Coventry development faces backlash as protected trees cut back

Protected trees in Coventry were cut back so a garden building could be put up as part of a controversial development, it has emerged. Council officers say work to make sure they can re-grow

should take place as part of any planning go-ahead to make the block larger, a report says. The outbuilding will also be set back so it is not as close to a conservation zone after a

request from councillors. It comes after locals raised concerns over the work's impact on trees in the Spinney, a belt of trees on Kenilworth Road. The route is dubbed "one of the

most attractive entrances to any city in the country" and is a conservation area, so trees are protected. It borders 2 Gibbet Hill Road where the garden building was put up as part of a

wider scheme involving an extension to the house and new access. READ MORE: Outcry over plans for 93 homes in Coventry with huge objections Swimming pool on one of Coventry's most

exclusive streets set to be demolished The work got planning permission early last year and started before a later bid was sent in later to enlarge the outbuilding and add more to the house.

But the resubmitted plans were hit with 16 objections from locals who claimed the outbuilding was "far too large" and trees had been damaged from the works. In papers for a

January meeting, council officers said there was no way to establish the damage, although they did note protected trees had been pruned. But at a meeting that month, councillors opted to

defer the plans in part so a tree officer could visit the site to see protection measures. Papers for another planning meeting tomorrow (28 March) say the officer who visited found several

holly and hawthorn trees had been pruned and left with over-long stubs, no ground protection had been used and materials were stored in some root protection areas. Planning officers now say

measures to address this should be taken and details agreed before more works take place. They recommend the moves, including pruning the trees to "British standards," native hedge

planting and moving materials, should be part of conditions for giving plans the go-ahead. The report adds that the building was constructed closer to the protected zone than had been

originally agreed. But some neighbours still oppose the revised plans, meaning the bid will go to councillors for the fourth time in nine weeks for a decision. Those who filed eight

objections claim the scheme goes against rules on development in the conservation area, including an over-intense use of land. But council officers say the rules have little weight as the

site is not accessed by the road, and the plans should be approved. Coventry's planning committee will make the decision at the meeting tomorrow. GET DAILY HEADLINES AND BREAKING NEWS

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