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29
Aug
Trees to be felled and CCTV installed in Ripon city centre ‘green oasis’
Six trees look set to be felled and CCTV cameras installed in a public garden close to Ripon city centre.
The proposals are part of a series of measures to open up the views and improve security at Temple Gardens, according to North Yorkshire Council.
The council, which owns the site, has applied to itself for permission to undertake the work.
Temple Gardens, off Allhallowgate, once hosted a church. Its graveyard for dissenters was laid out as a garden in 1986.
Broken benches in Temple Gardens
The proposals would see six leylandii trees removed, gate posts replaced, iron fences replace timber fencing on the west boundary, broken benches replaced and two CCTV cameras installed.
Council case officer Emily Brown’s report recommends members of the Skipton and Ripon area planning committee approve the scheme when they meet on Monday next week (September 2).
Ripon resident Stanley Mackintosh has objected to aspects of the scheme. He says plans to lock the gates would “negate its very essence as a public open space” and claims the council’s reason for felling the trees “seems neither compelling not meritorious”.
A design and access statement, written in support of the application, says:
The leylandii trees that block views from the street will be removed, ivy/self seeded planting against the Telecoms building will be cut back to allow a clear view through from the street.
Ripon is currently divided over plans to remove 11 trees on council-owned land on Minster Gardens to facilitate the creation of a new cathedral annexe building.
The Temple Gardens site is described as “a green oasis of open space” in the Ripon Conservation Area character appraisal.
Ms Brown’s report says:
It is anticipated that the removal of the overgrowth and implementation of CCTV and gates will improve security and reduce the risks of anti-social behaviour that led to the damage of the previous benches.
It is considered that the development would not cause harm to the setting of the conservation area and that the character and appearance of the conservation area will be preserved.
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