A TREE protection order (TPO) has been made on a pair of trees in the yard of a Winchester church.

The trees, a pair of lime trees, are located at St Bartholomew’s Church, in King Alfred Place, Hyde.

Both are very close to the last known resting place of King Alfred the Great.

The protection order was approved by the Winchester City Council planning committee on Wednesday, June 12.

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The treesThe trees (Image: Winchester City Council)

Speaking in opposition to the order, professional tree inspector Mark Merritt said: “The reason for opposition to the TPO is the trees do not meet the criteria for the conditions. To be considered for a TPO, then must be of high amenity value and in reasonable condition. As we can see, the trees are not considered to have high amenity value.

“Fungal brackets have been found in the tree, which we believe to be a decay fungus which attacks the timber of the tree, which renders it weak and liable to failure. The visual impact of the tree is very limited and the immunity value is low, it offers no screening to the properties around the church, and it does not contribute to the character of the area.”

Cllr Brian Laming said: “I find myself in a very unusual position here. Normally I would approve TPOs as they are, as they serve a very useful purpose within the community.

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“Looking at these trees and listening to the expert, I am in a quandary of whether it is worth doing the short-term measure when we should be looking at a longer-term view of this. So I’m not sure I can support this or not.”

Cllr Jonathan Williams said: “I do feel that the amenity value is much less than the normal sorts of trees we see coming through. However, I still feel that with this being a conservation zone as well, applying the TPO would be a sensible decision to make today, and then a further application at a later date regarding the management of the trees themselves to increase their value or, if felling is required than a management plan for replanting in the future.

“I would be minded to have the TPO put on so in the future we would have some sort of control over the management of these trees.”

The planning committee voted in favour of the TPO.