The much-loved Shoreham Poplar tree will remain standing, thanks to the efforts of the Shoreham Poplar Front campaign and the support of the local community. Darcy Harrison, a lead member of the campaign team, announced the news on the group’s Facebook page, stating that a new design for the Civic Centre site had been submitted that would avoid the need to remove the tree.
The updated design will provide the same number of dwellings on the site and will go to Adur Planning Committee for formal approval in the coming weeks. The Shoreham Poplar Front campaign team expressed their gratitude to the community, dedicated tree-saving occupiers, and activists, environmental campaigners, local councillors, Adur Council officers, and everyone else who contributed their time, money, and support to the cause.
The team has been working behind the scenes for several months, collaborating with local construction specialist Vic Kendrick to prepare an alternative design for the site that would meet the original housing objectives without removing the tree. The design was presented to Adur Council in December 2022, and thanks to the intervention of Cian Cronin and Cllr. Steve Neocleous, it was taken seriously and presented to Hyde Homes as a viable alternative.
Darcy Harrison noted that there were many individuals who played a crucial role in saving the Shoreham Poplar tree, and the campaign team would provide further updates on their contributions. However, she emphasized that the achievement was a testament to what can be accomplished when a community comes together.
The news of the Shoreham Poplar tree’s salvation was received with enthusiasm by the local community, who had rallied behind the campaign to save the tree, staging protests, and occupying the site to prevent its removal. The tree, a local landmark, has been the subject of controversy since plans to develop the site were first announced.
The campaign’s success in preserving the tree is a testament to the power of community activism and the importance of preserving natural landmarks in urban areas.
