Trees dating back to Victorian times in Cambridge saved

Locals rallied against a scheme to chop down London Planes at St Matthews Centre.

An application had been made to cut down the three trees after it was alleged the roots were damaging a nearby property.

But the Friends of St Matthews Piece opposed the move, claiming that "no tree in Cambridge would be safe" if the city council allowed the trees to be cut down.

At a meeting on 1 November 2023, councillors unanimously voted to reject the application, but may still have to pay compensation.

Valerie Neal from the Friends of St Matthews Piece says there is "zero evidence of current or ongoing damage":

"These 125-year-old trees are integral to the unbroken treeline over the only park in the most densely housed ward in Cambridge.

"They were planted 100 years before [the property in question] was designed, built, bought, rented, or insured.

"The council formally valued these trees at £200,000, repair costs are quoted at less than one-tenth of this."

Photo: Google

The leader of Cambridge City Council, Mike Davey, echoed the group's concerns.

He said allowing the trees to be felled could set a "dangerous precedent" and mean "no tree would be safe from a new-build property developers demands".

Several councillors voiced their frustration at the process and the potential for having to pay compensation.

A separate application to chop down five Lime stems along Howes Place was also rejected.