Trees cut down for underground river restoration

Amphitheatre seating area will be built facing towards the River Malago

Plans have been approved to open up an underground river running through South Bristol, despite residents' concerns about the loss of trees.

The aim is to improve the flow of the River Malago in three places in Bedminster, where the river currently runs mostly underground.

Several tall trees will be chopped down to make way for a new amphitheatre seating area, while helping to prevent floods from the Malago.

To make up for the loss of greenery, 31 new trees will be planted nearby along with 86 others elsewhere in the city.

Councillors on the development control committee voted to approve planning permission on Wednesday.

They heard the restoration forms an integral part of the wider Bedminster Green regeneration project, with thousands of student bedrooms under construction nearby.

Sally Davis, director at real estate company, Avison Young, said: “[This would] unlock the potential of the Malago to manage drainage and flood risk, and to create an enhanced network of public amenity spaces, planting and habitats.

"There are many public benefits, including reducing flood risk, enhancing the public realm and providing access to nature.”

She said the works would also help to increase biodiversity once replacement trees had been planted.

However, this will take more than a quarter of a century, as new trees take time to grow before they can create habitats for wildlife.

Mature trees on Bedminster Green will need to be cut down to make way for the river restoration work

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, one place has caused particular concern among locals- a small area of green space in between Whitehouse Lane and Dalby Avenue, known as Bedminster Green.

Residents have criticised the plans for a “concrete ditch for flood relief”.

Roland Oliver said: “When I heard that the Malago river was going to be opened up, I was delighted.

"A gentle little stream among the crocuses and daffodils and poplar trees to enhance that little hint of countryside that is Bedminster Green. But that’s not the reality.

"The plan is to dig up the ground, chop down the trees, commandeer some public land to build a fenced-off, concrete ditch for flood relief and drainage facilities for big buildings that threaten to surround Bedminster Green."

Councillors welcomed the new protections from floods, but echoed concerns about the loss of trees in the area.

Green Councillor Rob Bryher, chair of the committee, said: “Clearly with mature trees, we want to protect them as much as possible.

"It’s really difficult in terms of the emotional connection that we all have with nature. At the same time, overall this does present a good opportunity to free the Malago.

"It provides the opportunity for people to see the Malago in a way that they haven’t perhaps in the past.”