Trees planted to replace felled 'unsafe' pines

Work to replace 39 trees lining the edge of a park in a housing estate that were cut down for safety reasons has been completed.

Douglas Council felled the trees in the area between Ballanard Road and Baldwin Road in Willaston in February after they "became increasingly vulnerable in high winds".

Residents in the area had raised concerns over the removal of the trees amid objections to a proposal to use the green space as a building compound during a housing replacement project in future.

However, work to create a border featuring new trees to shield the houses backing on to the park from Baldwin Road has now been completed.

The work came about following safety inspections in early 2025 after trees brought down in severe weather damaged two homes in the area.

The eight-week project saw the planting of 40 broadleaf trees and shrubs in place of the spruce and pine trees removed, as well as landscaping works to provides privacy screening for residents.

Councillor Natalie Byron-Teare said the works were "carried out with safety as the top priority, following very real concerns for residents".

"We have ensured all trees removed have been replaced with species better suited to the location, creating a safer environment while maintaining and enhancing the green space," she added.

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