Trees on the former Pebble Mill site

The former BBC Pebble Mill site is currently vacant (following the demolition of the BBC Pebble Mill buildings) and waiting for the development of the new University Science Park. You can see from this picture that it looks a little bleak (although it was taken on a dark day):

The site is not in the Selly Oak Ward, but the Bourn Brook (which is on the far side of the site in this picture) forms the northern boundary of the ward and the site is obviously of interest to local residents in Selly Park, particularly those on Oakfield Road whose houses are on the other side of the Bourn Brook from Pebble Mill. Some trees on the site have been cut down recently and there were some concerns about what was going on. However, it does not seem to be as serious as first thought and there is some encouraging news about future tree planting in the response from the responsible Planning Officer, which may be of wider interest:

"Following detailed discussions between the City's Tree Officer and Calthorpe Estate's Arboriculturalist, the tree works were agreed in 2007, for completion during the winter of 07-08. The City's Planning Ecologist and our Landscape Officer were also closely involved with these discussions and the works' approval.

The outline planning consent attached conditions to address tree surgery, tree removal, and any compensatory tree planting. The Arboriculturalist's subsequent tree survey identified all trees on site and assessed their condition and retention value. This survey also identified root protection areas with respect to future development, and a number of preliminary tree works to be undertaken prior to the commencement of the science park construction.

Many of the trees located on the Bourn Brook and Chad Brook were identified to be of poor quality and, due to their species type, if retained would have been likely to suffer stem and basal failure. Therefore, the trees had to be managed, after many years of neglect, to ensure the site was safe. Many trees have been coppiced to a low level, which in essence should stimulate new growth and allow for good future management.

While resulting in a short term loss of vegetation cover, there will be longer term benefits across the site as the trees re-grow. Given that tree removal and surgery has been mostly along the brook courses or other site boundaries, there has been little or no advantage for the developer in terms of extra land for construction. Also, the City required new tree planting entirely away from the surgery/removal areas, eg a line of heavy standard Liquid Amber and London Plane trees on the boundary adjacent to Eastern Road where there are only a couple of insignificant trees at present. The new trees should be in place within the month.

We appreciate that the loss of trees will have an impact on the local environment and ecology in the short term, but the City's Tree Officer emphasises that the trees have been considered from the earliest possible stage and all works have been agreed by him and the arboricultural consultant working on the project. He considers the surgery, removals and new planting to be proactive management of the trees on site, ensuring site safety and vegetation longevity."