Beyond be-leaf! Couple can’t trim tree on own lawn
JOBSWORTH council staff refused a couple permission to trim a 72ft tree towering over their home – despite it being in their garden.
Celia and Mark Senior fear the lime will topple onto their three-bed property if it is not urgently pruned.
But the pair were told by Darlington Council that they could not cut it down to 35ft as it is protected by a tree preservation order.
Mrs Senior, 57, said: ‘During the winter storms I was really worried because I could hear the wind rocking the tree. If it falls, it will crush our house and the neighbour’s home too.
‘The paving slabs on the other side of the tree have started to become raised which is dangerous for people walking by and I worry someone will get hurt.’ The primary school teacher, of Darlington, County Durham, commissioned an independent arborist to write a report about what should be done about the tree.
It suggested a ‘significant crown reduction’ to reduce the risk of the tree being uprooted in high winds.
The report stated that lime trees are ‘fast growing’ and ‘without suitable management [it] will continue to increase in size.’ Mrs Senior offered to pay £3,000 to get tree surgeons to do the work. But the council said it would have a ‘detrimental impact’ on the tree which was in ‘reasonable form and condition’. The couple have lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.
A spokesman for Darlington council said: ‘Permission was refused for the works. It would not be appropriate to comment while we await the outcome of the appeal.’