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Why have dozens of trees been cut down at Dundee’s Swallow Roundabout?

An area of land next to the Kingsway has been cleared.

Trees have been cut down near the Swallow Roundabout in Dundee. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson
Trees have been cut down near the Swallow Roundabout in Dundee. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson

A developer has explained why dozens of trees have been cut down near a Dundee roundabout.

An area of land next to the Kingsway at the Swallow Roundabout has been cleared in recent weeks.

The work is linked to a planned upgrade of the roundabout as part of the Western Gateway housing development.

One driver said: “The difference is really quite stark.

“The land was covered with trees before but now it looks really bare.”

Trees at the Swallow Roundabout.
Trees on the site in May 2023. Image: Google Street View
How the same area looks now, with the road into Western Gateway in the background. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson

Dundee City Council told The Courier it was a matter for developer Springfield Homes.

The housing firm told us: “As a responsible housebuilder, we try to limit the removal of established trees where possible and we look to replant trees throughout our developments.

“Ahead of the Swallow Roundabout improvement works, we have been required to remove a small number of trees.

“This is in preparation for the full junction improvements which are due to commence in June.”

Trees have been cut down by Swallow Roundabout in Dundee
The area of land has been cleared of trees. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson
Felled trees piled up at the site. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson

Springfield said it was unable to provide more details of the June work – including how it will affect traffic and how long it will last.

It comes after the developer created a “path to nowhere” at the Swallow Roundabout in order to prevent the firm from having to reapply for planning permission.

An upgrade of the roundabout is required as part of the planning conditions for homes at Western Gateway, where hundreds of properties have been built.

However, the work has been delayed due to a wrangle over a strip of land next to the roundabout.

Bill Batchelor, chairman of Western Gateway Community Council, said last year: “We are extremely frustrated with the continuing delays.

“The project is now three years behind schedule.”

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