West Lothian lime trees in historic street saved from the chop
A row of lime trees in a historic West Lothian street have been protected by a Tree Preservation Order in a dispute of demand for felling.
West Lothian Council's Development Management Committee was asked to decide on whether to support the TPO that was imposed in March.
Without councillors backing the TPO would have lapsed in September which could have seen up to six of a line of 10 lime trees in Provost Road, Linlithgow, fall to the axe.
A planning officer told the DMC: 'The site is located within the Linlithgow Palace & High Street Conservation Area, and as such, all proposed tree works within this area, first requires notification to be submitted to the council.'
A tree works consent notification for the felling of six lime trees at 7 Provost Road, Linlithgow was received on the 13th February 2025.
The notification was for the removal of the six trees in settlement of a legal action.
A report to the DMC added: 'During assessment of the notification, a visual assessment of the trees was undertaken along with a Tree Evaluation Method for Preservation Orders (TEMPO) assessment. The TEMPO assessment was completed by the council's Arborist and it was determined that the trees subject to the notification, and an additional four others, were found to 'Definitely merit TPO', this was further supported by the visual assessment carried out.
'As a result of this, Tree Preservation Order (No. 1) 2025, 7 Provost Road, Linlithgow was made on the 27th March 2025. The order covers ten Common Limes which form part of a lime tree feature, at the heart of east Linlithgow's historic centre, requiring to be protected due to amenity and contribution to local landscape, which adds to the wooded character and setting of local paths, roads and public realm.'
Legal action is ongoing and a separate issue to the confirmation of the TPO, the committee heard.
Councillors heard there was one objection to the TPO from a neighbour who claimed that the trees were damaging property. The owners of the trees had applied to the council for a felling licence which prompted the move to the TPO.
Councillors heard that the trees were in good condition 'were safe, and in good health despite previous pollard, and without major defect.'
The report added: 'The avenue of limes at the site, is a landscape feature of the local neighbourhood, and forms part of the wooded character of this part of Linlithgow. The trees are highly visible from local footpaths, and roads as they take advantage of the rising gradient.
'The lime trees have been previously pollarded and crown lifted, with the epicormic growth managed. In general, Limes are long-lived trees and there is little evidence to suggest the previous works to the trees have been detrimental to the tree health and vitality.
'The objection received relates mostly to the ongoing court action between no.7 and 11 Provost Road. The court action is a separate legal matter that does not form part of the assessment when determining the notification on whether these trees were worthy of a TPO.'
It concluded: 'It was considered expedient in the interests of amenity to make the TPO in order to protect these 10 lime trees. It is recommended that this TPO be confirmed without modifications.'
The committee agreed to confirm the TPO with question or comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
13 hours ago
- Scotsman
Fresh bid lodged with council planners for mill lade houses
New bid for approval for sloping houses v.1 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Developers have launched a fresh bid to build a trio of houses on a slope in Penicuik next to a former mill lade, removing half the trees on the site. The latest application for housing on the land at Cairnbank Road, in the town, addresses concerns from Midlothian council who said there was not enough garden space and a lack of privacy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And it confirms that 17 of the 33 trees on the land which are under a Tree Protection Order (TPO)would be removed but offers to replace them with new planting. An artists impression of the proposed houses at Cairnbank Road, Penicuik. (Pic: Midlothian Planning Portal) The application says: 'While the proposal relies on the removal of 17 trees the applicant accepts the letter and spirit of the TPO and is prepared to accept a condition requiring replanting of two trees for every one removed.' It seeks permission to also remove the former mill lade and fill it in saying: 'The former mill lade has already ceased to exist in all but torrential downpours of rain. It is proposed to remove it completely by infilling a small section of the channel within the application site with rock of a hard hue and soil. 'The removal of the former lade opens the whole garden to beneficial use for residential amenity.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The application is the second this year proposing the three split level homes which will be built down the slope with entrance and driveways from the road above. In April planners refused permission for the houses saying they were too big, out of character and did not provide enough amenity for residents whose gardens would be overlooked by their neighbours. And they said a request for an assessment of the impact on protected trees and hedgerow on the site had not been provided. Two yeas ago applications were also refused for plans to build four houses on the site with plans to retain the former mill lade and build footbridges over it as part of the gardens of the new homes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The initial proposals were rejected and at an appeal hearing at the council's Local Review Body, where one councillor said the sloping gardens with a bridge at the bottom felt 'unsafe'. The current application says the new homes will be designed over three floors. It says: 'Living accommodation is incorporated mainly in the top two levels. Together they account for two of the three bedrooms, three of the four bathrooms, the kitchen and dining space, and the primary living space. The ground floor incorporates a single ensuite bedroom and a small lounge.' The application is available to view on the Midlothian Council planning portal.
