Plans to fell trees in the grounds of Whitstable Castle were met with fierce opposition last Friday.

£2.8 million of Heritage Lottery funding, plus money from Canterbury City Council, hopes to re-landscape the gardens and refurbish the castle, increasing community use.

However, around 100 trees and shrubs will be cleared to create the “regency” design, a move many living nearby claim has involved minimal public consultation.

Landscapers and members of The Whitstable Castle Trust walked the site with around 30 objectors, illustrating how 50 new trees and shrubs will be planted in their place.

See our video of the site visit above

Landscaper Antony Dance explained the plans have already been on the agenda at two Area Members’ Panel meetings and have been displayed at exhibitions in the town. The City Council have also conducted surveys and questionnaires, as well as carrying out letter drops at adjacent properties, outlining the proposed timeline for the work to take place.

“If you don’t want to back this scheme and you’re going to use trees as a fulcrum for that, then you are going to miss out on a great opportunity for this space,” Mr Dance told the group.

He added: “if a decision isn’t made quickly, then you could lose the lottery funding and you can say goodbye to this type of scheme happening.”

For more on the story, see this week's Whitstable Gazette