APPROVAL has been given for controversial work to fell or cut back dozens of trees in a conservation area high up on Minehead’s iconic North Hill.
Somerset Council tree officer David Galley gave permission despite objections from Minehead Conservation Society and the North Hill Action Group.
An application was submitted by James Morrison, of Rossclere, North Hill Road, who wants to fell a multi-stemmed conifer and carry out management works, including removal of dead stems and branches, to more than 50 other trees.
The trees were growing alongside the driveway to the Edwardian house and around a walled lawn garden to one side of the property.
The conservation society said the site contained many old trees which contributed to the character of the conservation area and North Hill.
It felt some of the proposed work was ‘excessive and unnecessary’, particularly along the Beacon Road boundary, and would be ‘detrimental to the conservation area’.
The action group said it would open some remaining trees to wind throw, make Rossclere more visible from the road, and affect the character of nearby grade two listed St Michael’s Church due to light spillage.
Mr Galley said: “The trees in question are growing throughout the large gardens of this old property.
“Apart from the magnolias and the maple to the front of the house, the trees are generally growing in lines, on the embankment alongside Beacon Road, east side of the lawn, alongside the access driveway, the higher path, and the stone retaining wall to the south of the woodland garden.
“It is apparent that little maintenance was carried out by previous owners, much of the site was very overgrown and has recently been cleared of brambles and other undergrowth.
“It is clear when visiting the site that there are many issues with the trees and shrubs throughout, such as dead trees and branches, decayed trunks, split and hanging limbs, trees with poor form and structural weaknesses, trees and shrubs growing too close together and therefore causing damage or uneven growth, trees leaning heavily and likely to collapse on sloping ground.”
Mr Galley said the recent Storm Darragh had caused damage to some of the trees since the planning application had been submitted, particularly along the eastern side of the front lawn, where two trees fell some months ago.
He said three conifers were uprooted and left leaning on adjacent trees and their weakness was likely to be made worse by the fact they were next to a retaining wall which caused a one-sided root system.
Mr Galley said: “Removal of these trees has already been granted for safety reasons. Replacement trees will be required.”
He said much of the proposed work was crown lifting to provide clearance of overhead wires and the access driveway and path, while some was on shrubs, which did not require planning permission.
Mr Galley said the proposal was reasonable and not likely to cause undue harm to the conservation area and he disputed any impact on the church because it was too far away.