New plans for market site in tree row

A COUNCIL at the centre of a row over the removal of five birch trees from Thirsk Market Place yesterday said it was working on a new scheme for the area.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Jun 2014, 07:00 BST

Earlier this week Anne McIntosh, MP for Thirsk, Malton and Filey, presented a petition signed by 1,000 people at Parliament after Hambleton District Council removed the trees. It called for them to be replaced.

The council has said the trees were removed over health and safety fears and yesterday said it was planning a new scheme. In the meantime a temporary floral display has been put in place.

A group looking at ideas for the market place is due to meet in the next few weeks: “and hopefully come up with some ideas regarding a long-lasting scheme for this area of Thirsk,” a council spokeswoman said yesterday. Public talks would then be held on any proposal.