Latest news with #treecutting
Daily Mail
a day ago
- General
- Daily Mail
F1 star Lewis Hamilton is granted permission to cut down more trees at his £18million Kensington mansion
Lewis Hamilton has been granted permission to cut down more trees at his £18million Kensington mansion following a bitter feud with neighbours over his previous plans. The F1 megastar, 40, had applied to cut down four trees at his London home – just three years after he sparked fury over a bid to axe a sugarplum tree despite neighbours claiming he was 'destroying nature'. He submitted an application to fell two apple trees entirely, complaining they are 'poor specimens', as well as pruning back a lime tree and a magnolia that were said to be 'encroaching' nearby buildings. Despite his previous clash with his neighbours, he has been given the green light by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council to carry out the works at his luxury west London pad. The council wrote to Hamilton's tree surgeon Henry Twynam granting him planning permission for the works in spite of the strong objections he has faced in the past. These trees are not under a Tree Protection Order but are still in a conservation area. Director of planning and place at the council, Amanda Reid, said: 'The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea will expect to see two small replacement ornamental trees such as a Japanese maples or Amalanchiers planted in like-for-like or suitable positions. The trees shall be planted in the next planting season following removal.' It was added that the reason for the decision were 'the pruning works are for routine maintenance and the apple trees have limited amenity value.' Neighbours have previously objected to Hamilton's plans to remove historic trees from his extravagant home. One neighbour said: 'These trees are in a conservation area and their removal will be detrimental to Kensington and London in general, which is suffering from increasingly worse air quality. I strong advise the council to reject this frivolous application, which is without merit.' Another added: 'These trees have been there for over 100 years and are part of a magnificent landscaping legacy… their possible demise over time as a result of the construction would seriously impair the value of the neighbouring properties.' The application could re-spark tensions between the Ferrari driver and residents on the plush Kensington street, close to the homes of David Beckham and Robbie Williams. Over the years, Hamilton's agents have submitted more than 20 planning applications on his behalf causing tensions between the Ferrari driver and residents on the plush Kensington street, close to the homes of David Beckham and Robbie In previous years, he's sought permission for all manner of improvements to bring the property up to standards commensurate with his superstar status. These have included the installation of metal entrance gates and the demolition of a summerhouse and the erection of a swanky replacement. Hamilton only received permission to chop down the 'beautiful' sugarplum tree in 2022, after neighbours argued that he would be ' destroying nature' if the tree outside his home was removed. But Hamilton beat out their complaints by providing a report by a tree surgeon which said that the tree was mostly dead and dying anyway. This report swayed the council who gave him permission to chop down the tree entirely and trim back a magnolia tree. Sources close to Hamilton told MailOnline that he was fond of the sugarplum tree but as it was dying he has had it replaced with a similar-looking apple blossom cherry tree. A year later he was also allowed to prune twin poplar trees which tower above his gardens – 'magnificent 'heritage' trees . . . easily identifiable upon approach to Heathrow', according to one local. It was the latest planning battle with local residents over the renovations to his palatial £18million mansion in one of the capital's most desirable conservation areas. The extensive building work includes a rear extension, summer house and new frontage with a larger security wall and gates to 'improve the character and privacy of the building', according to a council planning report. His garden design team, led by Florian McLaren at Highland Aboriculture, previously won permission to trim a Horse Chestnut tree by two metres, with the application form stating the changes are 'to reduce shading and reduce loading on regrowth points'. A neighbour backing onto Hamilton's property supported the application, saying that the large trees can leave 'pigeon droppings' all over their garden. They asked for 'as many as possible of the horizontal branches, that hang over our property, be pruned back', adding that 'the pigeon droppings in that corner can be a nuisance'. In a separate application to the council Hamilton also wanted to chop down an Amelanchier tree, also known as a shadbush. His team said the tree was '80 per cent dead and in terminal decline' and asked to cut back the crown of a Magnolia Grandiflora by one to two metres. In a previous planning application by Hamilton, one neighbour moaned that the 'current owner bought the property for £18million in 2017 and has never set foot in it'. When the racing car driver applied to demolish the existing summerhouse, there were fears from locals regarding the trees and it being used as a party pad. Neighbours expressed concern that the property had reportedly 'remained empty' while they also disagreed that the trees were in 'poor' condition. One said: 'It certainly does not need another house at the rear of its garden, which, if the owner ever does move in, will no doubt be used as a 'party house' away from the main residence, due to the nature of his lifestyle.' Another said: 'They are magnificent 'heritage' trees, which are easily identified from an airplane upon approach to Heathrow Airport. 'The report also describes them both as in 'Poor' structural condition. I hope that this is also incorrect. In addition, they are considered 'post-mature' in age.
