Plea to cut tree refused

Residents are terrified a large tree could fall and flatten their homes – but the council has refused to take action, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.

John Kirton, of Witton-le-Wear’s The Paddock, says the 25-metre high tree poses an increasing danger to his and a neighbouring property after broken branches have slammed into the roof during heavy winds. 

The 81-year-old applied to reduce the tree’s height by four to five metres – approximately one-third of the tree – as part of a desperate bid to prevent further damage. 

But Durham County Council refused, saying the works would be “excessive” and “unjustified”. 

The Lime tree is protected by a tree preservation order and council planners warned that cutting it back would adversely impact the character and appearance of the surrounding area. 

A planning report added: “The Lime tree is a healthy, mature specimen that has been reduced in height in the past (most recently in 2022) and presents no obvious risk features. The risk of the tree falling is considered to be very low.”

The council’s decision was supported by a planning committee this week, which voted to refuse the application. 

But an emotional Mr Kirton is urging the authority to reconsider. 

Mr Kirton said his and the neighbouring property in Witton-le-Wear are dwarfed by the huge tree, which has grown considerably over the years. 

“In the event that the Lime tree in our garden was to come down in a storm, the subsequent damage to both properties, because of the current height of the tree, would be enormous and quite possibly involve full or at least partial rebuilds,” he told the committee. 

Reducing the height of the tree by four to five metres would mean it would miss the properties if it collapsed, the meeting heard. 

Yet, the looming threat of the tree has heightened the couple’s anxiety over the damage it could cause. Since moving into the house in 2009, Mr Kirton said two large branches have broken off the tree and damaged the house, costing more than £1,300 to repair. 

His wife, Freda, 82, was diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer’s last year and has severe mobility and heart issues. 

He added: “During the night, we were awakened by a large crash on the roof as a result of a branch hitting the roof at considerable speed. This was just one of many disturbed nights we have experienced in similar conditions.”

A further £1,200 has been spent on trimming the tree in recent years to reduce the chance of it falling over, but authorised work was limited to some small branches. 

“It remains the hope of myself and my wife that common sense and appreciation of the worry and stress we experience during severe weather conditions will prevail,” he added. 

Mr Kirton was supported by Reform’s Adrian Schulman, county councillor for Crook, and Richard Bell, Conservative for Upper Teesdale, who urged members to “use common sense” and back his plea. 

But Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Wilkes fears the proposal could worsen the tree’s condition in the future. He said: “If we were to approve this application, we would potentially put the applicant at a greater risk than we are now. 

“I wouldn’t want to make this tree less stable from overcutting and then potentially more branches come down if there is a storm.”

Councillors voted to refuse the application by three votes to two, with one abstention.