Herefordshire's at-risk trees that are getting preservation orders

Tree preservation orders (TPOs) have been put in place on the five in light of concerns that they could be at risk from development.

But these are “provisional” until after a six-month consultation period, during which objections can be lodged.

Penyard House, between Weston under Penyard and Ross-on-Wye

The trees around this 200-year-old country house include a giant sequoia, cedar, veteran Indian bean tree, mature yew and Scots pine.

RELATED NEWS:

• New Hereford housing estate would 'irreversibly damage' nature reserve
• Building works planned at these Herefordshire schools
• 'Why is bridge between me and local Herefordshire shop still closed?'

A planning application was made a year ago to scale back what have been a country hotel and turn some of the vacated space into nearly 50 new homes.

Herefordshire Council said this “change and intensification of use is perceived to cause stress and threat to the long-term health and retention of the trees”.

Trees at Hardwick Bank, Bromyard

The mixed species here are predominantly ash and also oak.

A 250-home westward extension to Bromyard was approved earlier this year. This too “is perceived to cause stress and threat to the long-term health and retention of the trees”, which “have high public amenity value”, the council said.

Mature beech, The Rectory, Ross-on-Wye

Hereford diocese applied last October to fell the tree, saying it caused excessive shade and posed a risk from falling branches.

OTHER NEWS:

• Hereford bypass 'will make other city transport options possible'
• 'Anomalies' in builder's account of half-built Herefordshire house
• Rural development in Herefordshire: March’s seven biggest stories

But Herefordshire Council said there was nothing wrong with the tree, which “provides a high level of public amenity value” as well as “a significant volume of green infrastructure” to the town.

Mature oak at Cotts Lane, Lugwardine

This is “one of only two mature trees left” on a site that is subject to planning permission, according to Herefordshire Council. This appears to be a current scheme to build eight bungalows immediately north of the village.

Trees at Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School, Tupsley, Hereford

These “have high public amenity value and are under threat of removal to accommodate building works”, the council said.

The council does not appear to have a facility to view or comment on the provisional TPOs online.