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A tree planted by Belfast's first lady lord mayor on the banks of the River Lagan has been felled as part of a flood alleviation scheme.

It is one of several trees - including four mature trees - removed by the Department for Infrastructure for the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme.

The department said its aim was to protect 1,500 homes from flooding, but campaigners opposed the move.

The trees were located at Lockview, Stranmillis, in south Belfast.

The Department for Infrastructure said that a replacement tree would be planted close to this location and dedicated to Grace Bannister, .

In a statement, the Department for Infrastructure said it had "carefully considered expert advice about alternative routes and construction methodologies for a flood wall on this stretch of the Lagan".

It argued that the work was "necessary" to facilitate what it called a "critical project which will protect the lives and properties of people who live in the Stranmillis area from tidal flooding".

"Failure to remove these trees would lead to another year of increased flood risk for this community," the statement said.

The department said that where trees and shrubs had to be removed, similar species would be reinstated where possible and there would also be some compensatory planting.

"A replacement tree will be planted close to this location and dedicated to the former Lord Mayor Grace Bannister."

The department said that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) screening report was prepared and published under the Drainage (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland ) 2017 and consulted on in August 2018.

"Following an assessment of the types and characteristics of the potential impacts likely to arise from the proposed scheme, it was considered that it would not constitute a development that required an EIA and therefore the need for an EIA was screened out.

"The department engaged an independent arboriculturalist to complete a survey of the existing trees during design development of the scheme and has recently re-engaged the arboriculturalist regarding the necessary works at Stranmillis to seek their professional input."

Opposition

Campaigners and local residents opposed to the felling staged a vigil in an attempt to save the trees.

Last week, Belfast Lord Mayor Kate Nicholl "to plead" that it would not remove the trees "until all other options have been explored".

"How this has been handled in terms of engagement with residents is atrocious," she said.

The Department said it had hosted a number of "public information sessions" and carried out more than 70 face-to-face meetings with elected representatives and local people, businesses and other interested groups.

It said it would continue to keep the public updated on the scheme