Council orders protect mature trees
Stirling Council have moved to protect two trees in the area because of their visual importance to their communities.
Two tree preservation orders (TPOs) have been issued - one for a tree in the grounds of Cowane’s Hospital at the Top of the Town, the other for an oak tree near Pirnhall.
The Wellingtonia/Giant Redwood at Top of the Town had been the subject of a Conservation Tree Works notification received by council planners in December seeking its removal.
However, the planners said this week:“The grounds for making the TPO were that the council considered the TPO was necessary/expedient as the tree is visually significant, in association with neighbouring trees, to the character and appearance of the Stirling Town and Royal Park Conservation Area when viewed from St John Street and from the grounds and approaches to Cowane’s Hospital.
“Additionally there are few mature sized trees in the Top of the Town area.
“The landowner (Cowane’s Trust), the Forestry Commissioners and other interested parties were notified of the making of the TPO.
The planners said the tree had been subject to preliminary assessment and there were no obvious visual indications of poor health and that there is an alternative convenient access route to the pavilion building for both its current and proposed uses.
In their reasons for the TPO, they added:“This is to ensure the retention of the tree in order to preserve and enhance character and appearance of this part of the Conservation Area and to enable more control over any future tree works.”
The second TPO is for an English Oak north of Pirnhall Road, once the grounds of Brucefields Golf Centre and now within an area earmarked for residential development (South Stirling Gateway).
The planners said:“The TPO was necessary/expedient as the tree will no longer be in a large, open recreational area. The development proposals in this area will significantly change the topography/surrounding levels and together with the proximity of development will increase pressure on the oak tree. This single mature Pedunculate Oak tree would have been part of the wider Bannockburn House estate, before the construction of the A91.
“It is a significant feature in the development area, being the only oak tree of its age and is irreplaceable in terms of wildlife, amenity, historic and biodiversity value. The tree is not in a Conservation Area.”