Cockermouth residents organise protest against building development

More than 2,000 people have signed an online petition opposing the development.

Six houses and a four-storey apartment block are due to be built as part of The Sidings development at the old fire station headquarters.

The building work will see 42 mature trees felled, at the edge of Harris Park and along the town’s Greenway.

The Sidings, off Station Road, Cockermouth (Image: Newsquest)

A group of residents called ‘Protect Cockermouth’s Wildlife’ argue that the trees to be felled are foraging and feeding ground for bats, birds and red squirrels.

They are also concerned that losing the trees will affect flooding in the town; that the four-storey block is out of scale with its surroundings; and that there may be as many as 60 cars leaving and entering the site, adding to the existing traffic problems.

The group claims that the flats development - two bed apartments start at £250k - offers nothing to young families who urgently need homes in town.

The group is supported by wildlife film maker Terry Abrahams.

“It’s important we ALL show how important local communities, nature and the wildlife is within the most beautiful corner of England," he said.

Gabrielle Sanders, one of the organising group, said: “The red squirrels are a protected species, removing the trees will take away their habitat.

"Allerdale Borough Council put Tree Protection Orders on the trees for a reason - to stop future developers from cutting them down. Those TPOs have been removed.

"We want to know who removed them and why. And why does Cumberland Council insist on claiming there are no squirrels on the site when the local squirrel group have evidence to the contrary?”.

In September, despite receiving 354 letters of objection, including from the town council, Cumberland Council planning committee voted 6:4 in favour of the plans.

Another group member, Kate Parry, said: “Until recently, I Iived in Railway Terrace, right next to the development site. I often used to see red squirrels in the trees that are going to be felled.

"There were all sorts of birds and bats, as well. We are so fortunate to have such rich wildlife in our town. We need to nurture it, not destroy it.”

Peter Armstrong, of West Lakes Squirrel Initiative, which record sightings in the area, said there were regular sightings of red squirrels along the Greenway and in the cemetery and Harris Park.

"We are getting sightings almost daily in those areas," said the volunteer co-ordinator.

"On the development site we have had sightings, including two squirrels together in September.

"We can't say for certain whether they are living there or passing through. We want them to thrive and survive.

"They have better protection from predators if they can move tree to tree. If they have to move across open ground or concrete they are exposed to danger."

The site is being developed by Dobies Cumbria Properties Ltd.

Bill Dobie said: "Many more trees are being replanted than felled."

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “The planning application was accompanied by a preliminary ecological report and Red Squirrel survey. The squirrel survey identifies that there is no evidence that the site currently supports a breeding population of red squirrel and that no nests were identified within the site.

“The site is covered by a Woodland Tree Preservation Order. To facilitate the proposed development, 18 canopy trees and three groups (containing a total of 22 mature and 20 young/semi-mature understorey trees) which are generally low quality require removal.

“A further seven trees have been recommended to undergo arboricultural operations to reduce conflict between their crowns and the proposed development.

"The trees would otherwise be recommended to be coppiced as part of a Woodland Management Plan due to poor form and disease.”

The protest will begin at Cockermouth war memorial at 10.30am on Saturday, November 18.