You CAN chop down troublesome young oak trees after all, residents told

Officers at Milton Keynes Council told a meeting that because the cost of a root barrier at the house Woburn Sands far exceeded the “amenity value” of the trees, the oaks would have to go.

The development control panel was told that the cost of the root barrier at the home in Bow Brickhill Road was put at £24,552 plus VAT.

But they gave each tree a money value, one £3,289 and the other £7,654.

When told about the cost of the root barrier, council tree experts dropped their support for a tree preservation order (TPO).

Making a temporary TPO permanent would have compelled the homeowners to spend money on protecting the trees, and this was felt not to be justified.

Homeowners Paul and Janet Hamer sent a pre-recorded video to the council showing how they had found cracks at their home when taking down Christmas decorations.

“The oaks are going to continue to grow rapidly and be a threat to our property,” said Mrs Hamer.

She asked members of the committee to consider being in their situation.

Mrs Hamer asked the committee at its meeting on Thursday not to confirm a tree preservation order so that their insurance claim could proceed “without further delay”.

Cllr Keith McLean (Cons, Olney) said: “It’s a shame that we’ve got to lose two trees.

“I’ve got a lot of sympathy for the residents.

“It’s a great shame but I think we probably should be not confirming the tree preservation order.”

The five members of the panel unanimously supported the residents and their officers’ recommendation.