CBC
6 days ago
- General
- CBC
Whitehorse officials stumped by rogue lumberjack who leaves logs, but no leads
Whitehorse city officials are asking for the public's help to figure out who is chopping down trees along the Millennium Trail. "It's a bit of a mystery at this point," said Nicole Tattam, the city's parks supervisor. Tattam said they assume it's not for firewood, because in one instance, whoever did it left the wood stacked neatly in place. The felled trees are also aspen, which she said is not a very popular firewood because it burns quickly, produces a lot of smoke and doesn't produce a lot of heat. Another hypothesis is vigilante FireSmarting — an effort to reduce the risk of fires spreading, should any start up in the area. "Possibly looks like they were [dead] leaning trees, so that was one thing that came to mind, but we're just not sure," Tattam said. Tattam said bylaw officers don't have any leads at the moment. She said her team is focusing on education. She said only city employees can cut down standing trees. Homeowners can submit a "tree removal request" to have a tree removed — for example, if it's threatening to fall through their roof. Residents can also apply for a "cutting authorization" to take up to one cord of wood from logs on the forest floor. She said the city usually responds to applications within a day or two. Tattam said instances like this are rare. "This was just a lot of trees, and as far as we can tell, live trees, in a very, very public area."
The Sun
27-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
My neighbour's tree blocked our garden from the sun for 6 years, so we cut it down but everyone's saying the same thing
A WOMAN has sparked outrage after cutting down her neighbour's tree. Kelsea Jade, from the UK, took to social media, showing the tree get cut down as she explained it blocked her garden from getting any sunlight. 2 2 She revealed that she had bought a south-facing property which is known to get the most sun but didn't get the positives from it. Kelsea said: "Are we crazy for paying to have our neighbours tree cut down? For reference, we have a south-facing garden and we get the sun for the majority of the day but from 2 till 5pm we don't get a single thing. "This tree completely blocks it all." While Kelsea knew her decision to cut the tree down would face backlash, she was tired of living with the issue after six years. She continued: "But after living here for 6 years and basically being in the shade and not being able to enjoy the sun it really bothered me. "Imagine getting home from work wanting to sit out in the sun. and this is your view," she said as she showed her garden covered in shade. Kelsea added that she wasn't the only person who disliked the tree and that it affected other neighbours too, in the summer and the winter. The woman said that during the wintertime the leaves falling off the tree would cover their gardens. Finally, after years of begging the neighbour they allowed them to cut it down. She continued: "But after years of asking they did then allow us to cut it down. Which a win is a win. I'm grateful for it." I hate my new build garden being overlooked so found a 5 METRE privacy fence to block out nosy neighbours for under £30 The clip was shared on her TikTok account @ kelseajadex where it went viral with over 298k views and 6,000 likes. People were quick to take to the comments to share their thoughts. One person wrote: "The tree was there when you bought your house! That was your choice! You really had nothing to complain about." Another commented: 'Shame you didn't just have it pruned so shorter branches could still have nests and you would get more sunlight'. The Top Five Reasons Neighbours Squabble One study by Compare the Market revealed the top reason British neighbour's argue Broken fences - top of the board was broken fences and whose responsibility it was to fix it Parking: one of the leading drivers of neighbour disputes, with 54.1 per cent of people having issues with people parking in front of their house, parking bay or driveway Trees - complaints about a neighbour's tree cracking your garden path was also common with nearly half of participants finding it frustrating Bin wars - outdoor bin etiquette continues to ignite the most furious debates between neighbours Nosy Neighbours - some people have their eyes and ears at the ready to have a peek causing problems for others "When did people suddenly decide they hate nature? I'd be so happy to have that big beautiful tree beside me! Go live in an apartment if you hate trees so much! Baffles me," penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "I'm sure all the people complaining about it being cut down wouldn't want this huge tree in their back garden either." "I love trees but I would have done the same to be honest,' claimed a fifth.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Lewis Hamilton applies to cut down MORE trees at £18m Kensington mansion - just three years after he sparked fury over bid to axe a sugarplum despite neighbour's claims he was destroying nature
Lewis Hamilton has applied to cut down four more trees at £18m Kensington mansion - just three years after he sparked fury over a bid to axe a sugarplum tree despite neighbours claiming he was 'destroying nature'. The F1 megastar, 40, has appealed to fell two apple tree entirely, complaining they are 'poor specimens'. They are said to be replaced, although the species is yet to be decided. A lime tree will also be pruned back after it caused 'excessive shading' at his luxury west London pad, while a magnolia will be cut away from buildings and thinned out for also blocking the sun. These trees are not under a Tree Protection Order but are still in a conservation area. The proposed plans are currently under review by the council. The bombshell application could re-spark tensions between the Ferrari driver and residents on the plush Kensington street, close to the homes of David Beckham and Robbie Williams. Over the years, Hamilton's agents have submitted more than 20 planning applications on his behalf, as he's sought permission for all manner of improvements to bring the property up to standards commensurate with his superstar