AN application to cut a 60-foot mature Sycamore down to ten foot has been roundly rejected by Falmouth Town Council's planning committee.
The owner of house in Longfield, Falmouth says the large sycamore has grown out of an old Cornish wall at the rear of their garden and now stands at around 60ft.
They are concerned that in the recent high winds the roots can be seen lifting and they are extremely concerned about the safety of the tree. They say it is within easy striking distance of the houses either side.
The applicants want to remove all the area marked with yellow
"It's obvious that the Sycamore has grown up next to a mature Oak and is now having an adverse effect on the Oak and the surrounding area," they say in their application. "They want to reduce the Sycamore down to a ten foot stump/pollard which would then re-grow from that height in a much more manageable format, that can be pruned with greater ease and reduce any risk of damage.
But at meeting of Falmouth Town Council's planning committee on Monday, councillors said they could not recommend approval for pruning the tree as it was part of one of Falmouth's last remaining wildlife corridors.
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In his report to the council, Falmouth tree officer Simon Penna said he was struggling with this application.
"This is one of a number of mature trees that grow along this hedge that goes for quite some distance through the Longfield Estate and in my view would set an unacceptable precedent," he said.
Cllr Deborah Clegg said the tree was part of a wildlife corridor.
"It's as good as it's going to get and I don't think it should go, it's horrible."
Cllr Steve Eva said the application was against the tree preservation order and they should stand by the TPO. He said he was not adverse to it being done but not to the extent that was being asked.
The homeowners say the roots have been exposed
Councillors recommend refusal as the proposed works are radical, the mature trees form part of the wildlife corridor and should remain TPO protected.
A final decision is still to be taken by Cornwall Council.
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