A city council wants to know what people think about its plans to combat a tree disease in a wooded area.

Peterborough City Council said ash dieback was a “particular concern” in Bretton Woods.

Officials said a review had shown further spread of the disease, which damages shoots, branches and trunks and kills most infected trees, and that forests could become “dangerous”.

The council wants locals have your opinion on proposals to remove diseased trees.

A spokesman said a review, carried out as part of a forest management plan, had confirmed a “further spread of ash dieback”.

The plan was to remove the diseased trees and a “small area around them” to create a clearing, they added.

That area would then be replanted with a “broader range of native broadleaf trees.”

They said some trees that presented a “health and safety concern” would be removed.

“Feedback from residents will be considered and included, where possible, prior to implementation of the next phase of the plan,” the spokesperson said.

“In addition, the council will have to submit an application for a logging license to the Forestry Commission before work begins.”

The spokesperson said residents could participate in a survey.

‘Dangerous’

Angus Ellis, the council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We have been monitoring the spread of ash dieback in Bretton Woods since 2013.

“It is especially worrying in this area, as ash trees make up the majority of the three forests.

“Action needs to be taken as the forest is likely to become too dangerous for public access.”

It added: “Alternative approaches to those specified in the plan could have a significant landscape impact or significantly restrict public access to the adjacent site, causing marked deterioration of wildlife habitats within the woodland.”

Follow Peterborough news on bbc sounds, Facebook, instagram and unknown.

More about this story

Related internet links