Lewes District Council save 'landmark tree' in Seaford
The beautiful 60FT Monterey Cypress will not be felled.
Specialist tree officers from Lewes District Council are celebrating after preventing the felling of a 'magnificent' sixty-foot Monterey Cypress tree.
Despite the 'landmark tree' being the subject of a council tree preservation order, a local resident applied to have it cut down.
While Lewes District Council refused to grant the request to remove the tree, the resident appealed the decision to the government's planning inspector and a hearing was recently convened.
The planning inspector, Melvyn Middleton, heard evidence from council arboriculturists and the Seaford resident.
In dismissing the appeal, Mr Middleton described the Monterey Cypress as a 'landmark tree' and said, 'the removal of the tree would result in harm to the character and appearance of the wider area'.
Reflecting on the wider role played by the tree, the planning inspector added, 'this mature tree will be providing ecological benefits for the local wildlife hierarchy'.
Councillor Emily O'Brien, Cabinet Member for Climate, Nature and Food Systems, said:
"I am thrilled that the determined and expert work by our council officers prevailed in this matter and we saved what is undoubtedly one of the finest tall trees in Seaford.
"When I consider my Cabinet role and the focus of this whole council administration, this magnificent Monterey Cypress encapsulates everything good that I and my colleagues are doing in Lewes district.
"I want to thank the officers involved for their expertise and professionalism in presenting our case to the planning inspector so clearly and effectively."
For more information about the council's extensive work with trees in Lewes district, please visit: www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/trees-and-hedges
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