Native plants and wildflowers are to be planted at the new Ballyraine junction in Letterkenny following a ‘distressing’ removal of trees outside the local school.
Trees and shrubs were cleared outside Ballyraine NS to make way for the Letterkenny Traffic Management System.
However, Principal of Ballyraine NS David Oliver took issue with the works last week, saying there was a lack of communication from Donegal Councils Roads Division.
The council had opened a public/ statutory consultation process on the project from May – June 2020.
Mr Oliver said: “It is really disappointing to see a wildlife habitat being removed. Our school has close links with Letterkenny Tidy Towns and The Green Schools Programme for over twenty years. We teach children the importance of trees and caring for our local environment. We understand the need to remove some trees and shrubs to progress the road development but the scale of the work was shocking.
“Due to the lack of prior notice, some of our pupils with Special Needs became very distressed when they heard the chainsaws at work outside their classroom windows.
“Many of the shrubs had been planted by the late Mrs May McClintock and a local scout group. These trees not only created a diverse wildlife habitat but also provided a much needed sound barrier from passing traffic.”
The matter was raised by Letterkenny Mayor Donal Coyle on Tuesday, who called on the council to meet and consult with Mr Oliver on the replacement of trees and shrubs when the work is complete.
The council responded: “In the interest of biodiversity the town gardener will be consulted to ensure a range of native planting, wild flowers and wild meadow planting is adopted to assist in visual appearance at the new junction layout and amenity of the area, where it is considered feasible. Donegal County Council will correspond directly with Ballyraine National School regarding these issues.”
The consultation has been welcomed, with Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh adding that there is now an opportunity to turn the issue into a positive lesson in biodiversity for pupils.