Thursday, June 5, 2025
Teesdale Mercury
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Teesdale Mercury
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

Calls to fell century old diseased trees in danger of collapse

by Nicky Carter
March 1, 2022
in News
Calls to fell century old diseased trees in danger of collapse

IN DANGER: Parish councillors in Cotherstone want two large trees overlooking Hagg House felled because of fears they will topple over in a storm

PARISH councillors hope Durham officials will permit the felling of two “dangerous” 100-year-old fir trees before they are blown over in high winds.
Concerns about the condition of the trees – a noble fir and a noble spruce – at the entrance of Hagg House, in Cotherstone, were first raised by parish councillors two years ago.
At their latest meeting councillors expressed their concern about the situation in light of the high winds during the recent Storm Malik.
An arboricultural survey, commissioned by the parish council, revealed that poor pruning has caused suckers at the top of the trees to grow at 45-degree angles, and there is evidence of a fungal infection.
The trees, which were designated with protection orders in 1984, are in the conservation area so any work on them needs consent from Durham County Council.
Cllr Robert Johnson said: “I looked up how to challenge a preservation order.
“If it [tree] fell over and damaged Hagg House you would hope their insurance would cover it, but they would look at whose land it is on and it could be quite expensive for the parish council.
“If you cut it down it’s a £2,000 fine.
“The only way you get around it is if the tree is damaged or diseased.”
Chairman Cllr John Birkett said the trees were not native and only had amenity value.
Clerk Judith Mashiter said: “Amenity value that is diseased and dangerous.”
Cllr Jenny Watson was worried people using the public footpath near the trees could be injured.
She said: “There are lots of bits of it coming off as you are walking past.”
Cllr Johnson said: “Given the high winds that we have had it needs sorting. With the storms we have had I think they [Durham County Council] should be proactive.”
Ms Mashiter told members an offer to cover the cost of removing the trees had been made by the owner of Hagg House.
She said: “I would say it is going to be £1,000, which is one seventh of our budget.”
She added if Durham’s tree officer agreed to the removal, it would be better for the parish council to give permission to have them felled.
Although some members expressed hopes the matter could be dealt with quickly, Cllr Birkett said if the go-ahead was given by Durham’s tree officer, planning consent would still be needed as the trees are within the village’s conservation area.
Cllr Watson said: “Look at that one at Romaldkirk. They had just got permission to fell it and it came down in the storm.”

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Test Drive: Mercedes EQA

Next Post

Rescure centre launches Eco-Warriors club

ADVERTISEMENT
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

Most popular

1940s hut to be knocked down behind primary school

1940s hut to be knocked down behind primary school

June 3, 2025
Barnard Castle promoted to Wearside League Premier Division

Barnard Castle promoted to Wearside League Premier Division

June 3, 2025
Happy birthday to life-changing group

Happy birthday to life-changing group

June 4, 2025
Royal date for youngsters to collect awards

Royal date for youngsters to collect awards

June 5, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

15C Harmire Enterprise Park
Barnard Castle
Co Durham
DL12 8BN

Email: [email protected]

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190

VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • Art & Leisure
  • Business
  • Country Life
  • Features
  • News
  • Sport
  • Test Drive
  • Digital edition

Useful links

  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Buy your paper
  • Photosales
  • Digital edition
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact

© 2024