Fight to fell protected tree

A tree proposed to be removed at the back of 53 Wakefield, Bethlehem. Photo/John Borren

Difficulties trying to sell the last section in a Tauranga subdivision has sparked a bid to fell a protected notable tree.

Philippa Howcroft has applied to Tauranga City Council to remove the 32m high London plane tree sited at the boundary with 53 Wakefield Drive in Bethlehem.

The unsold section at 7 Edwin Grove, listed as being owned by Howcroft Developments Ltd, adjoins the tree.

A report to tomorrow's council hearing to consider felling the tree has recommended refusing the application. Environmental planner Kahurangi Tapsell acknowledged that the tree would shade a future development, create maintenance problems from leaf and debris fall, and reduce the flexibility of the building's design.

However he said that no other options were put forward by the applicant, whether by pruning or designing the house within the drip line of the tree.

Mr Tapsell's report said the crown of the tree extended about 7 metres into the vacant section and was one of a belt of three notable London plane trees that aerial photos showed were well established in 1977 - many years before the area was subdivided.

He argued that the reasons to remove the tree in the application had to be balanced against the need to maintain urban character, a key part of which were notable trees.

"I do not believe that the reasons put forward by the applicant were sufficient to warrant the tree's removal."

Richard Coles of Boffa Miskell who represented the applicant said the significant house maintenance issues with leaf drop had put off potential purchasers of the last unsold section in Edwin Grove.

Twenty eight residents in the immediate area of the belt of trees supported the application, eight opposed and two were neutral.

An additional six opponents of the felling came from further afield, mostly comprising people with views down onto the trees. A further three residents from outside the area backed the application, making the final count 31 in favour, 14 opposed and two neutral.