RESIDENTS in Lugtrout Lane are celebrating after successfully securing a Tree Preservation Order for a precious wildlife haven.
Last week the Solihull Observer told how local campaigner Patricia Jones and her neighbours had been devastated when they heard landowner, Adam Palmer, was planning to fell around 15 trees to make way for a new home.
The mum of six vowed she would chain herself to the trees if necessary to save them, and twice faced tree surgeons sent to chop them down.
An application was handed the borough council in May for a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) to protect them but had since heard nothing.
With fencing going up and a ‘no trespassers’ sign being erected, she rang her local Silhill councillor, Peter Hogarth, who rushed into action.
He secured site visits from the head of planning and council officers to assess the situation and was joined by his fellow Silhill councillors.
And he admitted he was delighted to find the TPO had been secured – but only just in the nick of time.
“If the lady had not contacted me a week ago when she did those trees would have been lost,” he said.
“As it is the TPO has been finalised and I received an email stating it had been served, a copy displayed on the land and given to the owner, despite the erection of fencing.
“It’s a good outcome for the residents. The trees are fine specimens. They were inspected by officers and the head of planning and they came up with a good score on quality.
“We are told that trees are our future and we are planting thousands of trees in Solihull and a new forest in the decades to come.
“Given that it seems foolish to remove such fine specimens.”
Patricia said: “I am absolutely ecstatic. Even when metal fences were erected I sat outside the land in my car in case they came to take down the trees.
“It’s been wonderful and our neighbours are delighted.
“I’m really appreciative of all Coun Hogarth has down and the other councillors. Those trees are 150-190 years old and had to be saved.”
The TPO is currently temporary and the of the landowner has a right to respond within six months.
