OVERGROWN trees in Pershore town centre could be removed and replaced as soon as next month, the Observer can report.
The potential conclusion to the saga was revealed at a meeting of Pershore Town Council last Thursday (September 11) by former town mayor Coun Charles Tucker.
Speaking on behalf of the absent Coun Liz Tucker, he said the trees could be cut down in October or January next year at the latest following discussions with Worcestershire County Council’s Highways officers.
But any chance of cutting the trees down immediately have been scrapped as Wychavon District Council officers require formal notification as the trees are located within the Pershore Conservation Area.
The Observer reported last month on town councillor Chris Parsons anger at the trees in Broad Street which were blocking residents natural daylight and were so high to the extent one of the residents had to keep their light on in their bedroom during
daytime summer hours.
Coun Liz Tucker met with with highways chiefs in her role as county councillor for the town to discuss the situation further
and investigate the problem.
And at Thursday’s meeting councillors agreed for town clerk Ann Dobbins to write to the district council to resolve the
situation as soon as possible by replacing the trees at the earliest available opportunity.
Jim Burgin, heritage manager at Wychavon District Council, said: “We haven’t received a formal notification for the removal of trees in Broad Street in Pershore, but we are aware of proposals by Worcestershire County Council to carry out works to
address a range of reported problems including root damage to the paving surface and overshadowing to properties.
“As the trees are within the Pershore Conservation Area, we require six weeks notification of the intention to carry out any
works to the trees in question.
“This will enable us to carry out the necessary consultations with local residents to gauge their opinions and explore options which help balance the need to deal with the identified problems whilst protecting the conservation value provided by the
trees.”
A Worcestershire County Council spokeswoman told the Observer the county council were set to meet with Wychavon officers in the near future to discuss the situation.
