SWANAGE residents are appealing for a youth hostel to provide more information about their plans to fell more than 30 trees at their site.
The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) in Cluny Crescent was granted planning permission to fell around 36 trees on its land last month.
This is despite some of the trees being under a preservation order, which provides protection for trees that are significant to their surroundings.
The move to fell the trees has been criticised by some residents who described it as an “ecologically destructive decision” as they say many of the trees are healthy.
Purbeck resident, Georgina Codd, contacted the YHA to raise concerns that the planned tree works could lead to the possible destruction of a bat-supporting habitat.
The YHA responded, as previously reported in your Purbeck Gazette, saying that they have completed an independent bat survey and that they would comply with all recommendations.
However, those opposed to the felling of the trees say they are concerned with YHA’s lack of transparency and communication after they only responded following sustained pressure on social media.
Ms Codd has called on the YHA to fully engage with residents.
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She said: “Local residents would… like to know the full results of the [bat] survey, and to be sure of the impartiality of the experts you are using.”
The YHA say the trees need to be felled due to a subsidence issue which has already seen a border wall collapse.
Ms Codd said that no reference to subsidence was made in the original application.
Writing to the YHA, she said: “Instead, the ‘garden renovation’ and ‘aesthetics’ arguments were put forward.
“I am interested in why the subsidence detail was not shared sooner.
“You will perhaps understand that belatedly providing information to strengthen your argument does not help to build trust.”
Ms Codd also wants answers as to why so many trees are to be felled instead of creating a sensitive management plan that prioritises the maintenance of what is already on the site.
The YHA grounds Picture: Jen Wright
She is calling for “open engagement” from the YHA, suggesting that it offer a site visit and discussion meeting with the community to help provide reassurance and rebuild trust.
She said: “Please talk with us in Swanage and Purbeck and show you mean to uphold your charity’s strategic commitment to ‘make stronger links to local communities’ and ‘[place] hostelling at the heart of civil renewal’.”
The proposed start date for the tree works remains unknown.
Since public objections were first raised about the felling, Ms Codd says she has been contacted by two Swanage Town councillors who have shared their own concerns.
One – who asked not to be named at this stage – described their own “frustration” with the process, and voiced confusion over the YHA’s proposed replanting plans: while Dorset Council have requested just four new trees be added once the 36 are felled, some Swanage Town Councillors were led to believe there would be more.
Both councillors have made contact with Dorset Council seeking clarity.
Swanage resident Imogen Mayeux, who has lived near the hostel since 2019, shared her feelings about the site for the YHA’s consideration.
“The pleasure of seeing and having such a wild patch of nature so close to hand has been of immeasurable delight,” she said.
“Often there are deer grazing, squirrels busily scampering along branches, birds in full song and at night bats swooping around catching the abundant flying insects.
“It’s an oasis of nature which has been free to thrive and flourish.”
The YHA was contacted for comment.
Residents who wish to add their voice to calls for transparency are advised to contact Swanage YHA at swanage@yha.org.uk as well as YHA sustainability representatives at sustainability@yha.org.uk
Members of the public can also complete a YHA comment form online at www.yha.org.uk/contact-us/get-touch
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