Residents have expressed sadness at the felling of a weeping willow to make way for a new Lidl supermarket.
The tree had stood on the site of the former Kidsgrove WMC for at least a hundred years. Lidl had initially promised to retain the tree, described by many residents as a ‘focal point’.
Speaking to the Sentinel resident Margaret Astle said she was ‘saddened’ to see the tree cut down. Other locals recalled playing near the tree as children, then taking their own grandchildren to do the same years later.
A spokesperson for Lidl told the Sentinel the company had ‘consulted’ the community about options for retaining the willow tree, but it had proved impossible to do so.
The spokesperson added that as part of their ‘comprehensive landscaping plans’ for the site they would be planting new trees nearby.
Trees play a vital role in helping to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and providing much needed habitat for animals and plants.
In September 2019 campaign group Climate Focus warned that globally 26 million hectares of woodland are being lost every year, adding to the harm caused to the environment by climate change.
The North Staffs Green Party have written to Newcastle Council calling on portfolio holder for the environment Trevor Johnson to protect other vulnerable trees in the borough.
In the letter they call on the borough council to seek tree city status, something they are also in the early stages of discussing with neighboring Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
At the time of writing no reply has been received from the borough council.