A SCHEME to reinvigorate an historic market square after the controversial felling of mature trees is set to be introduced.

Hambleton District Council will start work in the coming weeks on creating a community area beside the clock tower in Thirsk Market Place, which will include re-introduction of four trees for shade, plants, backed seats and numerous floral displays.

Work has been delayed as engineers have examined creating an underground rooting system for the trees to prevent future damage to the square and where to plant the trees to avoid underground utilities.

While it had been hoped semi-mature or mature trees would be planted to replace the 33-year-old birch trees that were removed in April, it is understood the new trees will have to be quite young to avoid future damage.

A furore erupted in April after the authority removed the trees without notice, citing health and safety grounds.

Residents, traders and some town councillors said they were furious not to have been consulted, with some claiming the trees' removal had made the cobbled square look like a huge car park.

A meeting of Thirsk Town Council on Monday (October 20) heard a blueprint created by a steering group led by Councillor Gareth Dadd, including local firms, Thirsk in Bloom and the Woodlands Group had been amended to include the views of residents who answered a consultation document that was delivered to 8,000 homes.

Councillor Derek Adamson highlighted to the meeting that the views from the White Horse Cafe, which were created with the felling of the trees, would be unaffected by the new-look area.

Councillor Andrew Robinson said he was appalled by how the district council had handled the plans and did not feel they properly reflected residents' views.

Cllr Dadd said 75 per cent of the people who responded had agreed with the plan that was put forward and following comments, an idea to build a fundraising wishing well had been abandoned and there would be backed seats.

He said: "By and large Hambleton have listened and have come up with a plan that reflects what the public said."

Town councillors said they would use the hexagonal seats, which are due to be removed in the plan, in another area of the town.