Wednesday 17th July 9.02am

Garstang residents have raised concerns that two iconic sycamore trees on Nateby Crossings Lane which greet visitors to the Bridgehouse Marina have had their Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) removed, and are to be imminently felled during nesting season for highways requirements as part of an approved development by Story Homes and Jones Homes to build 251 new dwellings.

I find it alarming that the TPOs have been revoked and the felling is due to happen during nesting season, particularly as the reason given is due to highways requirements, despite there being multiple other places for highways to access and link the development.

On top of this, Wyre Council’s Tree Officer had already recommended a revised landscape plan from the developers due to the lack of large trees.

There are a great many problems with our current planning system, including the massive lack of infrastructure and services which goes along with housebuilding, and this is particularly keenly felt around the Garstang area, where existing struggling GPs and schools coming under huge increased demand. This must change.

The Labour Government will soon be setting out its planning reform, including more nature-friendly house building (as supported by the RSPB), but even within the existing planning framework, the felling of these trees appears to be nonsensical for several reasons, and so I have challenged Wyre Council to answer some immediate questions and take urgent action to prevent the felling from taking place.

I have already raised an enquiry yesterday (Tuesday), and have been assured “The information has been passed to our Tree Officer who will be in contact with you.” but I hope that the Chief Executive can intervene here.