Editor

Mature, beautifully healthy hollies, evergreens, a magnificent magnolia and a splendid flowering cherry, a highly developed biosphere and pollution protection in front of the community hospital have been felled without any consultation or community knowledge in Machynlleth.

Hundreds of Machynlleth and surrounding area residents of all ages are heartbroken. The meanings and memories of this site are indisputable. Trees planted in memory of dear ones, trees named in memory of, and forever remembered, as the one comfort given to those visiting, a sick or dying parent, relative or friend cut down. Provision of a mature biosphere, pollution protection and softening of the bleak facade of a workhouse - cut down.

Outside the conditions of a pandemic lockdown, this main thoroughfare, this busiest of crossroads, has been severed of mature trees - the only protection for children going to school both ways.

New trees will take a very, very long time to work in the same way. All the research on climate change indicates the prime importance of mature trees in the fight against high winds and flooding. It is unbelievable that in a flood-sensitive area it was seen as necessary to lop down the very things we know would have been essential in this very real struggle.

Yes, we must plant masses of new trees, but it will be too late to save us from environmental destruction unless we hang on to every mature tree possible.

I walk all over the Mach area and its surroundings - everywhere on farms and highways,because of larch and ash diseases, mature trees are being felled by their thousands. We are in serious deficit already. Not one of the environmental groups was alerted to the devastation planned at the hospital.

We all welcome the development of this wonderful community hospital service, but the planning that was given, forgot the title of the actual building project - a ‘well-being hub’!

The research is overwhelming concerning the huge benefit and effect of trees on communities.

I am asking the town council and Powys County Council to retain all healthy mature trees in our community. Mature trees that are cut down cause countless losses. The development of new trees planted everywhere is wonderful but it that will in 30-50 years for them to give the same delight and protection as those we have just tragically lost.

Charmian C Savill Machynlleth

Have your say on the local issues affecting you - email [email protected] or join in the conversation on our Facebook page