Walney Island tree removal ‘risks destroying local environment’
October 28, 2025
Axing trees for tank ‘risks destroying environment’
United UtilitiesA utility company’s plan to cut down a group of trees at the entrance to a park risks destroying the local environment, objectors have said.
United Utilities wants to remove them as part of the construction of a new overflow storage tank next to the James Dunn Park ferry pumping station on Walney Island in Cumbria.
The bid has attracted controversy, with locals saying the trees make an important contribution to the character and quality of the area.
However, an impact assessment as part of the application to Westmorland and Furness Council said it would have a minimal impact.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a neighbour response collected during the planning process read: “These trees and bushes have been the opening to Walney Park (former name of James Dunn Park) for as long as I can remember.
“[They] make an important contribution to the character and quality of the area.
“Planning policies and decisions should enhance the natural and local environment, not destroy it.”
The trees earmarked to be removed were classed as “all of low quality and value” by the arboreal impact assessment.
It went on to state their removal would have “minimal impact on the long-term amenity value of the site of the wider landscape”, adding there was scope to add new trees and hedges on the site to “mitigate the loss”.
The United Utilities application said the proposed tank would “take spills from the existing pumping station”.
It added: “Once the tank is full, sewage will be returned to the pumping station via rising main and out via the existing overflow pipe towards the outfall into Walney Channel.”
A consultation period is under way and due to end on 7 November.
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