Two groups of trees in the Ross-on-Wye area are of five set to receive special protection in Herefordshire.
Five trees, or group of trees, in Herefordshire will receive Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) in light of concerns that they could be at risk from development.
These orders are however, “provisional” until after a six month consultation period. During this consultation period, objections can be lodged.
The first of the five to be protected are the trees surrounding Penyard House, between Western under Penyard and Ross-on-Wye.
The trees around this 200-year-old country house include a giant sequoia, cedar, veteran Indian bean tree, mature yew and Scots pine.
A planning application was made a year ago to scale back what has been a country hotel and turn some of the vacated space into nearly 50 new homes.
Herefordshire council said this “change and intensification of use is perceived to cause threat and stress to the long-term health and retention of the trees.”
The second tree is a mature beech located at The Rectory in Ross-on-Wye. Hereford diocese applied last October to fell the tree. They claimed it caused excessive shade and posed a risk from falling branches. But, Herefordshire Council said there was nothing wrong with the tree. The council said it “provides a high level of public amenity value” as well as “a significant volume of green infrastructure” to the town.
The three remaining trees/ groups of trees to receive Tree Preservation Orders include the trees at Hardwick Bank in Bromyard which are predominately ash and oak, the mature oak at Cotts Lane in Lugwardine, one of only two mature trees left, and the Trees at Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School in Tupsley, Hereford.
Herefordshire Council decided each tree or group of trees needed to be preserved to protect the retention of the trees and removal wasn’t deemed necessary according to the planning applications submitted.
The council does not appear to have a facility to view or comment on the provisional Tree Preservation Orders online.