Fighting spirit can help save ancient Inverness oaks
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A PACKED public meeting “ignited” protestors’ fighting spirit, it was claimed last week, galvanising them to get behind the campaign to save historic trees from road developers.
As exclusively revealed by The Inverness Courier a fortnnight ago, 17 oaks lining part of Caulfield Road North, behind Caulfield Business Park, are under threat from proposals for the new East Link road connecting the A96 and A9.
Under draft plans prepared by Transport Scotland, the trees – believed to be around 150 years old – would have to make way for the new link.
Around 60 people attended a public meeting in Cradlehall on Tuesday to discuss the issue, with the vast majority against the proposals, and there was standing room only at times, according to organiser Duncan Macpherson.
“This really felt like the start of a campaign to save these trees,” he said. “People were very keen to share their views and left feeling like they had a real chance to influence the process and make sure their voices are heard.”
Although stressing that the meeting was an open public one, as chairman of Cradlehall and Westhill Community Council Mr Macpherson said that the groupy would now be applying for a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) to secure legal protection for the oaks.
He was supported by neighbouring Smithton and Culloden Community Council chairman David McGrath, and Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans, both of whom were also at this week’s meeting.
Speaking afterwards, Cllr Gowans said he was also requesting a TPO, and added: “I have sent an email to the council’s forestry officer to join me on site with local residents to get a survey on foot of whichat trees to afford protection to.
“There is a strong public feeling about the line of the road and the effect on the existing community.”
As previously reported in the Courier, many people only became aware of the threat to the trees after local resident William Aitken posted signs and wrapped eye-catching tape around the threatened trunks.
He was praised at the meeting for his actions then and also for his presentation of what he said is a viable alternative route for the link road which would leave the oaks untouched – by moving a proposed roundabout.
Mr Macpherson said this would also now be looked at by the community councils.
“Anything that can be offered as an alternative to what is currently being proposed is something we’re very keen to explore and I know this idea is already being worked up as something that can be presented to Transport Scotland,” he said.
“I hope it is something they will consider seriously when it is presented and I think locals all went away ignited by the meeting and determined not to simply let this issue go.
“There certainly will be more meetings as we look at everything we can possibly do to save these trees.”
Conservation charity The Woodland Trust has already spoken out against the threat to the oaks.
”Not only does this proposed development contravene national planning policy, it is also in direct conflict with the principles laid out in the Highland Council Local Development Plan,” it said in its formal response to Transport Scotland.
“The plan recognises the importance of trees and woodlands as well as stating that there is a presumption against removing ancient trees.”
