New trees would be 'vandalised' if planted on Knottingley field, passer-by allegedly told

Workmen cutting down a pair of trees told a passer-by they'd not be replaced because "they'd be vandalised", it's been claimed.
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Rachel McConnachie was walking round the Marsh Lane area in Knottingley earlier this month when she saw council staff demolishing the trees on Howards Field.

The council says both trees were dying and had to be felled as a safety precaution.

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But Mrs McConnachie, 54, says she was shocked to be told that no new trees would be immediately planted in their place, because they expected them to be damaged.

Only a stump remains from one of the trees that was felled.Only a stump remains from one of the trees that was felled.
Only a stump remains from one of the trees that was felled.

She said: "I asked the workmen why they were doing it, and they said it was because they were dead.

"They didn’t look dead to me - I thought they probably just needed pruning - but I understood they were doing what they were told.

"But I then asked if they were replacing them and they said, "No, they would just get vandalised".

"I was really quite shocked."

Howards Field, in Knottingley, is used regularly by locals for exercise.Howards Field, in Knottingley, is used regularly by locals for exercise.
Howards Field, in Knottingley, is used regularly by locals for exercise.
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Mrs McConnachie has been using the area regularly for daily exercise during lockdown and likes to take her grandchildren to the field during normal times.

The green space is also traditionally used by Knottingley RUFC for home games.

Mrs McConnachie added: "It’s a very nice place and just think we should be preserving green areas like this.

"There's just a stump there now and it’s quite sad."

In response, the council's service director for the environment, Glynn Humphries, said: "Wakefield Council only fell trees as a last resort and unfortunately, the two trees in question were rotting and damaged and had to be removed for safety reasons, especially considering the closeness to residents’ properties.

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"The council planted 16,000 new trees last year and as part of the Northern Forest project we are planning to plant hundreds of thousands more over the next five years.

"We are currently looking at all suitable sites across the district and this includes land in and around Howards Field."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

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