EIGHT years after residents campaigned to save trees at St Catherine’s Hill, plans have been put forward to try and manage the controversial felling.

Back in 2003, the Herpetological Conservation Trust (HCT) put forward proposals to fell 15,000 trees around the St Catherine’s Hill and Town Common areas.

While the plans created a backlash from residents determined to halt the move, the HCT said the measure would reclaim the heathland area for rare lizards and snakes and preserve an internationally important wildlife site.

But after years of tense tussles and talks between groups including Hurn Parish Council and West Christchurch Residents Association, proposals on how best to manage the site have finally been published in a draft management plan.

The plan will go out to consultation for eight weeks on February 1 and outlines management of the area over the next 10 years including measures to expand heathland, enhance significant areas of woodland while creating additional areas of wooded heath.

At a meeting of the community services committee at Christchurch Borough Council last week, councillors praised the work undertaken by the steering group, made up of representatives from the parish council, residents association, council officers, the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Friends of St Catherine’s Hill and more.

Jim Biggin, chairman of West Christchurch Residents Committee said volunteers would be dropping 4,000 leaflets around the area, urging people to respond.

He added: “This result would not have been as a good without the relationship we had with Hurn Parish Council.

“Eight years ago we organised that petition and in those eight years the change that has taken place is dramatic.

“We can all now sit down and discuss things in a civilised manner and come to a reasonable compromise.

“This is the best result for the borough.”

Cllr Margaret Phipps, chairman of Hurn Parish Council said: “What a long way we have come. All the organisations have come together and agreed to produce this plan.

“What I believe we have here is a balanced plan for the management of this wonderful site for many years to come.”

To view the plan go to dorsetforyou/Christchurch/stcatherineshill/managementplan from February 1.