Row over bid to cut down oak trees in Ludlow
Two oak trees obscuring an iconic view across Ludlow have become the subject of row over plans to cut them down.
The trees on Whitcliffe Common, which boasts picturesque views over Ludlow, are set to get the chop as part of routine maintenance and clearing.
Shropshire Wildlife Trust has put in an application to fell the trees, among nine others on the common which it manages along with Friends of Whitcliffe Common.
But Ludlow Town Council has now resolved to object as more than 30 residents have called for the trees, which are currently unprotected, to stay.
The proposal for a round of tree felling on the common, which is a popular walking and cycling spot on the edge of Ludlow, says in both cases: "This tree is in a prominent place and is highly visible however it has grown to a size where it is starting to obscure the view from the top of the common.
"If allowed to regrow as coppice it will be a good resource for wildlife without blocking the view."
A decision on their fate is set to be made by Shropshire Council planning officers.
Robin Pote, chair of Ludlow Town Centre Residents association, is one of those objecting.
He said: "I see that the only justification for this action is to improve the view of the town from the car park by the road.
"It will only require a short walk to enjoy the full view from this vantage point.
"Can we really be considering the felling of 80 year old oaks with the only justification being to improve the view?
"I was head of science at Ludlow School for 20 years and my degree is in ecology.
"In my time at the school I hope that the majority of the hundreds of pupils that attended my classes would have learned to appreciate the value of a mature oak tree.
"To replace these two with coppices would be criminal.
"These trees are in the early adolescence of their lives and have literally hundreds of years of life left."
Peter Norman, acting as tree consultant to Ludlow Town Council, agreed, telling members this week that the felling should be prevented by a tree preservation order, and that the crowns of the oaks could be controlled by reducing or lifting them if necessary in the future.
Andy Boddington, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North said the aim of maintaining the views from the common to be enjoyed all was "laudable", but felling of healthy mature oaks was a step too far.
He said: "The objective to maintain views from the common should not lead to the loss of healthy trees.
"These two lovely oaks should be allowed to grow to maturity and become part of the Whitcliffe landscape."
He added neither he nor Ludlow Town Council had any problem with the loss of the other trees, some of which were unsafe.