Edinburgh Live
11-08-2025
- Edinburgh Live
New plans for Midlothian split-level slope houses near site of old mill lade
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Developers have launched a fresh bid to build a trio of houses on a slope in Penicuik next to a former mill lade, removing half the trees on the site. The latest application for housing on the land at Cairnbank Road, in the town, addresses concerns from Midlothian council who said there was not enough garden space and a lack of privacy. And it confirms that 17 of the 33 trees on the land which are under a Tree Protection Order (TPO)would be removed but offers to replace them with new planting. The application says: "While the proposal relies on the removal of 17 trees the applicant accepts the letter and spirit of the TPO and is prepared to accept a condition requiring replanting of two trees for every one removed." It seeks permission to also remove the former mill lade and fill it in saying: "The former mill lade has already ceased to exist in all but torrential downpours of rain. It is proposed to remove it completely by infilling a small section of the channel within the application site with rock of a hard hue and soil. "The removal of the former lade opens the whole garden to beneficial use for residential amenity." The application is the second this year proposing the three split level homes which will be built down the slope with entrance and driveways from the road above. In April planners refused permission for the houses saying they were too big, out of character and did not provide enough amenity for residents whose gardens would be overlooked by their neighbours. And they said a request for an assessment of the impact on protected trees and hedgerow on the site had not been provided. Two yeas ago applications were also refused for plans to build four houses on the site with plans to retain the former mill lade and build footbridges over it as part of the gardens of the new homes. The initial proposals were rejected and at an appeal hearing at the council's Local Review Body, where one councillor said the sloping gardens with a bridge at the bottom felt 'unsafe'. The current application says the new homes will be designed over three floors. It says: "Living accommodation is incorporated mainly in the top two levels. Together they account for two of the three bedrooms, three of the four bathrooms, the kitchen and dining space, and the primary living space. The ground floor incorporates a single ensuite bedroom and a small lounge." The application is available to view on the Midlothian Council planning portal.
Glasgow Times
28-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Meet the man who cares for 'lonely' tree on Glasgow's Argyle Street
David Treanor, an arborist and owner of Treewise Urban Forestry, has been responsible for the "Argyle Street Ash" outside the Franklin Terrace tenements for the last five years. The Paisley native has nominated the 75-foot-tall attraction for the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year, making the top 10 shortlist. David Treanor, an arborist and owner of Treewise Urban Forestry pictured with the "Argyle Street Ash "tree outside the Franklin Terrace tenements on Argyle Street in the West End of Glasgow. (Image: Colin Mearns) He explained what inspired him to put the tree forward. David said: "Its location and striking form mean it nearly always leads press coverage with a kind of quiet defiance – standing in the heart of Argyle Street like it always has. "I've looked after the tree for over five years in a professional capacity, carrying out safety inspections and remedial work. "Over time, I noticed it was resisting ash dieback far better than most trees I've encountered. "That led me to dig deeper – both scientifically and historically." Also known as The Lone Tree of Finnieston, the tree was described in James Cowan's 1935 book From Glasgow's Treasure Chest as 'quite the most graceful ash I have seen.' It was the first tree in Glasgow to receive a Tree Preservation Order and is regarded as a symbol of resilience locally, producing greenery and shade in an otherwise grey and urban part of the city. Pat Lilly, and his daughter Louise, pictured in front of the tree (Image: Colin Mearns) Nine other trees from across the UK make up the list, including a sycamore growing at Napier University in Edinburgh, with the "Argyle Street Ash" being put forward by David as the wildcard pick. READ MORE: UK Government announce £39million investment in Renfrewshire A picture of a tree from 1962 (Image: Newsquest) The other nine were selected by a panel of experts. David also opened up on the history of the tree. He continued: "We know that the tree is estimated to be 170 years old meaning it has lived through a fifth of Glasgow's 850 year history "It became clear that this tree has survived the Victorian era, survived Glasgow's 'Age of Smoke,' when coal soot darkened the air and buildings while Glasgow was the second city of the Empire. "It survived the Clydeside Blitz and the 1968 storm when many tenements were destroyed. "It has endured from Trams to Tesla's. In 1980 Glasgow District Council took the step to protect the tree under TPO No.1, Glasgow's very first Tree Preservation Order. "It's been part of so many Glaswegians' everyday lives that people often tell me they can't imagine Argyle Street without it." Locals also expressed their delight at the nomination, reflecting on memories of the tree. One man said: "In the 1970s as a student I'd open my curtains to see the tree every morning and later in life it inspired me to plant more trees across the city." Another said: "Me and my mates always admire the tree when having a few pints at the Park Bar." A third commented: "My parents met under that tree." Another local, Pat Lilly, remembers his grandparents renting the flat when he was a child. Pat added: "I always remember the tree being in my Granny's front garden, and I played there from being a toddler with lots of my cousins. "It's unbelievable that the tree has been selected to be in the running for Tree of the Year, 2025." Voting for the competition opened on Friday, July 11, with the winner being decided in September 19, with the winner going on to represent the UK at the European Tree of the Year finals. You can vote by clicking here.
