CONSULTING residents has, so far, failed to resolve a dispute over trees planted on Colletts Green, near Powick.

Some people complained after 65 oak, ash, holly and birch trees were planted in February, with the aim of replacing mature trees in generations to come.

Following the protests, Powick Parish Council delivered questionnaires to 161 residents, but only 34 had replied by last week's council meeting.

The respondents were fairly evenly split between those who liked the planting, those who did not and those who thought fewer trees should have been planted, reported Andrew Leeming.

He suggested allowing another month before making a decision, so that more people had time to reply.

"I propose we do a small mail drop to publicise our next meeting on May 8, saying that the issue of trees will be discussed and, if people want to comment, they can come to that meeting," he said.

Not necessary

Other members agreed to wait another month but did not think another mail drop was necessary.

"If people are interested to know what happened they will take the trouble to read the notice board in Colletts Green," said John Mason.

Brenda Boaler, who initiated the tree planting after a request from a resident overlooking the Green, said she did not think people understood the principle behind it.

"They are put close together because they help each other to grow and the idea is that there will be just a few that grow to maturity," she explained.

"It won't be a copse. It will just be a very few to replace the existing mature trees."

Brian Moriarty said he was not sure the complaints were valid.

"It's a sad fact that most of us will be long gone before most of these trees mature," he said.