Tree protection ‘unfair’

A TREE protection order has been labelled “rather unfair” by the Arbroath house owner who planted the trees on his garden sandbank 30 years ago.

Councillors voted narrowly to confirm the order put in place by planning officials after proposals emerged to bring the trees down for development of a house in Colin Keillor’s Cairniehill Gardens home.

The mix of specimens includes beech, horse chestnut, ash, sycamore, holly and pine.

Official Alan Hunter told development standards councillors: “The trees are on a prominent knoll and are considered significant in relation to the amenity. It is a feature we consider deserves protection. We are satisfied the trees are healthy.”

But Mr Keillor told the committee: “Roots are causing the wall to bulge and we have had problems with limbs falling off. Last summer one fell across Cairnie Loan, fortunately it didn’t hit anything. It seems to me rather unfair.”

Moving against t he order staying i n place, Brechin and Edzell independent councillor Bob Myles said he was concerned about the condition of some of the trees and the stability of the banking. “I’d be happier if they were taken down rather than blown down,” he said.

Arbroath West and Letham SNP councillor Alex King said he did not want to see the trees go, adding: “They do add to the landscape, they are a feature.”

Councillors voted to confirm the order, which will protect trees from unauthorised felling and give the authority power to replace them at the end of their lifespan.