April 1982 Our centenary year
August 1988
LONDON PLANE TREES Any of ten species of large trees that make up the genus
Platanus, sole genus of the family Platanaceae, native to North America, eastern
Europe, and Asia. Plane trees are planted widely in cities for their
resistance to diseases and to air pollution and because they grow rapidly and
furnish quick shade. They are characterized by scaling bark; large, deciduous,
usually lobed leaves; and globular heads of flower and seed. Ball-shaped smooth
or bristly seed clusters, which dangle singly and often persist after leaf fall,
are key identifiers. Winter bark is patchy and picturesque; as the outer bark
flakes off, inner bark shows shades of white, gray, green, and yellow.
The following decision was announced by the Landscape Officer of Sedgemoor
District Council.
The trees outside the main door of the church are located in a Conservation Area and are subject to the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Under Section 211 of the Act anyone proposing to cut down or carry out work on a tree in a Conservation Area is required to give the local planning authority six weeks prior notice. The purpose of the requirement is to give the local planning authority an opportunity to consider whether a tree preservation should be made in respect of the trees.
September 1998
August 2004
The trees were planted by a team of parishioners soon after the church had been extended. There was a cedar of Lebanon and two Italian cupressus
which have special significance to Christians, Jews and Muslims. Sadly,
all except
two large London Plane Trees nearest the road were removed in August 2004 !
The fact that a tree is publicly visible will not in itself be sufficient to warrant a tree preservation order. The Secretary of State advises that a tree preservation order should only be used to protect trees if their removal would have a "significant" impact on the local environment and its enjoyment by the public. Unfortunately the three conifers cannot be considered as significant specimens in this case and are not worthy of an Order.
It has been noted that the two plane trees, established in the paved area adjacent to the church, are significant specimens that add to the visual amenity of the street scene. A tree preservation order has been served on these two trees which will now prohibit their felling, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful destruction without the consent of the local planning authority.