Cheltenham tree next to huge car park earmarked for 153-home redevelopment to be protected

Carmelo Garcia
·1-min read
The large London plane tree in St Margaret's Road
-Credit: (Image: Carmelo Garcia)


A large tree next to major redevelopment of a Cheltenham town centre car park will be protected. Cheltenham Borough Council has granted a tree preservation order (TPO) for the London plane tree which is next to North Place car park opposite 22 in Margaret’s Road.

There are plans to build 153 homes on the car park and the site’s redevelopment poses a threat to the tree. Tree officers said the plane tree is in good condition, has good form and has a long life expectancy.

Officer Sam Reader told the planning committee meeting at the Municipal Offices on June 13 that “there is a clear threat to the tree”, which is estimated to be around 50 or 60 years old, as the developers want to remove it. Councillor Simon Wheeler (LD, Hesters Way) said he was in favour of protecting the tree.

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“This is a very lonely tree,” he said. “We need more trees there.

“It's a valuable tree and I’m really keen for it to stay and accept the TPO."

Councillor Tony Oliver (LD, Warden Hill) agreed and said: “The developer's only objection is it would damage the pavement.”

“This is a very lonely tree. We need more trees there," Cllr Simon Wheeler said
“This is a very lonely tree. We need more trees there," Cllr Simon Wheeler said -Credit:Carmelo Garcia

He said by that logic all the trees in Cheltenham would have to go. “We are renowned for our trees, it's what makes Cheltenham special.”

Officers said that given the size of the development site the developers can't argue that removal of the tree is necessary. The committee voted unanimously to grant the tree preservation order.

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