South Ribble Borough Council have released a statement explaining why trees have been felled in Withy Grove Park, after receiving messages from disgruntled residents.

The trees have been cut down as part of a project to transform the grass area between the motorway and the play area into a sports hub with the installation of two new 3G artificial pitches and a fully-accessible single-storey sports pavilion with changing rooms.

There will also be a social room and a spectator canopy serving both pitches and the existing Withy Grove play area.

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The statement said: “This is all part of our work to help offer opportunities to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of our residents.

“While the development has regrettably necessitated the removal of some trees, including a number identified as unsuitable for retention based on their health and condition, we will be planting 144 new trees on site along with more than 1,000 whips (young trees) which will grow alongside them.”

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