200-year-old tree faces the chop despite opposition from residents

Abington Dental Practice wants to remove the horse chestnut tree within its grounds on Billing Road, but requires planning permission to do so as it is protected under a tree preservation order.

More than 90 complaints have been submitted against the proposals from angry residents, who want to see the historic tree retained.

But members of Northampton Borough Council’s planning committee will have the final say when it meets virtually next week (July 7). And the report they will read from council planning officers agrees that the tree should be felled.

An inspection by an arboricultural officer at the end of May found the tree was in ‘a poor and declining condition’, while the owner of the dental practice is said to ‘not be comfortable with the level of risk’ the tree poses. Consultants for the applicant claim it has already cracked a wall.

But 90 objections from residents focused on the tree’s ‘significant presence’ in the area and that it made a ‘major contribution’ to public amenity. One letter submitted to the council states: “To cut this ancient tree down is an absolute crime – just for convenience! We need to be planting trees not cutting them down.”

One of the conditions for the removal of the tree is that a new one is planted in its place, but the final decision rests with councillors next week.