Neighbours living in a conservation area in Nottingham are divided over plans to cut down trees which allegedly 'pose danger to public'. Tom Foskrett, the current owner of a listed-building Sneinton Vicarage on Windmill Lane, has submitted a planning application to chop back a number of trees at the property.
The 34-year-old who works in IT says he aims to rejuvenate the garden surrounding the seven bedroom historical building. While he said that any changes made to building itself are done sensitively, a number of trees could face the chop.
He added: "We tried to make this garden look nice, we rejuvenated it. Some trees are very old, some are self-seeded, some are chocked by ivy. A few of them simply do not go with the garden.
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"A few months ago, a branch fell down - it could have been dangerous. Luckily it only fell in the bushes and no one was there when in happened."
He explained that the tree located next to the electricity station is also dangerous. Some neighbours said they wanted it gone for a long time", he added.
"The smaller trees in the planning application are also self-seeded, and if they are not chopped now they will grow as big as these old ones. The tree in the front of the house was very close to the house when we moved in, and I think that could have been dangerous too."
Three trees in the conservation area could face the chop, while other could have branches cut as they are providing "too much shadow" to the garden. Other neighbours in the area however said they 'could not believe' that their 'beloved' trees could be gone.
Jason Davies, a full time dad and resident on Windmill Lane, added: "I had to remove a tree from my backyard because it was dangerous so I have no problem with it if it has to be done. Obviously it is not nice because it would be beautiful to have more trees in Sneinton - that is the beauty of Sneinton."
The 51-year-old added: "I know how hard it is to get anything done to your property when it is a conservation area. My windows need changing and I had to apply for it."
He has lived at the property for six years and added: "If it poses a danger to the public, then they should be taken down, as sad as that is."
However, another resident who wished to remain anonymous added: "The tree next to the electricity station needs to go. I have always said that it is very dangerous.
"They pose a danger to the public because they are so close to the pavement as well. I do not pass near them - it is scary."
The application appears to have been submitted on the Nottingham City Council website on April 29. It received a constraint mention, stating that the property lies within The Old Sneinton Conservation Area.
