Campaigner warns 'heads will roll' as battle to save lime trees is lost

A YEARLONG battle by Falmouth residents and environmental campaigners was lost on Monday when Cornwall Council chopped down three much-loved street trees.

- by LEE TREWHELA Local Democracy Reporter

Road in Falmouth were being felled after locals lost their battle with Cornwall Council

(Lee Trewhela/LDRS)

Police officers, security guards, council workers and about 40 protesters attended Trelawney Road in the town as the council's proposal to fell three healthy lime trees finally took place.

The work to cut down the trees was not without incident. One of the lead protesters was dropped by police officers while being carried away from the scene, banging her head on the pavement.

She and others are now saying the battle is not over and have accused the council of carrying out the work illegally, something which the local authority denies.

The proposal to fell the trees has been mired in controversy with different reasons being given for why the 60-year-old trees had to be removed.

It was finally revealed that the council had entered into an out-of-court settlement with the owners of a neighbouring property, to the suggested tune of £107,000 - a figure which has never been denied by the council.

A confidentiality agreement has meant that the council has never been able to disclose the exact reasons why the trees had to be cut down, which has angered locals.

However, a senior council officer revealed at a public meeting last week that roots from all three trees were damaging the neighbouring house.