An appeal has been issued to West Dunbartonshire Council to save a 200-year-old tree which could be “bulldozed” as plans to redevelop the former ExxonMobil site continue.
The local authority plans to purchase the land at Sheepfold, owned by Susan Dick, to develop a relief road to the former ExxonMobil site in Bowling which is subject to renovation work to include storage, distribution, industrial, business and office space.
Ms Dick, who owns a pony therapy business, has been asking West Dunbartonshire Council for a suitable piece of land to re-home her ponies and transfer the burial ground before work on the relief road progresses.
READ MORE: Pony therapy business hope as West Dunbartonshire council provide new site
She is now asking the council to save the tree which she believes to be healthy with no known issues or health concerns.
On Wednesday Ms Dick will present her case to councillors.
She said: “I currently own land which will be bulldozed as part of the Exxon development. I have one request in light of this council's drive towards net zero and any climate change policies they may have.
“Within this field there is a large and beautiful 200 year old tree. It is on a prominent site within the field near the private road also belonging to myself and which is a right of way, it is a healthy tree which grows straight with no known issues or health concerns.
“There is also a large wildlife pond near the Arnold Clark end of the site. I don’t think either of them are in the path of the intended roads. When the site is cleared I ask that serious attempts are made to save this tree and the pond from destruction.”
Ms Dick also claims that due to the trees age and size, it will be an asset in “carbon capturing” as will the nearby pond which is doing its bit for wildlife.
She continues: “It is not good enough to simply destroy such a valuable tree and replace it with tiny saplings as is the norm. The hundreds of trees that will be lost on this site mean that the drive towards net zero will be damaged extensively but the saving of this tree and pond could help offset some of the damage done to the environment when this field is destroyed.
“Could I have any kind of assurance that when decisions are being made the saving of the tree and pond could be considered as essential.”
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