Concerns raised with council over 'unstable' trees near Bracknell homes

The trees at The High Pines Park Homes, on Parkers Lane, Maiden's Green, Bracknell, stand near a number of homes, which has been proving to be such a concern to those living there that the site owner has applied to the Bracknell Forest Council to have permission to remove them.

ALSO READ: Behind the scenes at local community testing centre as new covid site opens

One resident said: "Bracknell Council are ignoring pleas from residents to allow the Park owner to remove several very tall unstable pine trees.

"Since one of the trees fell onto a park home causing substantial damage last year, the residents have been living in fear every time there is a high wind and have been asking the Council to allow the owner to remove the trees."

Picture by Belinda Thomas

A Tree Assessment Report was submitted to the Council previously, which residents claim "states that the likelihood of failure and impact is extreme and highly likely," however the Council say they want more evidence.

The resident added: "They have done nothing to produce this, and in the meantime there are at least five park homes all within in danger of these trees falling on them."

ALSO READ: The 18-hectares of land saved from hundreds of extra homes

Stephen Chown, Head of Natural Estates, said: “The council’s tree service has been liaising with the site owner’s agent about their concerns raised regarding the pine trees.

“Although the submitted tree assessment report alleged instability, it did not substantiate how or why the trees are considered so unstable that they should be removed.

“As a result of this, in December 2020, the council’s tree service requested further evidence and testing from the site-owners specialist, so the correct guidance could be provided and a formal application to remove the trees supported.

"To this date, we have not received a response.”