Six trees in Atherstone saved from the axe as councillors ask for more information

Six trees near to a row of flats in the centre of Atherstone have been saved from the chop after councillors requested more information.

A report drawn up by the North Warwickshire Borough Council's tree officer ahead of this week's planning board meeting suggested that the London plane, ash, acer and lime trees in a parking area of St Benedicts Close should be felled because of a trip hazard and potential issues with nearby homes.

The report explained "The proposals arise following inspection by relevant council officers and instructions from a loss adjuster assigned to the council's insurance company following a subsidence claim against the council, together with members of the public tripping over an uneven surface caused by root systems.

"The plane tree is mature and in good health. However major roots from the tree have caused the road surface to lift to the point that they are now trip hazards. A member of the public has tripped over the roots and in order to remove the hazard, the advice is that the roots should be removed.

"However the identified roots are significant and in doing so, the structural integrity of the tree itself would be severely prejudiced. It is thus proposed to fell the tree.

"The remaining five trees have been the subject of discussion between the council's insurers and that of a local resident alleging that root systems have caused subsidence damage to his property and that they are continuing to do so. The council's loss adjuster has recommended removal of all of the trees so that the council will be without liability should further damage be caused."

All of the trees lie within Atherstone's conservation area and are on council land but Cllr Mark Simpson (Con, Curdworth), chairman of the planning meeting, said "I went to have a look at these trees. They are in a car park and they're not by a public footpath. The whole of the car park is in a poor state but I'm not sure if it is entirely fair to blame the trees so my instinct is to defer this item for further information."

And Cllr Neil Dirveiks (Lab, ATherstone Central) added "We've had efforts by some of the homeowners to get rid of some of these trees before and the conclusion in the past was that a reduction in size could be enough to address those issues.

"I do think we need to find out more before we just get rid of these trees, they do have quite a big amenity value where they are situated."

Councillors agreed unanimously to defer the matter for more information.