It's beautifully formed - but one of Cleethorpes' most cherished trees might soon look a little lopsided

A beautiful approach to Cleethorpes seafront - but how much will surgery change shape of the tree? (photo: NELC)

A DATE with the dreaded chainsaw  beckons for one of Cleethorpes' most cherished trees.

At today's North East Lincolnshire Council planning meeting, members voted 6-4 in favour of an application for the mature and healthy sycamore  - located in a private garden on Queen's Parade - to be lopped on its east side.

Consent was granted  even though the tree is covered by a preservation order and the measure is likely both to unbalance and to wound it.

Why such drastic action? Because of a complaint  that birds perching on its branches poop over two car-parking spaces at the rear of the adjacent Waterfront apartment block.

During the hour-long debate, Cllr Ian Lindley (Con, Scartho) spoke up for the proposal. "We don't like to see trees chopped and hacked willy-nilly, but this tree should have been pollarded regularly", he insisted. 

"It needs urgent attention. People should not get hung up about what we do with trees - this one needs urgent attention. It is in desperate need of a maintenance schedule."

Cllr Janet Goodwin (Lab, South) disagreed. "I am totally against the application," she declared. "The tree is absolutely beautiful. Why do we have to hack it?"   

Also opposed was committee vice-chairman Cllr Nick Pettigrew (Con, Waltham) who noted that a subsequent application - submitted by the owner of the tree and to be determined at a later date - is seeking an all-round approach to pruning that will safeguard the overall appearance of the tree.

"Surely, it would be more sensible to pause, then adopt a holistic approach," he argued.

Also unhappy with the proposal were  Cllr Loyd Emmerson (Lib-Dem, East Marsh) and Cllr Paul Bright (Ind, Freshney), with the latter expressing concerns about "visual amenity" if the surgery proceeds.

He also queried whether support for the application would be in accordance with tree preservation regulations and NELC's own Trees Policy. 

The committee also heard from NELC's trees officer, Paul Chaplin, who favoured the application but whose comments about tree "growth points" probably  went over the heads of most, if not all, of those in attendance.

Responded Cllr Kevin Shutt (Lab, Heneage): "I don't know about trees - I'm not a tree expert

"I want to do the right things by this one, and I trust Mr Chaplin to do the right thing."

There was also a contribution from a member of the public, Dr Keith Collett, who warned that the proposed action would leave the tree "lopsided and incredibly unbalanced". 

He added: "There is no reason for this work to be done."

No member of the public spoke in favour of the application at the meeting. Nor indeed was any individual named in the written application which was submitted by an organisation called the 'Waterfront Residents' Association'.

In a preamble to the debate, NELC's planning supremo, Martin Dixon, commented: "We get similar applications all the time - it is an issue of general tree management.

"The objections from the public  have been well articulated and given due consideration, but it is not felt that this proposal will be to the detriment of the street scene."

The agent for the application is Grimsby-based Acer Tree Care  which, it is understood, will be asked to carry out the controversial pruning works at a date unknown.

                                            

The tree is feeding, breeding and roosting habitat for robins and other birds - but unfortunately some 'poop' over the parking spaces beneath (photo: NELC)