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To: Sheffield City Council

Save the Fitzalan Square Plane Trees

Sheffield City Council are planning to redevelop Fitzalan Square in Sheffield City Centre. The plans include felling the 4 healthy mature plane trees that surround the statue of King Edward VII. These are the only remaining mature trees in the city centre and must be retained.

Why is this important?

Fitzalan Square suffers from poor air quality due to traffic pollution. The London Plane trees are particularly effective at removing pollutants from traffic-heavy areas like this in the city centre.
The trees are one of the few things of beauty in a Square currently noted for its ugly betting shops, proliferation of litter and intrusive advertising boards.
The trees provide a great deal of biodiversity to the square including birds and insects which would be lost despite the planting of new saplings.
The Tree Condition survey, written by the Council's tree manager, states "Removal of these four trees will have a significant impact on the immediate area. The city centre has the lowest percentage tree cover in Sheffield and there are relatively few large trees within the area. Visually, the trees provide a natural living feature that helps to soften the harsh lines of the existing built environment. The trees play an important role in trapping and removing pollutants from the surrounding air as well as providing dappled shade for users of the square. The canopies also help to break up wind movement that may otherwise funnel between the buildings. All four trees are well established with a significant
potential longevity. All are considered to be in their prime. "
Paving problems could easily be solved using flexi-pave.
Important links
Read the full plans and object to the proposal here.
https://planningapps.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=OX1IUENYM0500

Read the Star article here
https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/council-reveals-more-details-of-plans-to-freshen-up-sheffield-s-public-spaces-1-8799661#comments-area
Background to Fitzalan Square
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitzalan_Square

Fitzalan Square, City Centre, Sheffield

Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL

Updates

2018-05-20 11:48:48 +0100

At 6am this morning Amey came like thieves in the night to destroy these beautiful trees. I am sad to say we have lost this campaign. Please help to stop this happening to other trees across the city by supporting Sheffield Trees Action Groups https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/?fref=nf and get involved politically to help get rid of this eco vandalising Council. I don't think it is a coincidence that this happened on the weekend of the Royal Wedding when the media will have no room for bad news stories like this.

2018-04-14 11:50:53 +0100

Page 2
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155667861667266&set=pcb.938052443038512&type=3&theater&ifg=1

2018-04-14 11:50:09 +0100

A reply from Cllr Mazher Iqbal
https://scontent.fbhx2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/30712766_10155667861682266_4936167997321510912_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeEvwvuMM67r_sofgBmIzSrWNKeY7dy9LxdRvq_1nexGgcUK8CFXjRcoixIG43pfeQ_9ZW9FsUk8MRAulhP0aloj1hayrjQ2wjbbb6WOMDuPNA&oh=7545ad6526e0cc611eef99ee9e063f93&oe=5B589023

2018-04-14 11:27:45 +0100

And another one! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1908431595848151&set=gm.932326096944480&type=3&ifg=1

2018-04-14 11:25:58 +0100

Wonderful photography from Luis Arroyo
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1908500072507970&set=gm.932353096941780&type=3&ifg=1

2018-03-24 15:45:07 +0000

Petition acknowledgement is below. Do live near or work near these trees? If so please get in touch. https://www.facebook.com/sheffieldcentralgreens/photos/p.1673326856057369/1673326856057369/?type=3&theater

2018-03-03 13:32:55 +0000

Yesterday Amey came and gave the 4 plane trees in Fitzalan Square a severe prune. You can see the Facebook discussion about it here. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10215540998901521&set=gm.913939325449824&type=3&theater&ifg=1. Amey have admitted that this is to stop the birds (mainly starlings) nesting there this spring so that wont prevent felling later. We need to keep a look out for the trees so that campaigners can be alerted when Amey come back to fell them. Do you live or work near Fitzalan Square? Or do you know someone who does who would be willing to help? If so please get in touch with me at [email protected]. Also if you would like to peacefully protest when they come to fell the trees please let me know.

2017-12-13 14:20:38 +0000

1,000 signatures reached

2017-12-13 13:03:50 +0000

500 signatures reached

2017-11-23 15:48:49 +0000

100 signatures reached

2017-11-23 10:35:34 +0000

50 signatures reached

2017-11-23 09:17:39 +0000

25 signatures reached

2017-11-23 08:32:52 +0000

10 signatures reached