Application to chop down Monterey pines, Swanpool Falmouth

In a letter to Falmouth town council’s planning committee on Monday night, Philippa Tindle urged councillors to let her remove the trees in her neighbour’s garden that border her home in Swanpool.

The iconic Monterey Pines on the Helford are the same type of trees as in the application. Copyright Rod Allday

In her letter she said she had lived at the house for over 33 years since her late husband’s parents bought the field and built it in 1953.

She said the line of pines were probably planted in the mid 40s possibly to act as a windbreak but now blocked the light into her home.

“I realised last year, as I was not working as much and in the house and garden more, that the loss of natural light and warmth of the sun was impacting severely on the enjoyment of living in my own home,” she said.

“I am really saddened by this. I am retiring to look after my elderly mother who is also living here permanently now. This house and garden will be where we spend all our time. The wellbeing offered by natural light and outdoor activity is well documented.”

She said Swanpool had changed beyond recognition in her lifetime here and certainly for the lifetime of the pines. “I now believe it is time to acknowledge this and plan our environment for a different future,” she said.

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She said they should be replaced by either a variety of native trees, possibly oaks and new hedging planted to provide a habitat corridor.

Councillors were told that the applicant had now reduced the request from two to one pine. But while councillors sympathised with her plight they said this was not enough reason to recommend approval.

They were told by committee chairman Alan Rowe that removing just one pine could result in the deaths of all the others because they would be left exposed.

Councillors voted to recommend refusal.