Shropshire Council Apologizes for Erroneous Oak Tree Removal

The council has issued an apology for a “procedural error” that resulted in the removal of a healthy oak tree. Local residents expressed anger following the felling of the tree in Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, which occurred on October 25. Shropshire Council had made the decision to remove the tree after receiving a complaint from a resident. However, a legal amendment implemented last November mandates that councils responsible for highway maintenance must engage in public consultation prior to felling an urban tree. Shrewsbury Liberal Democrat councillor Bernie Bentick characterized the mistake as “shocking” and “incompetent.” The English oak, situated on Washford Road in Meole village, was estimated to be approximately 40 years old. The resident living nearby had lodged complaints for eight years concerning its closeness to their property. Furthermore, tree officers noted that a sweet chestnut tree in the vicinity had been planted excessively close to the English oak, but they opted to retain the newer tree, considering it “the optimal specimen.” Initially, the council contended that it had not violated the law, asserting that the decision to fell the tree predated its receipt of updated legislation from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Dan Morris, the Conservative-run council’s portfolio holder for highways, affirmed on Wednesday that the officers responsible for the felling decision were not required to conduct a consultation. Nevertheless, the following day, an email from the planning team was dispatched to Bentick, offering an unreserved apology for the mistake. The email stated, “Whilst the initial decision and instruction to fell was taken prior to the Duty coming into force, it is now apparent that officers should have subsequently reviewed the instruction to Shrewsbury Town Council to fell the tree”. In an interview conducted after the BBC had reviewed the email, Morris indicated that the technical violation stemmed from relatively recent legislation. He added, “The officer responsible in the department has apologised and the officers involved are now implementing the new policy.” He further mentioned that a new oak tree would be provided to the village as a “gesture of goodwill.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.