PLANNERS have served a protection order on trees in the grounds of The Bowes Museum.
Managers at The Bowes Museum were originally told to cut back overhanging trees and vegetation by council officers concerned about the impact on street lighting to the rear of the park near Crook Lane. The Bowes Museum also applied for permission for work to be carried out on other trees across the grounds following a survey by Olivers Tree Services last winter. Issues include disease, dead wood and structural issues. The planning application included thinning and reducing the crown of four trees, felling 14 trees, pollarding four trees, pruning five trees, and reducing and cutting back others. However, Durham County Council has rejected the plans. In a report, the council said its tree officer “concludes the trees would be worthy of a tree preservation order” . It added: “It is considered that the proposed tree works would have a negative impact on the trees and somewhat detrimental to the character and appearance of the conservation area.
“The trees are prominent in the conservation area and a tree preservation order has been served to protect the trees and control the suitability of any future works.”
