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Sheffield tree felling protests

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Sheffield tree felling protests
Date2014 – present
Location
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Caused byMass felling of healthy street trees across Sheffield since 2012 as part of the ‘Streets Ahead’ Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract signed by Sheffield City Council (SCC), Amey plc and the Department for Transport
GoalsStopping unnecessary felling of healthy street trees in Sheffield
MethodsDemonstrations
StatusOngoing
  • Tree felling has been paused since 2018 due to a new approach developed by Sheffield City Council for the maintanance of street trees. Widespread protests across the city have reduced as a result
  • Final peace deal plans between Sheffield City Council and tree campaigners due for Spring 2021

The Sheffield tree felling protests are a series of ongoing protests and unrest happening since 2014 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The protests began as a response to the mass felling of healthy street trees across Sheffield since 2012 as part of the controversial ‘Streets Ahead’ Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract signed by Sheffield City Council (SCC), Amey plc and the Department for Transport, even though most felled trees have been replaced with saplings.

The protests have resulted in many arrests across the city along with threats of legal action against Sheffield City Council and Amey plc in order to help prevent unnecessary felling of street trees in Sheffield. Due to a pause of tree felling in 2018 as part of a new approach developed by Sheffield City Council to maintain street trees, the number of protests have reduced since 2018. Final plans for a peace deal between Sheffield City Council and the tree campaigners are due for Spring 2021.

History

2012

The £2.2 billion ‘Streets Ahead’ Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract was signed by Sheffield City Council (SCC), Amey plc and the Department for Transport. It was planned to be a 25 year contract between 20 August 2012 and 19 August 2037 for highway, pavement and street light renewal, and included the management of Sheffield’s highway trees.[1][2] SCC indicated that up to 10,000 trees would be felled and replaced[3] although wording in the PFI contract indicated a target of 17,500.[4] SCC initially denied that 17,500 was an actual target,[5] however, evidence from an SCC Cabinet Meeting found that in 2010[6] that SCC planned to remove and replant 17,500 trees as part of the PFI contract.

At the start of the PFI contract, Acorn Environmental Management Group (AEMG) were sub-contracted by Amey to re-survey Sheffield’s highway trees. A 2012 survey by Acorn stated that around 1,000 trees (dead, dying, diseased, dangerous) would be felled along with raising 6,300 other pruning and maintenance jobs. Steve Robinson, SCC’s Head of Highway Maintenance, stated in an interview by The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation that half of the city’s 36,000 highway trees would be felled and replaced with saplings.[7][8]

2013

Highway officials in February 2013, stated in an interview with the Sheffield Star that 1,250 trees across the city would be felled and replaced, with more than hundred street trees being considered for felling if they were considered to be damaging road surfaces or causing a hazard.[9]

2014

In January 2014, controversy flared in Stocksbridge around the felling of a 450-year-old Melbourne Oak. Despite local protests and an expert survey showing that the tree was ‘uncompromised’ the tree was felled anyway.[10] In September 2014, residents of Heeley campaigned to prevent the felling of 189 mature trees that were to make way for a bus-lane, resulting in those trees being saved.[11]

2015

In May, The first tree campaign group for the city Save Our Rustlings Trees (SORT) was formed before being later renamed ‘Save Our Roadside Trees’.[12] This was then followed by the formation of Sheffield Tree Action Groups (S.T.A.G.) in August.[13] Later in the year, local tree campaign groups were formed in Crookes, Dore, Gleadless Valley, Nether Edge and Rivelin Valley.

SCC launched the ‘Independent Tree Panel’ (ITP) in November, whose members would provide advice over whether a tree should be saved or not.[14] Over time, the majority of the ITP’s recommendations to save trees were ignored by Amey and the Council.

In November 2015, SCC launched public ‘consultations’ which were hand-delivered to local residents on a street-by-street basis, called the ‘The Independent Tree Panel Household Survey’. Emeritus Professor Greg Brooks, of The University of Sheffield, criticised the validity of the survey method in an expert analysis showing why the ‘Household Survey’ is unrepresentative and undemocratic. STAG carried out door-to-door surveys by speaking to residents, with those figures differing from those carried out by Amey. Some have labelled the ‘Household Survey’ ‘divisive’ and a threat to the strong community bonds of the city.[15]

By the end of 2015, 3,068 trees had been felled across the city.[16]

2016

In February 2016, the High Court issued an interim injunction, ordering the council to halt felling from February to April 2016.[17] In June 2016, once the three-month injunction came to an end, felling recommenced on trees on Bannerdale Road and South Yorkshire Police (SYP) were involved for the first time.[18]

