THE FELLING of trees on the site of the new Westminster Lodge leisure centre has been described as “just vandalism” by an angry local resident.
Contractors for St Albans council have been clearing the site adjoining Holywell Hill for the start of construction on the new leisure centre which will replace the existing Westminster Lodge. But the scene at the site since the felling has prompted Merryn Woff of nearby Prospect Road, St Albans, to say it is tantamount to vandalism.
She said: “It is all to end up with something which is similar to what we have already. It’s ridiculous. The trees have been there so long – perfect trees.”
Cllr Chris Brazier, the council’s planning and conservation portfolio holder, said that there were no Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) on the specimens which had been felled but assured local residents that they would be replaced and there would be a lot of new tree planting and landscaping around the completed leisure centre.
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