Protesters declare war on developer (From Free Press Series)

Protesters declare war on developer

PROTESTERS carrying placards and banners picketed a developer in Monmouth last weekend over the felling of an ancient tree on a new housing development.

Galliard Homes Ltd held an exhibition on Saturday and Sunday of their new houses and apartments on the exclusive new Riverside Walk development behind Somerfield Supermarket and Nailors Lane.

Prospective buyers were met by a group of local residents who are furious with the developer for cutting down a mature ash tree which was meant to be the centre piece of the housing development.

The tree, which was planted during the reign of Queen Victoria and in a conservation area, has been chopped down despite a planning condition imposed on the development to preserve it.

Galliard Homes Ltd say the tree would not have survived after they had raised the ground level for flood alleviation. They plan to replace the ash tree with a mature cedar tree.

However, local protesters and conservationists want Galliard Homes Ltd to be prosecuted over the matter.

Steve Clarke, chairman of the Monmouth action Group, said: "This was a premeditated act for which Galliard Developments must be prosecuted. They must not be allowed to profit from their vandalism."

Monmouthshire county council have issued Galliard Homes with a notice of intent to prosecute over the matter.

But members of Monmouth Action Group will meet with acting Chief Executive of Monmouthshire Council, Colin Berg, on Friday to ask them to secure a conviction.

The protesters say prospective buyers for the development seemed shocked that developers had cut down the ancient tree and hundreds of shoppers stopped to voice their support.

Town councillor Sue Chivers said: "We had a lot of support from local people during the protest who are also very angry at what the developer has done. This is not an isolated protest; the people of Monmouth are behind us.

"We do not want developers coming in here to do what they like and flout the planning process. We want it stopped."