Fears 'children could be killed' if wonky tree falls down

Albert George, 82, has sought planning permission to fell two trees in his back garden in St Margaret’s Road, Poole, eight times.

Despite an appeal with the planning inspectorate, he has been refused each time by BCP Council and former Poole Borough Council in cases dating back to 2013.

Reaching the end of his tether, Albert is again pleading for the council to let him fell the 70ft tall trees.

Wonky tree (Image: Daily Echo)

He said: “We moved into this house as a new build 12 years ago and since then we have been trying to get permission for these trees to be felled.

“My main concern is that they will fall on the kids who would be in the direct path of the trees if they fall down.

“They’re wonky and have fungus growing on them… they need to come down and they’re dangerous.”

So far, Albert had to trim and cut back the trees and said he has spent £900 on them so far.

The couple, who moved to Poole from Middlesex 16 years ago for a quieter life, also fear the tree could fall on a substation outside their home.

His wife Linda, 79, added: “[The land] was originally a pub garden and people got together and put the tree protection order on the trees thinking it would stop the house being built.

“We’re told the trees can’t be cut down mainly because of aesthetic reasons; they say it makes the area look nice.”

Her husband of more than 60 years added: “It doesn’t look aesthetic at all for the area, especially in the winter when all the leaves are off.” 

On the eighth attempt, the decision was appealed and the planning inspectorate ruled in favour of the council's refusal.

In a letter, the inspectorate said: " I have found that the two copper beech trees in question have significant public amenity value, thus meriting the continued protection of the TPO.

"I have also found none of the reasons advanced to be sufficiently compelling as to outweigh the desirability of these trees being retained."

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “The two trees in Mr George’s garden have been inspected on multiple occasions by different expert officers from BCP Council’s arboricultural and planning teams and have also undergone an independent inspection by the Planning Inspectorate.

 “They are protected by a TPO (tree preservation order), have been assessed as an acceptable level of risk and provide a visual benefit to the neighbourhood.

“Mr George is welcome to make a ninth application if he believes the condition and state of the trees has significantly changed.”