At a recent Planning Committee meeting of Buckingham Town Council, members expressed their disappointment and concern that Buckinghamshire Council had approved the application to lift the crown of an elm tree situated within the Buckingham Conservation Area at the junction of Elm Street and Castle Street. The order allows for branches below 4 metres from the ground to be removed.
The Town Council had previously objected to this work on the grounds that 4 metres was too much, and that in any case the contractor must be mindful of the nesting season. The tree is surrounded by stonework which commemorates an elm tree on this site as early as 1574, and a bench, both of which the Town Council considers to be important to the street scene. A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was requested to provide better future protection but was refused.
Cllr. Jane Mordue, Chair of the Planning Committee, said:
‘Elms are known for their majestic, cathedral-like canopy and this particular tree is a focal point in the street scene, occupying a historic position leading up to the former castle and now the parish church. These two factors led the Council to express strong concern over the planned proposals. Whilst crowning is a normal process the extent proposed is disproportionate and we urge Buckinghamshire Council to maintain the correct ratio, keeping two thirds of the tree’s volume at least.’
Notes:
- For enquiries, please contact Claire Molyneux at Buckingham Town Council on 01280 816426, communications@buckingham-tc.gov.uk