In November 2016, during a peaceful campaign to protect a tree on Marden Road, involving five residents and members of STAG, two people were arrested under Section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act (1992), designed to deal with ‘Flying Pickets.’ The validity of these charges against people exercising their right to peaceful protest was hotly disputed by STAG.[19]

On 17 November 2016, under Julie Dore's leadership, a felling of eight trees took place around 4 am at the Rustlings Road area of Sheffield, leading to the arrest of two peaceful protesters, under section 241 of Trade Union Relation Act.[20] The tree felling programme sparked the sign-up of over 9,900 members to Sheffield Tree Action Groups (STAG) Facebook group against the mass removal of Sheffield's street trees.[21]

2017

A Green Party councillor and six other protesters were arrested in February 2017, during a protest to prevent a tree from being felled in Chippinghouse Road, Nether Edge.[22]

In August 2017, about 5000 trees had been felled since 2012 and Sheffield City Council won a court battle in order to bring injunctions against protesters considered to take unlawful action to prevent trees from being felled.[23]

2018

In January 2018, a man was arrested for allegedly attacking a police officer during a felling protest at Meersbrook Park Road[24] before another man was arrested five days later for another felling at the same location.[25] Three people were arrested in February 2018 during a protest to stop trees from being felled at Thornsett Road, Nether Edge.[26] In March 2018, two men were arrested for protesting against the tree felling at Kenwood Road, Nether Edge, with one of the campaigners being forcibly removed from under a vehicle.[27] Two women were arrested later in March for protesting against the felling of lime trees in Chatsworth Road, Dore.[28]

Following the controversy, there was a halt to the tree felling since March 2018.[29] The pause lasted throughout the year whilst representatives from Sheffield City Council, Amey and Sheffield Tree Action Group held extended talks, mediated independently by the Bishop of Sheffield.[30] Following this, about 200 trees which were due to be felled were retained.[31] Following the mediated talks an action plan, which supports a new approach to managing the city's street trees, was agreed between the council and Sheffield Trees Action Groups (STAG). The plan claims to identify practical solutions for retaining more street trees as part of a new approach adopted by the council and its wider partners.[32] There have been no widespread protests on this issue since.

Under Dore's leadership, SCC committed to a 15-year Woodlands Strategy which will see the planting of least 100,000 additional trees, and replace trees on a 2-for-1 basis in the city's green spaces and woodlands.[33] It was also mentioned in January 2018 that 1,200 new highway trees would be planted during winter 2018, including trees historically felled and not replanted.[34]

2019

In February 2019, seven campaigners who were arrested between November 2016 and February 2017 were awarded a wrongful arrest payout of £24,300 along with a drop of criminal charges.[35] A year-long investigation found that the council deliberately misled residents over the tree felling programme.[36] In December 2019, SCC apologised for the initial strategy admitting that they 'got things wrong', and argued they had a renewed commitment to the city's trees and highway network, whilst promising to continue the collaborative with STAG, which was warmly welcomed by the group's co-chair.[37]

2020

In 2020, it was reported that a peace deal had been drawn up between the protesters and SCC based on a shared vision for the city's trees, helping to shape a final plan due for Spring 2021, potentially ending the eight-year unrest.[38]

Reactions

Campaigners have alleged that the tree felling makes road maintenance and resurfacing cheaper over the 25-year contract, and helps corporate profit at the expense of the environment.[39]

Politician and then Environment Secretary Michael Gove accused Sheffield City Council of "environmental vandalism" and promised to do "anything required" to end its controversial tree-felling programme[40] while former Liberal democrat leader Nick Clegg branded the tree felling a "national scandal".[41]

Writer Robert Macfarlane took part in the campaign, writing a poem for the protestors called 'Heartwood', which was set to music, flyposted, subvertised and hung as a 'charm' around endangered trees across Sheffield.[42] Former Pulp frontman and musician Jarvis Cocker branded the felling of the street trees as "crazy" and joined fellow singer Richard Hawley to DJ at an event in raising funds for the Sheffield Tree Action Group in March 2018.[43] Cocker later gave a speech in April 2018 at a protest in Sheffield City Hall, speaking out in support of the tree campaigners in Sheffield.[44] Environmentalist Rob McBride, (aka the tree hunter), instigated a successful, high-profile contest. The Great Trees of Sheffield was launched in January 2017 to help raise awareness of the street tree situation and campaigns. Judges featured, Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley, Chris Packham, Nick Clegg, Patrick Barkham and Christine Walkden.[45]

