Ross,
I appreciated your prompt response to my email to the Chief Executive, David Burns.
Having read through your email you can appreciate that the Killeaton Field Concerned Residents will need some time to digest and respond to you.
We applaud and encourage how our council acts on our behalf to maintain one of the greatest and rarest of free open spaces left in the greater Belfast, metropolitan Lisburn areas.
No one would disagree that planting trees, creating wildlife habitats and making enhancements can be very positive. But not every blade of grass needs to be replaced to fulfil this.
Seemingly positive approaches should not overshadow or overlook the current value to the community and how it could negatively affect them permanently –
this is too great a sacrifice and could be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of residents, not accounting for the stress and anxiety it has already caused the community as they had no consultation.
The Killeaton Field Concerned Residents, in their many forms over the years have fought to protect the invaluable free open space that is accessible to all.
I would note that this is - and has been - for over 30 years now a recurrent theme with our council, to fail to properly consult with those directly affect by major changes to their environment.
We have principally fought for and maintained the prerogative to be consulted on matters beyond “minor” maintenance.
The removal of the oldest and tallest trees and number of trees, whether it deemed appropriate and correct to do so, still warrants consultation.
Not just with those who’s boundaries are adjoin a tree line, but to all affected residents.
The removal of an entire field from its current use is not minor works, and has a major negative impact on the communities use.
As I have requested, and now for the 4th time. Under the Freedom of Information Act, I repeat my request for the following:
In relation to the Killeaton fields : all documentation from the councils or committee/s meetings ; minutes, plans, surveys and documents in relation to the following:
The recent works that has been carried out to date at Killeaton fields.
The committee/s that ratified the above mentioned works.
The councillors involved in the committee/s that agreed the above mentioned works.
The details and survey results of any consultation with the community in regards to the above mentioned works.
The details of any planned or proposed work on, in and surrounding the Killeaton fields area
The impact assessment and survey results performed with attention to the bat colony/s living in the Killeaton Field area
The Committee/s that these planned works will or has been presented too.
The Consultation process with the community in regards to proposed future work and the impact assessment of such future works
I had identified myself to Stephen Mackle as a spokesperson for the Killeaton Concerned residents,
and gave him the opportunity to furnish me with the details so I could pass them on to the community, thus would have avoided him being so deluged with phone calls.
Stephen Mackle also agreed to send me the following.
A survey of the trees, and it’s findings.
a letter that was sent to a small number of residents on Killeaton Park notifying them of tree maintenance only
A map showing the trees that are to be removed, prune and the location of the 2 for 1 replacement trees.
To date, I have not received these documents and formally request under the Freedom of Information Act, that you send me a copy of all the above mentioned documents.
All correspondence with council officers, council workers and councillors, in relation to the Killeaton and Derriaghy community,
that I receive on behalf of Killeaton Field Concerned Residents is forwarded to the community to the best of our ability.
I acknowledge that, as Stephen has stated in an email, “There will be no scheduled works to take place in the meantime with exception of regular grass cutting.”
I will endeavour to respond to you as is possible with consulting with the community.
Yours faithfully
Chris Howie
On behalf of
Killeaton Area Concern Residents
0796 351 6030
I agree -they should have consulted no matter what the change, and if they’ve killed the grass for a wild meadow then that whole field is really out of commission for most activities.
Hi Chris,
Thank you for taking this action on the residents behalf, and for your time and effort invested in this. I have no real objection to the planting of trees in the small triangular field, and I am in agreement with you that residents should be informed in a timely manner about any significant changes - allowing them time to agree them, or take action to change/stop them.
As long as this happens then i think most people would be happy with that, although I’m only speaking for myself. Now that the trees have been planted in the upper part of the triangular field, I understand your concerns that this more or less makes that field un-useable for mos…