Gloucestershire County Council confirmed on Monday 21 December 2020 that a Cedar of Lebanon tree in Cheltenham’s Pittville Park will not be cut down.
The tree, thought to be around 250 years old, has been causing damage to a number of residential properties in nearby Albemarle Gate and it had been feared that the tree might need to be felled – creating a public campaign to save the tree, with celebrity support from the likes of Cheltenham resident Dom Joly.
Gloucestershire County Council issued a statement stating that they have been looking at all the options available, working with its insurers and seeking advice from a nationally-recognised tree specialist to try to find a way to keep the tree.
The county council, who are responsible for the tree, will be paying for the properties to be repaired and underpinned with no work needed to the tree. The work to the properties will be carried out sometime in the new year.
Councillor Vernon Smith, cabinet member responsible for highways, said: ‘I’m sorry that it’s taken a long time to resolve this complex issue, but we’ve worked hard to come up with the best solution. I’ve listened carefully to what local residents have to say on this – and, as a council we’ve been working hard to find a suitable alternative.
‘I’m so pleased we’ve been able to find a way to keep this much loved tree. Trees are such a big part of Christmas and saving this tree gives us all a very welcome boost.’
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