FATE OF VILLAGE PINE TREES HINGES ON DECISION OF PLANNING INSPECTOR

Protected since 1966 - the future of seven of  these trees is now in doubt

A DECISION is expected soon on the fate of seven historic trees in Great Coates.

The Corsican pines at 94 Station Road are part of a clump protected by a preservation order imposed in 1966 - the year England won the World Cup.

But householder Antony Randell is keen  to see them felled  because he says they cause various problems - for instance excessive shading to his back garden and root damage to the drains and driveway at the  front of his property.

In addition, he reckons his drive cannot safely  be used for parking cars because the paintwork risks being damaged by  bird droppings and falling cones.

However, earlier this year, his application to have the trees felled was refused by North East Lincolnshire Council on the advice of  the authority's trees officer, Paul Chaplin, who said in a report: "The loss of the pine trees would have an adverse impact.

"They are of significant amenity value, being prominent in the street scene as well as contributing to the tree cover within the Great Coates Conservation Area as well as its character and visual amenity.  

"The felling of these trees is considered an extreme solution  as other forms of tree management are possible to alleviate many, if not all, of the reasons for felling."

Following the NELC refusal, Mr Randell lodged an appeal which is currently being considered by an independent inspector who is expected to announce his verdict within the next few weeks.