Protesters 'content' with pruning of threatened Sheffield tree

Workers will carry out pruning on a threatened Sheffield tree tomorrow after campaigners said they were now 'content' with the works.
Workers withdrew from the site last week after protesters gathered around the tree.Workers withdrew from the site last week after protesters gathered around the tree.
Workers withdrew from the site last week after protesters gathered around the tree.

Protesters blocked works on the tree on Chelsea Road, Nether Edge, following concerns for a rare butterfly colony last Monday and Sheffield Council contractor Amey was forced to withdraw from the site.

But Paul Selby, of Save Nether Edge Trees, said he was now 'content' the pruning works were the 'best possible option under the circumstances'.

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He said: "Prior to last Friday Amey and the council had refused to engage at all with me or anybody else in the community so when they turned up last Monday people were not not sure what they were going to do.

"They had previously said they would be doing some extensive pruning and that would have killed the tree so on that basis, the protesters stopped the work."

Mr Selby said he was contacted by Darren Butt, Amey account director, and held a meeting with him and Paul Billington, the council's director of culture and environment last Friday.

He said they had agreed to allow the works to take place and added the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, who had also initially raised objections, also welcomed the agreement.

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Mr Selby said: "We met last Friday and we agreed a plan that I believe is acceptable for the tree, it's not 100 per cent for the butterfly but it's the best possible option under the circumstances.

"I've spoken to other tree campaigners and around 95 per cent are receptive. I never expected to persuade everyone, I will never be able to persuade them it's black and white when it's multiple shades of grey."

Sheffield Council said further talks would be held following the pruning work and an independent arborist would oversee the works tomorrow.

Mr Selby said he expected campaigners to attend tomorrow but asked them to allow work to be carried safely.

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He added: "I have no idea what will happen tomorrow. People may try and prevent the works but I encourage all street tree campaigners to allow Friday's work to go ahead unhindered."

The council said the work will also ensure the mitigation and translocation of the White letter Hairstreak butterfly.

A spokeswoman said: "We’re pleased that this essential public safety work can now go ahead and we welcome the recent discussion with the Nether Edge tree group on this matter and their support of the work.”

Liz Ballard, chief executive at the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust said: “We hope that this agreement on all sides will help to secure a longer term future for this important elm. We are assisting with the butterfly egg relocation from the canopy cuttings on Friday and encourage local people to support this and the agreed works."