Councillors have upheld a decision to protect hundreds of trees at a much-loved wildlife haven from being felled by quarry owner Hanson. The company has applied for planning permission to build a haulage road at its Chipping Sodbury site, which would involve removing a swathe of woodland at a site of nature conservation interest.
It was only when this was submitted in April that South Gloucestershire Council officers realised the trees were not protected and could be chopped down, so they issued a tree preservation order spanning a total of 4,105 square metres across two sites. Hanson objected, calling the decision “disappointing” and arguing the order, which covers land either side of Brinsham Lane and another off Gravel Hill Road North, was unnecessary because it had proven itself to be a responsible landowner over 150 years in the area.
But the development management committee upheld the TPO. However, it is only a temporary reprieve because it would be overridden if members subsequently grant permission for the road linking Southfields and Brinsham West quarries, the meeting heard.
