HEALTH and safety concerns led to the removal of dead and dangerous trees within the conservation area of Whitehaven town centre.

Retrospective planning approval has been sought from Copeland Borough Council by Home Group for the removal of dead and dangerous trees on Windmill Brow, Whitehaven.

Copeland Borough Council’s Development Control department gave authorisation to remove the tress on health and safety grounds, applying for retrospective approval.

Home Group swiftly removed the trees when they were deemed to be unsafe.
Documents from the council’s planning portal reveal that five dead Sorbus trees were in need of removal on a verge that had previously seen the same issue.

All of the trees marked for removal had entered an “advanced state of decay” within the last 12 months.

In a letter to the council’s planning department, Home Group’s landscape co-ordinator for the North West Ruth Walsh said: “I believe that this tree is unstable and poses a health and safety issue to pedestrians, vehicles and property in the immediate surrounding area.”

Copeland’s Development Control department said: “The trees can be removed on Health and Safety grounds and then retrospectively apply for their removal. 

They said: “The application that is submitted should be accompanied by a report that demonstrates the condition of the trees and also sets out replanting proposals and timescales.”

One of the Sorbus trees were showed signs of the Ganoderma fungus.

Home Group decided that the decaying trees were becoming a health risk to the public due to their proximity to the road.

A number of trees are set to be planted as replacements along Windmill Brow.

Along with their retrospective application to remove the trees, Home Group has said that it would plant Betula Utilis Jacquemontii Snow Queen trees in their place, hoping that it will bring  “diversity and interest within the conservation area.”

The public can comment on planning applications made to Copeland Borough Council’s Development Control department for there area.

To view this application, visit: https://www.copeland.gov.uk/planning/application/4212359tpo