A 200-year-old oak tree in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, has been felled by Huntingdonshire District Council, sparking anger among locals who say the homes nearby should never have been built so close to the tree
CambridgeshireLive readers have voiced their concerns following the removal of a long-established oak tree, arguing that neighbouring properties should never have been constructed in such close proximity. Many believe the planning system failed to safeguard a mature tree, and that replacement planting cannot compensate for what has been removed.
Residents in a part of St Ives have been left feeling “deeply upset” after a 200-year-old tree was felled. Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) maintains that removing the tree was a “last resort”, as it was causing “structural damage” to three nearby properties.
However, local residents claim they received no notification about plans to fell the tree, and believe a distinctive feature of their street has been removed.
Huntingdonshire District Council took the decision to remove the tree as it was causing “structural damage” to three neighbouring properties. A HDC spokesperson said: “We understand why people are upset by the loss of this mature oak tree.
“The tree was removed following a complex insurance subsidence claim affecting three neighbouring properties. Independent investigations concluded that it was a significant contributing factor to ongoing structural damage.”
The council spent three years attempting to identify options to preserve the tree, however “no viable alternative was identified”. They added: “Although the tree appeared healthy, healthy trees can contribute to subsidence due to soil conditions and moisture demand.”
One of the readers, Archer3757, comments: “The tree was there a long time before the houses, typical council.”
Carbonneutralfeminist says: “The tree was there long before. The houses obviously weren’t built with adequate foundations or with regard to the location. They should have been demolished or repaired another way.”
Over on Facebook, Sarah S mentions: “Perhaps when the houses were built, someone should’ve advised that the oak tree needed more space around it for the roots and the houses wouldn’t have been built so close.”
Darren S says: “They did the same thing in Peterborough a couple of years ago, they chopped down the Bretton Oak Tree, which was 600 years old, dating from the 14th century, because some new build houses started suffering foundation problems. If anything, the problem houses in these cases should be pulled down rather than the ancient trees that were there first.”
Jo F asks: “Why do they keep doing this! Trees help keep the land cool with shade, are home to wildlife and help with flooding. Planting new ones is just not cutting it, as they take decades to get to a size that makes a difference. An oak tree was felled near us recently that should have been left alone. Perhaps they shouldn’t have put the houses so close.”
Tracy H writes: “Perhaps the planners should look better at applications before granting permission, as this is happening too often. The tree was well established long before the houses were built. We had to have a tree removed because of the same issue, despite developers and the council being made aware that the new homes were too close to the existing trees.”
June S says: “Cutting trees down, building on greenbelt, does anyone care about the environment?
Rod I mentions: “The tree was there many years before the current houses were built. I also understand it was there before the previous houses that were demolished in the 80s. Going forward, you would like to think that HDC would take trees into account, leave them standing, and not build too close to them. Giving older trees significance in any future construction plan.”
Carole Ann M says: “Okay, they shouldn’t have built the houses so close to it in the first place, but I can see their point. I have 9 huge trees outside my property, not only do they take up 75 per cent of the light. The council had to remove the brick wall surrounding my area and replace it with fencing. I can’t plant anything for the roots, and they are now lifting up the slabs on my patio and will soon go into the drains and foundations. But having said that, these are not 200 years old.”
Heather W asks: “I don’t understand why this significant tree was not protected by a Preservation Order.”
Pauline D says: “Better than falling in a storm and killing someone.”
What else could the council do other than cut down this tree? Comment HERE to have your say.
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