Tree felling plan rejected

THE owner of a mobile home park next to the River Frome has been refused permission to fell more trees.

Wyldecrest Parks Management Limited asked for permission to fell 26 trees at the Riverside Drive park homes estate, which sits in a wooded area between Oldbury Court, Frenchay and Downend.

But the plans to remove 15 cypress close to the Frome Valley Walkway, and three sycamores and eight cypress trees next to Frenchay Road, drew objections from more than 75 people, with opponents describing the plans as "unnecessary destruction" and "vandalism".

Wyldecrest had felled up to 39 trees last year without permission, and a city council officers' report said further work had been carried out on the site in September and January, in breach of a Tree Preservation Order.

This included a large mound of "fill material" dumped on top of the roots of trees, which had also led to cracks appearing in the retaining wall around the site.

Rejecting the new application, the council said: "Considering the extensive loss of canopy cover that has adversely affected the character and appearance of this part of the Stapleton and Frome Valley Conservation Area due to the works that took place during the summer of 2022, the remaining trees need to be well considered, and pro-active management undertaken to retain these trees until new planting can be undertaken to re-create the wooded valley character of this part of the conservation area.

"The complete removal of these trees is excessive and unnecessary and will cause further damage to the character and appearance of this part of the conservation area."

Wyldecrest, which said it wanted to carry out the works because of the condition of the trees and the "recognised risks of damage" to caravan residents and road users, can appeal the decision.