Update received 16th October 2026:
Good morning and thank you for your correspondence relating to the trees at Ancoats Lane.
A site visit was carried out by an Arboricultural Officer in July last year and again on Monday this week (12th October) following receipt of the reports that felling had taken place on Friday 9th October.
A request to formally protect these trees has been on file since July 2025 and the trees and situation has been monitored and considered throughout the planning process in association with refused application 25/2450/PIP which was dismissed at appeal.
It was noted that assurances had been provided by the agent/developer that the trees would be retained and given they were located outside the site proposed for development, consideration of the trees for a TPO was deemed a low priority.
The site visit this week confirmed that one willow has been removed. The assessment of remaining trees considered amenity, tree quality, species characteristics, proximity to the highway and overhead cables and suitability for formal protection.
The assessment outcome is that we will not be pursuing a TPO on the remaining trees. This is because while the trees are accepted to provide amenity value to the cottages opposite, there are no public footpaths on this section of road, the trees are not highly visible from any nearby public rights of way, and they are not a long-standing feature of the area having been planted in the last 20-25 years.
The species suitability of weeping willow immediately adjacent to the highway from a safety perspective would also be a concern, and there are also telecoms cable running through the crowns. Given the relatively limited public amenity, species characteristics, growth rate, and proximity to a statutory undertaker’s land, these combined considerations indicate that a TPO is not appropriate.
I appreciate that this is the not the outcome that the parish council and local residents will be hoping for, but after due consideration, formal protection of the trees will not be applied.
Regards
Planning Trees
Environmental Planning Team | Cheshire East Council