A Middlesbrough MP has spoken out after a supermarket chain felled trees at a former art college in Linthorpe.

Andy McDonald has said that everything needs to be done to protect wildlife after Lidl cut down trees last week.

The MP added: “I fully understand the upset and anger of local residents as they have seen the trees felled over recent days.

“It is awful to see such established trees, over one hundred years old, lost – we need to be doing everything we can to maintain trees – they are the lungs of our town.

“Councillor Storey has worked non-stop on this issue since it came to light, speaking to contractors on site, talking to Middlesbrough Council and keeping residents up to date.”

Cllr Philippa Storey has said that will not support any planning application submitted by Lidl for the Linthorpe site.

The Northern Echo:

She added: “It has been shocking and soul-destroying to see. I would love it if the Council had more control over which trees were being cut down – there needs to be an overhaul of how tree preservation orders are issued.”

Mayor Andy Preston also said that he did not believe a Lidl store would be a good fit for the site.

Lidl said that it would be undertaking a thorough consultation with the Linthorpe community but does not have a confirmed date for submitting a planning application yet.

Linthorpe resident Diane McLernon, a former student and employee of the art college, was protesting at the site on Saturday (November 6).

She said: “They [trees] have just been decimated. I am absolutely incandescent with rage, I feel really upset.

“I have sat here myself as a student and I have sat with students, drawing those trees and photographing the trees. We have sat under those trees having picnics and sharing nice times together.

“And to see the loss of habitat as well, you have got tiny little ecosystems, you’ve got finches, robins and blackbirds, there is lots of wildlife that depend on those trees and now it’s all gone.

The Northern Echo:

“It really upsets me to think that we should be protecting our environment, not decimating it.”

Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Lidl said: “We are pleased to confirm that we hope to bring a new Lidl store to the Linthorpe community following the purchase of the former Northern School of Art site on Green Lane.

“We would like to take the opportunity to provide reassurance that no trees with a preservation order have been felled since we acquired the site.

“Whilst some work has been carried out with support from an independent arboriculturist, we will be proposing a comprehensive planting scheme to mitigate the initial loss of any existing vegetation.

“We look forward to sharing our plans with the local community and closely consulting residents ahead of submitting a planning application.”

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