Plymouth: Council plans to plant more than 200 trees

Armada Way is one of the main routes into Plymouth City Centre from the Hoe

More than 100 trees cut down overnight in Plymouth will be replaced by more than 200 new ones, the city's council has said.

The felling of 110 trees in March sparked outrage and led to the resignation of Plymouth City Council's Conservative leader.

The new Labour council, which took control in the May elections, has promised more trees in a new plan for the Armada Way area.

A six-week public consultation is open.

An artist's impression of what the new Armada Way scheme would look like

Tudor Evans, council leader, said: "We are proposing 202 trees from a wide range of species that will give cover and shade.

"Trees that will thrive in an urban environment and become part of a spectacular new look and feel for the city centre."

The council said the cost of the new proposals would not exceed the £12.7m previously budgeted for the regeneration scheme.

Mr Evans said the council had "one chance to get this right".

He said the new trees would all be 3.5m to 8m (11.5ft to 26.2ft) high when planted, "to give immediate environmental benefits".

An artist's impression of the plans which include a play village

The plans include what is described as "a huge destination play village for families - that will be the size of five tennis courts, full of spaces to run, splash, balance, swing, climb, relax and sit".

There would also be a new cycle path, feature lighting to illuminate the trees, plus a new CCTV system.

Residents and businesses are now being asked their views on the new plans in a six-week consultation.

In March, protestors obtained a High Court injunction after the council started cutting down the trees at night, felling 110, leaving just 20 remaining.

The regeneration plans were later shelved after the then leader, Richard Bingley, stepped down prior to a no-confidence vote, and council elections in May.

There was anger after the council's former leader signed off plans for 129 trees to be felled overnight

An external company has been appointed to lead the management, delivery and evaluation of the public consultation.

The council said this would provide "reassurance that the process will be fair, transparent and in line with industry guidance and best practice".The process was also involving surveying people on Armada Way and nearby, and holding workshops with families, older people and those with disabilities, it said.

Consultants would also meet with key stakeholders, put displays along Armada Way and put hard copies in city's central library, it added.

The site at Armada Way three months after the tree felling

Mr Evans said: "There is no getting away from the fact that Armada Way is run down.

"We need a city centre that will draw people to Plymouth, encourage businesses and developers to invest; a centre that is economically stable, has high environmental credentials and is, of course, safe."Rome was not built in a day. We have one chance to get this right.

"Whatever design we have, Plymouth will have to live with it for decades to come."There has been a lot of hurt over the past few months. We cannot turn back time. The trees are gone. We now need to rebuild and work together."

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