Ex-Premier League manager wins bitter battle with neighbours over 7 ‘nuisance' trees full of squawking magpies
The
Advertisement
3
Retired football player Kevin Keegan
Credit: Getty
3
The sycamore trees near his home (not pictured) are all in poor condition. Similar trees are pictured on a public road
Credit: Matthew Pover
One protestor even sent a sound recording to the local council of birds in the trees including blackbirds, blue tits, parakeets, robins and Magpies, in a desperate bid to save the 60ft-high sycamores.
Newcastle are called the Magpies because of their black and white striped kit, like the bird's plumage, and
The 50-year-old trees were slapped with a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) before the row of four houses, including Keegan's, were built.
But Keegan and his neighbours have now successfully applied to the local council to have the "dead and decaying" trees completely felled to the ground.
Advertisement
Read more neighbour rows
In a letter, one objector wrote: "The protected trees have always provided a welcome and quite natural habitat for the wide diversity of animals, especially birds.
"For many years, our property and those of our neighbours have overlooked an empty field. Now our view, especially during the winter months, is of four detached houses.
"During the summer months, a time when most people enjoy being out in their gardens, the protected trees have provided a level of privacy, shade from the sun and good noise reduction (for all parties).
"Over the last 40 years I can honestly say the protected trees have caused no real problems at all. To destroy live trees would be a tragedy."
Advertisement
Most read in Football
Exclusive
Exclusive
Another objector, whose house backs on to
They said: "I am in total agreement that tree maintenance and action is required to the trees. My objection is with some of the proposed action."
A third objector said: "The face the trees are now considered a nuisance shouldn't necessitate their wanton removal, after all the trees were there long before the houses were built."
Keegan won three Division One Championships, two UEFA Cups, one FA Cup and a European Cup in his playing career at
Advertisement
As a manager, he is famous for his "I would love it if we beat them" rant at Sir Alex Ferguson as his
The former England boss moved to his five-bedroom Cheshire pad in 2002 and has since added a loft conversion, two dormer windows and a rear conservatory.
Officials at Trafford Council gave the go-ahead for the tree felling by April 2027, but ordered that new trees should be planted.
They said: "The sycamore trees proposed for removal are all in poor condition, most have areas of dead bark on the lower stem, structural weaknesses in the crown and poor leaf budding rates.
Advertisement
"Decay is evident in several previous pruning points and these trees are likely to become hazardous in the near future if they remain."
3
The former England boss moved to his five-bedroom Cheshire pad in 2002
Credit: Jon Bond - The Sun
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
New woke madness as council bans staff from calling married couples husband & wife in case it causes offence
Scroll down for the other terms that are also advised against WEDDED DISS New woke madness as council bans staff from calling married couples husband & wife in case it causes offence A WOKE council has told staff not to refer to married couples as husband and wife. They are told 'spouse' or 'partner' will avoid offending anyone not identifying with a gender. 1 Woke council has banned staff from calling married couples husband and wife Credit: Getty A 45-page booklet gives vocabulary tips to taxpayer-funded civil servants in the Royal Borough of Greenwich in South East London. It is the latest barmy guide obtained by The Sun using Freedom of Information laws. It includes a warning that traditional terms for a married couple are no longer acceptable and should be replaced with gender-neutral ones. Staff running events are also warned against welcoming 'ladies and gentlemen'. READ MORE ON WOKE BRITAIN FLAG FURY Starmer wades into flag row after 2ND council vows to remove St George's Cross Asking for a 'Christian name' is also off limits. The guide's foreword states: 'For some of us, communicating in a more inclusive way is about changing deeply embedded habits.' It adds: 'It's OK to make mistakes. Remember that if you are really sorry and apologise, you cannot keep making the same 'mistake'.' Free Speech Union chief Toby Young fumed: 'The problem with these inclusive language guides is they are designed to make anyone who doesn't speak fluent woke-ish feel excluded.' A Greenwich spokesman said: 'Our inclusive language guide is advisory only.'
