The mystery of the disappearing Water of Leith trees

A Greener Leith reader got in touch with us earlier today, concerned that someone was cutting down trees along the water of Leith, just upstream from the Sandport Place bridge. She even sent us a couple of photos.

The mysterious work crew ended up clearing all this by the end of the day: 

Greener Leith has contacted the City of Edinburgh Council press team, who, by 5pm today, could only confirm that the works have nothing to do with the flood prevention works that are taking place upstream. Nobody at the local council neighbourhood office could tell us anything.

We'll update this post, when someone, anyone, can tell us why these trees were chopped...

UPDATE: 

It turns out that the land is owned by the City of Edinburgh Council who commissioned the work after receiving a request from Port of Leith Housing Association, who own the adjacent building. None of the trees removed were protected and no prior permission or consultation was required to be undertaken in advance of the works.  

According to POLHA the trees were interfering with the building structure, and they are willing to work with local residents to improve the area where the trees were removed. 

The work was undertaken one day before HRH Princes Anne visited the Port of Leith Housing Association block of flats. As you can see from one of the comments to this blog post, at least one of the residents who live in the new block are delighted that their view has improved as a consequence of this work. 

Another local resident has also taken a closer look at the area affected and counted 27 stumps from trees that have been removed. 

@greenerleith Counted 27 stumps approx A few have been large treessome smallish Numerous chopped down shrub clumps Watch this space ?

— Mary Graham (@bloomingartist) January 13, 2012

Comments

[Steven Sutterby]

The only obvious reason for this appears to be it is spoiling someone's view. Are the buildings new or have they been there for a while. I suspect it would be the company behind the build or the company that manage the common areas, although the photos do suggest the trees in question are from outside the perimeter fence.

[BridgetJones]

I live in the flats behind the tress (that have now gone) and i now have a much brighter flat and a wonderful view.

[RobertG]

I too live in the area. As far as the trees go the shrubs were not the best landscaping I've seen. Hopefully a decent job will be done. Something the birds can use as habitat while being pleasing to the eye would go down well.