Tears and anger as ash is felled

The felling of a magnificent tree to make way for an outbuilding has saddened and angered neighbours.

One shed tears as the 70ft ash, which was thought to be up to 100 years old, was reduced to a stump in a back garden in Wincheap.

It is has been chopped down as part of a scheme to erect a singlestorey building in the back garden of a semi-detached house in Hollowmede. The new outbuilding will accommodate a garage, gym, play area and prayer room.

The applicant says the structure takes up less than 50% of the garden and therefore does not require full planning permission.

But neighbours say the loss of the tree is a blow to wildlife and resulted in the removal of natural privacy screening.

Many have also complained the size of the planned outbuilding is overbearing, stretching close along the boundary of several properties.

Neil Rogers, who lives in Hollowmede, said: “I consider the building to be too large and outof-keeping with the surrounding properties and a visual intrusion.”

He points out that a driveway to the garage would be needed and questions whether, together with the new boundary wall, it exceeds the permitted 50% maximum.

Neighbour Michael Wise has also objected on similar grounds, as has John Larkin and Brian Macey.

Mr Wise said: “To lose the tree is a tragedy. I heard that one women from the flats was even crying when they chopped it down. I’ve contacted my local councillor who says the applicant is doing nothing wrong but the scale of it is bound to have an impact on us neighbours.

“One side of the outbuilding will be going right up to our boundary, which will give a feeling of enclosure.

“I am also concerned about the noise of cars going the length of the applicant’s garden to the double garage.”

City council spokesman Rob Davies says the tree did not have a protection order on it and was not in a conservation area.

“We understand it has now been felled and this is an action the landowner is allowed to take,” he added. “The application for lawful development certificate for the proposed outbuilding is being considered by our planning department and we anticipate it being determined in the next couple of weeks.”

The applicant declined to comment when approached by the Gazette.

What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup. co.uk or write to Gazette House, 5-8 Boorman Way, Wraik Hill, Whitstable, CT5 3SE.

A Google Earth image shows the long strip of garden with the ash tree at the end; right, the 70ft ash has been felled