Council confirms situation surrounding Grantham Avenue tree damage

The Warrington Guardian reported last month how residents were up in arms over action they perceived to constitute ‘reckless and senseless vandalism’.

Those living on Grantham Avenue in Walton said they were woken on March 1 to the sound of chainsaws against a tree – believed to be around 100 years old – between numbers six and eight.

Neighbours rushed out and surrounded the tree in a bid to save it, but it is feared the deep marks in the trunk may have caused ‘irreparable and irrevocable harm’.

Council workers were called to the site and have attempted to make the tree safe for the public, but it is feared it will now need to be removed due to the damage caused.

One resident living opposite the tree was quoted as saying: “This reckless and senseless vandalism is appalling.”

Warrington Borough Council has now issued a statement, with a spokesman confirming: “There is no tree preservation order on this tree, which is situated within the highway and is owned by the council.

“A previous application for the construction of a new house and access was granted planning permission by the Planning Inspectorate at appeal, and the implementation of this consent would necessitate the removal of the tree.

“The granting of planning permission differs from land/property ownership issues, and the council continues to investigate this matter as land owner.

“A more recent application on the site for a new dwelling and access was refused on March 28, 2024, because of its impact on neighbours and for design reasons.

“This decision however does not supersede that previously made by the Planning Inspectorate for a different proposal.”

The land behind the tree is the subject of plans to build a new house with access, submitted by former Liverpool footballer Zak Whitbread.

Plans were previously rejected in January 2020, but the retired defender, who grew up in Runcorn, won a planning row with the council after the Planning Inspectorate found in favour of his appeal.

The council’s development management committee had previously unanimously rejected the scheme during a Town Hall meeting on the grounds that it would not be in-keeping with the area.

Damage has been caused to a mature lime tree

Councillors also said it would be ‘detrimental’ to neighbouring properties, with further worries over the removal of an old tree on the site.

But the appeal was successful for the three-storey, four-bedroom home, which also boasted its own cinema and a dressing room.

Fresh plans were submitted in September and stated: “While some works have commenced on the site, including the digging of part of the foundations, it has been concluded that market conditions require an alternative design of the dwelling previously approved.

“In this case this would mean that a smaller house than that which has received approval would be more marketable.”

They went on to say: “Mature tree planting within the grass verge on the northern side of Grantham Avenue adds to the ‘leafy’ character of the street scene.

“These street trees are not well maintained, with basal growth commonly obstructing the footpath and with occasional severe crown lopping.

“There is some evidence of root disturbance to the footpath. No trees on the site or within the street are subject to any protection.

“The creation of a new access to serve the proposed development will require the removal of one of these trees. It is proposed to replace this tree with additional planting within the site.”

The new plans, under reference 2023/01152/FUL, received several letters of objection, as well as from Simon Twigg, the council’s tree and woodland officer.

He said: “These trees form a prominent feature of the immediate street scene within Grantham Avenue and are a pleasing group, offering significant amenity value.

“I cannot support the removal request at this time; as this removal would both disrupt the reasonably uniformed linear group and could set a precedent for further, future removals.

“Should this tree be removed, any replacement would take a significant number of years to achieve a similar stature and amenity value offering.”

The council has now refused permission for these plans, stating: “The proposal would have an unacceptable detrimental impact on the privacy of the neighbouring property to the rear, due to the insufficient separation distance to the rear boundary.”

It also said: “The proposal would not represent good quality design and would not reinforce the character of the area or the street scene.”