Petition launched to keep Thurso square's trees
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The proposal from the Highland Council has angered local people and shop owners who are “appalled” at the move.
Cara Duff, who runs the Blow Your Top hairdressing business beside the square, started the petition along with Amanda Buttress, whose husband, Steven, runs men’s and ladies’ wear shops in High Street.
“We have put our petition in most of the shops in Thurso and have had overwhelming support so far. Only one person has said the square may look better without the trees, but still signed the petition,” said Ms Duff.
She claimed the council intends to remove 14 trees from the square and felt that would be a bad plan.
“The trees are lovely and I can’t understand why anyone would want to take them down,” she said.
“If the trees were rotten and unsafe then they would have to come down but we have been told that is not the case. The trees withstood 100 mph winds in December and did not fall down. Thurso does not have many trees. Why take them down?”
She understands the trees are due to be removed in spring although the timescale may have been changed as the council could require planning permission to take them down.
Mrs Buttress is “delighted” with the response to the petition which was only launched earlier this week.
“I am surprised just how passionate people feel about the trees in the square. People feel the trees belong to them and are quite upset about plans to remove them. At least 200 people have signed the petition so far,” she said.
Mrs Buttress described the gardens as “a nice part of the town” and feels the loss of the trees would take away from the overall look of the area.
“If you take away the trees you would take away one of the most attractive parts of the square.
“I would like to see the trees saved so long as they are not going to fall on anyone’s head. We have been told by someone who knows about trees that some of them are rotten but are not in an unsafe condition.
“I think you would have more chance of being hit by a flying slate than being struck by a falling tree.”
Mrs Buttress would like the petition to run for a couple of weeks and then hand it into the Highland Council. She understands a local authority official will be looking at the trees next week.
Her husband, Steven, argued the appearance and character of the square would be spoiled by the removal of the trees.
“They create an attractive setting and improve the image of the town. The square is one of the first things you see when you come into the town and it needs to look good. Everybody is appalled at the idea of the trees coming down,” he told the John O’Groat Journal yesterday.
Mr Buttress is not convinced about the claim the trees are unsafe and stressed they did not come down in the recent storms.
A Highland Council spokeswoman said only the condemned and dangerous trees will be removed.
“These are rotten and hollow inside and pose a real safety concern,” she said yesterday.
The spokeswoman pointed out a report five years ago highlighted the problem with the mature trees. A number of new trees were planted two years ago.
“Unfortunately, they have not been able to flourish due to the canopy from the condemned trees. As the condition of the mature trees continues to deteriorate, due to concerns about safety the council has consulted with the community council and local members over their removal. The younger healthy growing trees will be left to grow where they are,” she added.
Opponents of the plan are writing to the Thurso Community Council to ask members for their support. The letter is expected to go before the March meeting which will be held later this month.
