Plymouth tree felling debacle cost at least £3.3 million in new report
The fiasco of the controversial move by Council "still reverberates today"
Plymouth City Council reported spent at least £3.3 million to fell over 100 trees in a controversial move.
A new report released at the end of an independent review found that the council had spent a minimum of £3.3 million to cut down the trees in the space of one night.
In March of 2023, the Council opted to cut down a number of trees overnight, in a move largely opposed by residents in the city.
According to the report, carried out by local government organisation Solace and released on Thursday (May 22nd), the "shock to the organisation" in the aftermath of the fiasco "still reverberates today".
The debacle resulted in major fallouts both within and outside the council, with the report adding that "significant tensions" could still be felt on both sides.
The report added that £3.3 million was "the lower end of the likely cost" to the Council, and highlighted the need for major projects to be "adequately resourced, risk assessed, engaged upon and communicated, and receive thorough political and senior officer oversight".
Initially, the trees were to be felled as part of a major new scheme on Armada Way that would cost £30 million, and is currently being implemented.
On top of this, the review created a damning view of senior officials, who "ducked", failing "to anticipate the media frenzy and the impact of anticipated legal action."
To make matters worse, the report said staff were not feeling safe by managers, adding: "In this instance, the reflection was almost unanimous that the managerial response was both too little and too late."
Responding to the report, Chief Executive Tracey Lee from Plymouth City Council said: "We are committed to being a learning organisation — one that reflects honestly, adapts, and grows from experience.
"That’s not just important for us as a Council — it’s vital for the people we serve. When we learn, we improve. And when we improve, we deliver better outcomes for our communities.
“But, let me be clear — Plymouth City Council is not anti-tree. In fact, since November, thanks in part to a huge new partnership effort, there are over 35,000 new trees growing and establishing across the city.
"This has resulted in us being recognised by the Tree Cities of the World programme. But we are also ambitious for Plymouth. We want this city to grow — and that means making difficult decisions.