Council Faces Accusations of Illegally Felling Mature Oak Tree

Local residents residing near the stump of a recently felled oak tree have accused their council of unlawfully removing it. This English oak, located on Washford Road in Meole village, Shrewsbury, was cut down during the final days of October. Councillor Bernie Bentick characterized the action as “an act of environmental vandalism” and asserted its illegality due to the absence of public consultation. Shropshire Council, however, refuted claims that the decision violated legal statutes, stating in communications reviewed by the BBC that the choice was made prior to a legislative amendment. Councillor Dan Morris indicated that a replacement oak tree would be provided to the village as a “gesture of goodwill.” The council had sanctioned the tree’s removal in November 2023, preceding by several weeks a legal alteration mandating that local highway authorities engage with the public before removing trees on urban thoroughfares. The authority opted to fell the oak, which lacked a preservation order, following intermittent complaints from a nearby resident since 2015 regarding its proximity to their property. Furthermore, tree specialists employed by the Conservative-led council noted that a nearby sweet chestnut tree had been planted too close to the English oak. Nevertheless, they chose to retain the more recently planted tree, considering it “the optimal specimen.” An initial attempt to fell the oak in March was postponed until October after nesting birds were discovered. “This has caused huge consternation in the village and I’ve received lots of complaints about it,” stated Liberal Democrat councillor Bernie Bentick. He continued, “I’ve been absolutely shocked by the arrogance of the the trees and highways departments at Shropshire Council in completely ignoring local people and felling a mature oak tree in the middle of our community.” Councillor Bentick added, “I feel very sad that part of the lungs of Meole village, that soak up carbon emissions, has been felled without any regard.” Bentick contended that the council’s removal of the oak tree was unlawful due to its failure to adhere to a legislative amendment, which took effect on 30 November 2023, mandating public consultation for the felling of street trees in England. Conversely, in the correspondence reviewed by the BBC, the authority disputed any legal transgression, asserting that the highway officer made the decision to fell the tree “prior to the new duty coming into force.” Andy Marpole, a resident of the village, remarked that the tree “should be here after we’ve gone, our children have gone and our grandchildren have gone.” He further stated, “It should be here for hundreds of years but it won’t be because of council incompetence.” Marpole drew a parallel, adding, “The felling of the Sycamore Gap tree was deemed a criminal act and I don’t see what the difference is here.” During Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, Councillor Morris, who holds the highways portfolio for the council, read a statement asserting: “The officers who took the decision to fell the oak tree were acting in good faith to resolve the long running issues that a resident was raising.” He concluded by adding, “As a gesture of goodwill, the tree team leader will be able to supply a new oak tree to be planted at an appropriate location in the village.”