'It's like living in the woods' - residents call for cull of 60ft trees

Residents in a Staffordshire Moorlands village say they are being hemmed in by towering trees that "block out the sky" and leave them feeling like they're "living in the woods".

Some of the trees, which were planted by a neighbouring school about 30 years ago, are estimated to be more than 60ft (18m) tall.

Maureen Forsyth, who has lived on Uttoxeter Road in the village of Tean for three years, said she feared if one fell "it would not just damage the house, but could put lives at risk".

Greatwood Community Primary School said it took management of all trees on site "very seriously" and regularly commissioned safety surveys and reports.

"I know you're able to trim any branches that come on to your land but we can't reach them - they're too high up," the resident added.

Homeowner Andrew Ibbotson said it was a "never-ending mission" to tidy up after the trees.

"They're just so domineering," he added.

"They're everywhere. We are living in the woods."

He said there needed to be more accountability from the school "because the trees don't affect them in the same way they affect us“.

"I think they need to be taken down."

Another resident, Kay Mitchell, who has lived beside the school for 49 years, said the trees had become a blight on neighbouring homes and should never have been planted so close to residents' back gardens.

"We don't want to have no sky, and at the back of these houses we have no sky," she said.

"It started with frustration and disappointment, but now it's just outright anger," she said.

"People can do this and take absolutely no notice of their neighbours, no notice of what they're saying. They won't even come and have a look or try to negotiate," she added.

In a statement, the school, which is part of the Moorlands Primary Federation (TMPF) Trust, said it took the management of trees on its site "seriously" and commissioned regular surveys and reports to monitor their condition.

It added that the most recent tree safety assessment was carried out in May.

"Following previous positive dialogue with residents regarding a small section of the site, the school funded a professional grounds maintenance organisation to annually maintain the appearance of the little-used secluded area within the Great Wood wooded area and habitat," it said.

The school added it would "always listen to any concerns raised" and were happy to meet with neighbouring residents to "work respectfully towards a resolution for all parties".

An independent arborist, a trained professional who specialises in the cultivation, care, and safety of individual trees visited the neighbours' gardens to assess the trees.

Mike Kirk, of Northwest Trees and Stumps, said the school had a "health and safety responsibility" and that he would "love to see" the survey carried out on its behalf.

Kirk said he would expect a survey to recommend the removal of ivy that was covering many of the trees, which can weaken them by competing for water and light.

He estimated clearing the row of trees behind the properties could cost "tens of thousands of pounds".

Instead, he recommended "selected removals" of weaker and self-seeded trees to allow more dominant species to flourish and create a more natural canopy.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council said an officer had visited a resident to discuss the complaint, but added its powers were limited because the issue involved two private landowners and the school is an academy.

A spokesperson said the trees were not protected by a Tree Preservation Order and were not in a conservation area, meaning the council had no statutory role.

The authority said it could only intervene under special circumstances if trees were deemed dangerous, which it said was not the case, and noted there was no legislation restricting the height or width of trees on private land.

It recommended residents seek advice from an independent arboricultural consultant, a process which is now under way.

Residents believe the school has a duty of care to maintain the trees and hope some "neighbourly goodwill" will help to achieve a resolution.

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