AN APPLICATION to remove a protection order on a tree in Caversham has been rejected.
Danala Services wanted permission to fell a poplar tree in Christchurch Meadows.
The firm had acquired a strip of land at the junction of Gosbrook Road and George Street. On it is roadside billboards and a number of trees.
Four trees have already been felled – one was ‘dead or dangerous’, while the others were cut down due to their poor condition.
The firm then submitted to Reading Borough Council an objection to the TPO for a remaining poplar, arguing allowing the tree to stand would be ‘dangerous’ due to its apparent decay.
Following a recommendation from council officers, the planning committee rejected the application at a meeting held on Wednesday, May 31.
Cllr Richard Davies (Labour, Thames), who has just joined committee, said: “It’s one tree, but every tree is really important in our climate emergency context that we have.
“When we agree to remove a tree, it would really need to be backed up by evidence that it needs to be removed and shouldn’t be preserved.
“It certainly hasn’t reached the threshold that we should not place a TPO on.”
He also expressed hopes that four removed trees will be replaced.
