Removal of Trees from Thirsk Market Place

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering Excerpts

Monday 16th June 2014 Commons Chamber

[Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

Would it be in order to congratulate you on the preferment that was shown to you in the Queen’s honours, Madam Deputy Speaker? [Hon. Members: “Hear, hear.”]

It is a pleasure and a privilege to present a petition on the removal of trees from Thirsk Market Place on behalf of residents of Thirsk and Malton. The petition is in the name of Mike I’Anson, the chair of Thirsk Community Woodlands Group, Lesley Rolfe, a resident, and 1,011 other petitioners, which underlines its importance. I add that trees are the logo of the Conservative party and people do love their trees in local areas.

The petition states:

The Petition of residents of Thirsk and Malton,

Declares that the Petitioners believe that Hambleton District Council has not explained in detail how it came to its decision to remove five healthy birch trees from Thirsk Market Place; further that the trees were located in a conservation area; and further that the Petitioners believe that no public consultation was undertaken in relation to the removal of these trees.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to encourage Hambleton District Council to replace the five trees which were removed and further requests that the House urges the Government to call Hambleton District Council to account for its actions.

And the Petitioners remain, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

[P001358]