Tree felling for Canford Park project draws resident anger

Referred to as Canford Park, parts of the overall proposal for 695 new homes, a 60-bed care home, community hub and £10.6million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), are still out to consultation.

At present, the only access point to the main Magna Road from the hundreds of homes would be Knighton Lane – a narrow road with several refuge points to allow for oppositely travelling cars to pass each other.

Part of the scheme is to widen the road to improve access to Magna Road and the Taylor Wimpey development. This will require the felling of dozens of trees along the western side of the road just off the Magna Road junction.

Knighton Road before and after the tree felling

Resident Julie Gundry expressed disappointment at the lack of “regard or notification to local residents” in a letter to the Echo.

She said: “Take heed of so called ‘Reserved Matters’ for the council’s plans could turn out to be downright dastardly.

“What you may assume to be the fitting of drainage pipes, laying of cables etc may turn out to be the destruction of a much valued and beautiful area.

“Poor Knighton Lane. Half a dozen mature oak trees have been cut down – more to follow, so that the lane can be widened for traffic access to the new housing development.

“Having stuck a planning notice on a lamp post at the Knighton Cross junction on Magna Road, the council could defend their action by saying that they were advising us all of this forthcoming devastation.”

According to the application, the site proposes two points of access off Magna Road – from Knighton Lane and through the demolition of 94 Magna Road. Both accesses include provision for cycling and walking through shared foot/cycleway either side of the carriageway.

Nearly 700 homes, 60-bed care home and new shops planned on former green belt land in Poole (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

It also says: "This junction will be improved and in addition, Knighton Lane carriageway will be widened to 6.3m to enable bus movements with a 3m footway to be provided separated from the carriageway.”

A Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said: “We understand and appreciate the concerns raised by some local residents regarding planned tree removal at the proposed development on Land North of Bearwood, Poole.

“To facilitate the approved vehicular access to the development, we carried out some necessary vegetation works along Knighton Lane. Prior to the removal of any vegetation or trees, an ecologist completed an inspection and confirmed that no wildlife was present in those particular trees.

“Preserving and enhancing biodiversity is a key consideration when we plan and build new developments and we are continuing to work closely with an ecologist to ensure that no harm comes to nesting birds or other animals during our work on site.”