‘It’s bonkers’ Anger as work begins to cut down popular trees
It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. That is not a hedge. That is two really beautiful trees that have just grown together. Laura Lawrenson, 40, who lives directly opposite the trees
BRISTOL City Council yesterday began cutting down a 70ft tall tree in Horfield under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act. Residents have labelled the decision as “ridiculous” based upon the criteria that was matched to enable the felling.
A man tried to oppose the felling of the evergreens earlier by sitting in the cypress trees that are popular with local children and provide habitats for animals such as birds, squirrels and other wildlife.
However, he was unsuccessful, with the job now set to be completed by the end of today.
The 70ft tall evergreens on Druetts Close will take two days to be removed after a tree-felling notice was stapled to them last year.
The tree-felling notice stapled to them states: “Trees causing a nuisance as defined by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act – High Hedges section 8.”
The tree has been allowed to be felled after being legally defined as a hedge. Therefore, under the AntiSocial Behaviour Act, it’s deemed to be a nuisance.
The council has said it is just following national legislation which “designates this type of tree as a hedge”.
It says it is taking the action to remove the trees, which overlook back gardens of properties in Rodbourne Road, following a complaint.
One resident, mum-of-three Laura Lawrenson, 40, who lives directly opposite the trees, spoke out after the notice was posted last year, saying: “How can that be classed as a hedge? It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. That is not a hedge. That is two really beautiful trees that have just grown together.
“They’re obviously defining it as a hedge as a way to get around it and have them cut down.
“It’s bonkers. It’s weird, the way they’ve done it. It’s also a real shame, because those trees have been there since the early 1970s, at the same time as the estate was built. Everybody is really sad about it.”
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “The action being taken is not a matter of council policy but is to ensure compliance with national legislation, which designates this type of tree as a hedge.
“We are responding to a complaint about the hedge, in line with the legislation, and have reviewed the options available to us.
“Reducing these trees to the necessary size would leave them unlikely to survive and removing and replanting the tree has been agreed as the best option.
“We’re also investigating and offering further tree-planting spots to bring us closer to our aim of doubling the city’s tree canopy by 2046.’’
The council confirmed that “removing and replanting” meant chopping down the pair of trees and planting replacements of a type and a location to be decided.