Winchester residents 'angry' as a large tree gets protection
Residents have said they feel "extremely angry" after a council voted unanimously to protect a controversial oak tree.Winchester City Council received an intention to fell the more than 40-year-old tree from neighbours who raised concerns that it could damage their properties.Speaking at a council planning meeting, the local authority's tree officer John Bartlett said there was "no evidence of actual damage being caused".The council approved a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), which legally protects it from damage or destruction.
Mr Bartlett said it contributed meaningfully to local biodiversity and visual amenity, adding that its ecological and landscape value outweighed the reported nuisance issues.The oak, which is situated in a conservation area, is located in the garden of a home on Canon Street, close to Winchester Cathedral.
Dr Sandra Steel lives in a home on the adjacent St Swithun Street and spoke for residents at the planning meeting."The spreading roots cause structural damage," she said.Adding that "our historic houses are particularly vulnerable".Some of the properties on the road date back to the 17th Century and Ms Steel said there was evidence of "cracks in garden walls".She added that it was increasing the insurance of the local houses.Despite these claims the council approved the protection order and said further evidence would need to be provided to consider the felling of the tree.On hearing that verdict, Ms Steel said: "You are waiting for our houses to fall down I guess."Speaking after the meeting she said they all "feel extremely angry" and called it "quite ridiculous"."An oak tree belongs an open area or a forest, not in gardens of historic houses," Ms Steel added.
At least nine residents raised concerns about the tree's proximity and size after they said it had grown by 6ft (1.8m) in the last year.They said that the height and mass of the tree combined with unpredictable weather patterns could lead to serious damage to properties or injury of residents.They argued that any sustainable management plan would require pruning on a five-year cycle, which is seen as an unfair and impractical burden on residents.The objectors added that the tree, which they claim blocks light and sheds a substantial amount of leaves and debris.Council said it is willing to accept further reductions to previous cut points on a 5–10 year cycle to improve light penetration to surrounding properties.
You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Amazon is selling an ‘incredible fan' that's super quiet & powerful for its small size & can be mounted to the wall
WITH temperatures soaring, finding the perfect fan to keep you cool without disrupting your peace can feel like a never-ending quest. Enter the Honeywell TurboForce air circulator fan - your new best friend for beating the heat. 3 3 This compact yet powerful fan packs a punch, with air movement you can feel from up to seven metres away. Its aerodynamic design maximises cooling without taking up too much space, making it ideal for small to medium-sized rooms. Whether you need it perched on a table, mounted on the wall, or quietly working away on the floor, this versatile fan has you covered. And it only costs £24.95. The Honeywell fan features three speed settings and a 90-degree oscillating head to help you find your perfect breeze. Plus, with its discreet low noise operation, you won't have to worry about it interrupting your sleep, conversations, or focus. It's perfect for any room, whether it's your bedroom, lounge, or even your office. If you're looking for a reliable way to stay cool this summer, this fan's blend of portability, power, and quiet performance makes it a must-have. Shoppers have already rushed to the review section on the Amazon site, as it's been given a 4.5 star rating out of five. Giving a detailed review, one shopper wrote: 'Firstly, this is a lot bigger than I expected. 'Secondly WOW. I use fans a lot, and over the years have got through several, but none have had as strong a 'wind' as this and has a brilliant airflow. Everyone can see the sun in this hot weather scene - but you're a genius if you can spot 5 differences in under 10 seconds 'Even I may get chilli with this one, maybe. 'It is quieter than several I have had but not the quietest, but I personally like the white noise of a fan so that doesn't bother me. 'I do have it on the table right beside my bed but obviously if further away the sound would be even quieter. It is so powerful it's utterly brilliant for me.' They went on to explain the 'only problem' which is the off switch on the fan. There is absolutely no way it will hurt the dog even if he puts his face on it, and the grill will not fall off if the fan is knocked over Review The shopper continued: 'If you have to turn it off you have to reach over it and turn the dial through 1,2 and 3 to get to the off and it is quite fiddly. 'I personally prefer a designated 'off' button. But, for me, that is a small incontinence in exchange for such a powerful fan.' The shopper praised the quality of the fan as well. They said: 'It seems well enough made, it works, I have the black and it looks good and although plastic doesn't feel cheap and is sturdy and substantial enough to do its job and be cleaned. 'Another thing I particularly like is that as a dog owner the blades are well enough back from the grill and the grill itself if very substantial and built into the unit. 3 'There is absolutely no way it will hurt the dog even if he puts his face on it, and the grill will not fall off if the fan is knocked over.' A second added: 'FAN-tastic! (I had too haha) 'I have mounted this fan above my bed as its wall mountable and wow, it's amazing! Quiet enough and has three speed settings. 'Airflow is good and very sturdy. '10/10 for value for money and was with me the next morning. Perfect for this beautiful weather. 'Highly recommended.' A third said: 'Get one. You won't be sending it back. It's fantastic. No need for a big fan on a stand. 'This is compact, powerful and more than does the job. My dog has sat in front of it constantly. Great price. Extremely pleased.'
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Headlines: 'Cycle lane anger' and 'major crash'
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories Sunday marked Windrush Day, which was celebrated in the St Paul's area of Bristol with a commemorative walk organised by the group Steppin' Sistas, Bristol Live reported. Hundreds of people reacted to the Swindon Advertiser's report about a preacher banned from Swindon town centre who has denied returning to the area.A Gloucestershire Live article on the reaction to work on a cycle lane being installed in Gloucester city centre also generated a lot of conversation online, with locals branding the work as "disgraceful". Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media Hundreds of people have shared an urgent appeal from Wiltshire Police for any witnesses to a crash on the M4 late on Sunday night, in which a woman died and nine others were left injured. Here's our latest story on this has been a lot of love online for Glastonbury's new Power of One campaign, which has been launched online ahead of the festival opening its gates this week. Swindon Borough Council has praised the dedication of volunteer "street reps" who have been busy tidying up the Penhill area of the city.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Mystery EuroMillions winner has two days to claim £1M prize
A EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker winner has only two days left to claim a £1,000,000 prize from a 27 December draw. The winning ticket, with code XDQM36414, was purchased in Wiltshire, and the deadline to claim is Wednesday. National Lottery operator Allwyn has made extensive appeals for the mystery winner to come forward over the past six months. If the prize remains unclaimed, the £1,000,000 and any accrued interest will be allocated to the National Lottery Good Causes fund. Lottery winners have 180 days to claim their winnings, and unclaimed funds support various community and national projects nationwide.
