Residents of Chedworth Close, Carlton Road, are trying to stop the City Council from destroying a small area of trees.

Already shrubs have been cleared and trees marked for removal. Why? Because the City wants to make a car park. Residents are divided - some want the parking space, others want to retain a valuable green area. Yet next door the March Hare pub already has a larger car park which is underused.

Chedworth Close resident Trish Hemingway says "Save our trees and nature reserve."

Trish Hemingway, who has lived on the close for 19 years, said "It's a wonderful close with the trees and wildlife, and it would be a shame to replace it with a car park and all of the fumes. People do need to park their cars, but I'm sure alternative plans could be worked out without chopping down the trees."

Irene Julian, who lives on Carlton Road, said "There's not much green space around here. A lot of Carlton Road don't have front or back gardens. For me to see some greenery with the birds and squirrels, it's really nice. The only other place is the City Farm but that's nearly half a mile away."

The decision to chop down the trees was approved by St Ann's and Dales (Area 6) Committee in November 2008 and £25,000 allocated for nine parking spaces. As a result of opposition, the City has now offered to reprieve 4 out of 11 trees and is consulting residents on a reduced car park.

Pub car park next door - more unused space than the City's car park will create