Debdale Lane woods
to be properly maintained
In this article I refer to a small wood or spinney that lies between the Debdale Lane industrial units, the Severn-Trent pumping station and the end of Spinney Road. I understand that some people might refer to it as "Cotton's Plantation", though I will stick to the name "Debdale Lane woods".
Following some recent incidents of vandalism and damage to trees, I have spoken to the police and to Rushcliffe Borough Council, who own the wood. The police are keeping tabs on the offenders, while the council are going to tidy up the wood, remove any low branches which overhang the paths, and give the wood a bit more of a "cared-for" appearance.
The council's Streetwise department are also going to put the wood on their regular maintenance schedule.
What damage has been caused? We're talking about fairly systematic attempts to chop large branches off trees to provide materials for construction of children's dens. There's nothing wrong with kids larking around and keeping out of bigger trouble, but we need to draw a line between "reasonable recreation" and large-scale damage. That's what the recent consultation has been about.
