A construction firm is facing criticism for failing to honour commitments after designated planting areas were surfaced with tarmac instead of being left for trees to be replanted, despite assurances they would be restored once building work concluded. The controversy surrounds the redevelopment of Sherwood Library on Spondon Street, which involves demolishing the existing structure and constructing 12 homes and 22 apartments, with the scheme now approaching its final stages after commencing in 2021. The project became the centre of local opposition when inhabitants voiced fears that nearly a dozen ornamental cherry trees might vanish permanently. The dispute concluded with Hockley Developments pledging to replace the cherry trees and stating they were being maintained in Derbyshire until construction approached completion. However, the hollows where the trees originally stood have since been covered in tarmac. This development alarmed those who had fought for the trees to be reinstated back in 2021. Colin Barratt, a Sherwood local who led the campaign, suggested the situation was straightforward, noting that residents were given assurances the trees would be removed carefully, maintained properly, and replanted once the development reached its latter stages, a commitment he believes has been violated based on what he can observe. He questioned whether, after several years and various promises regarding the library, people should simply accept that the trees would be planted at some unspecified future date. As the scheme has progressed toward completion, it has become increasingly apparent that the trees would not be reinstated. The fact that the spaces where they were meant to grow have been paved over serves as confirmation of this. He anticipated blame would shift between the council and the developer, with residents caught in the middle of this exchange. The original cherry trees were stunning and contributed significantly to the neighbourhood’s distinctive character. He asked where the trees currently are, stating that no confirmation of their location has been provided, which would at least offer reassurance they remained alive. He suspected the council anticipated the issue would fade from public memory, but maintained that local people would not forget. The developer had previously stated that all trees would be moved to a nursery facility in Derbyshire while the street underwent construction, before being brought back to their original positions. Resident Dylan Jones observed that this was not the first occasion on which misleading assurances had been made regarding this scheme. Sherwood inhabitants were guaranteed the trees would be returned, with officials stating they would be relocated and subsequently replanted. No information about their current status has been forthcoming, and he believed nobody actually knew where they were. Both the council and Hockley Developments had provided residents with broken promises. The initial designs originated from Hockley. While he had not anticipated the original trees making a return, he noted that not even a small patch of soil had been left for planting, with only some brick containers at the front and a so-called living wall installed, which did not compensate for what had been lost. Although the campaign to save the trees took place in 2021, the developer did not remove them until March 2024, prompting residents at the time to describe the situation as deeply disappointing. The Sherwood Library remains unfinished four years after the project commenced, with Nottingham City Council targeting Spring 2026 for the site to open. Hockley Developments has been asked to comment on allegations that the cherry trees will not be returned but had not provided a response by publication. Nottingham City Council, which has played an active role in developing the former car park site, had also not responded by publication.
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