Campaigners on 'cloud nine' after tree felling halted

Campaigners have said they are on "cloud nine" after an application to cut down protected trees was refused.

The Jamia Masjid Sultania and Education Centre in Sneinton, Nottingham, had asked to cut down six trees outside its building.

Nadim Khan, the chairman, said the roots were pushing up the paving outside the entrance, making it unsafe and threatening the structure, with an elderly woman injuring herself tripping over the uneven surface.

Nottingham City Council refused the plans on Friday as it said the applicant did not justify that the trees needed to be felled to allow for repairs to be made to the paving.

The trees are subject to a protection order, meaning permission must be sought from the local authority before they can be removed.

The application, submitted to Nottingham City Council in early May, said the plan was to remove the trees to "facilitate permanent repairs to pedestrian access".

It also said there would be no replacement planting - but Khan told the BBC they would be willing to replant trees "where the council wishes", including in the same spot again if needed.

In its decision notice, the city council said: "The proposed removal of six Tree Preservation Order protected trees is not justified on arboricultural or amenity grounds.

"The evidence provided does not fully demonstrate that repair of the pedestrian access cannot be achieved through alternative design or engineering solutions that would allow retention of the trees.

"Given the significant public amenity value of the trees, the absence of replacement planting, and the availability of less harmful alternatives, it is decided that consent be refused.

"The benefits provided by the trees substantially outweigh the costs associated with repairing and adapting the affected hard surfacing."

Kerry Warwick, who set up a petition against the felling and said she was prepared to chain herself to the trees if necessary, applauded the decision.

She said: "I know it's been a hard decision for everybody, I see both sides to it, it's not about race, it's not about religion, it was about the trees that benefit everyone in this world.

"The environmental impact they have to every community and everybody in the world is such a big thing, and we need them in our communities. It's made me on cloud nine."

Khan said: "I wasn't an easy decision to make, I think out of the six, there are two trees which are very dangerous to the public.

"So, I'm a bit disappointed with the council because at least if they had come and seen what I'm trying to prevent - somebody getting hurt or injured and potential damage to our property."

Khan said he believed the safety should always come first and the group would discuss how to move forward at a committee meeting next week.

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