. First they go against the wishes of a large section of the village by just re-siting the school without consultation.

"Now we find out that in order to do this they need to rip out some protected trees planted to commemorate the Queen's Coronation.

"It seems as though the council just does whatever it feels like."

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was held more than a year after her accession to the throne.

And communities around the Commonwealth named streets, bridges and parks in her honour. Many, including West Linton, marked the occasion by planting trees.

A council spokesman stated that the birch trees are not protected by a preservation order and that a survey is being carried out as to how many will be felled.

He said: "The trees on the development site for the new primary school are not covered by a Tree Preservation Order.

"However, the New Buildings Team, which is in charge of the development, is organising a tree survey in order that an assessment can be carried out of the value of the trees in terms of amenity and the development layout proposals for the site.

"Once this has been carried out, the possible removal of trees will need to be considered as part of the planning application."

Concerns over the loss of valuable playing space has also been played down by the local authority.

The spokesman added: "The new school plans contain provision for a playing field broadly consistent with the existing playing field, just in a different location.

"Clearly there will be a time when the school building is being constructed and it is envisaged that a temporary playing field arrangement will need to be provided in the village during this construction process."

The local authority is still locked in talks with the plot's owners about a purchase deal - although a Compulsory Purchase Order is being sought.

A full planning application for the new 12-classroom school will be submitted in the autumn.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 07 Jan 11

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