Tree to be felled as council fears damage payout
An oak tree in Fareham is set to be felled, with the controversial decision made as the borough council feared it could have to shell out tens of thousands of pounds for damage.
An insurance company asked that an oak tree be chopped down after cracking was found on the inside of a house in Hillcroft. The firm’s survey found the tree was drying out the area by removing water and that had caused subsidence.
Objectors argued Mr Thomas’s plan to cut down the tree should not be the ‘starting point for insurance companies’ managing subsidence in a house in Fareham where it was agreed by the committee, inadequate 1.5-metre foundations were dug in 1985.
The oak tree is 5.5 metres away from the house at 3
Hillcroft, also known as
The Oaks, and on land owned by the Office for National Statistics which is opposite. The tree officer said that while it could be the tree that is causing the damage, it could well be another oak tree further away. He said the root systems of oaks can impact a 20-metre area around them, but to fix the subsidence problem, the insurance company wanted the first taken down.
Five people spoke on behalf of saving the oak tree including Councillor
Chrissie Bainbridge and Fareham’s mayor Councillor Fred Birkett. He asked for the decision to be delayed to learn more and explore other options, saying 2,500 saplings would be needed to replace the one tree.
Writing to tree officer
Paul Johnston, Fareham’s MP Suella Braverman asked the decision on the tree felling be deferred so that alternative solutions could be explored.
The planning committee granted permission for the protection order to be removed so the oak tree could be cut down and replaced by another tree within a month of its felling.
A Himalayan Birch tree of at least 16cm girth should be planted in the first available planting season (October to March), according to council documents.
5.5
The oak tree is 5.5 metres away from the house