Fears council to return to tree removal plan

The council's plans for the works include the removal of up to 70 trees.

Campaigners fighting to save trees at a Cheshire beauty spot have said they fear original plans that would see them cut them down will be resubmitted in the coming weeks.

Cheshire East Council has previously planned for the removal of 70 trees at Poynton Pool as part of works to improve safety and reduce the risk of flooding.

Friends of Poynton Pool said they were frustrated the council was continuing to pursue its original proposals despite describing the group's alternative plan for the area as viable.

A Chester East Council spokesman declined to confirm to the BBC whether the authority planned to resubmitted its original proposals.

Local residents have been campaigning against the proposals

The spokesman said the council "continues to maintain an open dialogue with the Friends of Poynton Pool" over the management and safety of the site.

Poynton Pool, which dates back to 1750, is an ornamental water feature which is classed as a high-risk reservoir because of the amount of water it holds.

The council said trees had to be removed as part of its legal requirements to maintain the site.

The plans for the site were deferred by councillors at a meeting last year, and a study by the Environment Agency a few months later found the pool was smaller than the council had previously estimated.

Friends of Poynton Pool put forward an alternative proposal and said earlier this year it had been told the plans were "viable".

The group said it has been told by the council the authority was going to be resubmitting its proposals for the site "in the next few weeks".

Chairman Mike Ellison said the council and its engineers had "acknowledged that there are viable alternative solutions for Poynton Pool".

The Cheshire East Council spokesman said their priority for the site was safety and the authority was in "regular dialogue" with the Environment Agency over its plans.