Plans to give Witham a more green and pleasant high street should be axed, according to some councillors.
Opposition - Green Party councillor Steve Hicks, who has opposed the planting of trees in Newland Street, Witham. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK 40724-1
Opposition to Witham Town Council's policy of trying to get trees planted in Newland Street has sprouted from some unexpected quarters.
Green Party town councillor Steve Hicks told a meeting of the town council's planning committee that he had examined old photographs of Witham and none of them pictured a tree-lined Newland Street.
He said: "We all criticise businesses for putting up big neon signs, but here we are about to destroy the street scene in the conservation area by slapping great big trees down everywhere."
Liberal Democrat town councillor Barry Fleet said it was "nonsense to compare trees with signs."
But Conservative councillor Michael Lager said trees would be a "mixed blessing" in Newland Street because of the nuisance of falling leaves, and the potential for people to slip over on them.
Melvyn Crow, Braintree Council's landscape and countryside manager, said before any planting in Newland Street could be considered, the location of water, gas and other utility supplies needed to be surveyed.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Thursday, January 27, 2005
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