Barking mad over 70ft trees!

A ROW over a group of 70ft high trees at Culcheth has led to an angry exchange of letters between neighbours – and the involvement of Warrington Borough Council ‘s arboriculture officer.
The mature sycamores form part of a belt of trees between Culcheth Hall Drive and Withington Avenue – some of which are covered by an existing Tree Preservation Order (TPO).
A Culcheth Hall Drive resident wants the sycamores protected by a TPO – but a resident of Withington Avenue does not.
He says a TPO would restrict his ability to prune the trees when they overhang his property.
Council arboriculturist John McKie says the trees are worthy of protection because they are of value to the character, appearance and amenity of the area. A TPO would not be prevented from justified and managed work on the trees, providing their continued wellbeing is paramount.
He also points out that it is anomalous for some of the trees to be protected while others are not.
The neighbour says the trees are “huge”, are only eight yards from his house and occupy the full length of his property. If they were Leylandii they would not be tolerated by law.
They eliminate sunlight, reducing the amount of daylight in his house and produce “an enormous volume of fallen leaves” which continually block gutters.
He adds: “The granting of a TPO severely restricts my ability to cut back any excessive branches and the local authority will therefore be denying me of my right to enjoy the unencumbered use of my home.”
Mr McKie is recommending a TPO on the trees be confirmed.