The University of the West of Scotland has been branded “environmental vandals” after 200-year-old oak trees were killed during demolition works at Thornly Park campus.
The trees are among 93 to have been damaged when the university hired contractors to pull down buildings to make way for the a controversial 179-house development.
The Robertson Trust Sports Complex, student flats and outbuildings have been demolished over the past year as the university aims to hand over the 28-acre site to Miller Homes.
But a tree survey carried out last month has revealed that over 90 trees in a range of species – including the 200-year-old oaks – have been damaged by the demolition works, meaning they are unlikely to survive long term.
The tree assessment was instructed by Renfrewshire Council after members of the Planning and Climate Change board agreed in August to slap a blanket TPO on the site.
Silver Birch, Beech, Black Pine, Rowan, English Oak, Pine, Sycamore, Ash, Whitebeam and Goat Willow are amongst the species of trees affected.
They have been deemed category one trees which means their condition is “significantly impaired” and life expectancy is “curtailed”.
A spokeswoman for Save Paisley’s Green Space, which has led a community campaign against the development, said: “UWS has clearly put profit before community and the environment despite claims to the contrary on their website that they are committed to being a good neighbour concerned for the community and the environment.
“SPGS feels there has been no protection to the vast biodiversity on this site whatsoever.
“It seems that UWS will stop at nothing to ensure this site is sold to developers at the expense of the local community, local environment, wildlife, flora and fauna.
“Environmental vandals was the term used by one resident who left a banner to that effect at the entrance to the campus, which was immediately disposed of by UWS.
“The demolition of the flats at UTPC is at best wasteful and at worst socially and environmentally criminal.”
In total 84 flats, 12 semi-detached cottages and a bungalow have been razed to the ground in addition to the sports complex.
Two football pitches were also last year ripped up as part of what UWS described as a standard archaeological investigation.
A spokesperson for the university said: “A health and safety risk assessment is always carried out when undertaking works such as this, and the demolition was carried out by a specialist local contractor, in line with best practice.
“This took place in order to mitigate the potential public health and safety risks posed to the community arising from the recent vandalism and fire starting on the site.
“The contractor was careful to ensure impact on the surrounding landscaping was kept to an absolute minimum and was limited to anything impacting on their ability to conduct the essential demolition work.”
Renfrewshire Council has confirmed it is preparing a TPO for a total of 127 trees on the site and it will be issued in due course.
The landowners and interested parties will then have 28 days to respond or challenge the TPO.
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