Monkey Puzzle tree felling approved

A resident has been authorised to chop down a fast-growing tree that she says risks pushing over an historic wall on top of parked cars and passing pedestrians.

But Emma Jones has been told that if she needs to be rid of the Monkey Puzzle tree before the end of the bird nesting season in October she might have to call in an experienced ecologist.

In raising ‘no objection’ to the work being carried out, planners said:  “If it is necessary for work to commence during the nesting season then a pre-commencement inspection for active bird nests must be carried out.

“If vegetation cannot be clearly seen to be clear of bird nests then an experienced ecologist should be called in to carry out the check. Only if there are no active nests present should work be allowed to commence.”

An active nest is one being built, containing eggs or chicks, or on which fledged chicks are still dependent. There is a maximum fine of £5,000 per bird, nest or egg and/or up to six months imprisonment for offences.

Mrs Jones has also been told that any trees “which contain features which have the potential to be used by roosting bats should be subject to an assessment and survey. If any bats are discovered on site at any point during the tree works then work must halt immediately.”

It is a criminal offence to kill, injure, capture or disturb a bat, or damage, destroy or obstruct access to a bat roost. There is a maximum fine of £5,000 per incident or bat and/or up to six months imprisonment for such offences.

Mrs Jones has told Telford & Wrekin Council that there has already been a partial collapse in narrow Church Road, in Coalbrookdale, a couple of years ago but “thankfully, no cars were parked there at the time, and no pedestrians were passing by.” The tree is in a conservation area. 

That happened a couple of years ago, and the wall was repaired, but there are signs that the fast-growing Monkey Puzzle tree is putting pressure on the wall again.

Story by David Tooley – Local Democracy Reporter
Pic: Telford Live