The negative space left after the destruction of the lime tree. The missing tree now reveals the windows of Gensing Manor – from which attractive sea views will now be visible. Photograph by Erica Smith
Very poor form from HBC planning department
On Thursday 7 August the mature lime tree outside Gensing Manor was felled. This was only two weeks after the planning application to destroy the tree was passed, and one week into August – the month when tree surgeons decree that bird nesting season is over. Erica Smith mourns the death of her arboreal neighbour.
48 local residents wrote to the Borough Council planning department to object to the application to cut down the mature lime tree at the front of Gensing Manor. The 48 residents included three of the four local Councillors.
The planning notice was mysteriously removed from the site not once, but twice – yet the consultation period was not extended. The cynical amongst the population, and the long-term residents of Hastings, were not surprised that despite the high level of concern by local people, permission to fell both the mature lime tree and a sycamore tree to the north east of the manor house was granted.
The reason stated by Mayhew Consultancy, the arboreal consultant who submitted the application to cut down the lime tree, was ‘poor form’ – a reference to the fact that the tree had multiple trunks.
Tree destruction in action. Photograph by Nick Terdre.
Some representative comments on the planning application are reproduced below:
“As County Councillor I went to look at the tree on Monday 23 June. I think there is no reason to take down this fine tree in a historic location. It just needs subtle pruning. I know there are many people who have made similar points.
Cllr Trevor Webb (Labour councillor for Central St Leonards)
“If parts of the lime tree are weak or dangerous, is there a case for pruning it or reducing the canopy rather than felling it entirely?”
Cllr Tony Collins (Green councillor for Central St Leonards)
“I object to T7, the lime tree being felled and replaced. It is prominent in the landscape and has been there for more years than any human now alive.
This is an essential element in making the street-scape near Gensing Manor so attractive for passers-by. The fact that it has a number of trunks adds to its interest and value, and I am not aware of any safety issues ever having arisen from trees of this shape.”
Mrs Heather Grief
The original petitioner to save the tree, Beau Noon, said: “The Council seems to be doing all the things to appear like they’re doing the right thing with ‘planning notices’ and opportunities to object, but what’s the point of offering space for folks to object if regardless of the amount of those they receive, it does nothing to save this old tree? … This beautiful tree shouldn’t have to die, but she’s on developers’ land and perceived as an object, and the community’s decision doesn’t matter.”
The absence of the tree has been noted by the neighbourhood and weighs heavily on the hearts and in the minds of not only the 48 people who bothered to engage with the Council planning portal, but also the hundreds of people who walk up and down Charles Road and Dane Road and Pevensey Road daily. Rumours abound that there will a public wake held for the tree – let’s hope it will be a wake up call for Council Planning Officers too.
You can read the original article about the planning application to cut down the lime tree and a sycamore tree here.
The decision to cut down a mature tree which provided bio-diversity and was a green lung has left environmentalists and local residents sad, sore and stumped. Photograph by Erica Smith.
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