References

  1. ^ "Neoliberalism and the death of Nature in Sheffield and the world over". Globalisation for the Common Good. Globalisation for the Common Good. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Streets Ahead Contract Data Sheet" (PDF). Sheffield City Council. Sheffield City Council. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Sheffield council's tree-felling project pledges to 'regain trust'". BBC News. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Sheffield Council forced to reveal target to remove 17,500 street trees under PFI deal". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Sheffield Council 'has no obligation to axe 17,500 trees despite contract payment'". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Cabinet Agenda Wednesday 10 February 2010, Appendix 3: Sheffield Green and Open Space Strategy – Stage 1 programme (2010-12)" (PDF). Sheffield City Council. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Save Sheffield Street Trees" (PDF). Save Sheffield Street Trees. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  8. ^ Whitelaw, Jackie (2012-12-01). "Sheffield streets team starts city's core refurbishment" (PDF). Transportation professional. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  9. ^ "SORT Letter" (PDF). Save Sheffield's Trees. Save Sheffield's Trees. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  10. ^ "The Melbourne Rd Veteran Oak". Sheffield Trees at Risk Map. Sheffield Trees at Risk Map. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Controversial Sheffield Bus Lane Plan could see 188 Trees Axed". ProArb. ProArb. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Ellen on Rustlings Road, found itself in the spotlight once more". The Star. The Star. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Sheffield Tree Felling Investigation" (PDF). Assets.Publishing. Assets.Publishing. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Sheffield independent tree panel set up to give advice". BBC News. BBC News. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  15. ^ "The Household Survey". Sheffield Tree Action Groups. Sheffield Tree Action Groups. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Row over Sheffield tree felling set to ramp up in 2016". Sheffield Telegraph. Sheffield Telegraph. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  17. ^ "Sheffield trees latest: Campaign to stop Tree Felling continues". Shef News. Shef News. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Sheffield tree-felling contractors held up by protest". BBC News. BBC News. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  19. ^ "Police called to protesters fighting against tree felling in Sheffield". The Star. The Star. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Dawn tree felling in Sheffield sparks outrage". BBC News. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  21. ^ "Sheffield Tree Action Group". Facebook. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  22. ^ "Green party councillor arrested at Sheffield tree protest". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Sheffield City Council wins tree felling injunction row". BBC News. BBC News. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  24. ^ "Man arrested for allegedly attacking police officer during Sheffield tree felling protest". Sheffield Telegraph. Sheffield Telegraph. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  25. ^ "Man arrested over tree protest in Sheffield". Sheffield Star. Sheffield Star. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  26. ^ "Three arrests at Sheffield tree-felling protest". ITV News. ITV News. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  27. ^ "Two arrested in Sheffield tree protest as police in riot helmets remove campaigner from under vehicle". Yorkshire Post. Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  28. ^ "Woman with pink recorder arrested over Sheffield tree felling protest". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  29. ^ correspondent, Josh Halliday North of England (2018-03-26). "Sheffield council pauses tree-felling scheme after criticism". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 August 2020. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  30. ^ "Pause on tree felling continues as talks extended". www.thestar.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  31. ^ "Trees lining city's streets saved from felling". BBC News. 2019-07-10. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  32. ^ Council, Sheffield City. "Action plan agreed following street tree inspections | Sheffield Newsroom | Sheffield City Council". Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  33. ^ Council, Sheffield City. "100,000 trees to be planted as part of trees and woodlands strategy | Sheffield Newsroom | Sheffield City Council". Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  34. ^ "New trees take root on Sheffield highways". Sheffield News Room. Sheffield News Room. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  35. ^ "Sheffield tree protesters win wrongful arrest payout". BBC News. BBC News. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  36. ^ "Sheffield council says sorry for misleading residents over tree felling". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  37. ^ "Sheffield Council admits 'we got things wrong' over tree-felling saga". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  38. ^ "'Peace deal' agreed as Sheffield tree-felling war ends after eight year battle". The Star. The Star. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  39. ^ "Sheffield trees dispute prompts 'scenes you'd expect in Putin's Russia'". Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  40. ^ "Woodland Trust response to today's announcement by Sheffield City Council on the halting of healthy tree felling". Politics Home. Politics Home. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  41. ^ "Nick Clegg brands tree-felling 'national scandal'". BBC News. BBC News. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  42. ^ "Robert Macfarlane on Twitter". Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  43. ^ "Sheffield trees: Jarvis Cocker brands felling 'crazy'". BBC News. BBC News. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  44. ^ "Jarvis Cocker joins Sheffield tree felling protest". BBC News. BBC News. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  45. ^ "Jarvis Cocker fronts campaign to save Sheffield trees". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
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