Investigation launched into Plymouth tree felling

More than 100 trees were cut down at night in Plymouth in March 2023

An investigation into the felling of more than 100 city centre trees at night will look at how and why it happened, officials have said.

Plymouth City Council is holding an independent review into 129 trees being cut down in March 2023 which it hopes will be concluded within three months.

The council said it had to wait for any legal action connected to the incident to be concluded before it could launch the review.

It appointed three local government experts to carry out the review, which will involve hearing from the public.

Work started in October on the council's £30m scheme to regenerate Armada Way

The tree felling was authorised in the night by an executive order signed by the then Conservative leader of the council, Richard Bingley, as part of a £12m scheme to regenerate Armada Way.

Labour took control of the council in May 2023 and has since developed and started work on its own £30m plan to regenerate the area - including replanting more than 160 trees.

The panel that will carry out the review will be led by David Williams, former chief executive of Portsmouth Council, along with Sue Foster and Jeanette McGarry.

Plymouth City Council said the panel would examine what led up to the original decision and look at what could be learned "particularly in relation to governance, decision making and the management of the original scheme as a major project".

The tree felling in Plymouth city centre sparked national outrage

Mr Williams said the review would also look at "the financial implications of the events and circumstances arising from the decision".

There will be an opportunity for groups and individuals to share their views on what happened, Mr Williams said.

He said: "The purpose of the learning review is not to allocate blame or culpability. But more to understand what happened and why, so we can make sure that any improvements can be made in the future."