Residents out on a limb

Matua residents are locked in another battle to save trees blocking a development on one of Tauranga's most desirable stretches of road.
Dr Wen-Cheng and Karin Huang have applied for planning permission to fell two protected trees on their property at 79 Waratah St.
The application has sparked widespread protests from residents, some of whom were involved in the unsuccessful campaign to save pohutukawa trees which blocked harbour views from another separately owned development site further down the street.
The Huangs want to fell a magnolia tree and copper beech tree and carry out works within the dripline of a tulip tree. All three trees are on the council's register of notable and landscape trees.
A fourth non-protected liquid amber tree stands in the way of construction of the Huangs' plans to build a new family home on their 3057sq m property and a future smaller family home.
The hearing before independent commissioner Alan Dormer starts next Thursday at Tauranga City Council's main chamber.
The Huangs' application has attracted 16 opponents and 7 supporters. One of the opposing submissions from Barbara and Anthony Johnson of 105 Waratah St includes a petition from 23 others.
The Johnsons argued that protected trees contribute significantly to the beauty and aesthetics of Matua which only had a small number of other botanically valuable trees. Another opponent Lucilla Carter said Matua lacked mature trees and the group of trees were a visual landmark at the end of Fergusson Park. She argued the house should be designed around the trees.
Nine of the opposing submitters lived in Waratah St, compared with three of those who supported the Huangs. The strongest supporters of the application came from immediate neighbours to the trees, the Currie family at 85 Waratah St and the O'Donoghue family at 77 Waratah St. They submitted the trees blocked sunlight, with leaves and debris clogging gutters and creating a general mess.
Council senior environmental planner Natalie Rutland has recommended refusing consent to remove the two landscape trees and for works to take place within the dripline of the tulip tree.