Cardiff Council has recently come under fire after several trees at Blackweir Fields were cut down, leading to accusations of ‘vandalism’. The council defended its actions, stating that the trees were either affected by disease or were already dead. However, this explanation has left some locals feeling devastated and concerned. The felling of trees was met with outrage by park users who suspect that it may be linked to the upcoming Blackweir Live music event scheduled to be held in the park this summer.
Ecologist Alex Griffiths, a resident living near the park, expressed his distress at seeing the trees being chopped down without much public consultation or engagement with the community. He highlighted the importance of preserving canopy cover in the city, especially in the face of the climate and biodiversity crises. Cardiff Council’s One Planet Cardiff scheme, aimed at addressing the climate emergency, includes a target to increase canopy cover in the city by 25%.
The trees cut down included ash trees affected by ash dieback and a dead elm tree. Despite the council’s explanation regarding the necessity of the tree felling for risk management purposes, concerns were raised about the timing and location of the clearance. Some residents raised suspicions about the potential link between the tree clearance and the planned pedestrian access routes for the Blackweir Live music event, which has already confirmed bands like Kings of Leon and Courteeners in the line-up.
The licensing application for the Blackweir Live event, organised by Depot and Cuffe and Taylor, includes provisions for the sale of alcohol and live music on-site. The council’s decision to use the event as an opportunity to carry out tree work funded by the organisers has further raised eyebrows among the park’s regular users. Pam French, a Bute Park volunteer, emphasised the importance of preserving mature trees and expressed disappointment over the apparent lack of consideration for biodiversity and environmental impacts.
Cardiff Council responded to the backlash by clarifying that the tree felling was part of the ongoing ash dieback response and necessary for public safety. Conservation works and ecological considerations were taken into account, with measures in place to minimise disturbance to wildlife during the process. Despite these assurances, concerns remain among the local community regarding the transparency and decision-making process surrounding the tree clearance at Blackweir Fields.
As discussions continue around the ecological impact of the tree felling at Blackweir Fields, residents and environmental activists are advocating for greater consultation and transparency in future decision-making processes related to park management and events. The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between urban development and environmental preservation, highlighting the need for proactive and inclusive approaches to urban green space management.