THE future of 10 mature English oak trees in Willand in Mid Devon has been secured after councillors backed rules giving them legal protection.

The trees in Meadow Park were already protected by a preservation order which was granted in May but a local resident had challenged the order, claiming they were damaging his patio and obscuring light.

Councillors on Mid Devon’s planning committee heard on Wednesday, August 24 how the oaks were in good health and could be expected to live for at least 40 years.

The trees form part of a woodland, are historic to the local landscape and contribute significant wildlife benefits, according to council officers.

An objection was raised to the preservation order by David Uglow, a resident of Tamarind, whose garden is overlooked by the trees.

He suggested the trees were starting to cause damage to his patio and kennel and some branches were growing too close to his house and those of his neighbours, blocking light and dropping huge amounts of leaves.

He said he has needed to re-turf his garden three times in eight years after fallen leaves stopped grass growing.

Mr Uglow is worried roots could damage the foundations of his house.

He also queried whether the oak nearest to his home was within the area covered by the tree protection order.

Speaking at the meeting, non-aligned councillor for Lower Culm, Barry Warren, saw no reason to assume it wasn’t.

“The main area of woodland is owned and managed by the Woodland Trust,” he explained.

“And as far as I can recall, all these trees have always been treated as if they were owned by the Woodland Trust and came under that blanket tree protection order (TPO).

Cllr Warren also dismissed concerns about falling leaves.

“As far as leaves falling on the garden, well the trees were there before the house or before that person moved in,” he said.

The committee voted unanimously to keep the protection order in place and for it to cover all 10 oak trees in the area.

Philip Churm

LDRS