Council Cancels Felling Of Lewes Trees Following Campaigners' Report

Residents, councillors and local pressure groups have welcomed East Sussex County Council‘s decision to postpone the proposed felling of the poplars along Blakes Walk in Lewes.

In late November, East Sussex County Council announced the temporary closure of Blakes Walk, from the January 8 to 29, 2024, to allow the felling of the poplar trees along both sides of the path.

ESCC said that the work was necessary because the trees are “impacting on the lime trees they were grown to protect and to the footway which is becoming hazardous due to the Poplar roots growing underneath it”.

The proposals were greeted with dismay from the Friends of Lewes, Councillors and residents alike. They feared that ESCC were bowing to pressure to remove the trees to enhance views from the newly-built Southdowns Park adjacent, despite previous assurances that the trees would not be affected by the construction.

The Friends of Lewes Trees Committee visited the site and concluded that there was “no silvicultural, arboricultural or landscape reason for any trees to be removed”.  They also noted that the poplars: "provide a green corridor which supports biodiversity; contribute to carbon sequestration; offer shade and a windbreak; and were planted as a memorial and to mark a historically important thoroughfare".

Friends of Lewes wrote to ESCC to share their concerns and to suggest working with ESCC to revise the tree management plan to bring it in line with current climate and biodiversity concerns and make sure that no healthy trees are removed prematurely.  

Green Party Town, District and County Councillors also objected to the planned felling, following a site visit and approaches by concerned residents.  In their letter they said that they could “see no reason for the removal of these trees” and observed that any damage to the path “is slight and [...] could be remedied in a less drastic manner”.

The Councillors asked for ESCC “to put a hold on these works while alternative solutions are investigated and residents and councillors are consulted fully on the proposals.”

Local resident Fraser Addecott also started an online petition, which attracted over 1000 signatures in just three days. 

The petition stated that “the removal of these majestic trees will substantially alter the character of this very well used and highly popular walking and cycling avenue between Malling and Lewes town centre”.

Mr Addecott said:

"This beautiful avenue of trees is a much-loved and very well used feature of the town.  To even consider removing these mature and thriving trees flies against everything we know about the multiple benefits they bring to residents, visitors, wildlife and our wider environment.

"The strength of feeling is clearly demonstrated in the response to the petition and the many heartfelt and knowledgeable comments posted on the site.  As one resident states, 'It is the new build which has encroached on the trees, not the other way round'."

Other groups and individuals, including the Malling Tenants and Residents Association also wrote to ESCC objecting to the plans.

In response, ESCC agreed to postpone the works and to consult with Lewes Town Council, Lewes District Council and the Friends of Lewes on a “long-term management plan for the trees”.  The footway closure order was cancelled on December 5.

Green Councillor Adrian Ross said

“We strongly welcome the postponement of these unnecessary and undesirable works.”

“However, we will remain vigilant until the new management plan has been agreed, as felling some or all of the trees has not yet been categorically ruled out.”

Anyone wishing to can register their objection to the proposed felling and receive regular updates by signing Fraser Addecott’s petition, available at
https://www.change.org/p/save-the-blakes-walk-poplar-trees-in-lewes-east-sussex.