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Stop spiders from coming into your house with sweet spice you have in your cupboard & it keeps ants out too
BANISH spiders and ants from your home for good, with a sweet spice you probably already have in your cupboard. As we begin to approach autumn, spiders start to leave their homes in search of mates, and often end up entering people's homes for warmth and shelter. 2 Spider season is now upon us Credit: Getty 2 Spiders hate the scent of cinnamon Credit: Getty And although most spiders in the UK are completely harmless, it can be a nuisance when they invade our homes. Strong scent Cinnamon is an extremely pleasant scent for humans, and reminds us of Christmas and cosy evenings by the fire. However, spiders can't stand the smell of it and will be immediately repelled by the odour. Simply sprinkle any areas where you've had a spider problem with the spice and, voila, you will have a spider free zone. You could also place some cinnamon sticks in a tiny bag and place those around the house, for a less messy solution. It is likely that you have cinnamon in the kitchen cupboard already, but if not you can pick some up from Aldi for 89p. More spider busting hacks B&Q's Zero In Spider Repellent Spray is another simple method you can use to keep your home spider free. Priced at £8.98, water based formula comes in a 500ml bottle and a fresh peppermint scent. Beyond getting rid of spiders, the spray also helps to prevent the build-up of cobwebs. According to the product description, the repellent works to rid your home of the pests without the use of harmful chemicals. I'm a plumber and your spider problem could be caused by your toilet It also emphasises that this safe to use spray does not cause any harm to spiders. And for another more natural trick, Pest control expert Doug O'Connor from recommends using vinegar. 'Spiders hate vinegar,' the pro explained, 'The smell is overwhelming to them, and it causes irritation on contact. It's one of the simplest and most effective ways to deter them.' And since most homes will already have a bottle in their kitchen cupboards, this hack is a real bargain. If not, shoppers can pick up a bottle of white vine gar for a little as 35p from Sainsbury's, although it's also available in other supermarkets. The pro added that turning off outside lights helps to stop spiders heading in to your home. It's also a good idea to keep your home clutter-free, so they have nothing to hide behind.
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Warning over common garden decoration that's costing you thousands & causing ‘serious structural damage' this summer
Plus, the five warning signs your fence is under stress OF-FENCE Warning over common garden decoration that's costing you thousands & causing 'serious structural damage' this summer SUMMER may feel like the perfect time to decorate your garden with twinkling fairylights and colourful hanging baskets - but they can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage. A fencing expert has shared how hanging decorative items can cause serious structural damage over time - but there are some ways to prevent it. 2 Decorating your garden fence can look pretty but cause damage Credit: Getty Dale Smith, Founder of Fence Guru, an Australian fencing supplier, has witnessed firsthand the costly consequences of well-intentioned decorating choices. What appears to be harmless decoration could actually be compromising the structural integrity of your fence, leading to expensive repairs that homeowners never see coming. He said: 'People love to personalise their outdoor spaces, and I completely understand that. 'However, what they don't realise is that most residential fences simply aren't designed to handle the additional weight and stress that comes with hanging decorations.' EXPENSIVE DAMAGE The vertical posts and horizontal rails work together to withstand wind loads and their own weight, but adding decorations changes this delicate balance. He added: 'When you hang string lights, planters, or decorative mirrors on your fence, you're introducing weight the structure was never meant to handle. 'Even lightweight items create stress points that get worse over time.' Popular decorative choices like hanging baskets filled with soil and plants, which can weigh several kilograms when watered, make the problem particularly acute. Hanging planters present multiple problems beyond just weight. The constant moisture from watering can seep into fence boards, particularly around fixing points where holes have been drilled. Amazon is selling a 'high bamboo' privacy screen for just 24.80 – it's perfect to create a 'relaxing' backyard space This moisture creates perfect conditions for rot and mould, especially in timber fences. String lights might seem harmless, but their weight combined with wind resistance creates a constant pulling force along the fence line. During storms or high winds, this tension multiplies dramatically, potentially ripping fixings from posts or snapping boards entirely. Thankfully, there are four ways to protect your fences. 2 The constant moisture from watering can seep into fence boards, causing damage Credit: Getty HOW TO PREVENT DAMAGE Rather than abandoning your decorating dreams entirely, Dale suggests these safer approaches that protect your fence: 1. Use freestanding plant supports Install separate posts or tripods near your fence for hanging baskets and planters. This gives you the visual impact without putting undue stress on your fence. 2. Install dedicated wall brackets If you have a brick or rendered wall nearby, mount heavy decorations there instead. Masonry can handle weights that would damage timber fencing. 3. Build a simple pergola A basic pergola structure can support string lights and hanging decorations while adding value to your property. 4. Choose fence-friendly lighting Solar stake lights or LED strips that attach with removable clips distribute weight evenly and avoid creating stress points.
