Falmouth tree felling called off in showdown by angry locals

It's reported that Cornwall Council workers have called off their action to fell three healthy trees in Falmouth - after a vocal campaign by angry locals.

They've been begging the local authority to 'stop the chop' of lime trees - with flowers being left there 'as a mark of respect' about the strong feeling against their removal.

The local authority says it appreciates the strong local feeling - but it has a duty to ensure the trees aren’t a potential hazard to pedestrians, traffic and nearby houses.

However, at least for today, this action has been called off, with a police officer at the scene calling it 'clearly an emotive subject'.

And with there being no ecology report produced on the trees, the authority has been advised that there will be no felling at this point - to make sure that what is being done is indeed 'the right thing to do'.

Read more: Residents beg local authority to 'stop the chop' of lime trees

The 60-year-old trees are within the town’s conservation area on Trelawney Road, with the campaigners believing that as they are not dead, dying or posing an imminent risk, they should be protected under law.

Residents stopped the council chopping the trees down in December and since then members of Stop the Chop! have been asking the local authority to explain the grounds for such drastic action.

They say they have received “slow, limited and opaque replies”, with the council telling the campaigners last week that there is an “overriding legal imperative” for the works to proceed.

The council has said it will plant four new trees on the street in “specialist tree pits placed in purpose-built islands”.

Cornwall councillor Laurie Magowan, who represents Falmouth’s Arwenack division, said: “I have been working closely with senior officers and the portfolio holder to share the concerns of local residents, who are understandably upset and angry about the replacement of these mature trees.

“A key issue is the proportionality of the action being taken versus the current or potential impact of the trees in question."

Last week the Mayor of Falmouth, Alan Rowe, wrote to Cornwall Council’s highways wing saying: “I cannot express strongly enough that I do not want to see any inference in the future to Falmouth Town Council’s complicity in this (decision to fell the trees) as we were not given the information required to make a complete determination.”

Campaigners submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding the Exception Notice placed on the three trees by Cornwall Council in March 2024 but were told on Wednesday that “this information should be withheld from you”.

Last week, a council spokesperson said: “We can appreciate the strong feeling generated by this decision – we seek to retain all trees wherever possible and their removal is very much a last resort. However, under the Highways Act we have legal duty to ensure that trees growing on footpaths and within the public highway do not pose a potential hazard to pedestrians, traffic and nearby properties.

“We have reviewed alternative measures such as root removal and root barriers, but unfortunately these works cannot be undertaken without compromising the health and integrity of the trees as well as creating further hazard to members of the public.

“Following consultation with local residents, Cornwall councillors and stakeholders including Falmouth Town Council, we will replace the trees with four trees planted in specialist tree pits placed in purpose-built islands between the existing parking areas.”

Devon and Cornwall Police told us: "Police were notified of a group of people protesting about the felling of some trees on Trelawney Road, Falmouth at around 8am today, Monday 17 March.

"Officers attended to ensure there was no breach of the peace.

"Sector Inspector Rick Milburn liaised with contractors at the scene and advised them that the felling should not occur until further discussions had taken place between the relevant parties.

"The decision is a matter for Cornwall Council."

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