Environment Secretary Michael Gove has made an extraordinary intervention in the Sheffield tree-felling saga, writing to council leader Julie Dore and chief executive John Mothersole to demand an end to the controversial programme.
In a letter seen by The Yorkshire Post, Mr Gove warns “the destruction of thousands of mature trees from the Steel City will surely damage our children’s rightful inheritance” to an improved environment and highlights concerns about the “transparency in the decision-making process” around which trees are felled.
The Yorkshire Post Says: Time for Sheffield Council to heed Gove’s tree felling warning
IT is both paradoxical and perverse that such a controversial tree-felling programme should be taking place in Sheffield when it prides and promotes itself as being the UK’s premier ‘outdoor city’.
Local residents have said so. The Yorkshire Post – and others – have supported them in their long fight against officialdom. And now Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, has added his backing after the editor of this newspaper wrote to him and implored the Minister to intervene.
Read the letter demanding the end of tree felling Michael Gove sent to Sheffield Council
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has today told Sheffield Council bosses to end their controversial tree-felling programme.
Michael Gove calls for end to Sheffield tree felling scheme
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has called for an end to Sheffield’s controversial tree felling programme.
In a letter to council leader Julie Dore, the Conservative politician said the Labour-run authority’s actions were of “grave concern”.
Thousands of trees, assessed as dead, dying, diseased, damaging or dangerous, have been cut down, but campaigners say some healthy trees have also been lost.
The council said “the majority of people” want to see the work completed.
Read on… http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-40885758
Stopping Sheffield tree-felling ‘would be morally reprehensible’, claims council
Sheffield Council has claimed stopping their controversial programme of tree-felling would be “morally reprehensible” in a furious response to Environment Secretary Michael Gove.
Mr Gove wrote to council leader Julie Dore and chief executive John Mothersole on Wednesday to ask for the felling programme to brought to an end over concerns about “the destruction of thousands of mature trees” and the transparency in the decision-making process about which trees are selected for removal.
Rotherham Politics 
Wicked Tory at it again???
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‘The council said “the majority of people” want to see the work completed.’
Evidence??
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Exactly my question Colin Tawn They cannot provide evidence for this statement because there simply isn’t any to provide ! Shifty bunch in Sheffield Council – almost as bad as our shower at Town Hall Towers !
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Because they say so. So there!
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