Significant-listed oaks get chop to make way for subdivision
Two prominent trees listed as significant at Seven Oaks Reception Centre on Timaru’s Wai-iti Rd have been felled to make way for a subdivision.
The removal of the trees has stirred interest, with The Timaru Herald receiving several calls from readers curious to know what was happening to the large trees, known as Common Oaks.
The two trees, along with two others on the property, are listed on the Timaru District Council’s significant trees list and have been used as a backdrop for many weddings held in the gardens at the function centre.
A non-notified consent was required for the trees to be cut down.
Seven Oaks Reception Centre owner Gavin Craig said the trees were becoming overgrown for their size and location, and room was needed for the subdivision, at the front of the property.
‘‘The subdivision will create two lots, we expect it to go out to the market shortly,’’ Craig said.
‘‘The trees were really close to another, encroaching on the neighbouring property and we got a consent to take them down.’’
Craig said although the subdivision meant that some of the garden was no longer there, the premises would still be open for services and functions.
‘‘Nothing much is going to change at our end,’’ he said.
Neighbour Alan Booth said he did not know much about the activity, as it was processed through a non-notified consent.
According to the council’s district plan, trees can become listed as significant due to factors such as size, position, presence of other trees, occurrence of the species, role in location and useful life expectancy.
There are close to 200 trees on the significant trees list in the Timaru District Council’s District Plan.
The council was unable to respond to requests for comment.