By Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Mumby
A 100-year-old oak tree in Frome has been saved from being chopped down following a decision by Somerset Council.
The tree lies within the back garden of an address in Collett Way. The property’s resident applied for permission to remove the tree (which has been subject to a tree protection order since 1989), claiming that it was responsible for subsidence in her garage and conservatory.
But Somerset Council has refused the request, arguing that the tree has “outstanding amenity value” and that removing it could actually worsen damage to the property.
The resident’s agent said that there was ‘clear evidence of subsidence-related damage’ to the property, including sloping and cracking to the garage floor and ‘significant cracking’ to the external and internal walls of the conservatory.
Local resident Sally Nilsson objected to the tree’s felling, arguing that it was the resident’s responsibility to ensure the stability of her house without damaging the local environment.
She said, “The house should never have been built so close to it. The root system is at least as wide below ground as it is compared to the canopy above. The house needs to be underpinned and the tree must be saved.”
Frome Town Council also objected to this ‘high-value’ tree being cut down, arguing it ‘pre-dates the surrounding housing development and makes an important contribution to local amenity and character’.
Somerset Council refused planning permission through the dedicated powers of its planning officers, rather than a public decision by its planning committee.
Planning officer Nick Ball said, “It is now undisputed that ancient and veteran trees, and particularly oaks, collectively support greater habitat for biodiversity than any other habitat type in Europe.
“It is not enough simply to note the proximity of a building and a tree, and to deduce that the tree is responsible for any damage found in the building.”