status. These have included the installation of metal entrance gates and the demolition of a summerhouse and the erection of a swanky replacement. Hamilton only received permission to chop down the 'beautiful' sugarplum tree in 2022, after neighbours argued that he would be ' destroying nature' if the tree outside his home was removed. But Hamilton beat out their complaints by providing a report by a tree surgeon which said that the tree was mostly dead and dying anyway. This report swayed the council who gave him permission to chop down the tree entirely and trim back a magnolia bush. Sources close to Hamilton told MailOnline that he was fond of the sugarplum tree but as it was dying he has had it replaced with a similar-looking apple blossom cherry tree. A year later he was also allowed to prune twin poplar trees which tower above his gardens - 'magnificent 'heritage' trees . . . easily identifiable upon approach to Heathrow', according to one local. It was the latest planning battle with local residents over the renovations to his palatial £18million mansion in one of the capital's most desirable conservation areas. The extensive building work includes a rear extension, summer house and new frontage with a larger security wall and gates to 'improve the character and privacy of the building', according to a council planning report. His garden design team, led by Florian McLaren at Highland Aboriculture, previously won permission to trim a Horse Chestnut tree by two metres, with the application form stating the changes are 'to reduce shading and reduce loading on regrowth points'. A neighbour backing onto Hamilton's property supported the application, saying that the large trees can leave 'pigeon droppings' all over their garden. They asked for 'as many as possible of the horizontal branches, that hang over our property, be pruned back', adding that 'the pigeon droppings in that corner can be a nuisance'. In a separate application to the council Hamilton also wanted to chop down an Amelanchier tree, also known as a shadbush. His team said the tree was '80% dead and in terminal decline' and asked to cut back the crown of a Magnolia Grandiflora by one to two metres. In a previous planning application by Hamilton, one neighbour moaned that the 'current owner bought the property for £18million in 2017 and has never set foot in it'. When the racing car driver applied to demolish the existing summerhouse, there were fears from locals regarding the trees and it being used as a party pad. Neighbours expressed concern that the property had reportedly 'remained empty' while they also disagreed that the trees were in 'poor' condition. One said: 'It certainly does not need another house at the rear of its garden, which, if the owner ever does move in, will no doubt be used as a 'party house' away from the main residence, due to the nature of his lifestyle.' Another said: 'Since the property was bought, the beneficial owner(s) concealed by the corporate envelope never used it. 'The property has remained empty to this day, and it is very likely that the PP is being sought to (again) 'dress up' an investment for capital gain. 'It is disheartening to see tree consultants describe the quality of the poplars (and certain other trees) as 'low quality'. 'These trees have been there for over 100 years and are part of a magnificent landscaping legacy in this precious conservation area of the RBKC. 'Their possible demise over time as a result of the construction would seriously impair the value of the neighbouring properties.' A final one wrote: 'They are magnificent 'heritage' trees, which are easily identified from an airplane upon approach to Heathrow Airport. 'The report also describes them both as in 'Poor' structural condition. I hope that this is also incorrect. In addition, they are considered 'post-mature' in age.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
The Sycamore Gap: justice but no answers
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In the end, the jury at Newcastle Crown Court reached a unanimous verdict, said Jan Moir in The Mail on Sunday. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were found guilty of criminal damage – for cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree next to Hadrian's Wall. The evidence was certainly damning. Graham's car and phone had been geolocated close to the Sycamore Gap on 27 September 2023, the stormy night when the tree was cut down; on both their phones was a video, dating from that very night, of a large tree being chainsawed. The pair, the jury heard, had discussed the story triumphantly by text the following day. But they later fell out, and Graham reported Carruthers to the police, suggesting that his friend had taken his car and phone to do the deed; Carruthers denied everything. All in all, it was clear justice had been done. But questions remained. The "two hobbity men from deepest Cumbria" were led out of court without revealing one crucial issue: "why the hell they did it in the first place". The prosecution had its theories, said the Daily Mirror. It seems Carruthers was obsessed with the tree, and wanted a "trophy" to mark the birth of his daughter. "As their risible fabrications in court made clear, neither are the brightest of men," said The Times. But it seems they thought cutting it down would be "a bit of a laugh": so they destroyed something in three minutes that had taken more than a century to grow. Well, I think the furore is absurd, said Melanie Reid in The Observer. You'd think it was "murder", from the way everyone has carried on. But the sycamore was, as Carruthers plaintively told the jury, "just a tree". No one was hurt. Now these two men – poor, uneducated, from one of the most deprived areas of the UK – face sentences of up to ten years in prison. Sure, it was "only" a tree, said Matthew Syed in The Sunday Times. But it "had stood for 150 years or more. It was gazed at by people in the reign of Queen Victoria." Hadrian's Wall, which framed it, has been there for 1,900 years. To look at it was not just to take in a beautiful view but to be connected to other people and other times, in "a tapestry of shared experience". I'm not surprised at the "outpouring of grief".
