TWO petitions are expected to be presented to councillors at Christchurch tonight relating to the controversial Cornfactor development near Druitt Gardens.

It is understood the petitions relate to the restricted public access to Druitt Gardens from Wick Lane car park and the felling of a number of trees in Druitt Gardens as a result of the ongoing development of the Cornfactor site.

Christchurch resident Bob McNair, who will be presenting the petition about the Druitt Gardens pathway being blocked, is expected to call on the authority to instruct developers of the Cornfactor site, Renaissance Retirement Ltd, to move the fencing surrounding their compound and re-open the path.

The other petition relates to the covenant at Druitt Gardens.

Four trees in Druitt Gardens were felled earlier this month provoking an angry response from residents who had fought to protect them.

All the trees were protected by tree preservation orders thanks to a campaign by residents to ensure the trees survived after the Cornfactor developers proposed to remove them.

Councillors agreed to protect the trees but just weeks later they had been cut down after roots were damaged during an archaeological investigation by the developers.

An inquiry into the felling is taking place, led by councillors Margaret Phipps and Nick Geary.

The results will presented at the council’s audit and scrutiny committee in March.

We will be covering the meeting live tonight.