The latest application to fell a protected Biddulph tree that stands on the planned site of six new homes has been refused by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's Planning Committee discussed the application to cut down a large, mature Pine tree known as T5 at its latest meeting. The tree is protected under a Tree Preservation Order.

Biddulph Nub News reported last week how the application has been submitted by FFC Landscape Architects on behalf of J Littleton & Co. Ltd, who are currently developing the site on Tunstall Road to provide six new dwellings and retain an existing bungalow.

The plan is a repeat of a previous submission made to fell the tree last year, but this earlier application was refused.

However, the latest plans were also recommended for refusal by the district council's planning officers, with arboricultural officer Steve Massey explaining why at the meeting.

He said: "The applicant has concerns that the tree might fall. They consider it out of scale with the development.

"If the tree encroaches onto the plot they might lose sales, and they have proposed four new replacement trees if the removal was allowed.

"There have been some branch falling incidents after Christmas, and they expressed the view that there could be a potentially fatal incident if a branch was to fall while someone was there.

"However at the moment there is nothing about its condition that changes our view that the tree is in fairly good condition and doesn't justify being felled at this point.

"We conclude that the reasons submitted do not justify the felling of the pine and we recommend the application be refused."

Cllr Keith Flunder supported the recommendation to refuse the application.

He said: "I don't see any increase in hazard, and although some branches have fallen the tree is in no worse condition.

"They took on the site knowing these restrictions, and the fact they have started work doesn't change the fact that this tree should remain."

Cllr Ben Emery agreed, adding: "When the houses are built this tree will provide significant foliage to the site throughout the year.

"One of the concerns was the lean on the tree, but it seems to correct itself further up the tree."

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of refusing the application to fell the tree.

If you would like to watch the meeting in full, click here.

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