Politician who ordered chopping down of 110 trees lives in upmarket tree-lined street

The Plymouth politician who ordered 110 trees cut down in the middle of the night lives on one of the city’s most posh tree-lined streets.

The council had put plans on hold over residents’ objections to a £12.7 million redevelopment plan, but on Tuesday Tory leader Richard Bingley signed an executive order to cut down the trees.

Hours later, contractors moved in and erected fences around the area, while security and police patrolled outside with dogs.

Locals chanted and protested, but the action wasn’t stopped until 1 a.m. when a group obtained a court order. However, by that point, 110 established trees had been felled on Armada Way.

MailOnline can now reveal that Councilor Bingley owns a five-bed terraced house in the town on a quiet tree-lined street half a mile from where the trees were felled.

Despite being close to the town center and train station, the imposing, two-fronted terraced house – bought last year for £450,000 – also has a park at the end of the road.

There was no answer in the house today, but Danny Laine, 26, who also lives on the street, said: ‘I find it shocking what happened in Armada Way. Part of Plymouth’s unique character is its closeness to nature.

‘I haven’t lived here that long, but I love it, it’s beautiful here and we’re very nature-oriented in this house.

“If someone told us he wants to cut down all the trees on the street or pave the park, we’ll fight that and I’m sure he will.

“It just seems counterintuitive that while so many cities are struggling to add more green space, Plymouth is taking it away.

“I don’t understand how anyone wins in this situation.”

Another neighbor – who declined to be named – said: ‘The houses are very big and we are close to the city center and the university, so quite a few have been converted into offices or apartments, but the houses with the original layout are very popular. then as single family homes.

‘It’s a lovely community to live in and sandwiched between a park and a gymnasium, which means it’s perfect for families. You really wouldn’t know you’re in the center of a big city.’

The decision to cut down the trees has been criticized by local politicians. The Green Party said councilors were not given time to examine Mr Bingley’s executive order.

The party calls for “an independent investigation into the decision-making behind the felling of the trees.”

Green Party group leader Ian Poyser said: “This kind of ecological vandalism must not be repeated.”

MP Luke Pollard said: ‘We are in a climate crisis and their actions are nothing short of environmental vandalism.’

Councilor Nick Kelly, a former Conservative who is now leader of the Independent Alliance Group, said he rejected early plans for the redevelopment when he was leader of the council. He said: ‘What’s the point of having a £12.7 million scheme that so many people are against?’

A council poll found that 68% of all respondents – 1,537 people – did not support the £12.7 million Armada Way upgrade plan. The council said that if it were to remove comments from people who opposed it and gave no reason why then ‘the scheme has significant support’.

Retired nurse Shirley Cooper, who has lived in Plymouth since 1976, said: ‘They cut down all these trees, despite being told loud and clear by the residents ‘we don’t want this’.

“The municipality simply does not listen to us. They say they will replace the trees, but you can’t just replace them.

“They’re all telling us to sign up and vote — how well is that going for them now?”

Gary Reynolds, 65-year-old Plymouth resident, said: ‘They wrecked it. It actually makes me quite emotional.

“It’s just wrong that they can come in and do this and the mess they left behind is unbelievable.

“I remember enjoying sitting under these trees when I was young. I came to town today with my grandchildren and I am so sorry they won’t get to experience that.’

Plymouth City Council said it was forced to cut down the trees because “there is a risk of losing funding from the Transforming Cities Fund if the project is not implemented quickly.”

A spokesperson for the council said: ‘For reasons of public safety and impact on the town center and given the size of the boom machines coming onto Armada Way, we have planned for the works to be carried out at night with as few people around as possible .

“We wanted to minimize disruption to the public and businesses by cordoning off parts of Armada Way. Unfortunately, the order meant we had to stop working.

“Following an engagement program, the final design was amended to include 169 semi-mature new trees to be planted, a revised tree planting schedule and a commitment to explore wider tree plantings in the city center. We await applications from the plaintiff as directed by the court.”