Appeal to chop down playing field trees in Bristol - due to impact on garden vegetable patch

The fate of three tall trees on the edge of a playing field in Kingswood will be decided later this week. An oak, sycamore and horse chestnut lie on the northern end of the Lees Hill playing field, but block light from a south-facing adjacent garden.

The three trees were recently protected by a tree preservation order (TPO), placed by South Gloucestershire Council, after concerns that future owners of the garden would chop them down. But the current owners of the garden are now objecting to the new preservation order.

The TPO was made after a potential buyer of the garden contacted the council, saying they feared the three large trees would make it difficult to grow fruit and vegetables. The council’s development management committee will hear objections on Thursday, February 16.

A committee report said: “The member of the public asked if it were likely that permission would be granted to remove the trees. They were concerned about the lack of light and the ability to grow fruit and vegetables. This is understandable as the garden is south-facing and the trees are on the southern boundary — therefore shading the area in question.”

After the potential buyer of the garden contacted the council in October last year, an arboricultural officer went to the playing field to inspect the three trees. Shortly after, the council made the TPO, and sent a copy to the current owners of the property, as the trees “provide amenity to the playing field, screening and wildlife habitat”.

The current owners then wrote back to the council, objecting to the order and saying any decision on the fate of the trees should rest with themselves or future owners. A TPO legally protects a tree from being chopped down, with a threat of a fine from £2,500 to £20,000. The development management committee will decide whether to keep or overturn the order.